City Council — 2021-05-03
Attendance
Christopher Cinella ; Jack Eccles ; Mark Garipay ; Jen Grigoraitis ; Maya Jamaleddine ; Shawn M. MacMaster ; Jeff McNaught ; Leila Migliorelli ; Robb Stewart ; Cory Thomas ; John N. Tramontozzi
Agenda
- Call to Order
- Minutes Approval
- Public Comment
- Communications from His Honor, The Mayor And Other City Officials
- ORDER-2021-114 : Transfer of Surety Bond of Melrose City Clerk
- ORDER-2021-115 : An Appropriation from Free Cash, account 01-324001, in the amount of $14,650 to City Clerk Salary & Wages, account number 011611-511000, for staff changes during Fiscal Year 2021.
- ORDER-2021-116 : An Appropriation from the Special Education Fund account number 84082-590000 in the amount of $499,953 to the School Department account number 0111-490000.
- ORDER-2021-117 : FRIENDS Of The Milano Center Social Services Coordinator Donation
- New Business
- RES-20-21-1 : A Resolution in recognition of International Firefighters' Day
- RES-20-21-2 : A Resolution in Recognition of Police Week
- Orders Out of Order
- Orders from Committee
- Report- RULE 53
- Calendar
- Adjournment
Minutes
CITY OF MELROSE CITY COUNCIL BULLETIN● MAY 3, 2021 Web-based remote meeting Regular Meeting 7:45 PM , Melrose, MA 02176 Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Christopher Cinella President Present Jack Eccles At-Large Present Maya Jamaleddine At-Large Absent Leila Migliorelli At-Large Present John N. Tramontozzi Ward 1 Present Jeff McNaught Ward 2 Present Robb Stewart Ward 3 Present Mark Garipay Ward 4 Present Shawn M. MacMaster Ward 5 Present Jen Grigoraitis Ward 6 Present Cory Thomas Ward 7 Present
ORDER-2021-114 Surety Bond Transfer of Surety Bond of Melrose City Clerk Assigned to Committee Finance Committee
ORDER-2021-115 Appropriation An Appropriation from Free Cash, account 01-324001, in the amount of $14,650 to City Clerk Salary & Wages, account number 011611-511000, for staff changes during Fiscal Year 2021. Assigned to Committee Appropriations Committee
ORDER-2021-116 Appropriation An Appropriation from the Special Education Fund account number 84082- 590000 in the amount of $499,953 to the School Department account number 0111-490000. Assigned to Committee Appropriations Committee
ORDER-2021-117 Donation FRIENDS Of The Milano Center Social Services Coordinator Donation Assigned to Committee Appropriations Committee
RES-2021-1 Resolution City of Melrose Page 1 8/26/2021 4:32 PM Minutes City Council May 3, 2021 A Resolution in recognition of International Firefighters' Day
RES-2021-2 Resolution A Resolution in Recognition of Police Week City of Melrose Page 2 8/26/2021 4:32 PM
Transcript
▶ 0:00 Christopher Cinella: Welcome to the May 3rd Melrose City Council meeting. I am Councillor Cinella. Time is 7 45 and pursuant to Governor Baker's order suspending certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law and the Governor's order imposing strict limitation on the number of people that may gather in one place, this meeting of the City Council will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. We'll post an audio or video recording transcript or other comprehensive record of these proceedings as soon as possible. After the meeting on the city of Laura's website. On TV, 3 dot org. Madam clerk, if you could please call the role. Consular echoes your. Consular gara pay yeah. Councilor Grigoraitis? Here.
▶ 0:53 Christopher Cinella: Councilor Jamaleddine? I don't see her in the room yet. Councilor McMaster? Here. Councilor McNaught? Here. Councilor Migliorelli? Here. Councilor Stewart? Here. Councilor Thomas? Here. Councilor Tramontozzi? Here. President Cinella? Yeah, 10 present the council might be a few minutes late just so, you know. Okay, 1st up, we have our minutes approval and without objection, I'd like to approve those minutes without reading. Or March 29th, um, special meeting and April 20th and regular. Seeing no objection and without objection, I'd like to open the floor for a public comment. Do we have anybody. Q, there's anyone in the room who'd like to speak if you could raise your virtual hand. Got a few attendees.
▶ 2:05 I think to the resolutions later on. Okay. What's that? No, raise your hand. Okay. If there's no objection, I like to close public comments. So, you know, objection public comment is now closed. Communication from his honor, the mayor and other city officials. Order 2021-114, transfer of surety bond of Melrose City Clerk. Got to go to the finance committee. Order 2021-115, an appropriation from free cash account 01-324001 in the amount of $14,650 to City Clerk salary and wages account number 011611-51100 for staff changes during fiscal year 21. Appropriations order 2021 dash 1, 1, 6, and appropriation from the special education fund account number 8, 4, 0, 8, 2, dash 5, 9, 0, 0, 0, 0, and the amount of 499,953 dollars to the school department.
