ORDER-2023-61 : Appointment of William I. Thompson, IV of 642 Franklin Street, to the Melrose Board of Registrars of Voters for a one-year term, said term to fill the appointment of Cynthia Silveria, who has resigned from the Board and whose term would expire on the last day of March 2024.

Transcript (~7 min @ 7:07)

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

▶ 7:05 Maya Jamaleddine: And the first order is and the only order is order 2023-161 appointment of William. I Thompson fourth of 642 Franklin Street. To the Melrose Board of registrars of Voters for one year terms that term to fill the appointment of Cynthia silveria who has resigned from the board and whose term would expire on the last day of March 2024. This is an order offered by mayor broader and sponsored by him as well. Mayor brother the floor is yours. Mr. Thompson as well

▶ 7:45 Paul Brodeur: Thank you very much Madam chair members of the committee and other members of The Honorable Council as you first I want to it would be remiss if I did not thank Cynthia for her her work and dedication. She did yeoman's work. This is a job that you all know, but the public might not understand has changed significantly over the last several years. There's a lot more voting his a lot more complex in terms of the the systems. We use voting is actually become easier, but that has made kind of the back office challenge a little bit more significant to make sure things run correctly Cynthia did occupy the the so-called or a republican seat on the board you recall from our early discussions that statute Mass General Law requires some balance in terms of party representation. And as a side note, you will recall this not allow really for the participation. Of unenrolled Voters for folks that are not enrolled in a party everyone give you a quick update on that in that my office in cooperation with Senator Lewis and replica obedient have filed have filed legislation this term to try to open up opportunities for unemeral voters. That's probably a story for for another time. I am most importantly here to recommend for your consideration William Thompson. He is apologies as you all know, he lives on Franklin Street. He's been in this community from quite some time his professional background is in sales and marketing for the last probably 20 years or so from if I'm correct and he's also shown a real Devotion to his family in the community. He has four kids and it's still willing to step up and he's very very involved. With some of our youth sports I think most prominently baseball and hockey but still has time to give to this important Endeavor. And with that I am offering the if you'd like to say a few words bill that is terrific, but hope you'll consider them favorably this evening.

▶ 10:05 Speaker 2: Thank you.

▶ 10:06 Speaker 4: Thank you. Thank you for having me here tonight. I talked with Paul about the position and I met with the city clerk. She explains the responsibilities and expectations, and I understood that and I share with Paul as well. My interest was to get more involved. I've been in this area for about 19 years. I've been in Melrose for about six. My kids went to school here before we moved in starting a Saint Mary's back in 2006. So really like the community like the fact I can leave my house and be here in three minutes must be a good time, and I'm here open to answer any questions about thank you for your consideration.

▶ 10:50 Maya Jamaleddine: anyone from the console would like to ask questions

▶ 10:57 Maya Jamaleddine: counselor camcelli

▶ 11:00 Manjula Karamcheti: Mr. Thompson, thank you so much for being here. I always get excited when award-1 resident steps up as the city councilor for award 1 definitely appreciate all of your service and supporting youth in particular in Melrose. I would just love to hear a little bit more about why the board of registrars as the next step. What about that specifically interests you and just sort of what are your thoughts about how Melrose can continue to run secure elections and and make sure everything goes according to plan.

▶ 11:35 Speaker 4: Sure. I've been in business for about 30 years. And you know opportunity knocks you could be there to answer the door. And so I've been looking for opportunities not the opportunity has not presented itself. But the Integrity of our elections is, you know near and dear to me and it's my primary interest in serving and getting a I don't have a lot of time available. So it's it's my current. needs and desires so I for my own perspective as a voter. In talking with the city clerk. I've really no fear of us losing faith their integrity in our election process because it seems like it's very committed the city's committed to maintaining full integrity and openness route for all. Support those efforts. I see those. This is a position to a visible position to help that help the city with that particular thing because that this could called into question at times, you know Integrity of Elections a huge topic and so if you can be a Part of that to me help ensure and give people peace of mind then that's a good position.

▶ 12:50 Speaker 1: Great. Thank you.

▶ 12:53 Maya Jamaleddine: Anyone else from the console would like to Ask any question.

▶ 13:02 Jen Grigoraitis: Madam president thank you madam. Chair. Thank you Mr. Thompson for being here tonight and for your willingness to serve and thank you Mr. Mayor for sponsoring him as a candidate. I'm really heartened to hear your take on the importance of maintaining the integrity and accessibility of Elections. It has been a wild couple of years and I I think our Board of registrars has you know, really maintained a high standard as things have become increasingly complex and divisive and I fear that that is not going away anytime soon. So I really appreciate your approach and your willingness to step up and at this time I would motion to recommend exactly

▶ 13:41 Maya Jamaleddine: we have a motion to recommend by President and Craig writers and seconded by Vice chair Eccles on discussion.

▶ 13:51 Speaker 2: all in favor

▶ 13:52 Maya Jamaleddine: I any opposed Okay. Thank you Mr. Thompson, and this will be recommended to the full council at that time. You don't need to be attend, but we appreciate you stepping up to this role. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much.

▶ 14:15 Maya Jamaleddine: And at this time since we don't have any other order on the agenda, I would like to entertain a motion to adjourn motion adjourn.