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Woburn City Council
How the Woburn City Council voted, from the City Clerk's official minutes. 9 councilors: one from each of the city’s 7 wards and 2 elected at large. Sworn in January 5, 2026. Council President: Robert F. Toro, Jr. (elected January 5, 2026 on the third ballot with six votes; the council then made it unanimous, 9-0). Yano Amara (Ward 1) joined the council, succeeding Joanne E. Campbell. The city has posted journals through July 21, 2026. The end date (January 2028) is a placeholder for the next inauguration. Covers 15 meetings so far, January 5 to July 21, 2026.
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
What does the City Council do? It is the city’s lawmaking body. It passes local laws (ordinances), votes on the yearly budget, and approves borrowing and zoning changes.
The mayor runs the city day to day and proposes the budget.
Sources: Mass. General Laws c. 44 § 32 (city budgets)Vote Transparency Score
Woburn City Council: 7 out of 10 · Mostly open
How easy Woburn makes it to see, online, how each member votes. It scores the city’s records, not any official. Checked October 10, 2026.
- Minutes postedMinutes are posted for nearly every meeting more than three months old.Full points: 2/2
- Each vote namedThe journals name the councilors who vote no, abstain or are absent, but most votes do not list how each councilor voted.Part points: 2/3
- Posted quicklyMost minutes go up within about two months, but some recent meetings are still missing.Part points: 1/2
- Past years onlineCity Council minutes going back to 2006 are online.Full points: 1/1
- Readable textThe minutes are text you can search and copy.Full points: 1/1
- Member photosThe city’s website lists the councilors’ names but no photos.No points: 0/1
How the city can raise its score
- Each vote named (+1): On any vote that isn’t unanimous, write how each member voted. For example: “Motion passed 3–2. Yes: Smith, Jones, Lee. No: Brown, Silva.” A roll call on split votes is the simplest way to do this.
- Posted quickly (+1): Post minutes within 30 days. If approval takes longer, post a draft marked “Draft – not yet approved” and replace it later.
- Member photos (+1): Show a photo of each member on the board’s web page, with their name, the date their term ends and how to contact them. A group photo of the members, with everyone named in the caption or on the same page, earns half a point.
How we score · Something wrong, or has the city made a change? Email info@massvoter.com and we’ll re-check.
A monthly email on its votes, starting in November. We'll also tell you if this score changes.
Council sessions
Coming up
MassVoter can’t read Woburn’s meeting calendar automatically yet. See upcoming meetings on the official site →
Councilors
✓ Every meeting 2026
Yano AmaraMember · Ward 1 · at 15 of 15 meetings✓ Every meeting 2026
Joseph E. DemersMember · Ward 4 · at 15 of 15 meetings
Lou DiMambroMember · Ward 6 · at 13 of 15 meetings✓ Every meeting 2026
Jeffrey P. DillonMember · Ward 3 · at 15 of 15 meetings
Robert J. FerulloMember · At-large · at 13 of 15 meetings
Darlene Mercer-BruenMember · Ward 5 · at 14 of 15 meetings✓ Every meeting 2026
William J. PappalardoMember · Ward 2 · at 15 of 15 meetings
Charles ViolaMember · Ward 7 · at 14 of 15 meetings"At X of Y meetings" counts the roll call at the start of each meeting in this record. Councilors who step out are listed on each meeting page.
Attendance
15 full-board meetings so far this year, through July 21. Ties share a rank.
1Yano Amara15 of 15 meetings Every meeting100%1Joseph E. Demers15 of 15 meetings Every meeting100%1Jeffrey P. Dillon15 of 15 meetings Every meeting100%1William J. Pappalardo15 of 15 meetings Every meeting100%1Robert F. Toro15 of 15 meetings Every meeting100%6Darlene Mercer-Bruen14 of 15 meetings93%6Charles Viola14 of 15 meetings93%8Lou DiMambro13 of 15 meetings87%8Robert J. Ferullo13 of 15 meetings87%21 full-board meetings in 2025. Ties share a rank.
