← Melrose City Council

Melrose Former City Councilor

Scott M. Forbes

Ward 7 · 1 term in this record

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Record at a glance · 2018–2019 Board of Aldermen / City Council

41 of 48meetings attended (85%) · whole council 94%
183votes cast by name (yes, no or abstain)
4no votes (2% of votes cast) · whole council 1%
5 of 12split votes where Forbes was in the minority (42%) · whole council 22%
0abstained
1term in this record

On split votes, Forbes voted the same way as…

How these numbers work
  • Counted from the official minutes, for 2018–2019 Board of Aldermen / City Council only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
  • Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list Forbes 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.

Attendance

At the start of 41 of 48 City Council meetings in 2018–2019 Board of Aldermen / City Council.

Missed

Every meeting (48)

Votes where councilors disagreed · 2018–2019 Board of Aldermen / City Council

Nov 18Emergency Management Services - vehicle acquisition requestMotion: RESULT: LEAVE TO WITHDRAW [8 TO 2] TO: City Council MOVER:…Passed 8–2 · Forbes: Yes

November 18, 2019: Emergency Management Services - vehicle acquisition request

ApprovePassed · 8–2

RESULT: LEAVE TO WITHDRAW [8 TO 2] TO: City Council MOVER: John N. Tramontozzi, Ward 1 SECONDER: Kate Lipper-Garabedian, At-Large AYES: Bewtra, Forbes, Lipper-Garabedian, MacMaster, Medeiros, Tramontozzi, Zwirko, McNaught NAYS: Robert A. Boisselle, Peter D. Mortimer ABSENT: Francis X. Wright Jr.

Voted: Yes

Yes: Bewtra, Forbes, Lipper-Garabedian, MacMaster, McNaught, Medeiros, Tramontozzi, ZwirkoNo: Boisselle, Mortimer

From the minutes

“RESULT: LEAVE TO WITHDRAW [8 TO 2] TO: City Council MOVER: John N. Tramontozzi, Ward 1 SECONDER: Kate Lipper-Garabedian, At-Large AYES: Bewtra, Forbes, Lipper-Garabedian, MacMaster, Medeiros, Tramontozzi, Zwirko, McNaught NAYS: Robert A. Boisselle, Peter D. Mortimer ABSENT: Francis X. Wright Jr..” (Motion: Tramontozzi, second: Lipper-Garabedian)

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

Oct 7Elect Scott M. Forbes President of the City Council…Motion: Motion to Close Nominations by Zwirko; second by Boisselle The election…Passed Unanimous, 10 present · Forbes: Yes

October 7, 2019: Elect Scott M. Forbes President of the City Council for the rest of 2019 (viva voce vote)

Confirm appointmentPassed · Unanimous, 10 present

Motion to Close Nominations by Zwirko; second by Boisselle The election proceeded by viva voce vote. Forbes was unanimously elected.

Voted: Yes

The minutes say the nominations were closed and “The election proceeded by viva voce vote. Forbes was unanimously elected”; every councilor present is shown voting yes.

From the minutes

“Motion to Close Nominations by Zwirko; second by Boisselle The election proceeded by viva voce vote. Forbes was unanimously elected..” (Motion: Zwirko, second: Boisselle)

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

Oct 7Appointment of Julianna Hanlon, 7 Short Street, as an…Motion: RESULT: PASSED [9 TO 0] MOVER: Kate Lipper-Garabedian, Councilor at Large…Passed 9–0 · Forbes: Yes

October 7, 2019: Appointment of Julianna Hanlon, 7 Short Street, as an Associate Member of the Board of Appeals for a two-year term; said term to expire on the last day of February…

Confirm appointmentPassed · 9–0

RESULT: PASSED [9 TO 0] MOVER: Kate Lipper-Garabedian, Councilor at Large SECONDER: John N. Tramontozzi, Ward 1 Councilor AYES: Bewtra, Boisselle, Forbes, MacMaster, Medeiros, Mortimer, Tramontozzi, Wright Jr., Zwirko ABSTAIN: Kate Lipper-Garabedian

