← Melrose City Council

Melrose Former City Councilor

Ward Hamilton

At-large · 1 term in this record

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Record at a glance · 2024–2025 Council

43 of 48meetings attended (90%) · whole council 85%
366votes cast by name (yes, no or abstain)
4no votes (1% of votes cast) · whole council 1%
2 of 11split votes where Hamilton was in the minority (18%) · whole council 22%
0abstained
1term in this record

On split votes, Hamilton voted the same way as…

How these numbers work
  • Counted from the official minutes, for 2024–2025 Council only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
  • Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list Hamilton 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 43 of 48 City Council meetings in 2024–2025 Council.

Missed

Every meeting (48)

Votes where councilors disagreed · 2024–2025 Council

Dec 1Adopt a Shift of 1.73 and Residential Factor of…Motion: Motion to adopt a Shift of 1.73 and Residential Factor of…Passed 8–1 · Hamilton: Yes

December 1, 2025: Adopt a Shift of 1.73 and Residential Factor of .9617 — FY2026 Property Tax Classification Public Hearing

ApprovePassed · 8–1

Motion to adopt a Shift of 1.73 and Residential Factor of .9617 made by Councilor Garipay Seconded by Councilor Stewart Most were in favor and motion passed

Voted: Yes

Yes: Finocchiaro, Garipay, Hamilton, Karamcheti, Migliorelli, Romanul, Stewart, WilliamsNo: VandiverThe roll call does not list Maya Jamaleddine (who left the meeting at 8:08 PM), so that member is not shown on this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: PASSED AYES: Cal Finocchiaro, Mark Garipay, Ward Hamilton, Manjula Karamcheti, Devin Romanul, Robb Stewart, Leila Migliorelli, Ryan Williams NAYS: Kim Vandiver ABSENT: John Obremski.” (Motion: Garipay, second: Stewart)

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

Dec 1Passage — Acceptance of vote language for Appropriation of…Motion: Motion for Passage made by Councilor Garipay Seconded by Councilor Stewart…Passed 9–0 · Hamilton: Yes

December 1, 2025: Passage — Acceptance of vote language for Appropriation of Feasibility Study for MSBA Accelerated Repair projects

ApprovePassed · 9–0

Motion for Passage made by Councilor Garipay Seconded by Councilor Stewart All were in favor and motion passed

Voted: Yes

Yes: Finocchiaro, Garipay, Hamilton, Karamcheti, Migliorelli, Romanul, Stewart, Vandiver, WilliamsThe roll call does not list Maya Jamaleddine (who left the meeting at 8:08 PM), so that member is not shown on this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: PASSED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Cal Finocchiaro, Mark Garipay, Ward Hamilton, Manjula Karamcheti, Devin Romanul, Robb Stewart, Kim Vandiver, Leila Migliorelli, Ryan Williams NAYS: None ABSENT: John Obremski.” (Motion: Garipay, second: Stewart)

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

Dec 1Amend Section 10D for first sentence to read:"This section…Motion: Motion to Amend Section 10D for first sentence to read:"This section…Passed 9–0 · Hamilton: Yes

December 1, 2025: Amend Section 10D for first sentence to read:"This section shall take effect upon final vote of council approving a new regulatory authority of a... — That the City Council adopt…

ApprovePassed · 9–0

Motion to Amend Section 10D for first sentence to read:"This section shall take effect upon final vote of council approving a new regulatory authority of a Historical Commission as submitted" made by Councilor Finocchiaro Seconded by Councilor Hamilton All were in favor and motion passed as amended Comments during the meeting:

Voted: Yes

Yes: Finocchiaro, Garipay, Hamilton, Karamcheti, Migliorelli, Romanul, Stewart, Vandiver, WilliamsMaya Jamaleddine left the meeting at 8:08 PM; the minutes do not show that member taking part at this point, so that member is not shown on this vote.