1Joseph E. Demers21 of 21 meetings Every meeting100%1Lou DiMambro21 of 21 meetings Every meeting100%1Jeffrey P. Dillon21 of 21 meetings Every meeting100%1William J. Pappalardo21 of 21 meetings Every meeting100%1Charles Viola21 of 21 meetings Every meeting100%6Joanne E. Campbell20 of 21 meetings95%7Robert J. Ferullo19 of 21 meetings90%7Robert F. Toro19 of 21 meetings90%9Darlene Mercer-Bruen18 of 21 meetings86%22 full-board meetings in 2024. Ties share a rank.
1Lou DiMambro22 of 22 meetings Every meeting100%1Jeffrey P. Dillon22 of 22 meetings Every meeting100%1Darlene Mercer-Bruen22 of 22 meetings Every meeting100%4Joseph E. Demers21 of 22 meetings95%4William J. Pappalardo21 of 22 meetings95%4Robert F. Toro21 of 22 meetings95%4Charles Viola21 of 22 meetings95%8Joanne E. Campbell20 of 22 meetings91%9Robert J. Ferullo19 of 22 meetings86%21 full-board meetings in 2023. Ties share a rank.
1Michael P. Concannon21 of 21 meetings Every meeting100%1Lou DiMambro21 of 21 meetings Every meeting100%1Darlene Mercer-Bruen21 of 21 meetings Every meeting100%1Charles Viola21 of 21 meetings Every meeting100%5Joseph E. Demers20 of 21 meetings95%5Jeffrey P. Dillon20 of 21 meetings95%7Joanne E. Campbell18 of 21 meetings86%8Robert J. Ferullo17 of 21 meetings81%9Richard F. Gately14 of 21 meetings67%27 full-board meetings in 2022. Ties share a rank.
1Michael P. Concannon27 of 27 meetings Every meeting100%1Joseph E. Demers27 of 27 meetings Every meeting100%1Lou DiMambro27 of 27 meetings Every meeting100%1Jeffrey P. Dillon27 of 27 meetings Every meeting100%1Charles Viola27 of 27 meetings Every meeting100%6Darlene Mercer-Bruen26 of 27 meetings96%7Robert J. Ferullo24 of 27 meetings89%8Joanne E. Campbell23 of 27 meetings85%9Richard F. Gately20 of 27 meetings74%30 full-board meetings in 2021. Ties share a rank.
1Jeffrey P. Dillon30 of 30 meetings Every meeting100%1Robert J. Ferullo30 of 30 meetings Every meeting100%1Lindsay E. Higgins5 of 5 meetings · served until Mar Every meeting100%4Joanne E. Campbell29 of 30 meetings97%4Michael P. Concannon29 of 30 meetings97%4Joseph E. Demers29 of 30 meetings97%4Edward Tedesco29 of 30 meetings97%8Richard F. Gately27 of 30 meetings90%8Darlene Mercer-Bruen27 of 30 meetings90%10Michael Lannan21 of 24 meetings · served from Apr88%25 full-board meetings in 2020. Ties share a rank.
1Joanne E. Campbell25 of 25 meetings Every meeting100%1Michael P. Concannon25 of 25 meetings Every meeting100%1Jeffrey P. Dillon25 of 25 meetings Every meeting100%1Robert J. Ferullo25 of 25 meetings Every meeting100%1Lindsay E. Higgins25 of 25 meetings Every meeting100%1Darlene Mercer-Bruen25 of 25 meetings Every meeting100%1Michael D. Anderson16 of 16 meetings · served until Aug Every meeting100%1Joseph E. Demers9 of 9 meetings · served from Sep Every meeting100%9Edward Tedesco24 of 25 meetings96%10Richard F. Gately20 of 25 meetings80%22 full-board meetings in 2019. Ties share a rank.