Voted: Yes

Yes: Bewtra, Boisselle, Forbes, MacMaster, Medeiros, Mortimer, Tramontozzi, Wright, ZwirkoAbstained: Lipper-Garabedian

From the minutes

“RESULT: PASSED [9 TO 0] MOVER: Kate Lipper-Garabedian, Councilor at Large SECONDER: John N. Tramontozzi, Ward 1 Councilor AYES: Bewtra, Boisselle, Forbes, MacMaster, Medeiros, Mortimer, Tramontozzi, Wright Jr., Zwirko ABSTAIN: Kate Lipper-Garabedian.” (Motion: Lipper-Garabedian, second: Tramontozzi)

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

Sep 3Add all of the related citizen correspondence to the…Motion: A motion was made to add all of the related citizen…Passed 8–3 · Forbes: No

September 3, 2019: Add all of the related citizen correspondence to the record — Amend Melrose Revised Ordinances by adding Article VI, Section 198-12: Reduction in Single Use Plastic Beverage Straws and Beverage...

ApprovePassed · 8–3

A motion was made to add all of the related citizen correspondence to the record by Alderman Wright; second by Mortimer; motion carried. Alderman MacMaster states that he is against the straw ordinance because he believes it will be counter intuitive to its purpose because legislating without education and actually foster resistance among the public. Alderman Wright reiterates that straws can be requested at any time, that this ordinance is just and opportunity to resist plastic, but he understands that people still want and need straws. It is not a ban. Alderman Forbes restates that he feels that the same thing can be accomplished without an ordinance.

Voted: No

Yes: Bewtra, Boisselle, Lemmerman, Lipper-Garabedian, Mortimer, Tramontozzi, Wright, ZwirkoNo: Forbes, MacMaster, Medeiros

From the minutes

“RESULT: ADOPTED [8 TO 3] MOVER: Francis X. Wright Jr., Ward 3 Alderman SECONDER: Peter D. Mortimer, Ward 6 Alderman AYES: Bewtra, Boisselle, Lemmerman, Lipper-Garabedian, Mortimer, Tramontozzi, Wright Jr., Zwirko NAYS: Scott M. Forbes, Shawn M. MacMaster, Monica C. Medeiros.” (Motion: Wright, second: Mortimer)

Read it in the official minutes, page 7 (PDF)

Sep 3Appointment of Stacy Minchello as Director of the Council…Motion: RESULT: PASSED [10 TO 1] MOVER: Monica C. Medeiros, Alderman at…Passed 10–1 · Forbes: Yes

September 3, 2019: Appointment of Stacy Minchello as Director of the Council Aging, effective September 16, 2019

Confirm appointmentPassed · 10–1

RESULT: PASSED [10 TO 1] MOVER: Monica C. Medeiros, Alderman at Large SECONDER: Peter D. Mortimer, Ward 6 Alderman AYES: Bewtra, Boisselle, Forbes, Lemmerman, Lipper-Garabedian, Medeiros, Mortimer, Tramontozzi, Wright Jr., Zwirko NAYS: Shawn M. MacMaster

Voted: Yes

Yes: Bewtra, Boisselle, Forbes, Lemmerman, Lipper-Garabedian, Medeiros, Mortimer, Tramontozzi, Wright, ZwirkoNo: MacMaster

From the minutes

“RESULT: PASSED [10 TO 1] MOVER: Monica C. Medeiros, Alderman at Large SECONDER: Peter D. Mortimer, Ward 6 Alderman AYES: Bewtra, Boisselle, Forbes, Lemmerman, Lipper-Garabedian, Medeiros, Mortimer, Tramontozzi, Wright Jr., Zwirko NAYS: Shawn M. MacMaster.” (Motion: Medeiros, second: Mortimer)

Read it in the official minutes, page 7 (PDF)

Aug 19Passage — AN ORDINANCE REGULATING THE REGISTRATION AND MAINTENANCE…Motion: Motion for passage by Mortimer; second by Bewtra With the order…Passed 8–2 · Forbes: Yes

