City Council — 2022-05-16

City Council Regular Meeting

This meeting starts at 27:20 in a recording that covers several meetings.

Attendance

Christopher Cinella present · President; Jack Eccles present · At-Large; Mark Garipay present · Ward 4; Jen Grigoraitis present · Ward 6; Maya Jamaleddine present · At-Large; Manjula Karamcheti present · Ward 1; Shawn M. MacMaster present · Ward 5; Leila Migliorelli present · At-Large; John Obremski present · Ward 2; Robb Stewart present · Ward 3; Ryan Williams present · Ward 7

Agenda

Minutes

CITY OF MELROSE CITY COUNCIL BULLETIN● MAY 16, 2022 Council Chamber, First Floor, Melrose City Hall Regular Meeting 7:53 PM 562 Main Street, Melrose, MA 02176 Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Jack Eccles At-Large Present Mark Garipay Ward 4 Present Jen Grigoraitis Ward 6 Present Maya Jamaleddine At-Large Present Manjula Karamcheti Ward 1 Present Shawn M. MacMaster Ward 5 Present Leila Migliorelli At-Large Present John Obremski Ward 2 Present Robb Stewart Ward 3 Present Ryan Williams Ward 7 Present Christopher Cinella President Present

INFO-2022-7 Informational Information Item Updating City Council on Salt Shed Assign to Committee Appropriations & Oversight Committee

ORDER-2022-116 Transfer A transfer from Seminars (011122 540700) in the amount of five hundred thirty five dollars ($535.00) to City Council Printing Services (011122 521000) to fund FY23 Budget Public Hearing ads and office supplies for the Council. Assigned to Committee Finance Committee

ORDER-2022-117 Grant Acceptance of a Fifty Thousand Dollar Grant from the Executive Office of Administration and Finance for Streetscape Infrastructure Upgrades Assigned to Committee Appropriations & Oversight Committee

ORDER-2022-118 Grant City of Melrose Page 1 5/17/2022 10:15 AM Minutes City Council May 16, 2022 Acceptance of the FY22 AED Grant Program awarded to the Melrose Fire Department by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security's Office of Grants and Research (OGR), in the amount of $2,500.00. Assigned to Committee Appropriations & Oversight Committee

ORDER-2022-119 Operating Budgets (City, School, Regional School) City of Melrose Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2023 in the amount of $95,256,080 (Ninety Five Million, Two Hundred Fifty-Six Thousand and Eighty Dollars) Assigned to Committee Appropriations & Oversight Committee

ORDER-2022-120 Revolving Fund/Reauthorization Reauthorization of City of Melrose Revolving Fund table as first adopted by City Ordinance June 18th, 2018 and annually thereafter. Revolving Funds are further authorized under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 44 Section 53E 1/2. Assigned to Committee Appropriations & Oversight Committee

ORDER-2022-121 Enterprise Fund Ambulance Enterprise Operating Budget for Fiscal 2023 in the amount of $1,001,312 (One Million, One Thousand, Three Hundred and Twelve Dollars). Assigned to Committee Appropriations & Oversight Committee

ORDER-2022-122 Enterprise Fund Mt. Hood Operating Budget for Fiscal 2023 in the amount of $1,572,549 (One Million, Five Hundred Seventy-Two Thousand, Five Hundred and Forty-Nine Dollars) Assigned to Committee Appropriations & Oversight Committee

ORDER-2022-123 Enterprise Fund Water Enterprise Operating Budget for Fiscal 2023 in the amount of $6,119,429 (Six Million, One Hundred Nineteen Thousand, Four Hundred Twenty-Nine Dollars). Assigned to Committee Appropriations & Oversight Committee

ORDER-2022-124 Enterprise Fund City of Melrose Page 2 5/17/2022 10:15 AM Minutes City Council May 16, 2022 Sewer Enterprise Operating Budget for Fiscal 2023 in the amount of $8,793,909 (Eight Million, Seven Hundred Ninety-Three Thousand, Nine Hundred and Nine Dollars) Assigned to Committee Appropriations & Oversight Committee

ORDER-2022-125 Appointment Re-Appointment of Joseph Nevin, of 415 East Foster Street, to the City of Melrose Liquor License Commission for another six-year term, said term to expire the first day of June 2028. Assigned to Committee Protection and License Committee