1Michael D. Anderson22 of 22 meetings Every meeting100%1Michael P. Concannon22 of 22 meetings Every meeting100%1Lindsay E. Higgins22 of 22 meetings Every meeting100%1Robert J. Ferullo19 of 19 meetings · served from Feb Every meeting100%5Joanne E. Campbell21 of 22 meetings95%5Richard F. Gately21 of 22 meetings95%5Darlene Mercer-Bruen21 of 22 meetings95%5Edward Tedesco21 of 22 meetings95%9Mark E. Gaffney20 of 22 meetings91%24 full-board meetings in 2018. Ties share a rank.
1Joanne E. Campbell24 of 24 meetings Every meeting100%1Michael P. Concannon24 of 24 meetings Every meeting100%1Mark E. Gaffney24 of 24 meetings Every meeting100%1Richard F. Gately24 of 24 meetings Every meeting100%1Lindsay E. Higgins24 of 24 meetings Every meeting100%1Edward Tedesco24 of 24 meetings Every meeting100%7Michael D. Anderson23 of 24 meetings96%7Richard M. Haggerty23 of 24 meetings96%7Darlene Mercer-Bruen23 of 24 meetings96%From the official minutes: full-board meetings only (committee meetings are not counted). Members are counted only for meetings held while they served, and arriving late counts as attending. The minutes rarely say why a member was absent.
A monthly email on its votes and who was there, starting in November.
Meetings
About missing minutes
Loaded: every full Woburn City Council meeting with a posted journal (the council’s official minutes) from January 1, 2018 through July 21, 2026: 207 meetings (regular meetings, special and budget meetings, and the inaugural meetings) and 8,114 votes. Council committee meetings are not loaded. The city’s website has council journals back to 2006; MassVoter has loaded 2018 on. Three journals (October 2 and October 16, 2018, and October 7, 2025) are not listed on the city’s Minutes & Agendas page, and the June 16, 2020 journal is not linked from its meeting page; MassVoter found them in the city’s website file library. Not here: meetings with an agenda but no posted journal (the January 6, 2020 inaugural meeting; December 11, 2018; the June 10, 2019 and June 24, 2020 budget meetings, where the June 24, 2020 link is broken; May 2 and October 3, 2023; September 17, 2024; and November 18, 2025; MassVoter is asking the City Clerk), and meetings after July 21, 2026 (the August 18, September 15 and October 6, 2026 journals are not posted yet). Eight journals from 2019, 2023 and 2024 were posted as Word documents; all the journals are typed text. Woburn’s journals record nearly every vote as “Motion made and 2nd that …, all in favor, 9-0,” naming in parentheses any councilor who voted no, abstained or was absent (“all in favor, 6-2-1 (Demers and Toro Against; Ferullo Absent)”), and the roll call at the top lists the councilors present. When the count adds up with the roll call, we show each councilor’s vote: those named as voting no or abstaining as recorded, those named as absent left out, and the other councilors present voting yes. Many votes, especially in 2019–2021, were roll calls by name (“Campbell - Yes; Concannon - No; …”), shown as recorded; when a roll call leaves out a councilor who was present, that councilor is left out of the vote, with a note. Elections of the Council President and of members to fill vacant seats were roll calls naming a person: when every councilor named the same person we show each as voting yes; otherwise we show the result only and quote the names. Councilors who arrived late, or whom the journal says recused or left the chamber, are left out of the votes taken while they were out, with a note. When a count does not add up with the roll call (for example “9-0” when only eight councilors were seated, or a count that includes a councilor the journal says had recused and left the chamber), we show the count only, with a note (50 votes); 13 votes show the result only. The journals rarely say who made or seconded a motion. The members were called Aldermen until a 2021 state law changed the title to Councilor. We will ask the city to confirm any noted vote.
Votes where councilors disagreed
Most council votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one councilor voted no or abstained, newest first.
Jul 21The special permit be granted — On the petition…Motion: Motion made and 2nd that the SPECIAL PERMIT BE GRANTED, all…Passed 8–0 · see note
July 21, 2026: The special permit be granted — On the petition by Cliff Desrosena, 26 Sheridan Street, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801, for special permit under the 1985 Woburn Zoning Ordinances, as amended, Section...
