PUBLIC COMMENT

Transcript (~18 min @ 2:13)

Speakers identified by voice; unnamed voices are numbered within this recording. Auto-caption text — verify against the video.

▶ 2:06 Speaker 1: Councilor Chen? Yes. Councilor Finocchiaro? Yes. Jamaleddine? Yes. Councilor Kowal? Yes. Councilor Obremski? Yes. Councilor Park? Yes. Councilor Romanul? Yes. Councilor Williams? Yes. President Freeman? Yes. Motion passes.

▶ 2:21 Bradley Freeman: Those minutes are now approved. Now, I will entertain a motion to open the floor for public comment.

▶ 2:26 Speaker 2: So moved. Second.

▶ 2:27 Bradley Freeman: Motion to open the floor for public comment made by Councilor Romanul, seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro. Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

▶ 2:33 Speaker 1: Councilor Chen? Yes. Councilor Finocchiaro? Yes. Councilor Jamaleddine?

▶ 2:37 Speaker 3: Yes.

▶ 2:39 Speaker 1: Councilor Karamcheti? Councilor Kowal? Yes. Councilor Obremski? Yes. Councilor Park? Yes. Councilor Romanul? Yes. Councilor Vandiver? Yes. Councilor Williams? Yes. President Freeman? Yes. That motion passes.

▶ 2:51 Speaker 4: Thank you. The floor is now open for public comment. Per Rule 33-A 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 any other matter are also welcome. Just a reminder, this 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 about 30 seconds left, just so you can begin wrapping up. Given the large number of people here tonight, we are going to be very strict with the five-minute time. At this point, sir, if you'd like to begin by stating your name and your address, please. My name is Corey Adlin. I live on East Foster Street, and I am co-leader of Fighting for Black Lives in our neighborhood, Melrose. We have co-sponsored racial justice forums for elections for mayor, school committee, and city council. I thank those of you who participated in the forums. The Affordable Housing Trust was mentioned by several candidates in these forums as an important solution to help address the racial disparities in homeownership in Melrose. As such, I ask you to support the $150,000 appropriation for the Affordable Housing Trust. At the last council meeting, the chair of the Affordable Housing Trust noted that the funding honors the goals of the housing production plan. I agree, and would specifically add that a goal of the housing production plan was to create down payment assistant fund for low and moderate income households looking to purchase a home in Melrose, and target low homeownership rates among marginalized communities. Our group has shared information about the racial disparity in homeownership rates in public presentations, and in information we provided to candidates in advance of the racial justice forums. Based on the seven most recent years of Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data, Black homebuyers in Melrose were 134% more likely to be denied a home purchase loan than White applicants. We have since investigated the reasons why these applications were denied. There are two especially relevant racial disparities in reasons for denial. One, debt to income ratio. This was cited as a reason for denial for 67% of the Black applications, compared to 42% of the White applications. Two, insufficient cash. This was cited as a reason in 33% of the Black applications, compared to only 4% of the White applications. This demonstrates the need for down payment assistance for marginalized communities, and the need to approve the $150,000. A few months ago, through our group's work with the Mystic Valley Area branch of the NAACP, I was invited to present this type of analysis to the Medford Affordable Housing Trust. The racial disparities in home loan data that I presented for Medford were very similar to the stats I just shared for Melrose. Racial differences in denial for debt to income ratio and insufficient cash. Furthermore, the money the Medford Affordable Housing Trust had just received was similar to the amount being considered for Melrose today I was inspired by the thoughtfulness of the members of the Medford Trust in discussing how their money could be used to remedy the racial disparities, and how it could be further optimized to address multiple challenges in affordable housing. I want the same opportunity for Melrose. Please vote yes to approve the $150,000 appropriation for the Affordable Housing Trust. Thank you. Thank you, sir.

