MassVoter.com← Melrose City CouncilMelrose City Council · 2026–2027 Council · Regular meeting
May 18, 2026
18 recorded votes, 0 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Note on these minutes: The attendance table marks Manjula Karamcheti and Ryan Williams absent.
Present: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Maya Jamaleddine, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kimberly Vandiver, Bradley Freeman
Absent: Manjula Karamcheti, Ryan Williams
Every vote, in order
Minutes Approval
Approve the minutes by unanimous consent without reading — City Council Regular Meeting May 11, 2026 7:45 PM
Motion to Approve the minutes by unanimous consent without reading made by President Freeman Minutes were approved
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver NAYS: None ABSENT: Manjula Karamcheti, Ryan Williams.” (Motion: Freeman)
New Business
Refer to Boards & Commissions Committee — Appointment of Francisco Morales, 12 Patricks' Place, to the Human Rights Commission, for a three-year term, said term to expire February 2029
Motion to Refer to Boards & Commissions Committee made by President Freeman All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULTS: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] TO: Boards & Commissions AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver NAYS: None ABSENT: Manjula Karamcheti, Ryan Williams.” (Motion: Freeman)
Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee — An Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) in the amount of $37,000 to the Planning Department (#175) for treating the Towners, Swains, and...
Motion to Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee made by President Freeman All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULTS: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] TO: Appropriations & Oversight AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver NAYS: None ABSENT: Manjula Karamcheti, Ryan Williams.” (Motion: Freeman)
Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee — An Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) in the amount of $17,000 to the Parks Department for the Purchase of AEDs for playing fields
Motion to Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee made by President Freeman All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULTS: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] TO: Appropriations & Oversight AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver NAYS: None ABSENT: Manjula Karamcheti, Ryan Williams.” (Motion: Freeman)
Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee — An Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) in the amount of $400,000 to the Fire Department (#221) for projected overtime costs through the...
Motion to Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee made by President Freeman All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULTS: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] TO: Appropriations & Oversight AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver NAYS: None ABSENT: Manjula Karamcheti, Ryan Williams.” (Motion: Freeman)
Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee — An Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) in the amount of $30,000 to the Fire Department(#221) for projected motor vehicle repair through...
Motion to Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee made by President Freeman All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULTS: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] TO: Appropriations & Oversight AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver NAYS: None ABSENT: Manjula Karamcheti, Ryan Williams.” (Motion: Freeman)
Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee — An Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) in the amount of $560,000 to the City Stabilization fund (#8401)
Motion to Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee made by President Freeman All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULTS: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] TO: Appropriations & Oversight AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver NAYS: None ABSENT: Manjula Karamcheti, Ryan Williams.” (Motion: Freeman)
Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee — An Appropriation from Mt. Hood Retained Earnings (account 620000- 319000) in the amount of $200,000 to Mt. Hood Reserve Fund (8417- 490000)
Motion to Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee made by President Freeman All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULTS: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] TO: Appropriations & Oversight AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver NAYS: None ABSENT: Manjula Karamcheti, Ryan Williams.” (Motion: Freeman)
Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee — An Appropriation from Mt. Hood Retained Earnings (account 620000- 319000) in the amount of $150,000 to Mt. Hood Professional Services (account...
Motion to Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee made by President Freeman All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULTS: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] TO: Appropriations & Oversight AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver NAYS: None ABSENT: Manjula Karamcheti, Ryan Williams.” (Motion: Freeman)
Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee — An Appropriation from Sewer Retained Earnings (account 6000- 319000) to Sewer Equipment (account 604413-551002) for the down payment on a Vactor Truck
Motion to Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee made by President Freeman All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULTS: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] TO: Appropriations & Oversight AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver NAYS: None ABSENT: Manjula Karamcheti, Ryan Williams.” (Motion: Freeman)
Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee — An order to increase the Recreation Revolving Fund (#2652) spending limit for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2026 from $500,000 to $575,000
Motion to Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee made by President Freeman All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULTS: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] TO: Appropriations & Oversight AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver NAYS: None ABSENT: Manjula Karamcheti, Ryan Williams.” (Motion: Freeman)
Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee — Acceptance of a donation to the Parks Department for the purchase and maintenance of AED units at parks throughout the City
Motion to Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee made by President Freeman All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULTS: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] TO: Appropriations & Oversight AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver NAYS: None ABSENT: Manjula Karamcheti, Ryan Williams.” (Motion: Freeman)
Unfinished Business
Passage — Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) in the amount of $170,000 to Capital Outlay (#931) to purchase a sidewalk plow
Motion for Passage made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver NAYS: None ABSENT: Manjula Karamcheti, Ryan Williams.” (Motion: Romanul, second: Finocchiaro)
Passage — Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) in the amount of $880,000 to Capital Outlay (#931) to purchase DPW Vehicles
Motion for Passage made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Jamlaeddine All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver NAYS: None ABSENT: Manjula Karamcheti, Ryan Williams.” (Motion: Romanul)
Passage — Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) in the amount of $865,000 to DPW-Snow (#431) to close the snow and ice deficit for FY26
Motion for Passage made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver NAYS: None ABSENT: Manjula Karamcheti, Ryan Williams.” (Motion: Romanul, second: Finocchiaro)
Passage — Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) in the amount of $244,944 to the School Department (#1620) for medicaid reimbursement received in FY25
Motion for Passage made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver NAYS: None ABSENT: Manjula Karamcheti, Ryan Williams.” (Motion: Romanul, second: Finocchiaro)
Passage — Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) in the amount of $10,000 to DPW-Highway (#422) to purchase bike racks
Motion for Passage made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver NAYS: None ABSENT: Manjula Karamcheti, Ryan Williams.” (Motion: Romanul, second: Finocchiaro)
Adjournment
Adjourn
Motion to Adjourn made by Councilor Romanul at 9:13 PM Seconded by Councilor Vandiver All were in favor and meeting was adjourned
From the minutes
“Motion to Adjourn made by Councilor Romanul at 9:13 PM Seconded by Councilor Vandiver All were in favor and meeting was adjourned.” (Motion: Romanul, second: Vandiver)
From the Melrose City Council’s official minutes (the Board of Aldermen’s until October 2019), posted on the city’s Agendas & Minutes page (its CivicClerk portal, City Council). We check every vote against the councilors present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Councilor photos: City of Melrose (cityofmelrose.org), from the official City Council page. Cal Finocchiaro: Melrose Weekly News. Former councilors show initials.
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