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Melrose Member
Cal Finocchiaro
Ward 6 · 2 terms in this record
Cal M. Finocchiaro
A monthly email on how they voted, starting in November.
Council terms
Record at a glance · 2026–2027 Council
On split votes, Finocchiaro voted the same way as…
- Maya Jamaleddine100% (9 of 9)
- Manjula Karamcheti100% (8 of 8)
- Elizabeth Kowal100% (9 of 9)
- Christopher Park100% (9 of 9)
- Bradley Freeman89% (8 of 9)
- Devin Romanul89% (8 of 9)
- John Obremski86% (6 of 7)
- Kimberly Vandiver78% (7 of 9)
- Ryan Williams63% (5 of 8)
- Jason Chen44% (4 of 9)
How these numbers work
- Counted from the official minutes, for 2026–2027 Council only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
- Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list Finocchiaro as present or absent at the start.
- Only votes the minutes record member by member are counted. Voice votes and votes given only as a count (for example 6-3 with no names) are not.
- Percentages are shown only when there are at least 10 meetings or votes to count.
- A split vote is one where at least one member voted yes and another voted no. “In the minority” means on the side with fewer votes; ties are not counted.
- “Whole council” combines every member’s record for the same term.
These numbers describe the record; they are not a grade. A no vote, an abstention or a minority vote is neither good nor bad. MassVoter never rates officials.
In the news
No recent stories found that name Cal Finocchiaro in the headline or opening.
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Disclosure: MassVoter’s founder, Michael Silvia, is the publisher of Fall River Reporter and New Bedford Guide.
Attendance
At the start of 15 of 18 City Council meetings in 2026–2027 Council.
Missed
- Aug 17, 2026 · Regular: Absent
- May 11, 2026 · Special: Absent
- Feb 2, 2026 · Regular: Absent
Every meeting (18)
- Sep 28, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Sep 8, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Aug 17, 2026 · Regular: Absent
- Jul 20, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Jun 29, 2026 · Special: Present
- Jun 15, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Jun 1, 2026 · Regular: Present
- May 18, 2026 · Regular: Present
- May 11, 2026 · Special: Absent
- May 4, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Apr 27, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Apr 6, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Mar 16, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Mar 2, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Feb 26, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Feb 2, 2026 · Regular: Absent
- Jan 20, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Jan 12, 2026 · Regular: Present
Votes where councilors disagreed · 2026–2027 Council
Jul 20Approve the revised lease statement as submitted on July…Motion: Motion to Approve the revised lease statement as submitted on July…Passed 9–2 · Finocchiaro: Yes
July 20, 2026: Approve the revised lease statement as submitted on July 14th, 2026
Motion to Approve the revised lease statement as submitted on July 14th, 2026 made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro Motion Passed 9 to 2, with Councilors Vandiver and Williams voting No
Voted: Yes
Yes: Chen, Finocchiaro, Freeman, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Kowal, Obremski, Park, RomanulNo: Vandiver, Williams
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [9-2) AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul NAYS: Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams.” (Motion: Romanul, second: Finocchiaro)
Jun 29Passage — New Common Victualler License for Shawbak Lebanese…Motion: Motion for Passage made by Councilor Finocchiaro Seconded by Councilor Karamcheti…Passed 9–0 · Finocchiaro: Yes
June 29, 2026 (Special meeting): 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
Voted: Yes
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)
Jun 15Enter into Executive SessionMotion: Motion to Enter into Executive Session made by Councilor Vandiver at…Passed 9–1 · Finocchiaro: Yes
June 15, 2026: Enter into Executive Session
Motion to Enter into Executive Session made by Councilor Vandiver at 8:05 PM Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro Motion passed 9-1 Councilor Chen asked to postpone Executive Session until the end of the meeting and the request was denied by President Freeman. Councilor Karamcheti was not present for this vote.
Voted: Yes
Yes: Finocchiaro, Freeman, Jamaleddine, Kowal, Obremski, Park, Romanul, Vandiver, WilliamsNo: ChenThe roll call lists Manjula Karamcheti as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED AYES: Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: Jason Chen ABSENT: Manjula Karamcheti.” (Motion: Vandiver, second: Finocchiaro)
Jun 15End Executive SessionMotion: Motion to End Executive Session made by Councilor Williams at 8:43…Passed 10–0 · Finocchiaro: Yes
June 15, 2026: End Executive Session
Motion to End Executive Session made by Councilor Williams at 8:43 PM Seconded by Councilor Vandiver All were in favor and motion passed
Voted: Yes
Yes: Chen, Finocchiaro, Freeman, Jamaleddine, Kowal, Obremski, Park, Romanul, Vandiver, WilliamsThe roll call lists Manjula Karamcheti as absent for this vote.
