Appointment of Lisa Matey Bergeron, 63 Howard Street, to the Melrose Elderly & Disabled Taxation Fund Committee

Transcript (~5 min @ 6:25)

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▶ 6:24 Speaker 4: Congratulations. Uh,

▶ 6:26 Jen Grigoraitis: the next item on our agenda is ID number 1, 2 6 3 2, the appointment of Lisa Maddie Bergeron. Uh, 6 63 Howard Street to the Melrose Elderly and Disabled Taxation Fund Committee. And, uh, Madam Mayor. Oh, and she's here tonight. Um, uh, would you like to, uh, say a few words about the nominee in the committee? Yes, please. Thank you, Madam Chair. And just before we, I speak to Ms. Berger's qualifications, I did just wanna highlight that there is a memo in the packet regarding this fund. Um, I know this has been a familiar path for you all. There were, there are three voluntary taxation funds that reside on City of Melrose Tax bills. The Education Fund. The Scholarship Fund, both of which this committee has previously, um, appointed members to, and then the Elderly and Disabled Taxation Fund. And I think in this moment in time when there's a lot of conversation around the needs of our city budget and, um, concerns around affordability, this is a really critical fund. This is a place where residents can make a voluntary donation that can then be distributed to assist elderly and disabled residents who are unable to meet their tax burdens. The fund currently has about $5,000 in it. I think this is an opportunity for this community to really show, um, that it cares about folks and cares about affordability. And there's a real opportunity here with the experts that I hope you appoint tonight, to create a system where we can provide meaningful tax relief to those that need it most to be means tested. And also to be able to help residents who are not yet considered elderly. There are very limited tax relief options for those that are under age of six, under the age of 60. I know that we see constantly through the emergency fund that one of the greatest needs is, um, the, you know, unaffordability of housing, both rent and mortgages. And so to think about another tool that we have in our toolbox to try to assist some of our more financially challenged residents, this would be hugely impactful. So that's what the fund is. Um, and I think the way that we really get it off and running is by having a really phenomenally strong board. And I'm really, um, honored to have the nominees that we have before you tonight. So, Ms. Bergeron, um, was a volunteer and wanting to serve on this fund. She's a 20 year resident of Melrose, has raised her children here. Um, she brings a significant background in sales, and I think a lot of what we're gonna be doing is really outreaching to the community and helping people understand what this fund is and how we can be helpful to them. Um, and she's really deeply committed to Melrose. She's involved in many organizations and groups. Um, she's a vocal advocate for the community on social media groups, which I applaud you. That's pretty brave. Um, and I just am so thrilled at her level of enthusiasm to wanna help some of our more vulnerable residents. So I'm thrilled to have her here tonight.

▶ 9:04 Kimberly Vandiver: Thank you so much. Uh, any, uh, and would you like, excuse me, would you like to say a few words as well?

▶ 9:09 Speaker 2: Sure. Um, Lisa Metis Bergeron. Thank you, Madam Mayor. And to the committee. Um, I just wanna say I am pleased to serve on this commission. I feel like if I'm gonna advocate in the community to support the community financially, that it's also equally important to try to help support those who are less able to, but may still want to support the community with their vote. And there's that balancing act that many people in the community are facing. Um, so that's something that I've been trying to advocate for. And if I'm gonna talk the talk, I need the walk the walk. So that's why I'm here.

▶ 9:47 Kimberly Vandiver: Thank you. Uh, any questions from the committee? Councillor Stewart?

▶ 9:50 Robb Stewart: Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh, thank you for being here this evening. I think this is a, a, a great committee that that, uh, has been put forth. And, uh, when I think about the funds that are available, it's, it's not enough, right? To be able to be what I would consider as effective as we want to be. And so, um, and, and I don't wanna put you on the spot here, you know, by saying what are you gonna do? Right? But I think, um, I'd be interested longer term in seeing, um, what the committee can do in terms of outreach to help build this. 'cause I think, uh, it would be important, I'd like to see this to be 50,000, right? And how do we get there? And so that, that's where I would ask, you know, what support do you need from the council? Mm-hmm. What support do you need from the community? And what support do you need from the administration? So I just wanna put those thoughts into your head. And, um, I'd also be interested in your reaction.

▶ 10:57 Speaker 2: I think it's too soon for me to say, but I definitely have broader and larger aspirations for what I would like to see personally for that type of relief. So stay tuned and thank you for the idea of the partnership with all of that. I think we're all gonna need it.

▶ 11:14 Speaker 4: Absolutely. Great. Thank you. Thank you. Mad chair. Thank you. Anybody else? I, i a motion to recommend? I'll second. Okay.

▶ 11:23 Kimberly Vandiver: Motion to recommend Councilor Occhio. And second vice Chair Carm Shady. Uh, anybody else on discussion? All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? So that also passes and we'll go to the full council with a recommendation. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank You. The next, uh, item on our agenda is, uh,