APPT-2024-40 : Appointment of Matthew Travers,17 Brookledge Road, Melrose to the Commission on Disability

Transcript (~3 min @ 6:55)

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▶ 6:43 Speaker 1: Again, the floor is yours. Thank you, chief of Staff Grim. Um, yes, so on behalf of Mayor Greg, I'm very happy to, um, be here to represent her in the appointment of Matt Travers, who, um, is personally a great colleague of mine. We actually started one day apart working for the city, um, and he right away helped onboard me, um, even in only working for a day in his role at the hr. Um, he's someone that a lot of our colleagues trust and go to for all sorts of advice. Um, navigating sort of city employment policy is not always easy, as some of, you know, working in government. Um, Matt is always very patient, knowledgeable, um, and friendly. And, um, the mayor's particularly happy to be putting forth this appointment because the, um, position or this appointment has been, um, vacant for about two years, two or three years. Karen Burke, who was our previous director of veteran Services, was the liaison role between the administration and the commission. So, um, she's really thrilled to be able that, um, to put Matt forward in that he was interested to step up.

▶ 7:50 Speaker 2: Matt, we welcome you to share, um, any insights or comments regarding your candidacy? Sure.

▶ 7:57 Speaker 4: Thank you Lauren. Um, yeah, so a little about me. I just moved to Melrose a couple months ago. Um, and I love it so far. I've been working here for about two and a half years now, and I love it. Um, I get to work with unemployment, unemployment engagement, a bunch of different areas of hr. Um, and a new area that I would like to open that up to is, um, a DA learning more a bit about that and the, um, any employees that stop by that might need an accommodation. Um, and as well as the community as well. We have a lot of retirees that, that come in. Um, and I think it would be an honor to join the, the commission. Um, it'll allow me to expand my knowledge of a DA laws, definitely. Um, um, definitely I'm the first point of contact for a lot of, um, you know, applicants that come by that might need, um, specific assistance. And I think that being a part of this commission will help me to, you know, better the interests of the city as well as, um, potential applicants and, and residents as well.

▶ 8:57 Speaker 1: Thank you so much. Um,

▶ 8:59 Manjula Karamcheti: do we have any questions from counselors?

▶ 9:03 Speaker 2: Just wanna say thank you for stepping up and I think you do a great job in the role.

▶ 9:14 Manjula Karamcheti: Um, I also just wanna extend my sincere gratitude, uh, for taking on another piece of, uh, city life in Melrose. Uh, we appreciate when everyone gets active, particularly in this area. It's so important that we pay attention to, um, our disabilities community to make sure that they have everything they need, um, to feel, feel a part of, and be supported in our community. So thank you for that. Um,

▶ 9:41 Speaker 1: what is the will of the committee?

▶ 9:43 Speaker 2: I'd like to make a motion to recommend.

▶ 9:47 Manjula Karamcheti: Second, we have a motion to recommend by Council

▶ 9:50 Speaker 1: Rio seconded by President Elli.

▶ 9:56 Speaker 2: Any discussion? All in favor? Aye.

▶ 9:58 Speaker 1: Aye. Anyone opposed? Okay.

▶ 10:02 Speaker 2: Well, this appointment will move forward as well, so we'll do the final vote at our next city Council meeting.

▶ 10:06 Manjula Karamcheti: Uh, again, you heard me say this the last time, but you don't need to be here for that. Um, but you are always welcome to join if you are interested.

▶ 10:14 Speaker 1: Um, thank you so much for being here tonight.

▶ 10:17 Speaker 4: Thank you everyone. Thank you.

▶ 10:18 Speaker 5: Thank you. All right.