▶ 6:34 Gail Infurna: Good evening. Always fun to be back on this side of the horseshoe. My name is Galen Fern, of 12 Mount Vernon Street, Melrose. First of all, thank you for your service and for your work you are putting into this budget. You are all doing a good job asking questions. I am here tonight to talk about the free cash transfer to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. As a member of the previous Affordable Housing Task Force back in 1999, and now a longtime member of the Affordable Housing Corporation, with a hiatus of two years when I served as mayor, I ask that you support this transfer of free cash. As I watched the meeting last week, yes, I stayed up for the whole six and a half hour marathon, I heard a robust discussion on this issue. A few points to think about. If you listen to the news and housing experts, as well as talk to our community members, there are housing needs around the state, and yes, even right here in Melrose. People are paying too much of their income for rents, and buying homes for first-time buyers is getting even more difficult. Melrose has made great strides with housing, but there is more that can be done. We developed a smart growth overlay back when no one even knew what that was all about. We have inclusionary zoning, a master plan that addresses the housing need, as well as housing production plan funding, that just last week you recommended that to the full board, and is later on the agenda this evening. There is state and federal funding available that many communities who face the same issues we do are applying for. While there is no guarantee as to which communities receive these funds, the state and federal government want to see that a community is investing into affordable housing, and will give preference to those communities. Putting money into the Affordable Housing Trust Fund is exactly what the state and federal government will look at when awarding these funds to a community. By not putting money into the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, you are essentially leaving money on the table. That's state and federal money on the table. As I listened last week to your discussion on this item, I heard it said that $150,000 will not move the needle that much. While I don't like referring to the cliché, you have to start somewhere, the phrase does say it all. We do have to start somewhere. And because of the community's vote in supporting the override, we now have this opportunity to start somewhere. As you know, I sat around this horseshoe for 20 years making these decisions weekly. Some were easy and others were more difficult. But in the end, despite the fact that some issues may not have been everything that I agreed with or wanted, I would ask myself, "What is best for the greater good of the community?" In my two years serving as mayor, I understand and I know how important free cash can be. Once again, because of the recent override passage and the hard work of Mayor Gregoritis, her team, and this council, the city did not have to use any free cash to balance the budget. Therefore, we have this opportunity to invest in issues that are important to us, to our community, and to all of you as you hear these affordability issues so often from your constituents. Again, I respectfully urge you to support the transfer of $150,000 from free cash to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund for all the reasons I have stated above. While I appreciate the fiscal responsibility that you have all taken very seriously, I believe that putting money into the trust at this time is the right thing to do. We do not know when we will have this opportunity again. Remember, while you may not agree 100% of this issue, please think about what is best for the greater good of the community. Thank you. Thank you, ma'am.

▶ 10:52 Speaker 4: And if you can just remember to state your name and address and sign the sheet in there, just so we have it for the record. It's always helpful. I already did. Thank you. My name is Jeanne Venuti, Altamont Ave, Melrose, Mass. Dear Melrose City Councilors, I'm here to ask that you represent the clear will of Melrose residents regarding the recent ballot question on the state audit. Across Massachusetts, approximately 72% of voters said yes to an audit of the state legislature. In November 2024, voters enacted a ballot law explicitly authorizing the state auditor to audit the accounts, programs, activities, and the functions of the legislature. This was not advisory. It was lawfully enacted through the constitutional authority of the people. By approving this measure, the voters themselves clarified and established the auditor's authority. That action removes any legitimate question about constitutionality. The people of Massachusetts exercise their highest and legitimate questions about constitution-- Oh, sorry. Their highest authority to decline, define how their government is held accountable The people's authority is above all other authorities, and when they enact legal constitutional change, it should be enacted. At this point, the issue is no longer whether such an audit is constitutional. The voters have already settled that question. The issue is whether elected officials will honor and implement the law the people have put in place. Here in Melrose, 67% of residents supported this measure. This was not a partisan outcome. It reflects agreement among Democrats, Republicans, and unenrolled voters alike that transparency and accountability matter. Despite this overwhelming mandate, Beacon Hill has declined to fully implement the scope of what voters approved. Two weeks ago, our state representative, Kate Ripper Gabardini, voted to override the will of the voters. This is shameful disregard for the very people she was elected to represent. At the local level, municipalities and businesses are regularly audited to ensure accountability. The same expectations should apply to state government. When such a strong majority of voters speak clearly, it is essential that their voices are respected. Other communities have already taken action. City councils in Reading and Malden have passed resolutions unanimously directing the state to honor the voters' decision and move forward with a full legislative audit. I respectfully ask the Melrose city councilors to do the same. As our elected representatives, you have the opportunity and responsibility to advocate on behalf of your constituents. Passing a resolution in support of a state audit would send a clear message. Melrose stands for transparency, accountability, and respect for the will of the people. Now we ask our city councilors, does it matter to you? Does the voice of the people matter to you? Will you represent the Melrose voters who approved the constitutional change to audit the state? That's all. Thank you. Thank you.