From the minutes

“Motion to Amend Section 10D for first sentence to read:"This section shall take effect upon final vote of council approving a new regulatory authority of a Historical Commission as submitted" made by Councilor Finocchiaro Seconded by Councilor Hamilton All were in favor and motion passed as amended Comments during the meeting:.” (Motion: Finocchiaro, second: Hamilton)

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

Dec 1Passage as Amended and final vote was called —…Motion: Motion for Passage as Amended and final vote was called by…Passed 9–0 · Hamilton: Yes

December 1, 2025: Passage as Amended and final vote was called — That the City Council adopt a Demolition Review Ordinance as set forth herein, to preserve and protect buildings of historical significance…

ApprovePassed · 9–0

Motion for Passage as Amended and final vote was called by President Migliorelli All were in favor and motion passed as amended.

Voted: Yes

Yes: Finocchiaro, Garipay, Hamilton, Karamcheti, Migliorelli, Romanul, Stewart, Vandiver, WilliamsThe roll call does not list Maya Jamaleddine (who left the meeting at 8:08 PM), so that member is not shown on this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: PASSED AS AMENDED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Cal Finocchiaro, Mark Garipay, Ward Hamilton, Manjula Karamcheti, Devin Romanul, Robb Stewart, Kim Vandiver, Leila Migliorelli, Ryan Williams NAYS: None ABSENT: John Obremski.” (Motion: Migliorelli)

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

Aug 18National Grid install 1 JO Pole on Mt Zion…Motion: RESULT: MOVE WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION [9 TO 0] Next: 9/2/2025Passed Unanimous, 9 present · Hamilton: Yes

August 18, 2025: National Grid install 1 JO Pole on Mt Zion Road NO 31114550

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 9 present

RESULT: MOVE WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION [9 TO 0] Next: 9/2/2025

Voted: Yes

The minutes give the count as 9 to 0 without names; it matches the nine members present, so each is shown voting yes.

From the minutes

“RESULT: MOVE WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION [9 TO 0] Next: 9/2/2025.”

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

Jun 16Petition to install 1 JO Pole on Emerson Pl…Motion: RESULT: OUGHT TO PASS [8 TO 0] TO: City Council AYES:…Passed 8–0 · Hamilton: Yes

June 16, 2025: Petition to install 1 JO Pole on Emerson Pl Order #31108543

ApprovePassed · 8–0

RESULT: OUGHT TO PASS [8 TO 0] TO: City Council AYES: Garipay, Hamilton, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Obremski, Romanul, Stewart, Migliorelli ABSENT: Cal Finocchiaro, Ryan Williams RECUSED: Kimberly Vandiver

Voted: Yes

Yes: Garipay, Hamilton, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Migliorelli, Obremski, Romanul, StewartThe roll call lists Kimberly Vandiver as recused for this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: OUGHT TO PASS [8 TO 0] TO: City Council AYES: Garipay, Hamilton, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Obremski, Romanul, Stewart, Migliorelli ABSENT: Cal Finocchiaro, Ryan Williams RECUSED: Kimberly Vandiver.”

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

Jun 16Amend: cut the Affordable Housing Trust appropriation from $150,000…Motion: Motion to Amend the amount to $75,000 instead of $150,000 made…Failed 2–7 · Hamilton: No

June 16, 2025: Amend: cut the Affordable Housing Trust appropriation from $150,000 to $75,000

Adopt orderFailed · 2–7

Motion to Amend the amount to $75,000 instead of $150,000 made by Councilor Vandiver Seconded by Councilor Stewart Comments from the council members: -Councilor Jamaleddine stated that now that the budget hearings are done and the free cash requests are complete, she wants to keep the appropriation at the original amount of $150,000. -A vote was taken on the amended order and it failed. Councilors Stewart and Vandiver voted Yes on the amended order and the other councilors voted No, so the No's had it.

Voted: No

Yes: Stewart, VandiverNo: Garipay, Hamilton, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Migliorelli, Obremski, RomanulThe minutes say Councilors Stewart and Vandiver voted yes on the amended order “and the other councilors voted No”; the other councilors present are shown voting no.

