ORDER-2023-38 : Appointment of Peter Bowman, 24 Arlington Road, to the Melrose Library Board of Trustees.

Transcript (~7 min @ 1:14)

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▶ 1:06 Jack Eccles: With that objection we can close public comment. The only order on tonight's agenda is ordered 2023-38 appointment of Peter Bauman 24, Arlington Road to Melrose Library Board of Trustees. We have mayor Broder and the appointee in our audience tonight without objection. We can suspend our rules to hear from mayor Broder.

▶ 1:31 Paul Brodeur: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, excuse me, and members of the committee. If you would indulge me for a moment like to take an opportunity to address something that it's not before this evening. And that is the the event or the situation that occurred with Council or jamaladin and her family. Over the weekend here in Melrose for those who don't know. I suspect the members of the council do but members of public might not know that. Council Jamal Dean and her family in countered some folks that thought they had the confidence in their own situation in their own identity to suggest that my and her family should go back where they came from. by hope I believe that that is not a sentiment that reflects our community but it did happen in our community in the idea that that could not be visited upon. Any one of us at any time perhaps it's not exactly accurate, but there are always ways you can make you can other people. And that is not something not just that we shouldn't. We shouldn't not tolerate but we should stand. actively against the thing about this community the thing about this country that makes it unique and that is the you know our aspirational ideal. Is that all are welcome here and that you do not. do not have your citizenship because of where you came from or you happen to be born for many of US citizenship is not a choice, but for other folks. It is a choice. It's a proactive decision to kind of commit yourself to the ideals that the country was founded upon and you all know this as much as anyone because you take an oath to hold the Constitution, but what you really saying is your your committing yourself to the ideal of a better Union and a better future. So on behalf of the mayor's office Maya one who? Apologize for what happened to you and your family? I want you and your family particularly your kids. to understand that what happened to you is not something that should happen is not something that we believe will tolerate and that whatever you need and whatever anyone might need that as a member of this community to be supported in the face of something like that. We will be here for you and we will stand with you. So I appreciate. you're Indulgence and Mr. Bowman of that. That's not what you signed up for. I understand and I apologize for

▶ 4:38 Speaker 2: Not staying on script. I guess it's a no,

▶ 4:40 Speaker 1: obviously that's a far more serious matter than what I'm here before the board. So part of the community. I apologize for

▶ 4:48 Paul Brodeur: that happening also, so Peter Bowman some you may know he's been in the community for quite some time. I first I didn't meet him directly but first learned of his involvement into Community when he stepped forward to lead our master plan initiative, not the 2017 one the one before that you can Share the date with us, but I do not. Precise precisely recall but that was really a significant and Monumental effort to move this community forward in you know, compiling data reaching out to the community listening to what we think the future direction of development and open space and the things that we all think are important to the community then I had the Good Fortune to meet Peter professionally during his work for Verizon. I suspect it wasn't called Verizon when you started when you start your career, but doing a lot of work in terms of government relations and really making sure that the folks that appear before you and I say, they might even be a Verizon matter on later this evening. We'll see if we can get them to stick around for the public hearing but he has since contributed in any number aways to the city in particular the most recent CIP process was an active participant in in Committee and with the decision of Ed waste act to step away. From the library Board of Trustees. We have a huge a huge activist and supporter the library to replace. I do want to make a good Mr. Waystack for many years was an outstanding supporter of the library. You can see that, you know from years past but also it was most recently with their initial investment in the new library renovation and then their agreement to supplement that with additional funding as cost became a little bit of a challenge Peter is excuse me. Peter has step forward and offered his name for your consideration. I am delighted that he's willing to take on this important role and I offer him feel consideration.

▶ 7:07 Speaker 1: No, I just I think the mayor for nominating me and I think it's a great opportunity and exciting time in the community with the renovation of the library going on. So hit answer any questions or anything you might ask. Thank you.

▶ 7:26 Christopher Cinella: President Snow I just wanted to thank you for your volunteerism Mr. Bowman and I would make a motion to recommend second motion

▶ 7:36 Jack Eccles: mean by President Snow a second by Vice chair Carm chady on discussion. on favor I opposed Congratulations, Mr. Bowman. This will be voted on at the next full council meeting on December 19th. Thank

▶ 7:52 Speaker 1: you. Thank you very much.

▶ 7:55 Jack Eccles: That was the only animal this most this evening's agendas or motion adjourn.

▶ 8:02 Jack Eccles: Mr. Chair, I'll make a motion too exactly motion adjourn made by counselor Stewart's counselor Williams on favor. I I post