▶ 14:45 Speaker 1: Hi, my name is Kamari Clark, and I live at 64 Bellevue Ave. I'm here to support Janine in her efforts of asking you to vote on the resolution. Not going to go into all of the specific details, but give you some general thoughts that I have regarding this topic. I'm here tonight really to hear the thoughts and opinions of our elected officials regarding this proposal. We live in a country that is consistently stating that our democracy is at risk, that we are on the precipice of losing everything we have fought for over the last 250 years. In many of our recent campaigns, candidates are constantly saying that we need more transparency. And let us not forget, we live in a state where multiple former speakers of the Massachusetts House of Representatives have been convicted of federal crimes, one who was convicted of conspiracy, extortion, and honest services fraud. The ballot measure regarding the audit was put forth to the citizens of Massachusetts, and we overwhelmingly voted for it, not by a simple majority. 72% of citizens want this to happen. What our state leadership has done since this passed has been to put up barrier after barrier to ultimately stop it. The auditor is fighting an uphill battle. She is trying to do what the citizens have asked, but our state leadership has decided this isn't something they want to do. This is not how our process was designed to work. This is not transparency. This is not honest. I applaud Councilor Finocchiaro for bringing forth this agenda item and helping to bring this conversation forward. This is the leadership I want. Thank you. Thank

▶ 16:47 Speaker 2: Hello, my name is Ronald Toro. I live on 159 Derby Road in Melrose. I am here to support the motion to designate the lined house as a historic commission. I've lived in Melrose since 2009. I've lived in Derby Road since 2023. I love the city. I think it's a wonderful place. I hope to spend the rest of my life here, and I think that this is a great opportunity to really preserve one of the few remaining structures with such a deep history behind it. I think it's just really good to tell the story of a place as the structure as it stands. I know there are potential plans for development, but I think something like this, I don't think a property like this should be moved like a piece of "Tetris." I think it should stand as it is so people can see it for what it is, what it was, and understand how we evolved as a city and what the history is behind it. Thank you.

▶ 18:02 Speaker 4: Thank you, sir.

▶ 18:17 Speaker 1: Jim O'Loughlin, 39 Lincoln Street. In the interest of time, I won't repeat the email that I sent out Sunday night on the audit proclamation, but that's why I'm here. I would ask that you support the audit proclamation and give voice to the 67% of Melrose citizens who voted for the ballot initiative. Thank you.

▶ 18:36 Speaker 4: Thank you.

▶ 18:46 Speaker 4: Is there anyone else who would like to offer public comment?

▶ 18:54 Speaker 2: I find it wise to follow Mr. O'Goffin's lead, so I will not read my letter either. It was sent late last night. Very briefly, I just want-- I'm sorry. Eric Wildman, 105 Laurel Street. I should know better. The Affordable Housing Trust, $150,000 to unlock potential federal and state money. It is a small part, but the size of it should not be a reason not to do it. Affordable housing, affordability crisis in Metro Boston, it's an all the above approach. So I strongly encourage that this order passes tonight. I have a lot of feelings on a lot of things that happened in that six-hour meeting, but you guys have four items on the agenda. So, the Affordable Housing Trust, I hope that that is adopted this evening. Thank you very much.

▶ 19:41 Speaker 4: Thank you.

▶ 19:45 Bradley Freeman: Anyone else in the audience who would like to offer public comment?

▶ 19:49 Speaker 4: Seeing none. Madam Clerk, is there anyone online?

▶ 19:53 Speaker 1: There's no one online.

▶ 19:56 Bradley Freeman: Okay, at this time, I'll entertain a motion to close the floor for public comment.

▶ 20:01 Cal Finocchiaro: Motion to close public comment.

▶ 20:02 Speaker 4: Second. Motion to close the floor made by Councilor Finocchiaro, seconded by Councilor Romanul. Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

▶ 20:08 Speaker 1: Councilor Chen? Yes. Councilor Finocchiaro? Yes. Councilor Jamaleddine? Yes. Councilor Kowal? Yes. Councilor Obremski? Yes. Councilor Park? Yes. Councilor Romanul? Yes. Councilor Vanderberg? Yes. Councilor Williams? Yes. President Freeman? Yes. That motion passes.