← City Council · 2025-12-15 · City Council Meeting
A Resolution Recognizing and Honoring President Leila Migliorelli, Councilor Mark Garipay, Councilor Robert Stewart and Councilor Ward Hamilton for their Exemplary Service to the Melrose City Council.
Agenda original PDF
Minutes original PDF
1. (ID # 2025-870): A Resolution Recognizing and Honoring President Leila Migliorelli, Councilor Mark Garipay, Councilor Robert Stewart and Councilor Ward Hamilton for their Exemplary Service to the Melrose City Council. This item was taken out of order and discussed at the end of the meeting. Motion for Immediate Consideration made by Councilor Karamcheti Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro All were in favor and motion passed Comments about the resolution: Councilors Karamcheti, Finocchiaro and Vandiver presented the resolution. They expressed gratitude and best wishes to outgoing councilors for their contributions over the past six years, particularly during challenging times like the pandemic. Council members reflected on their collective achievements and camaraderie, expressing appreciation for each other's leadership and service. The conversation ended with a sentiment of respect and admiration for the outgoing councilors, who will be missed. President Migliorelli said it's been wonderful, challenging and interesting these last 6 years, especially through the pandemic. We've done and accomplished so much together. This has been a really valuable experience for her and she thanked the council for all that they did. Councilor Finocchiaro thanked them for great leadership and camaraderie, stating that they all served well on this council together. They will be greatly missed. Councilor Vandiver said this is bittersweet and we are lucky to have served together. Councilor Karamcheti said it has been an honor to serve with you. We have learned a lot from you, and we hope to carry on the legacy of what you've done. We really appreciate you. RESULT: PASSED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Cal Finocchiaro, Manjula Karamcheti, John Obremski, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams, Ward Hamilton, Leila Migliorelli, Mark Garipay, Robb Stewart NAYS: None ABSENT: Maya Jamaleddine C. Licenses
Transcript
▶ 16:00 Speaker 1: of the city Council resolutions.
▶ 16:02 Speaker 2: Um, Madam Clerk, we please leave order
▶ 16:04 Speaker 3: ID number 2025 dash eight 70 a resolution, recognizing and honoring President Lila Elli. Counselor Mark Garipay. Counselor Robert Stewart and Counselor Ward Hamilton for their exemplary service to the Melrose City Council.
▶ 16:22 Speaker 8: Uh, president Elli, I'd like to make a motion for immediate consideration. Second,
▶ 16:27 Speaker 7: Motion for immediate consideration made
▶ 16:30 Speaker 2: and granted and seconded.
▶ 16:31 Manjula Karamcheti: Thank you. And might a couple of us approach the bench? Sure. If you wouldn't mind taking my seat for a moment.
▶ 16:38 Speaker 9: Okay. I'll The table,
▶ 16:40 Speaker 1: The table. Why don't
▶ 16:42 Speaker 8: I say that? Because it's a non court court of law.
▶ 16:44 Speaker 1: Sorry. It it's a ROS room. Actually
▶ 16:47 Speaker 2: Approach the bench.
▶ 16:49 Speaker 5: It's a she's used to it. Oh, a ros.
▶ 16:57 Speaker 10: Just so throat. So,
▶ 17:08 Manjula Karamcheti: A resolution honoring President Melli, counselor Repe, counselor Stewart and Counselor Hamilton. A resolution, oh, I don't have to read that again, sorry. Whereas President Lila Elli counselor, mark Repe and Councilor Rob Stewart have each faithfully served three terms and six years on the Melrose City Council. And whereas Councilor Ward Hamilton has faithfully served one term and two years on the Melrose City Council. And whereas President Lila Elli counselor Mark Repe and councilor Rob Stewart began their first term during the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought significant challenges and uncertainty. Yet these counselors rose to the occasion ensuring that Melrose continued to move forward, protected its residents, and navigated an unprecedented crisis without a playbook. Whereas over the course of six years of service President Lila Melli, councilor Mark Repe and Councilor Rob Stewart have sponsored ordinances and resolutions, facilitated countless meetings, and have worked tirelessly to uphold the mission and responsibilities of the city council. They have been invaluable colleagues, mem mentors and friends to many offering guidance, sharing diverse perspectives, and providing support and tough love when needed. And whereas throughout their tenure, they have demonstrated unwavering reliability, dependability, and steadfast leadership, consistently placing the needs of the, the city of Melrose and its residents above all
▶ 18:56 Speaker 9: and everything else. And My Turn. Your turn. Okay. We've rehearse this, but
▶ 19:02 Speaker 10: I'm gonna sit.
