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Woburn Member
Yano Amara
Ward 1 · 1 term in this record
A monthly email on how they voted, starting in November.
Record at a glance · 2026–2027 Council
On split votes, Amara voted the same way as…
- Joseph E. Demers100% (7 of 7)
- Robert J. Ferullo100% (7 of 7)
- Charles Viola100% (6 of 6)
- Robert F. Toro71% (5 of 7)
- Jeffrey P. Dillon57% (4 of 7)
- William J. Pappalardo43% (3 of 7)
- Darlene Mercer-Bruen29% (2 of 7)
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 Amara 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
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Attendance
At the start of 15 of 15 City Council meetings in 2026–2027 Council.
Missed none.
Every meeting (15)
- Jul 21, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Jun 16, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Jun 8, 2026 · Special: Present
- Jun 2, 2026 · Regular: Present
- May 19, 2026 · Regular: Present
- May 5, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Apr 21, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Apr 7, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Mar 17, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Mar 3, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Feb 17, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Feb 3, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Jan 20, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Jan 6, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Jan 5, 2026 · Special: Present
Votes where councilors disagreed · 2026–2027 Council
Jul 21The special permit be granted — On the petition…Motion: Motion made and 2nd that the SPECIAL PERMIT BE GRANTED, all…Passed 8–0 · Amara: Yes
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).
Voted: Yes
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 · Amara: Yes
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
Voted: Yes
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 · Amara: Yes
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).
Voted: Yes
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 · Amara: Yes
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).
Voted: Yes
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 · Amara: Yes
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).
Voted: Yes
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 · Amara: Yes
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).
Voted: Yes
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 · Amara: Yes
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).
Voted: Yes
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 · Amara: No
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.
Voted: No
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 · Amara: Yes
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.
Voted: Yes
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 · Amara: Yes
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.
Voted: Yes
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..”
Votes with no disagreement (114)
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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