← City Council · 2026-04-06 · City Council Meeting 4/6/26
PUBLIC COMMENT
Agenda original PDF
Minutes original PDF
COMMENT When: Apr 6, 2026 07:45 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Topic: City Council Meeting Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android: https://cityofmelrose- org.zoom.us/j/96234665160?pwd=c7qqlaDjP5Dw7gvpWlvPUA5l8mGO9H.1 Passcode:508869 Webinar ID: 962 3466 5160 Motion to Open public comment made by President Freeman at 7:48 PM Comments on the Floor: -Alex Rodriguez of 45 Appleton Street spoke in support of Ordinance 2026-617, which increases the exemption amount for the Veterans Tax Work Off program, sharing his father's service in the Vietnam War. He was 1st Lieutenant Salvador Rodriguez, an immigrant from Juarez, Mexico, who served in the Central Highlands of Vietnam in the Army's 1st Air Cavalry and 4th Infantry from 1969 to 1970. This council has the ability to do something that embodies the character that he believes runs through the veins of the city. This ordinance is truly the least we can do to honor the selfless sacrifice of the men and women who have given so much in the defense of our nation. He respectfully requests the immediate and unanimous passage of Ordinance 2026-617 in the name of all Melrosians who have served. You have a chance to make a real tangible difference tonight and he hopes they do. -John Findlay of 63 Linwood Avenue updated the council on the renewal of a used car lot at 303 Lebanon Street, reporting that issues had been addressed and promises made. He was happy to report of good meetings, appreciates the hard work of the councilors especially his ward councilor, and said all of the problems have been addressed. He is in support of granting the license renewal as long as the promises are kept. -Mr. Hucksam represented Mr. Serrano of Melrose Auto Gallery for his Class II license renewal request. He completed the improvements shown on the site plan and is committed to taking action to reduce noise at the property, with noisier repair work to be done at the other location in order to control noise at the Melrose location. This will also reduce the amount of traffic at the Melrose site. He will strictly comply with the allowed days and hours of operation. He respectfully asked that Council renews the Class II license. There were no comments via Zoom Motion to Close public comment made by President Freeman at 7:55 PM 2 Motion for Recess made by Councilor Williams at 7:56 PM Seconded by Councilor Romanul Meeting was recessed IV. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE HONORABLE MAYOR & OTHER CITY OFFICIALS V. NEW BUSINESS
Transcript
▶ 57:46 Bradley Freeman: Thank you. At this time, I will motion by unanimous consent to approve without reading the minutes from the March 16th, 2026 meeting. Seeing no objection, those minutes are now approved. We're going to move into public comment. Once we wrap up public comment, we'll go back to the appropriations and oversight hearing, unless it is 8:00, at which point we'll do our public hearing quickly and then get back to A&O. I'll now motion by unanimous consent to open the floor for public comment. Seeing no objection, we are open for public comment. Per Rule 33A of the Melrose City Council rules, this is the portion of the meeting where the public may speak on any item on tonight's agenda. Comments expressing any viewpoint on other matters are also welcome. Just a reminder, public comment period is an opportunity for the public to share comments. Councilors will not respond. The public has up to five minutes for comments. I will notify you when you have 30 seconds remaining. Is anyone here to offer public comment tonight?
▶ 58:40 Speaker 3: Mr. Rodriguez.
▶ 58:47 Speaker 3: Just please state your name and address to begin.