Motion made and 2nd that the SPECIAL PERMIT BE GRANTED, all in favor, 8-0-1 (Dillon Absent).
Yes: Amara, Demers, DiMambro, Ferullo, Mercer-Bruen, Pappalardo, Toro, ViolaThe journal lists Jeffrey P. Dillon as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the SPECIAL PERMIT BE GRANTED, all in favor, 8-0-1 (Dillon Absent)..”
Jul 21The special permit be granted, subject to the following…Motion: Motion made and 2nd that the SPECIAL PERMIT BE GRANTED, subject…Passed 8–0 · see note
July 21, 2026: The special permit be granted, subject to the following conditions:1. The Petitioner shall improve the Site as substantially described on the Plan of Record which for this project shall be…
Motion made and 2nd that the SPECIAL PERMIT BE GRANTED, subject to the following conditions:1. The Petitioner shall improve the Site as substantially described on the Plan of Record which for this project shall be "Jersey Mike's, 99 Commerce Way, Woburn, Massachusetts" dated May 15, 2026 prepared by VHB, 260 Arsenal Place #2, Watertown, MA 02472-4026 (hereinafter the "Site Plan") although design adjustments and modifications generally associated with: (i) preparing so-called "working drawings" or (ii) site conditions shall be permitted so long as such changes do not constitute substantial changes from said plans as determined by the Building Commissioner. In the event that the Building Commissioner determines that the building plans filed with the building permit application are not in substantial conformance with the Site Plan, the Petitioner may request a review of said plans by the City Council Special Permits Committee who shall make a final determination. If the Special Permits Committee makes a determination that the proposed plans are not in conformance with the Site Plan, the Petitioner shall be required to file a Special Permit Petition seeking approval to modify the Site Plan; 2. All dumpsters shall be enclosed, by means of a fence, wall or landscaping in compliance with the Woburn Zoning Ordinance and Title 8, Section VII 8-17 of the Woburn Municipal Code and not picked up prior to 7:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m. Monday - Friday; 3. The hours of operation shall be Mon
Yes: Amara, Demers, DiMambro, Dillon, Ferullo, Pappalardo, Toro, ViolaThe journal lists Darlene Mercer-Bruen as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the SPECIAL PERMIT BE GRANTED, subject to the following conditions:1. The Petitioner shall improve the Site as substantially described on the Plan of Record which for this project shall be "Jersey Mike's, 99 Commerce Way, Woburn, Massachusetts" dated May 15, 2026 prepared by VHB, 260 Arsenal Place #2, Watertown, MA 02472-4026 (hereinafter the "Site Plan") although design adjustments and modifications generally associated with: (i) preparing so-called "working drawings" or (ii) site conditions shall be permitted so long as such changes do not constitute substantial changes from said plans as determined by the Building Commissioner. In the event that the Building Commissioner determines that the building plans filed with the building permit application are not in substantial conformance with the Site Plan, the Petitioner may request a review of said plans by the City Council Special Permits Committee who shall make a final determination. If the Special Permits Committee makes a determination that the proposed plans are not in conformance with the Site Plan, the Petitioner shall be required to file a Special Permit Petition seeking approval to modify the Site Plan; 2. All dumpsters shall be enclosed, by means of a fence, wall or landscaping in compliance with the Woburn Zoning Ordinance and Title 8, Section VII 8-17 of the Woburn Municipal Code and not picked up prior to 7:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m. Monday - Friday; 3. The hours of operation shall be Monday - Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; 4. Signage shall be consistent in appearance with the rendering prepared by Jersey Mike's and filed with the City Clerk. All signage shall comply with Section 13 of the City of Woburn Zoning Ordinance; and 5. The Special Permit shall be issued to Jersey Mike's only and shall not be transferable except as authorized by the City Council, all in favor, 8-0-1 (Mercer-Bruen Absent)..”