From the minutes

“Motion to Amend the amount to $75,000 instead of $150,000 made by Councilor Vandiver Seconded by Councilor Stewart Comments from the council members: -Councilor Jamaleddine stated that now that the budget hearings are done and the free cash requests are complete, she wants to keep the appropriation at the original amount of $150,000. -A vote was taken on the amended order and it failed. Councilors Stewart and Vandiver voted Yes on the amended order and the other councilors voted No, so the No's had it..” (Motion: Vandiver, second: Stewart)

Read it in the official minutes, page 12 (PDF)

Jun 16Pass the $150,000 Free Cash appropriation to the Affordable…Motion: RESULT: DEFEATED [6 TO 3] AYES: Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Obremski, Romanul, Vandiver,…Failed 6–3 · Hamilton: No

June 16, 2025: Pass the $150,000 Free Cash appropriation to the Affordable Housing Trust (as filed)

ApproveFailed · 6–3

RESULT: DEFEATED [6 TO 3] AYES: Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Obremski, Romanul, Vandiver, Migliorelli NAYS: Mark Garipay, Ward Hamilton, Robb Stewart ABSENT: Cal Finocchiaro, Ryan Williams

Voted: No

Yes: Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Migliorelli, Obremski, Romanul, VandiverNo: Garipay, Hamilton, StewartThe minutes say President Migliorelli “went back to the original motion for a vote and the vote failed since there was not a majority Yes vote” (six yes, three no, two councilors absent); shown as failed, as recorded. Some council votes need more than a simple majority (for example, two-thirds).

From the minutes

“RESULT: DEFEATED [6 TO 3] AYES: Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Obremski, Romanul, Vandiver, Migliorelli NAYS: Mark Garipay, Ward Hamilton, Robb Stewart ABSENT: Cal Finocchiaro, Ryan Williams.” (Motion: Garipay, second: Stewart)

Read it in the official minutes, page 12 (PDF)

Jun 16Passage — Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget in the…Motion: Motion for Passage made by Councilor Garipay Seconded by Councilor Jamaleddine…Passed 8–1 · Hamilton: No

June 16, 2025: Passage — Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget in the amount of $107,575,802

ApprovePassed · 8–1

Motion for Passage made by Councilor Garipay Seconded by Councilor Jamaleddine Ayes have it and motion passed, with Councilor Hamilton voting No

Voted: No

Yes: Garipay, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Migliorelli, Obremski, Romanul, Stewart, VandiverNo: Hamilton

From the minutes

“RESULT: PASSED [8 TO 1] AYES: Garipay, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Obremski, Romanul, Stewart, Vandiver, Migliorelli NAYS: Ward Hamilton ABSENT: Cal Finocchiaro, Ryan Williams.” (Motion: Garipay, second: Jamaleddine)

Read it in the official minutes, page 15 (PDF)

Jun 2Ought not to pass — National Grid petition to…Motion: motion for Ought Not to Pass Seconded by Councilor Hamilton All…Passed 9–1 · Hamilton: Yes

June 2, 2025: Ought not to pass — National Grid petition to install a pole on East Emerson Street (petition denied)

ApprovePassed · 9–1

Motion for Ought Not to Pass Seconded by Councilor Hamilton All were in favor except for Councilor Stewart who voted Nay Motion passed -Councilor Stewart supports the original petition contingent on project approval. He wants to encourage development of the area. -Councilor Williams agrees with encouraging development in the area. If this is voted down now by the council, can NG resurrect this for approval quickly. Yes they can redesign this easily. -Chair Garipay asked why this is being discussed now. NG put forth the petition.

Voted: Yes

Yes: Garipay, Hamilton, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Migliorelli, Obremski, Romanul, Vandiver, WilliamsNo: StewartThe motion that the petition “ought not to pass” carried 9-1 (“All were in favor except for Councilor Stewart who voted Nay”); the minutes record the petition itself as “defeated”.

From the minutes

“RESULT: DEFEATED [9 TO 1] TO: City Council AYES: Garipay, Hamilton, Jamaleddine, Karamcheti, Obremski, Romanul, Vandiver, Williams, Migliorelli NAYS: Robb Stewart ABSENT: Cal Finocchiaro.” (Motion: Hamilton)

Read it in the official minutes, page 10 (PDF)

Votes with no disagreement (374)

    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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