← Boards & Commissions Committee · 2026-08-10 · Boards & Commissions Committee Meeting 8.10
Appointment of Dionysios Kaskarelis, 116 Walton Park, to the Human Rights Commission for a three-year term, said term to expire on the last day of February 2029.
Agenda original PDF
Minutes original PDF
A. (ID # 2026-1415): Appointment of Dionysios Kaskarelis, 116 Walton Park, to the Human Rights Commission for a three-year term, said term to expire on the last day of February 2029. Mayor Grigoraitis shared that candidate Dion has deep professional experience across the Mediterranean and the United States, is an immigrant to the U.S. and a recent citizen. He brings his lived experience, his professional experience, and his academic experience to thinking through the issues of the Human Rights Commission. Dion shared that human rights has always been part of his experiences, growing up, living in different countries in the world, in Cyprus. Immigrating to the United States 6 years ago was challenging, eye-opening and valuable, and he wants to give back in any way he can. He worked on equal opportunities in the work environment and wants to be part of the Melrose community to help others. Councilor Park stated that he is happy to see Dion pursuing another public service role in the city. Motion to Recommend made by President Freeman Seconded by Councilor Kowal All were in favor and motion passed RESULTS: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] TO: City Council AYES: Elizabeth Kowal, Christopher Park, Kim Vandiver, Bradley Freeman NAYS: None ABSENT: Cal Finocchiaro, Ryan Williams V. ADJOURNMENT The City of Melrose does not discriminate based on disability and is committed to hosting accessible meetings and events. Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and 2 services for effective communication, written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City of Melrose or to attend meetings, should contactthe City’s ADA Coordinator, Polina Latta platta@cityofmelrose.org. Motion to Adjourn made by President Freeman at 7:09 PM Seconded by Councilor Kowal All were in favor and meeting was adjourned 3 June 9, 2026 Dear Josh and Members of the Melrose Human Rights Commission, Thank you for considering my application to serve on the Melrose Human Rights Commission. I would be honored to contribute to the Commission's work. My interest in human rights and inclusion comes from my own experiences. I grew up in a Greek foreign service family, living in nine countries across Europe and th
Transcript
▶ 7:52 Kimberly Vandiver: Okay. And then if there's no objection, I'll motion by unanimous consent to close public comment. Seeing no objection, we are now closed for public comment. And at this time, I will motion by unanimous consent to approve without reading the minutes from the May 21st meeting. Seeing no objection, those minutes are now approved. Tonight, we have one appointment before us. This is ID number 2026-1415, the appointment of Dionysios Cascarellis at 116 Walton Park to the Human Rights Commission for a three-year term, said term to expire on the last day of February 2029, and I believe we have Mr. Cascarellis and the mayor here tonight.
▶ 8:38 Jen Grigoraitis: Good evening, Madam Chair and Councilors. Lovely to see you all. I'm thrilled to be here tonight with Dion, as I know many of us know him, for consideration of his appointment to the Human Rights Commission. I believe many of you, like me, met Dion during the campaign season last year, and while he's not at the council table, he has so much to offer Melrose, and I'm so thrilled at his willingness to serve on this important commission. In addition to deep professional experience across the Mediterranean and the United States, he also is an immigrant to the U.S. and a recent citizen. Congratulations. So brings his lived experience, his professional experience, and his academic experience to thinking through the issues of the Human Rights Commission. So I'm thrilled to put him forward for your consideration.
▶ 9:22 Kimberly Vandiver: Thank you. And Diyam, would you like to say a few words?
▶ 9:25 Speaker 3: Sure. Thank you so much, first of all, Chair and members, and also Mayor, for that very, very kind introduction. Really appreciate being here today. Human rights has always been part of my experiences growing up, living in different countries in the world. In Cyprus, seeing a country divided with conflict, in Germany, in Berlin when the wall was up. And many other events throughout my life have really opened me up to this issue of human rights and just being able to be just aware of all these experiences that I've had and eventually, in the United States, coming as an immigrant six years ago, which was a very complicated process for me to go through, sometimes challenging and embarrassing, but also understanding a lot about other peers who did not have the resources that I had, the support that I had to be able to go through that process has been really eye-opening, and it's something that I really value in this journey and something that now I feel I want to be able to give back in any way that I can, and this is why my interest in human rights has come about. It's also something that I've done through my professional experience. So in my previous employment, I was part of a board where we followed up on equal opportunities of other employees, and so this was something that I was looking at in detail, trying to help anybody who felt that they were unfairly treated in that environment. So this is something that I really want to continue to do. And as a newcomer to the U.S. and also to Melrose, I feel that this is a great opportunity for me to be able to be part of the community and help out in any way that I can in the existing work of the commission, but also wider if I can provide any of my personal proposals through my experiences. So just thank you very much, everybody, for this opportunity. And Chair, obviously short ledge, again, the mayor, chair, and members today. Really appreciate that. Thank you.
▶ 11:32 Kimberly Vandiver: Thank you so much for that. Does the committee have any questions?
▶ 11:40 Speaker 4: Yes, Councilor Goodman.
▶ 11:42 Speaker 3: No questions other than the fact that, as the mayor had stated, you ran for city council, unfortunately. Not to bring up that memory, but I'm glad to see that you are pursuing another role in public service, and it's wonderful to see you back up here. So congratulations on taking the step. Thank you. Thank you very much. Appreciate that.
▶ 12:06 Speaker 4: Councilor Carmody.
▶ 12:07 Manjula Karamcheti: I just wanted to make a comment that I am really excited to see you here, and I'm not a voting member, but absolutely support your candidacy. And I'm excited that we have another active Ward 1 resident getting involved and leading in our community.
▶ 12:24 Speaker 3: Thank you. Appreciate that.
▶ 12:26 Speaker 4: President Freeman.
▶ 12:27 Bradley Freeman: Thank you. I think Councilor Carmody summed it up greatly, and I'd like to make a motion to recommend.
▶ 12:32 Speaker 2: Second.
▶ 12:33 Kimberly Vandiver: A motion to recommend from President Freeman, and a second Councilor Kowal. Anyone on discussion? All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? So that will go back to the full council with a recommendation for passage. Thank you. Thank you so much for coming tonight.
▶ 12:50 Speaker 3: Appreciate that. Thank you.
▶ 12:55 Kimberly Vandiver: And that is the only item on our agenda tonight, so I will now look for a motion to adjourn.
▶ 13:03 Speaker 3: So moved.
▶ 13:03 Speaker 2: Second.