Jun 8Page 15 Planning Board/Community Development Department be approvedMotion: Motion made and 2nd that Page 15 Planning Board/Community Development Department…Passed 8–0 · Abstained: Ferullo
June 8, 2026 (Special meeting): Page 15 Planning Board/Community Development Department be approved
Motion made and 2nd that Page 15 Planning Board/Community Development Department be approved, all in favor, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstained (Ferullo Abstained).
Yes: Amara, Demers, DiMambro, Dillon, Mercer-Bruen, Pappalardo, Toro, ViolaAbstained: Ferullo
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that Page 15 Planning Board/Community Development Department be approved, all in favor, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstained (Ferullo Abstained)..”
Jun 8Pages 18-23 regarding the Police Department be approvedMotion: Motion made and 2nd that Pages 18-23 regarding the Police Department…Passed 8–0 · Abstained: Dillon
June 8, 2026 (Special meeting): Pages 18-23 regarding the Police Department be approved
Motion made and 2nd that Pages 18-23 regarding the Police Department be approved, all in favor, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstained (Dillon Abstained).
Yes: Amara, Demers, DiMambro, Ferullo, Mercer-Bruen, Pappalardo, Toro, ViolaAbstained: Dillon
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that Pages 18-23 regarding the Police Department be approved, all in favor, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstained (Dillon Abstained)..”
Jun 8Page 31 regarding the various schools be approvedMotion: Motion made and 2nd that page 31 regarding the various schools…Passed 8–1 · No: Pappalardo
June 8, 2026 (Special meeting): Page 31 regarding the various schools be approved
Motion made and 2nd that page 31 regarding the various schools be approved, 8 in favor, 1 opposed (Pappalardo Against).
Yes: Amara, Demers, DiMambro, Dillon, Ferullo, Mercer-Bruen, Toro, ViolaNo: Pappalardo
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that page 31 regarding the various schools be approved, 8 in favor, 1 opposed (Pappalardo Against)..”
May 19Amend the proposed conditions numbering to fix clerical mistake…Motion: Motion made and 2nd to amend the proposed conditions numbering to…Passed 8–0 · Abstained: DiMambro
May 19, 2026: Amend the proposed conditions numbering to fix clerical mistake with condition number fives
Motion made and 2nd to amend the proposed conditions numbering to fix clerical mistake with condition number fives, all in favor, 8-0-1 (DiMambro Abstained).
Yes: Amara, Demers, Dillon, Ferullo, Mercer-Bruen, Pappalardo, Toro, ViolaAbstained: DiMambro
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd to amend the proposed conditions numbering to fix clerical mistake with condition number fives, all in favor, 8-0-1 (DiMambro Abstained)..”
May 19Include "in perpetuity" — On the petition by 20…Motion: Motion made and 2nd to include "in perpetuity", all in favor,…Passed 8–0 · Abstained: DiMambro
May 19, 2026: Include "in perpetuity" — On the petition by 20 Franklin Realty Trust, 5 Whitney Street, Saugus, Massachusetts 01906, for a special permit under the 1985 Woburn Zoning Ordinances, as amended,...
Motion made and 2nd to include "in perpetuity", all in favor, all in favor, 8-0-1 (DiMambro Abstained).
Yes: Amara, Demers, Dillon, Ferullo, Mercer-Bruen, Pappalardo, Toro, ViolaAbstained: DiMambro
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd to include "in perpetuity", all in favor, all in favor, 8-0-1 (DiMambro Abstained)..”
May 19The special permit be denied because the project is…Motion: Motion made and 2nd that the SPECIAL PERMIT BE DENIED BECAUSE…Failed 2–6 · No: Amara, Demers, Ferullo, Pappalardo, Toro, Viola · Abstained: DiMambro
May 19, 2026: The special permit be denied because the project is out of character for the current neighborhood as it exists — On the petition by 20 Franklin Realty Trust, 5 Whitney…
Motion made and 2nd that the SPECIAL PERMIT BE DENIED BECAUSE THE PROJECT IS OUT OF CHARACTER FOR THE CURRENT NEIGHBORHOOD AS IT EXISTS, ROLL CALL: Amara - No; Demers - No; Dillon - Yes; DiMambro - Abstained; Ferullo - No; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Pappalardo - No; Viola - No; Toro - No. Motion Fails.
