← Boards & Commissions Committee · 2025-11-17 · Boards & Commissions Committee Meeting 11/17
Appointment of Adam H. Garfield-Abrams, 14 Wentworth Road, to the Melrose Housing Authority, replacing Steven Douglas, who resigned, for the remainder of the three-year term; said term to expire on the first Monday of March 2028.
Agenda original PDF
Minutes original PDF
B. (ID # 2025-218): Appointment of Adam H. Garfield-Abrams, 14 Wentworth Road, to the Melrose Housing Authority, replacing Steven Douglas, who resigned, for the remainder of the three-year term; said term to expire on the first Monday of March 2028. Motion to Recommend made by Councilor Finocchiaro Seconded by Councilor Karamcheti All were in favor and motion passed RESULTS: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] TO: City Council AYES: Manjula Karamcheti, Cal Finocchiaro, Maya Jamaleddine, Leila Migliorelli, Kim Vandiver NAYS: None ABSENT: Robb Stewart 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 Councilor Karamcheti at 7:23 PM Seconded by C
Transcript
▶ 18:51 Kimberly Vandiver: So the, um, the second item on our agenda is, um, ID number 2 0 2 5 dash 2 1 8. The appointment of Adam h Garfield Abrams 14 Wentworth Road to the Melrose Housing Authority, replacing Steven Douglas, who resigned for the remainder of the three year term, said term to expire on the first Monday of March, 2028. Uh, Madam Mayor, would you like to present this?
▶ 19:15 Jen Grigoraitis: Yes. Thank you. So, unfortunately, Mr. Garfield Abrams had a conflict with tonight's meeting. And I would respectfully request you consider his appointment in his absence. Um, his resumes available for you. The housing authority by state law is actually fairly structured, and Mr. Garfield Abrams would be filling the spot that must be served by a resident of Melrose, who's also a member of a labor union. So that is a, a fairly niche requirement. Um, and the previous member actually resigned back in the spring. And per state law, we were required to go through a fairly lengthy process where we give labor unions 90 days to submit recommendations to us before we can then consider our own recommendations. We did not receive anyone by that deadline in September. And I had the good fortune of meeting Mr. Garfield Abrams at a new resident welcome. We had this fall, and I cornered him and he said yes. So, um, I know that the Housing authority board has been, you know, the seat has been vacant since the spring and they would be eager to get him on board. He currently works for AFSCME Local 93. He brings a wealth of experience in labor management issues, and he would be rep representing the union staff on that board.
▶ 20:20 Kimberly Vandiver: Thank you very much. Uh, councilor Occhio? Yes. Thank
▶ 20:23 Cal Finocchiaro: You. His resume speaks for himself. Um, I'd like to make a motion to recommend.
▶ 20:27 Speaker 7: I'll second. Great.
▶ 20:28 Kimberly Vandiver: We have, uh, a motion to recommend from Councilor Occhio and a second Councilor Carrum Shady. Anybody on discussion? Um, all in favor?
▶ 20:37 Kimberly Vandiver: Aye. Any opposed? So that will also go back to the full council with a recommendation for passage. Thank you so much, Madam Mayor. Thank you.