MassVoter.com← Melrose City CouncilMelrose City Council · 2026–2027 Council · Regular meeting
June 1, 2026
12 recorded votes, 5 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 Maya Jamaleddine absent.
Present: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kimberly Vandiver, Ryan Williams, Bradley Freeman
Absent: Maya Jamaleddine
Every vote, in order
Minutes Approval
Approve the minutes by unanimous consent without reading — City Council Regular Meeting May 18, 2026 7:45 PM
Motion to Approve the minutes by unanimous consent without reading made by President Freeman All were in favor and minutes were approved
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine.” (Motion: Freeman)
New Business
Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee — Vote to establish the Benjamin Lynde House Local Historic District
Motion to Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee made by President Freeman All were in favor and motion passed
The minutes label the vote “unanimous” without listing names; every councilor present is shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] TO: Appropriations & Oversight.” (Motion: Freeman)
Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee — A transfer in the amount of $69,000 from Health Insurance (#914) to Workers Compensation (#912) to fund estimated costs through the end of the...
Motion to Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee made by President Freeman All were in favor and motion passed
The minutes label the vote “unanimous” without listing names; every councilor present is shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] TO: Appropriations & Oversight.” (Motion: Freeman)
Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee — Requesting a transfer of $7,000 from the Memorial Building Salaries account 016931-511000 to the Memorial Building Professional Services account...
Motion to Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee made by President Freeman All were in favor and motion passed
The minutes label the vote “unanimous” without listing names; every councilor present is shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] TO: Appropriations & Oversight.” (Motion: Freeman)
Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee — Transfer to DPW-Facilities (#402) in the amount of $130,000 from various DPW accounts for June utilities
Motion to Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee made by President Freeman All were in favor and motion passed
The minutes label the vote “unanimous” without listing names; every councilor present is shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] TO: Appropriations & Oversight.” (Motion: Freeman)
Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee — Requesting an interdepartmental transfer of funds from the Elections Salaries PT Line item (011621-512000) in the amount of $24,437 to the Printing...
Motion to Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee made by President Freeman All were in favor and motion passed
The minutes label the vote “unanimous” without listing names; every councilor present is shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] TO: Appropriations & Oversight.” (Motion: Freeman)
Unfinished Business
Recommend — Appointment of Mark McKinnon, 585 Franklin Street, to the Melrose Housing Authority for a five-year term, said term to expire first Monday of March, 2029. Mr. McKinnon is completing...
Motion to Recommend made by Councilor Vandiver Seconded by Councilor Williams All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine.” (Motion: Vandiver, second: Williams)
Approve — Reappointment of Peter Bowman, 24 Arlington Road, to the Library Board of Trustees for a three-year term, said term to expire the last day of February 2029
Motion to Approve made by Councilor Vandiver Seconded by Councilor Williams All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine.” (Motion: Vandiver, second: Williams)
Approve — 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 Approve made by Councilor Vandiver Seconded by Councilor Williams All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine.” (Motion: Vandiver, second: Williams)
Passage — An Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) to the Veterans Services Department (#543) in the amount of $30,000 to design and fabricate a new Welcome Home Veterans Sign for the City
Motion for Passage made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Karamcheti All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine.” (Motion: Romanul, second: Karamcheti)
Passage — An Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) to the Election Department (#162) in the amount of $3,000 for a mailing
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, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine.” (Motion: Romanul, second: Finocchiaro)
Adjournment
Adjourn
Motion to Adjourn made by Councilor Karamcheti at 8:48 PM Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro All were in favor and meeting was adjourned
From the minutes
“Motion to Adjourn made by Councilor Karamcheti at 8:48 PM Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro All were in favor and meeting was adjourned.” (Motion: Karamcheti, second: Finocchiaro)
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.
How to read these pagesWhere the votes come from, how we check them against the official minutes, what isn't included yet, and how to report a mistake.About city pages →