▶ 3:14 Christopher Cinella: Account number 0, 1, 1, 1, dash 4, 9, 0, 0, 0, 0. Appropriations order 2021 dash 117 friends of the Milano senior center, social services, coordinator donation. Appropriations. Okay. Great and we have some new business, but 1st, without objection, I would like to suspend the rules because we'll have a few folks coming on seeing no objection. Our rules are now suspended. Do business, Madam clerk resolution 2021 dash 1, a resolution and recognition of international firefighters day. Council McMaster yes. Thank you. Mr. President at this time. I'll be seeking immediate consideration seeking immediate consideration seeing that there's no objection. Thank you, Mr. President. I believe we have Chief Kalina joining us as well as some members from IAFF Local 1617, which is the Melrose Firefighters Union.
▶ 4:25 I'm not sure who's in, but just for the purposes of the clerk, so she can identify them by name, it would be President Bill Starr, Vice President Steve Judge, and Secretary Treasurer Bob Driscoll. If they're in, Madam Clerk, could we bring them in? Sure, we have Mr star, Mr, Driscoll and chief cleaner. We do not have that other gentleman yet. Mr president, would you like to bring them in at this time? Or would you prefer to wait until after the resolution? It's up to you. I think if there's no objection, if we can maybe bring them in at this point. Sure. Gentlemen, can you hear us? Yes, we can. I can hear you. Okay. You can only see chief cleaner. Here's president star and how about is the is mayor broader coming in as well.
▶ 5:36 Shawn M. MacMaster: He is now. Thank you madam clerk. Thank you again. Mr. president. International firefighters day is observed annually on May 4th. It commemorates the depth of 5 firefighters who were killed in the line of duty. On December 2nd, 1998, fighting a bushfire in Australia. The firefighters who perished were part of a mutual aid strike team who responded from a nearby community to battle the bushfire. When they reached the hot zone, the wind suddenly switched directions, engulfing the fire truck in which they were arriving to the scene. The fire truck, after being engulfed, instantly killed the five firefighters. It was about a year later after an international movement to recognize the heroism and the
▶ 6:37 Shawn M. MacMaster: work of our firefighters across the world that International Firefighters Day was first commemorated. So, Mr. President, at this time, I will read the resolution. Whereas firefighters are formally recognized and celebrated during the month of May, an firefighters day is observed annually on may 4th and whereas the field of firefighting has evolved over the years to include medical aid hazardous waste cleanup and biohazard emergencies as well as participation in search and rescue operations and preparedness activities to prevent domestic and foreign terrorism and whereas the melrose fire department has continually operated 24 hours a day seven days a week for 152 years. And whereas the Melrose Fire Department is comprised of 54
▶ 7:29 Shawn M. MacMaster: firefighters who staff three fire stations strategically located throughout the city. And whereas the Melrose Fire Department is broken down into four suppression groups made up of two engine companies, one ladder company, one rescue company. And whereas in 2020 the Melrose Fire Department responded to 4,160 service calls including 293 fires, 2,319 medical aids, 157 motor vehicle crashes, 304 COVID-19 cases, and 30 drug overdoses. And whereas in the first four months of 2021, the Melrose Fire Department has responded to 1,329 service calls, including 92 fires, 737 medical aids, 63 motor vehicle crashes, 128 COVID-19 cases, and 8 drug overdoses. And whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has placed additional demands
▶ 8:32 Shawn M. MacMaster: on the Meadows Fire Department and exposed its members to a novel virus at great personal risk, and whereas each and every day our firefighters risk their personal safety for the health and welfare of the general public, and whereas the Melrose Fire Department represents the very best of the firefighting profession, be it resolved we, the members of the Melrose City Council, do hereby express our sincere appreciation to the men and women of the Melrose Fire Department for their hard work, selflessness, bravery, and sacrifice on behalf of the City of Melrose, and in recognition hereof, be it further resolved that on this third day of May in the year 2021, a copy of this resolution be spread upon the records of the City of
▶ 9:16 Melrose. Thank you, Mr. President, at this time, I'd welcome Chief Kalina and the members of the Fire Union to say a few words. Councilman McMaster. Yeah, thank you very much to you and the Council for this recognition of the men and women of the Fire Department. I'm sure they're most graciously approve of this ordinance or order, and we don't get a lot of thanks in our profession, but a little acknowledgement like this goes a long way, and I'm just sure that they're grateful for it. Thank you to you and the council for the recognition. Thank you. Thank you, Chief. Mayor Brunner, did you have something you wanted to add? You're on mute. Ten dollar fine. This is a. This is a big deal for for my extended family.