▶ 58:49 Speaker 2: Sure. Alex Rodriguez, and I live at 45 Appleton Street. Thank you so much, Mr. President and Councilors, for letting me speak to you tonight. I come here to support Ordinance 2026-617, requesting an increase to the exemption amount of the Veterans Tax Work Off Program abatement. I come before you tonight as the son of a combat veteran from the Vietnam War. I am the son, and he is the grandson of First Lieutenant Salvador Rodriguez, who served in the Central Highlands of Vietnam in the Army's 1st Air Cavalry and 4th Infantry from 1969 to 1970. He was a Mexican immigrant from Juarez, and when he was asked to serve, chose to do so in spite of the fact that this country didn't always treat people of our ethnicity with dignity. He did so because he believed, however imperfect, America was special and unique, and that we live in a great nation. He did so because he knew if he didn't serve when his country called, that someone else would have to go in his place. As a platoon leader, he did everything he could to keep all of his men out of harm's way, and earned a Bronze Star for heroism in combat. In exchange for that sacrifice, he had to witness unspeakable horrors that no one can unsee, and did not come home to a grateful nation. Upon his return, when he landed in his dress blues at the San Francisco Airport, he was spat on and called a baby killer. He came home to a country where so many of relative privilege had avoided the draft or fled to Canada and were celebrated for doing so, while largely the poor and people of color went off to fight a war half a world away with no promise of coming home. But he eventually persevered, put himself through law school, where he met my mother, and the rest is history. He was haunted by his memories in Vietnam until his death in April of 2011. But even though he bore the heaviest of crosses throughout his adult lifeHe
▶ 1:00:55 Speaker 2: managed to be an amazing father and husband,
▶ 1:00:58 Speaker 5: and he is my hero,
▶ 1:01:00 Speaker 2: and I am the luckiest son on Earth. I tell his story because it's not unique. Unfortunately, it is all too common, and this council has the ability to do something that embodies the character that I believe runs through the veins of this city. This ordinance is truly the least we can do to honor the selfless sacrifice of the men and women who have given so much in the defense of our nation. It is also a shining example to our young people how we never forget our veterans and celebrate their contributions to our community and devotion to our country. As a Melrose resident, I respectfully request the immediate and unanimous passage of ordinance 2026-617 in the name of all Melroseans who have served. You have the chance to make a real, tangible difference tonight. I hope you do. Thank you.
▶ 1:01:54 Bradley Freeman: Thank you, Mr. Rodriguez, and thank you to your father for his service. Anyone else who'd like to offer public comment?
▶ 1:02:07 Bradley Freeman: Good evening, sir. If you can just say your name and address for the record.
▶ 1:02:10 Speaker 2: John Finley, 63 Lynwood Ave, Melrose, Mass. I was in front of the board regarding the renewal of the used car lot at 303. I'm happy to report we had some very good meetings, and a lot of it came out, and I appreciate all the help that you folks did, especially my ward alderman. I think we can sit here and say all the problems have been addressed, promises have been made, and I would say that we can welcome Mr. Chris to the city as a member of this community. The lawyers got involved in it, and all the problems have been addressed, and now it's just a case of moving forward and making sure that the promises are kept. And I appreciate the council, I appreciate the time to speak in front of yous, and I'm going to put you all in for a pay raise. You did a good job.
▶ 1:03:15 Bradley Freeman: Thank you for your time, Mr. Finley. Let's do it tonight. Would anyone else like to speak in public comment? Yes, Mr. Huxham.
▶ 1:03:22 Speaker 6: Pay raise.
▶ 1:03:30 Speaker 1: Good evening. My name is John Huxham. I represent Mr. Serrano regarding that class two license. Just wanted to let the council know that Mr. Serrano has completed the improvements shown on the site plan. He is committed to taking action to reduce noise at the property. Noisier repair work will be done at the other location in order to control noise at the Melrose location. The second location outside of Melrose will reduce the amount of traffic at the location here in Melrose. The garage door will be closed whenever repairs are occurring, and air conditioning has been installed in the garage to help facilitate that in the hot weather. Only warranty repair work will be done at the Melrose site. We'll strictly comply with the allowed days and hours of operation. And we believe these measures will help to keep the property in compliance with the city's noise ordinance. So we respectfully ask that you renew the class two license. Thank you.
▶ 1:04:50 Speaker 3: Thank you. Thank you very much.
▶ 1:04:53 Bradley Freeman: Is there anyone else in person who would like to offer public comment tonight? Seeing none. Madam Clerk, is there anyone online?
▶ 1:05:01 Speaker 2: No one online.
▶ 1:05:02 Bradley Freeman: Thank you. At this time, if there's no objection, I would like to close public comment. Seeing no objection, we are now closed for public comment. Given that there is four minutes until 8:00, I'm going to suggest we just take a brief recess, do the public hearing at 8:00, and then we can move into A and O. A motion for a brief recess?