Public Comment

Transcript (~8 min @ 0:30)

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

▶ 0:25 Maya Jamaleddine: And joining me tonight, our, uh, vice Chair Romanul, uh, counselor gpe. Hi, counselor Ver and President Ra LAX officio, um, in accordance with the Open Meeting law. This meeting is being recorded, recorded and broadcast live on MMTV, um,

▶ 0:46 Speaker 2: Adam Clerk.

▶ 0:49 Maya Jamaleddine: Um, if, uh, if there is no objection, I would like to open the floor for, uh, public comment.

▶ 1:01 Maya Jamaleddine: Seeing no objection, the floor is now open.

▶ 1:07 Maya Jamaleddine: Please say your name.

▶ 1:09 Speaker 3: Sure. Good evening. My name is Leo Boudreaux. I served in Afghanistan in 2010 with the Massachusetts Army National Guard. I'm here tonight to support the local passage of the Heroes Act. The Heroes Act. Signed by Governor Healy. Last August is the most comprehensive veterans legislation in the past 20 years. I support House speaker Ron Mariano when he stated, ensuring that state government is doing everything that it can to support the Commonwealth Veterans is one of the most important responsibilities that we have as elected officials. Veterans represent the very best of us having risked their lives in service of this country, which is why we owe them nothing less than our own wavering support said House Speaker Ronald Mariano Quincy. This legislation not only provides increased support for veterans in Massachusetts through tax credits and enhanced benefits, it also takes steps to ensure that the Commonwealth goes to even greater length to honor our veterans and gold star families. I want to thank Governor Haley for filing the Heroes Act, majority Leader Moran and all my colleagues in the house as well, our partners in the Senate for recognizing the importance of supporting our veterans. However we can, the city of Mel Rhode demonstrates its continued support of its veterans with the passing of this legislation. I thank the city council for their support as well as Mayor Gregory. Thank you. Have a great night.

▶ 2:31 Speaker 2: Thank you.

▶ 2:40 Maya Jamaleddine: Thank you. And we appreciate your service. Anyone else?

▶ 2:49 Speaker 4: Hi, I am Jim Ette. I'm a, a veteran. Um, I was wounded critically twice in Vietnam. I went through, uh, jump school, jump Master school, ranger school, jungle school, jungle school, and my platoon of, um, 54 men repelled into Ca Cambodia in 1967. And four and a half months, um, 16 were killed. The rest of us were wounded at least once. Um,

▶ 3:27 Speaker 4: I think that this bill is necessary and it has my full support.

▶ 3:34 Speaker 2: Thank you. Thank you.

▶ 3:48 Speaker 3: Good evening. Um, good evening. My name's Robert Driscoll. I served in the Air Force for 38 years. I'm an Iraqi war veteran. I support this legislation and request, respectfully request of each of you to vote in favor of it. I would echo what Lieutenant Governor Driscoll said last August at the signing of the Heroes Act. She said, Massachusetts is the cradle of American patriotism home to the First National Guard, the birthplace of the American Revolution. The first to declare that disabled veterans must be cared for the first to establish local veteran service officers and so much more. This is our legacy. And as a member of a military family, I am tremendously proud of Massachusetts for leading the nation for veteran services. Today, we honor our heritage and commit to building upon it. With this transformative legislation, we pledge to provide the best veteran services in the country, ensuring every veteran receives the respect and support they deserve. I echo these statements and thank the board, uh, the city council as well as Mayor Gregor eis for bringing this legislation forward, and I hope you support it. Thank you.

▶ 5:01 Speaker 2: Thank you.

▶ 5:07 Speaker 4: Good evening. I'm Jim Keen. I'm a Vietnam veteran. I was stationed with the River Patrol Force in the Ong Delta. Upon coming back to the United States and being discharged, I went to law school on the GI Bill, and I know about, uh, veterans benefits. In looking at the statistics associated with the, uh, real estate, uh, uh, excise or credit, the last time it was addressed by the legislature was 2006. And since that time, uh, inflation is run at 47% in the consumer price index for Massachusetts or Metropolitan Boston is 54%, largely eroding that tax credit. So if you had $800 in 2006, it's worth $400 today. So we're asking that, that, uh, real estate, uh, credit be, uh, allowed and, uh, forwarded. So thank you very much.

▶ 6:01 Speaker 2: Thank you.

▶ 6:16 Speaker 3: Good evening, members of the board. My name's Michael Buggy. I'm a resident of Melrose. Um, I'm here tonight to speak in full support of the Proposed Heroes Act initiative, excuse me, heroes Act Initiative for the Veterans. Uh, this initiative is more than just a financial adjustment. It's a reflection of our values as a community. Veterans have made extraordinary sacrifices in service to our country. Many have put their lives on the line, spent months and years away from their families, and returned home to face new challenges, some visible and some invisible. The property tax exemption reduction may seem modest on paper, but to a veteran, it can be a meaningful gesture. It shows that MERYLL stands behind the people who it serves, the people who have stood up for all of us. For some veterans, especially of those who live on a fixed income, it's support. It's this support can make critical difference in their ability to remain in their homes and neighborhoods that they've helped protect and support. This initiative would also send a clear message that Merose does not forget the service and sacrifices of its veterans. We recognize their continued contribution to our community and believe they deserve a, they deserve tangible support, not just words of gratitude, but actions that reflect that. I strongly urge the board to pass this initiative and make Melrose a model for how local government can honor uplift those who have served. Thank you for your time and consideration. This is an important step forward. Respectfully. Thank you.

▶ 8:04 Speaker 5: Thank you.

▶ 8:12 Maya Jamaleddine: Anyone else wishing to speak? Okay.

▶ 8:16 Maya Jamaleddine: Do we have anyone online? We do not. Okay. Since we don't have anyone in person or online wishing to speak, um, if there is no objection, I would like, um, to, uh, make, I would make a motion to close public comment. Seeing none, public comment is now closed.