▶ 10:12 Paul Brodeur: I've had many firefighters in the family. My. My cousin served in to experience retirement. Michael Dick, my great uncle Dick served in Everett. And 1 of my cousins was actually a not. first cousin, was the last firefighter to perish on the job in Gardner back in 1968. He started as a call firefighter and then moved into a full-time job with Gardner. I believe he was 58 years old and had a heart attack while attempting a rescue. So, it's personal. I understand what's on the line every time the minimum for the Norris firefighters go out and respond. And particularly in COVID with the roles expanded, very grateful for everything that they do. Thank you. Thank you, Matt. I don't know if Mr. Driscoll or Mr. Starr had anything.
▶ 11:16 Bob, you want to go ahead or should I go ahead? Go ahead, Mr. President. I do want to thank Councilman McMaster for that piece that he had just read, as well as all the Councilors that had reached out to myself as well as our members over this past year. A lot of of uncertainty you know through this pandemic but you know many of you reached out to us provided masks when we didn't have a lot of masks and just looked out for our well-being while we step forward to look out for the citizens of Melrose so that is appreciated and I thank you on behalf of a local 1617. Thank you. Mr. Driscoll. I echo President Starr's comments. Thank you to the council. Thank you to the mayor's office. And thank you, especially to my brothers and sisters
▶ 12:34 on the Melrose Fire Department, as well as Chief Kalina. It's been a rough year for our members, but we will continue tomorrow to go out and help the citizens of Melrose as we do every day. so thank you what is the will present at this time if there's nothing from any of my colleagues I would make a motion to place on file a discussion seeing none and Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Councilor Eccles? Yes. Councilor Garipay? Yes. Councilor Grigoraitis? Yes. Councilor McMaster? Yes. Councilor McNaught? Yes. Councilor Migliorelli? Yes. Councilor Stewart? Yes. Councilor Thomas? Yes. Councilor Tramontozzi? Yes. And yes. Yes, sir. Thank you gentlemen for joining us this evening. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Have a good night.
▶ 13:57 Shawn M. MacMaster: You too do we have, um. Chief Lyle coming in now. Counselor master yes, Mr. president at this time. I'll be seeking immediate consideration on Madam clerk. You can help me with the order number. I don't have it in front of me. Resolution 2021-2, a resolution in recognition of Police Week. Councillor McMaster. Thank you, Mr. President. Each year that I've been on the Council, going back to 2018, I have filed a resolution to commemorate Police Week. At first, it was as a co-sponsor to my friend and former colleague Alderman Jennifer Lemmerman. After her departure from elective office, I carried on the torch to ensure that we honor and remember the police officers, sheriff deputies, and federal agents who have been killed
▶ 14:57 Shawn M. MacMaster: in the line of duty each year, especially those from Melrose or who have a connection to Melrose. Two weeks ago marked the eight year anniversary of Officer Sean Collier's murder. As you probably know, Officer Collier was the brother of Alderman Lemmerman. His senseless murder is fresh on my mind each year as we commemorate police week. And a reminder of a time when our community was united together. This year I admit that there is a lot more in my mind that would be easier not to say, but I believe that I have an obligation to publicly state how I fail because my failings cannot in good faith be disassociated from the matter before us tonight. And that begins with acknowledging that there is a dark cloud hanging over this country, a cloud that requires the law
▶ 15:47 Shawn M. MacMaster: enforcement community as a whole to do a serious self-assessment and requires all of us to recognize that the black community is hurting and rightfully so. I think it's fitting that it was President Kennedy who designated police week in 1963 with a national proclamation. That too is a difficult and turbulent time in the United States, eerily similar to what the nation is going through today. Our state's favorite son knew the importance of conversation and of unity. In a nationally televised speech on June 11, 1963, he said, those who do nothing are inviting shame as well as violence, while those who act boldly are recognizing right as well as reality. we can all be allies of the men and women who take that oath to protect us and at the same
▶ 16:44 Shawn M. MacMaster: time be honest enough to recognize the stark realities before us in this country that necessitate the urgency for change when it needs to occur and to be willing to speak the truth when it needs to be heard i think we can all draw inspiration and motivation from president kennedy's words to act boldly our consul has thought to do that in response to other important issues and our police officers certainly do that every day in the face of potential danger and it's for this reason that i present this resolution without reservation mr president i'll proceed with the reading of the resolution at this time whereas in 1962 president john f kennedy signed a proclamation designating may 15th as peace
