ORDER-2018-30 : Appointment of Jacklyn Varela, 64 Vinton St., Unit 4, to a three-year term on the Commission on Women; said term to expire on the last day of February 2020.

Transcript (~3 min @ 8:36)

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▶ 8:43 Jennifer L. Lemmerman: confidence thank you and the final item before us this evening is order 2018-30 appointment of

▶ 8:49 Jennifer L. Lemmerman: Jacqueline Varela, 64 Vinton Street, Unit 4, to a three-year term on the Commission on Women, said term to expire on the last day of February 2020. I invite you to come forward. Thank you

▶ 9:02 Speaker 4: for being here. Thank you. Would you like to tell us about yourself? Sure. So my name is Jacqueline

▶ 9:06 Speaker 7: Varela. I've lived in Melrose for about two and a half years. I'm not actually a native New Englander. I moved here when I was 24 after coming on vacation to Boston and falling in love with the area so i was originally from south florida and then my family moved to virginia when i was 12 and then i gradually made my way further north um i love this region and i'm really glad to call melrose my home it's the first time i've ever you know owned my own place if it was a small condo and i just really wanted to find a way that i could be a part of the community and one of the things I think is important is making sure that Melrose is an inclusive community for all and I think supporting women and in the incredible roles that they play in our community is an essential part of what local government can do professionally I worked in state government for the first 10 years of my career first the secretary of public safety in Virginia and then for the last eight years at the attorney general's office here in Massachusetts and now I I work at Tufts University doing communications and project management.

▶ 10:21 Jennifer L. Lemmerman: Thank you, thank you very much. And just want to acknowledge Alderman Boisselle, a committee member who's joined us. Welcome. No, that's okay.

▶ 10:30 Speaker 4: Any comments or questions from committee? Non-voting members.

▶ 10:36 Michael P. Zwirko: Thank you, Madam Chairman. I just, I read your letter. I really enjoyed what you had to say. and I also appreciate the sense of humor. The mediocre gardener had me laugh. So I appreciate that, it's very genuine to put that in, but I just wanted to remind you, we have a community garden now here in Melrose, so maybe you could practice up on some skills. But looking forward to the work of the commission and you being on it, I just wanted to point that out. I did get a kick and I appreciated it greatly, so thank you.

▶ 11:06 Speaker 1: Thank you, Madam Chair. Motion to recommend. Second.

▶ 11:08 Jennifer L. Lemmerman: Motion to recommend from Alderman McAteer-Margolis, seconded by Alderman Medeiros. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? we will recommend your appointment on Monday at the full board meeting thank

▶ 11:20 Gail Infurna: you thank you I could just have a moment of personal privilege just to say that tonight we've had four appointments of volunteer boards and commissions here in Melrose and I it would be remiss if we really just let them just go without really thanking them and all the other ones that do step up to the plate to volunteer and make Melrose what it is we really appreciate all your contributions the community thank you thank you well said motion to adjourn the motion to