▶ 19:05 Cal Finocchiaro: Whereas President Lala er has distinguished herself through her exemplary service as chair of the Appropriations and Oversight Committee. And for the past two years as president of the City Council, where her exceptional organization attention to detail and integrity. Integrity driven leadership enabled the council to achieve significant progress and accomplish, accomplish critical goals. Whereas Councilor Mark Ape this year's chair of appropriations and oversight, as well as member of the Mayor's financial task force, has used his lifelong connection to Melrose to champion the needs of all residents, including veterans, older adults, local businesses, children and families. Serving as a thoughtful and passionate advocate for the community has always called home councilor. Mark Ape has shown exemplary commitment to our community. And whereas Councilor Rob Stewart has served as chair of the finance committee and vice chair of numerous other committees, bringing a deep understanding of Robert's Rules of Order, asking consistently thoughtful and informed questions and providing steady principled leadership at every turn. Councilor Rob Stewart has been an impactful member of the council bringing much knowledge and resolve. Whereas Councilor Ward Hamilton has demonstrated his commitment to our community through his involvement in numerous communities, committees that directly impact the lives of our residents. Councilor Ward Hamilton served as the city council's appointed representative to the Public Safety Facilities Committee. And as a representative to the Water and Sewer Committee, councilor Ward Hamilton will continue serving on other important committees that serve our community.
▶ 20:52 Kimberly Vandiver: Whereas the Melrose City Council recognizes and honors President Lila Elli, counselor Mark Repe, counselor Rob Stewart and Counselor Ward Hamilton, for their service, leadership and commitment to the people of Melrose. And whereas their dedication and pass and passion for Melrose have left a lasting impact that will not soon be forgotten and their contributions will continue to benefit the community for years to come. Now therefore be it resolved that the council extends its heartfelt appreciation to them and to their families for the time, energy, and unwavering support that made their service possible. And be it further resolved that the city of Melrose offers its warmest best, best wishes to each of them in all future endeavors with gratitude for their lasting contributions to the Melrose community adopted by the Melrose City Council on this 15th day of December, 2025.
▶ 21:59 Speaker 2: Thank you all. Thank you for their kind words.
▶ 22:04 Leila Migliorelli: And, um, with no other comments. Um, I well, I I cannot make a comment. It's, it's been, um, it's been wonderful, challenging, um, interesting over these last six years on the city council. And I think, you know, when you touch upon the pandemic, I, you know, think of my colleagues, uh, Councillor Gepe and Stewart and being there on those first virtual meetings for quite a while. Really like none, totally unexpected. Um, and thinking about what we've done and accomplished since then, what we've been through, um, together as a group, as we've welcomed on new counselors. And, um, I feel like this has been an invaluable experience for me, um, serving a community in which I spent my early childhood and, uh, came back 10 years ago to raise a family. Um, so just wanted to say thank you. Um, and with no other comments, I will, um,
▶ 23:05 Speaker 1: conclude the meeting unless any other
▶ 23:06 Speaker 2: counselors have anything to say.
▶ 23:11 Speaker 1: No discussion. Alright. Uh,
▶ 23:12 Cal Finocchiaro: Actually I'll just ask. Yes. I just wanna say thank you, um, all four of you, um, for various reasons, but, uh, great leadership comradery and I think we all served on this council really well together. Um, so just wanna say thank you and you will be greatly missed
▶ 23:32 Kimberly Vandiver: If I could as well. I mean, looking around the room today during this meeting was really bittersweet. We've had a great group of people. I think we've, we knew counselors this past term have been really lucky and really fortunate to serve with all of you, and especially with the four of you going out. So really appreciate that chance. Thank you.
▶ 23:48 Manjula Karamcheti: Well fine. Now I'm gonna go, even though I was already up there, just, it really has been an honor to serve with all of you. Um, we've learned a lot from you and really hope to carry on sort of the legacy of what you've done here. Um, just really appreciate you.