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, Ryan Williams NAYS: None ABSENT: Manjula Karamcheti.” (Motion: Williams, second: Vandiver)
Jun 15Reject the $70,000 Free Cash appropriation for a consultant…Motion: Motion to Reject made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro…Passed 9–2 · Finocchiaro: Yes
June 15, 2026: Reject the $70,000 Free Cash appropriation for a consultant to update the Downtown Parking Study
Motion to Reject made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro Motion passed 9-2, Appropriation not approved
Voted: Yes
Yes: Chen, Finocchiaro, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Kowal, Park, Romanul, Vandiver, WilliamsNo: Freeman, ObremskiThe motion to reject carried 9-2 (“Motion passed 9-2, Appropriation not approved”), so the appropriation was not approved.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPROPRIATION REJECTED/NOT APPROVED AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: Bradley Freeman, John Obremski.” (Motion: Romanul, second: Finocchiaro)
Jun 15Passage — An Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001)…Motion: Motion for Passage made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Williams…Passed 10–1 · Finocchiaro: Yes
June 15, 2026: Passage — An Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) in the amount of $150,000 to the Affordable Housing Trust (#8270)
Motion for Passage made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Williams Motion passed 10-1
Voted: Yes
Yes: Finocchiaro, Freeman, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Kowal, Obremski, Park, Romanul, Vandiver, WilliamsNo: Chen
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED AYES: Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: Jason Chen.” (Motion: Romanul, second: Williams)
Jun 15Passage — An Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001)…Motion: Motion for Passage made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro…Passed 10–0 · Finocchiaro: Yes
June 15, 2026: Passage — An Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) to Memorial Building (#693) in the amount of $50,000 for boiler replacement and HVAC controls
Motion for Passage made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro All were in favor and motion passed Councilor Obremski had stepped out of the room during this vote
Voted: Yes
Yes: Chen, Finocchiaro, Freeman, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Kowal, Park, Romanul, Vandiver, WilliamsThe roll call lists John Obremski as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None ABSENT: John Obremski.” (Motion: Romanul, second: Finocchiaro)
Jun 15Passage — An Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001)…Motion: Motion for Passage made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Jamaleddine…Passed 10–0 · Finocchiaro: Yes
June 15, 2026: Passage — An Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) to the School Department (#300) in the amount of $12,193.20 to purchase vape detectors for MVMMS
Motion for Passage made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Jamaleddine All were in favor and motion passed Councilor Obremski had stepped out of the room during this vote
Voted: Yes
Yes: Chen, Finocchiaro, Freeman, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Kowal, Park, Romanul, Vandiver, WilliamsThe roll call lists John Obremski as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None ABSENT: John Obremski.” (Motion: Romanul, second: Jamaleddine)
Jun 15Passage — An Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001)…Motion: Motion for Passage made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro…Passed 9–2 · Finocchiaro: Yes
June 15, 2026: Passage — An Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) to DPW- Admin/Engineering Department (#401) in the amount of $710,000 for design and permitting of Ell Pond Park
Motion for Passage made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro Motion passed 9-2
Voted: Yes
Yes: Chen, Finocchiaro, Freeman, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Kowal, Obremski, Park, RomanulNo: Vandiver, Williams
From the minutes
“RESULT: ACCEPTED AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul NAYS: Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams.” (Motion: Romanul, second: Finocchiaro)
May 4Postpone until May 11 — Appropriation from Free Cash…Motion: Motion to Postpone until May 11 made by Councilor Romanul Seconded…Passed 10–1 · Finocchiaro: Yes
May 4, 2026: Postpone until May 11 — 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 to Postpone until May 11 made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Williams Motion passed, with Councilor Chen voting Nay
Voted: Yes
Yes: Finocchiaro, Freeman, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Kowal, Obremski, Park, Romanul, Vandiver, WilliamsNo: Chen
From the minutes
“RESULT: PASSED AYES: Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: Jason Chen.” (Motion: Romanul, second: Williams)
Votes with no disagreement (123)
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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