▶ 17:28 Shawn M. MacMaster: Office's Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls is Police Week in order to recognize the service and sacrifice of U.S. law enforcement and pay tribute to those who have lost their lives in the line of duty. And whereas 394 names are being added to the National Law Enforcement Office's Memorial this spring of officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty in 2020 and in late 2019, and whereas 22,611 names are part of the memorial, including those of Melrose Police Officer Joseph Martin, Melrose native and University of Colorado Police Officer Garrett Swayze, and MIT Police Officer Sean Collier, the brother of former Melrose Alderman and Boyd of Aldermen President Jennifer Lemmerman. And whereas the Melrose City Council honors the
▶ 18:15 Shawn M. MacMaster: sacrifice of Officer Martin, Officer Swayze, Officer Collier, and Melrose Crossing Guard Mary Foley, and commends all of those who risk their lives while serving the residents of Melrose in order to protect our safety and welfare. And whereas the Melrose Police Department is comprised of 49 sworn officers, two parking enforcement workers, and two civilian employees, and whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has placed additional demands on the Melrose Police Department and exposed its members to a novel virus at great personal risk. And whereas each and every day our police officers risk their personal safety for the health and welfare of the general public. And whereas the Melrose City Council expresses our sincere appreciation to the men and women of the Melrose
▶ 18:58 Shawn M. MacMaster: Police Department for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the City of Melrose. Be it resolved we the members of the Melrose City Council do hereby recognize Police Week in the City of Melrose and publicly salute the men and women who have committed their lives to public safety in our community and in recognition hereof be a further result that on this third day of may in the year 2021 a copy of this resolution be spread upon the records of the melrose city council at this time mr president i'd welcome chief lyle to make a few remarks good evening everyone sean uh excuse me counselor big master I can't thank you personally and professionally what you just stated. It's been a very difficult year for law enforcement in our community. And I will say this during the pandemic.
▶ 19:47 Paul Brodeur: I couldn't tell you how many families, kids, parents, neighbors, bringing different gifts to the police department. Day in and day out was very touching for everybody at the Arnold's Police Department. And I want to thank you all very much for recognizing Law Enforcement Week. Thank you, Mr. President. I agree with certainly with what the chief said and what council McMaster has stated. We, we all have a responsibility as a community. As public servants to confront the challenges that that face the country. And face and face in certain circumstances, like a racial reckoning. And, you know, with candor and empathy and honesty, I think we'll be able to do that. And I. Believe that our, our Norris police department.
▶ 20:44 Can lead in that respect and I'm looking forward to. Uh, to the, the hard, but important work ahead and, uh, I want to thank council McMaster again for for. Um, so carefully putting together that that resolution and for his comments this evening. Thank you member or any other councillors wishing to speak. Seeing none. Mr. President, if none of my colleagues wish to say anything, I would make a motion at this time to place on file. Motion to place on file made by Councillor McMaster, seconded by Councillor McNaught. Discussion? Seeing none. Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Councillor Eccles. Yes. Councilor Garipay? Yes. Councilor Grigoraitis? Yes. Councilor McMaster? Yes. Councilor McNaught? Yes. Councilor Migliorelli? Yes.
▶ 21:48 John N. Tramontozzi: Councilor Stewart? Yes. Councilor Thomas? Yes. Councilor Tramontozzi? Yes. President Sinaloa? Yes. 10 yes. Thank you Chief Lyle and Mayor Broda. Okay, Madam Clerk, do we have any orders out of order? Do not. Orders from committee? We do not. Anything to report under Rule 53? Councillor Tramontozzi? Thank you, Mr. President. At the last Water and Sewer Commission meeting We were empowered to make a recommendation that will be coming to this Council regarding the rates for water and sewer. And I'm pleased to report the recommendation from the Commission will be that there will be no increases to the water, nor increase to the sewer rates. We will soon be presented when we start our budget hearings with that proposal.
▶ 23:08 Of course, ultimately, it will be our decision as the council to set the rates. But I'm pleased to report that the recommendation will be forthcoming that there will be no rate increase for this coming fiscal year. Thank you. Thank you. Anything else to report? Did not see any of the hands go up. Anything on the calendar? No, sir. Okay. Do we want to adjourn or do we want to hang up? Motion to adjourn. Second. Second. Motion to adjourn made by Councillor Eccles, seconded by Councillor Garipay. Please call the roll. Councillor Eccles. Yes. Councillor Garipay. yes councilor Grigoraitis yes councillor mcmaster yes councillor mcnaught yes councillor Migliorelli yes councillor stewart yes councillor thomas yes
▶ 24:10 Councilor Tramontozzi? Yes. President Cinella? Yes. Tanyas? Have a good evening everybody.