August 19, 2019: Passage — AN ORDINANCE REGULATING THE REGISTRATION AND MAINTENANCE OF VACANT COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES IN THE CITY OF MELROSE

Adopt orderPassed · 8–2

Motion for passage by Mortimer; second by Bewtra With the order before him, Alderman MacMaster stated that he supported the proposal in spirit, but was leery of regulating small businesses and would rather see an incentive-based approach than a $400 fine; and therefore would not vote in support. Lipper-Garabedian noted that the term of "fee" rather than "fine" was intentional in the proposal in order to recognize the costs that vacant properties incur on the city. Lipper-Garabedian also explained that the ordinance would impact the commericial property owners, not the small business who leased from them. In fact, the intention is to support these small businesses by encouraging property owners to keep their properties fully occupied.

Voted: Yes

Yes: Bewtra, Boisselle, Forbes, Lemmerman, Lipper-Garabedian, Mortimer, Wright, ZwirkoNo: MacMaster, Medeiros

From the minutes

“RESULT: ADOPTED [8 TO 2] MOVER: Peter D. Mortimer, Ward 6 Alderman SECONDER: Manisha Bewtra, Alderman at Large AYES: Bewtra, Boisselle, Forbes, Lemmerman, Lipper-Garabedian, Mortimer, Wright Jr., Zwirko NAYS: Shawn M. MacMaster, Monica C. Medeiros ABSENT: John N. Tramontozzi.” (Motion: Mortimer, second: Bewtra)

Read it in the official minutes, page 7 (PDF)

Aug 1A Resolution Calling Upon the Administration to Retain an…Motion: RESULT: PASSED [8 TO 1] MOVER: Shawn M. MacMaster, Ward 5…Passed 8–1 · Forbes: Yes

August 1, 2019 (Special meeting): A Resolution Calling Upon the Administration to Retain an Environmental Specialist to Conduct an Independent Inspection of the Homes Affected by the Brazil Street Sewer Backup

ApprovePassed · 8–1

RESULT: PASSED [8 TO 1] MOVER: Shawn M. MacMaster, Ward 5 Alderman SECONDER: Scott M. Forbes, Ward 7 Alderman AYES: Bewtra, Boisselle, Forbes, Lipper-Garabedian, MacMaster, Medeiros, Mortimer, Zwirko NAYS: John N. Tramontozzi ABSENT: Jennifer L. Lemmerman, Francis X. Wright Jr.

Voted: Yes

Yes: Bewtra, Boisselle, Forbes, Lipper-Garabedian, MacMaster, Medeiros, Mortimer, ZwirkoNo: Tramontozzi

From the minutes

“RESULT: PASSED [8 TO 1] MOVER: Shawn M. MacMaster, Ward 5 Alderman SECONDER: Scott M. Forbes, Ward 7 Alderman AYES: Bewtra, Boisselle, Forbes, Lipper-Garabedian, MacMaster, Medeiros, Mortimer, Zwirko NAYS: John N. Tramontozzi ABSENT: Jennifer L. Lemmerman, Francis X. Wright Jr..” (Motion: MacMaster, second: Forbes)

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

Jun 17Pass as Amended — An Order Creating an Education,…Motion: Motion to Pass as Amended - K.Lipper-Garabedian, 2nd Motion M.Zwirko Discussion…Passed 8–3 · Forbes: Yes

June 17, 2019: Pass as Amended — An Order Creating an Education, Public Safety & Substance Abuse Prevention Stabilization Fund

ApprovePassed · 8–3

Motion to Pass as Amended - K.Lipper-Garabedian, 2nd Motion M.Zwirko Discussion - K. Lipper-Garabedian - will red line provisions be included in the next version (yes) F.Wright opens discussion - doesn't oppose the fund, thinks the % is too high M.Zwirko thanks his colleagues for working on this over the last 2 months J. Tramontozzi doesn't believe the tax money is appropriate for this stabilization fund

