MassVoter.com← Melrose City CouncilMelrose City Council · 2026–2027 Council · Special meeting
June 29, 2026
11 recorded votes, 4 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 Elizabeth Kowal absent.
Present: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kimberly Vandiver, Ryan Williams, Bradley Freeman
Absent: Elizabeth Kowal
During the meeting:
- Jason Chen took part remotely.
Every vote, in order
Public Comment
Open public comment
Motion to Open public comment made by Councilor Romanul at 7:49 PM 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, Manjula Karamcheti, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams.” (Motion: Romanul, second: Finocchiaro)
Close public comment
Motion to Close public comment made by Councilor Romanul at 7:50 PM 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, Manjula Karamcheti, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams.” (Motion: Romanul, second: Finocchiaro)
New Business
Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee — Approval of Lease Agreement with the Archdiocese of Boston for the Lease of the Parking Lot near St. Mary's Church at 41 Myrtle Street, Melrose MA
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 — Appropriation in the amount of $7,000.00 from contract stabilization (#8404) to Account #012962-527950 for rental expenses for the St. Mary's...
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 — Request that the City Council Approve the Written Determination that the Lease Transaction of the St. Mary's Parish Parking Lot is a Unique...
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
Passage — New Common Victualler License for Shawbak Lebanese Eatery and Bakery
Motion for Passage made by Councilor Finocchiaro Seconded by Councilor Karamcheti Councilor Jamaleddine excused herself from this vote and left the room due to a conflict of interest. All were in favor and motion passed
Yes: Chen, Finocchiaro, Freeman, Karamcheti, Obremski, Park, Romanul, Vandiver, WilliamsAbstained: Jamaleddine
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Manjula Karamcheti, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None ABSTAIN: Maya Jamaleddine ABSENT: Elizabeth Kowal.” (Motion: Finocchiaro, second: Jamaleddine)
Postpone until July 20 meeting — Appropriation from Peg Access Fund #2922 in the amount of $167,277.80 to MMTV and $55,759.27 to Melrose Public Schools (#1803)
Motion to Postpone until July 20 meeting made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“Motion to Postpone until July 20 meeting made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro All were in favor and motion passed.” (Motion: Romanul, second: Finocchiaro)
Postpone until our next full council meeting on July 20th for full public comment and consideration, since we just passed it this evening — Appropriation from Peg Access Fund #2922 in the amount...
Motion to postpone until our next full council meeting on July 20th for full public comment and consideration, since we just passed it this evening.
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams.”
Postpone until July 20 meeting — Authorization to Amend Solid Waste Facility Operating Agreement by and between the City of Melrose and Waste Management of Massachusetts
Motion to Postpone until July 20 meeting made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro All were in favor and motion passed
From the minutes
“Motion to Postpone until July 20 meeting made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro All were in favor and motion passed.” (Motion: Romanul, second: Finocchiaro)
Postpone until our next full Council meeting on July 20th, for full public comment and consideration, since we passed it just this evening — Authorization to Amend Solid Waste Facility Operating...
Motion to postpone until our next full Council meeting on July 20th, for full public comment and consideration, since we passed it just this evening.
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams.”
Adjournment
Adjourn
Motion to Adjourn made by Councilor Finocchiaro at 7:55 PM Seconded by Councilor Romanul All were in favor and meeting was adjourned
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams.” (Motion: Finocchiaro, second: Romanul)
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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