ORDER-2019-36 : A Resolution Honoring Michael P. Zwirko as President of the Melrose

Transcript (~7 min @ 2:43)

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▶ 2:40 Speaker 6: to new business order 2 0 1 9 dash 36 a resolution honoring Michael P's work Oh as president of the Board of Aldermen of Melrose that order will be sent to the

▶ 2:52 Jennifer L. Lemmerman: committee on Alderman Lemmerman thank you I'd like to request immediate

▶ 2:56 Michael P. Zwirko: consideration is there an objection to immediate consideration thank you I move

▶ 3:00 Jennifer L. Lemmerman: to suspend the rules so we may read the resolution motion to suspend the rules

▶ 3:06 Michael P. Zwirko: made by Alderman Lemmerman second the motion to suspend the rules and seconded by Alderman Forbes all those in favor to suspend the rules aye any opposed rules

▶ 3:25 Jennifer L. Lemmerman: are now suspended you may come forward this resolution is in recognition of and honor of our president for the past year 2018 and his service to this board and to Melrose which I will read into the record a resolution honoring Michael Pease-Wercoe as the president of Melrose Board of Aldermen for the year 2018 whereas alderman Michael Pease-Wercoe has served as president of the Board of Aldermen for the City of Melrose for the year 2018 and whereas the Board of Aldermen congratulates Alderman's Wercoe for completing his third year as alderman-at-large for the City of Melrose and appreciates his commitment to serving Melrose, and whereas the Board recognizes that Alderman Zwirko dedication to our community extends beyond his efforts in this chamber, and whereas that Alderman Zwirko has volunteered to assist many causes and organizations, including the Melrose Alliance Against Violence, and whereas that Alderman Zwirko serves as the Massachusetts Municipal Counselors Association District 5 representative, and be it resolved that we, the members of the Board of Aldermen, do hereby express our sincere appreciation to Alderman Zwirko for his able administration of the office of the President and for his efforts on behalf of the City of Melrose and in recognition thereof direct that the gavel wielded by him be suitably inscribed and presented to him and be it further resolved that on the 17th day of December in the year 2018 a copy of this resolution be spread upon the records of the Board of Aldermen and that a special copy be signed by each member of the Board and presented Alderman Zwirko, retiring president of the Mauros Board of Aldermen. Thank you.

▶ 5:10 Michael P. Zwirko: I deeply appreciate that. Thank you very much. I think it's broken because the gavel won't move, but I did actually prepare some remarks, so if you could just indulge me for about a two or three minutes, I'd appreciate it. It looks like all we have left on the agenda this evening are reports from other committees. So I would like to state my deep appreciation for the kind words that you wrote Alderman Lemmerman and

▶ 5:36 Michael P. Zwirko: also for the members of this body for allowing me the opportunity to preside

▶ 5:41 Michael P. Zwirko: before you in 2018. It will remain a position that I am most proud of and have been afforded. I also wanted to thank each of you for your patience and work this past year. It was a year like no other. JFK famously said that change is the law of life and those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future. He is still right about that

▶ 6:00 Michael P. Zwirko: today. In fact, for Melrose in 2018 and the few weeks leading up to it, it was all about change. We've appointed a new city clerk, Amy Camosa, when long-standing clerk Mary Rita O'Shea retired in March. We also appointed a new clerk of committees, Kristen Foote. We've seen three new

▶ 6:19 Michael P. Zwirko: members of this body two of whom were elected in the most recent election and one who was appointed when alderman refer to ascended to the office of mayor in fact over the last five years half of this board's membership has changed and all of these changes have been positive we have not missed out on the future in fact we are prepared for it our community too is changing this is

▶ 6:39 Michael P. Zwirko: undeniable with that change comes new challenges but also old ones many of our challenges remain they are seen they're the same challenges that this community has faced for years and if not for decades next year the entire first quarter will be played out against the backdrop of the override ballot question following that the next quarter will be concentrated on budget deliberations how the second quarter will play out will deeply depend entirely on the result of the first the fiscal challenges we face are real and they are a direct result of an unequal proportion of residential and commercial property taxes tax parcels

▶ 7:15 Michael P. Zwirko: coupled with the ever-shrinking state aid and growing mandates this question is not easy or appetizing but it is factual and the last few weeks alone have indicated our economy isn't as stable as it once was for the last decade cracks are beginning to show and we must be mindful of what that could mean for our future one aspect of 2018 that I am proud of has been managing these transitions and working diligently to be the steady hand personally 2018 was very difficult but that was personal that should not have any place in what it is that we do here with that I decided early on that I would bring members into the fold regardless of where they were I wanted to balance experience with fresh perspectives we created new roles for our members and we increased community communication amongst ourselves and the public yet through it all knowing the unique year that we had in front of us I was most proud of this chamber for always keeping the residents of Melrose in their focus for many the start of this year was very scary it was uncertain but this body stepped up the people in this room knew how important it was to put the personal behind and the work ahead we proved that when needed we could be called upon to do the tough work we did that and I know that the residents are proud of it we have a stable government here from school committee to the office of mayor we could have played to our demons but instead be played to our better angels we didn't just group ourselves into factions we didn't play politics we just did our jobs. I personally want to thank each of you for that and I hope that this continues into 2019. Thank you again for all of your help, your support, and your dedication to this city. You helped make a transition difficult transition smoother and allowed the residents to see how great government can be when it works collaboratively. You allowed me the opportunity to lead this wonderful institution inside this great chamber. I can only hope that my tenure was rewarding of that opportunity. It is a pleasure to serve in this role and a great honor to work with each and every one of you. Thank you. With that we move

▶ 9:22 Peter D. Mortimer: to orders out of order. Motion to place the order on file Mr. President. Second.

▶ 9:26 Speaker 3: Apologies. No worries. There has been a motion to place the resolution on file that was

▶ 9:28 Michael P. Zwirko: made by Alderman Mortimer. It was seconded by Alderman Lemmerman. All