Yes: Dillon, Mercer-BruenNo: Amara, Demers, Ferullo, Pappalardo, Toro, ViolaAbstained: DiMambro
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the SPECIAL PERMIT BE DENIED BECAUSE THE PROJECT IS OUT OF CHARACTER FOR THE CURRENT NEIGHBORHOOD AS IT EXISTS, ROLL CALL: Amara - No; Demers - No; Dillon - Yes; DiMambro - Abstained; Ferullo - No; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Pappalardo - No; Viola - No; Toro - No. Motion Fails..”
May 19Make the following finding under Section 7.3, that such…Motion: Motion made and 2nd to make the following finding under Section…Passed 5–3 · No: Dillon, Mercer-Bruen, Pappalardo · Abstained: DiMambro
May 19, 2026: Make the following finding under Section 7.3, that such change, extension, or alteration is not substantially more detrimental than the existing nonconforming use to the neighborhood
Motion made and 2nd to make the following finding under Section 7.3, that such change, extension, or alteration is not substantially more detrimental than the existing nonconforming use to the neighborhood, ROLL CALL: Amara - Yes; Demers - Yes; Dillon - No; DiMambro - Abstained; Ferullo - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - No; Pappalardo - No; Viola - Yes; Toro - Yes. Motion Passes.
Yes: Amara, Demers, Ferullo, Toro, ViolaNo: Dillon, Mercer-Bruen, PappalardoAbstained: DiMambro
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd to make the following finding under Section 7.3, that such change, extension, or alteration is not substantially more detrimental than the existing nonconforming use to the neighborhood, ROLL CALL: Amara - Yes; Demers - Yes; Dillon - No; DiMambro - Abstained; Ferullo - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - No; Pappalardo - No; Viola - Yes; Toro - Yes. Motion Passes..”
May 19The special permit be granted with the conditions as…Motion: Motion made and 2nd that the SPECIAL PERMIT BE GRANTED with…Failed 5–3 · No: Dillon, Mercer-Bruen, Pappalardo · Abstained: DiMambro
May 19, 2026: The special permit be granted with the conditions as outlined — On the petition by 20 Franklin Realty Trust, 5 Whitney Street, Saugus, Massachusetts 01906, for a special permit under…
Motion made and 2nd that the SPECIAL PERMIT BE GRANTED with the conditions as outlined, ROLL CALL: Amara - Yes; Demers - Yes; Dillon - No; DiMambro - Abstained; Ferullo - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - No; Pappalardo - No; Viola - Yes; Toro - Yes. Motion Fails.
Yes: Amara, Demers, Ferullo, Toro, ViolaNo: Dillon, Mercer-Bruen, PappalardoAbstained: DiMambroThe journal records the motion as failing although the yes votes (5) outnumber the no votes (3); some council votes need more than a simple majority (for example, two-thirds for special permits and zoning changes).
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the SPECIAL PERMIT BE GRANTED with the conditions as outlined, ROLL CALL: Amara - Yes; Demers - Yes; Dillon - No; DiMambro - Abstained; Ferullo - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - No; Pappalardo - No; Viola - Yes; Toro - Yes. Motion Fails..”
From the Woburn City Council’s official journals (its minutes), posted on the city’s Minutes & Agendas page (City Council). We check every vote against the councilors present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos (the city’s website has no councilor photos): Robert Toro, Joseph Demers (courtesy of each), Jeffrey Dillon, Lou DiMambro and Charles Viola from Woburn Patch (2019–2023); Yano Amara (December 31, 2025) and Darlene Mercer-Bruen (July 23, 2021, captioned group photo, cropped) from the Daily Times Chronicle; William Pappalardo and Robert Ferullo cropped from the Daily Times Chronicle’s captioned 2026 City Council photo (January 7, 2026). Former councilors show initials.
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