Voted: Yes

Yes: Bewtra, Forbes, Lemmerman, Lipper-Garabedian, MacMaster, Medeiros, Mortimer, ZwirkoNo: Boisselle, Tramontozzi, Wright

From the minutes

“RESULT: PASSED AS AMENDED [8 TO 3] TO: Board of Aldermen MOVER: Kate Lipper-Garabedian, Alderman at Large SECONDER: Michael P. Zwirko, Alderman at Large AYES: Bewtra, Forbes, Lemmerman, Lipper-Garabedian, MacMaster, Medeiros, Mortimer, Zwirko NAYS: Robert A. Boisselle, John N. Tramontozzi, Francis X. Wright Jr..” (Motion: Lipper-Garabedian, second: Zwirko)

Read it in the official minutes, page 6 (PDF)

Mar 4Petition of National Grid and Verizon New England, Inc…Motion: RESULT: PASSED [10 TO 1] TO: Board of Aldermen MOVER: Michael…Passed 10–1 · Forbes: Yes

March 4, 2019: Petition of National Grid and Verizon New England, Inc to relocate 3 jointly owned poles on Howard & Green Streets-- poles 176-1,177, and 208 out of the center island of…

ApprovePassed · 10–1

RESULT: PASSED [10 TO 1] TO: Board of Aldermen MOVER: Michael P. Zwirko, Alderman at Large SECONDER: Kate Lipper-Garabedian, Alderman at Large AYES: Bewtra, Boisselle, Forbes, Lemmerman, Lipper-Garabedian, MacMaster, Mortimer, Tramontozzi, Wright Jr., Zwirko NAYS: Monica C. Medeiros

Voted: Yes

Yes: Bewtra, Boisselle, Forbes, Lemmerman, Lipper-Garabedian, MacMaster, Mortimer, Tramontozzi, Wright, ZwirkoNo: Medeiros

From the minutes

“RESULT: PASSED [10 TO 1] TO: Board of Aldermen MOVER: Michael P. Zwirko, Alderman at Large SECONDER: Kate Lipper-Garabedian, Alderman at Large AYES: Bewtra, Boisselle, Forbes, Lemmerman, Lipper-Garabedian, MacMaster, Mortimer, Tramontozzi, Wright Jr., Zwirko NAYS: Monica C. Medeiros.” (Motion: Zwirko, second: Lipper-Garabedian)

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

Feb 19Amending Melrose Revised Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 235, Article XI,…Motion: RESULT: ADOPTED [8 TO 2] MOVER: Kate Lipper-Garabedian, Alderman at Large…Passed 8–2 · Forbes: No

February 19, 2019: Amending Melrose Revised Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 235, Article XI, Section 235-73.1 Affordable Housing Incentive Program

ApprovePassed · 8–2

RESULT: ADOPTED [8 TO 2] MOVER: Kate Lipper-Garabedian, Alderman at Large SECONDER: Michael P. Zwirko, Alderman at Large AYES: Bewtra, Lipper-Garabedian, MacMaster, Medeiros, Mortimer, Tramontozzi, Wright Jr., Zwirko NAYS: Robert A. Boisselle, Scott M. Forbes ABSENT: Jennifer L. Lemmerman

Voted: No

Yes: Bewtra, Lipper-Garabedian, MacMaster, Medeiros, Mortimer, Tramontozzi, Wright, ZwirkoNo: Boisselle, Forbes

From the minutes

“RESULT: ADOPTED [8 TO 2] MOVER: Kate Lipper-Garabedian, Alderman at Large SECONDER: Michael P. Zwirko, Alderman at Large AYES: Bewtra, Lipper-Garabedian, MacMaster, Medeiros, Mortimer, Tramontozzi, Wright Jr., Zwirko NAYS: Robert A. Boisselle, Scott M. Forbes ABSENT: Jennifer L. Lemmerman.” (Motion: Lipper-Garabedian, second: Zwirko)

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

Votes with no disagreement (182)

    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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