Appointment of Elizabeth Kowal, 301 West Foster Street, Melrose to the Human Rights Commission for a term of three years, said term to expire the last day of February 2028.

Transcript (~3 min @ 12:58)

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▶ 12:53 Kimberly Vandiver: Thank you. Anyone else? Okay. So, uh, all in favor? A aye. Any opposed? So, that will go back to the full council with a motion, with a recommendation for passage. Uh, next up we have ID number 1 2 5 6 8, the appointment of Elizabeth Cowell, 3 0 1 West Foster Street, Melrose to the Human Rights Commission for a term of three years, said term to expire the last day of February, 2028.

▶ 13:14 Jen Grigoraitis: Thank you. Um, I'm thrilled to have Elizabeth here as a for consideration for the Human Rights Commission. She, um, is an attorney by training, which actually is one of the requirements of our Human Rights Commission ordinance. So we're thrilled to have a lawyer who's willing to step up.

▶ 13:27 Speaker 1: Um, you don't have to provide legal advice, don't worry.

▶ 13:29 Jen Grigoraitis: Um, but just to provide that lens. Um, and the commission, you know, has recently we've had some significant vacancies and we are, um, getting close to being full capacity. There's a new chair. I think there's a real reinvigoration, you know, partially from what's happening at a national level, um, in the work of that commission. So I'm thrilled that Elizabeth is stepping up. Um, she's been serving on our Public Safety Building Committee, so she has seen what it's like

▶ 13:52 Speaker 1: to be involved in government and still

▶ 13:53 Jen Grigoraitis: decided to come back for more. Um, so I am really pleased that she's willing to serve in this capacity. Thank you.

▶ 13:59 Elizabeth Kowal: Thank you. Um, Ms. Cowell, is there anything you'd like to add? Um, sure. I have, uh, really, even though it hasn't always been easy, I've really enjoyed serving on, um, the public safety committee. And I spoke with the mayor and Denise about getting more involved. Um, I come from a background where, um, I was raised at either everybody counts or nobody counts. So, um, I've been looking for ways to get more involved, um, particularly with the political climate. I don't wanna make this political, um, but, um, just small ways that I can step up and help and lend my voice. And so this is where I wanted to start with the town that I love. So thank you. Thank you councilors, uh, Stewart?

▶ 14:38 Robb Stewart: Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I just wanted to mention that I've had the pleasure of working with Ms. Cole Kowell on the BB School, uh, transition to the police department. And she's been, um, uh, very much an advocate for doing the right thing for the neighborhood, as well as being considerate professional and, um, I think holds a strong acumen for all that's required. So I just wanted to comment and, and let you know that I, I'm very comfortable with this and I'm, I'm glad that you, uh, uh, support her. So thank you very much. Thank you Madam Chair.

▶ 15:09 Kimberly Vandiver: Thank you. Any other counselors on discussion? Uh,

▶ 15:13 Manjula Karamcheti: Yeah. I just wanted to say thank you for stepping up and appreciate it so much. Given the climate of things, it's hard not to make a lot of things political these days. I know. But it's so important to take action and do the work at home. Um, and just grateful to you for that. Thank you. And I love what you said about everybody counting, so thank you. Can't wait to for you to get to work. Thank you. Me too.

▶ 15:37 Speaker 5: I'll make a motion to recommend. Second.

▶ 15:40 Kimberly Vandiver: Okay. Motion to recommend, uh, vice Chair Carrum Shady and a second Councilor Stewart.