LIC-2022-6 License - Second Hand Dealer 2nd hand dealer - Transfer of ownership; Apple of My Eye Assigned to commitee Protection and License Committee

LIC-2022-7 License - Second Hand Dealer 2nd Hand Dealer Renewals 2022 Assigned to commitee Protection and License Committee

LIC-2022-8 License - Hackney License Livery Car Service Renewals commencing May 1, 2022 Assigned to commitee Protection and License Committee

LIC-2022-9 License Livery car service - Non renewal 2022 Assigned to commitee Protection and License Committee

LIC-2022-10 License - Hackney License Hackney Carriage (Taxi) licenses renewals commencing May 1, 2022 Assigned to commitee Protection and License Committee

ORDER-2022-106 Bond City of Melrose Page 3 5/17/2022 10:15 AM Minutes City Council May 16, 2022 Authorizing a Bond under the Water Enterprise System through MWRA Local Water System Assistance Program bonds for FY2022 in the amount of Six Hundred Eighty Five Thousand Dollars ($685,000) Passed

ORDER-2022-107 Appointment Appointment of Carolyn Federoff, 108 Ashland Street, to the Affordable Housing Trust for a three-year term. Adopted

ORDER-2022-108 Appropriation An Appropriation From Free Cash, Account Number 01-324001, in the Amount of Six Hundred Thousand Dollars ($600,000) to Parks - Turf Replacement, Account Number 014753-551177 Passed

ORDER-2022-109 Grant Acceptance of a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council in the amount of $1,500 Passed

ORDER-2022-110 Grant Acceptance of a MassSave Community First Partnership Award in the Amount of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars to Support Energy Efficiency Measures for Melrose Homes and Businesses Passed

ORDER-2022-111 Appointment Appointment of Alaine Breen, of 18 Woodcrest Ave, to the City of Melrose Commission on Disability. Adopted

ORDER-2022-112 Appointment Appointment of Christopher Bernard, of 71 Cranmore Lane, to the City of Melrose Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Building Board of Trustees. Adopted

ORDER-2022-114 Appropriation City of Melrose Page 4 5/17/2022 10:15 AM Minutes City Council May 16, 2022 Drainage Easement Appropriation Passed

ORDER-2022-115 Property: Easement Easement Acquisition 9 Wildwood Rd. Adopted

ORDER-2022-66 Accepting Act of Legislature/Local Option An Order Relative to Property Tax Relief for Active Duty Members of the National Guard (Item # 9604) Passed

ORDNC-2022-3 Amending Something Previously Adopted An Order to Amend Revised Local Options for Property Tax Exemptions Passed as Amended

ORDNC-2022-4 Amending Something Previously Adopted Revocation of Chapter 59, Section 5 Clause 57 to Allow for Qualifying Tax Relief Passed City of Melrose Page 5 5/17/2022 10:15 AM

Transcript

▶ 27:31 Christopher Cinella: is 7:53. And I'm not using the podium tonight because we're going to be doing a little switching back and forth. So Madam clerk. If you could please call the roll sure counselor Eckles here counselor garapay. Yeah counselor gregoritis here Council Asian maladene here Council karamchetti here. Councilor McMaster here councilman migliarelli here counselor o'briensky. Yeah counselor Stewart here counselor Williams here president sonala. Yeah 11 president. I think we can skip over the pledge. We just did that. 20 minutes ago if there is no objection at this time, I would like to approve our council meeting minutes from May 2nd. without reading into the record seeing no objection our meeting minutes from May 2nd are

▶ 28:21 proved. And if there's no objection, I'd like to open up for public comment. Seeing no objection. We are now opened up for public comment. We'll go. We'll go with the WebEx first we have anybody on yep someone in the queue and I'm gonna Mr. McSweeney you are you have the floor. You hear me? I'm getting nothing. okay want us to get back to You want to go to someone live anybody here for public comment on if you'd like to come on up Gina if you want to come up. everybody hello. No sign in anymore. So hi everyone, I'm Gina McNeill with zero waste Melrose. And we are here to I think mainly speak to the agenda item of the artificial turf fields, but I also wanted to just briefly what's okay with Sherry mentioned.

▶ 29:46 A couple of things related to this salt shed that's on the agenda for tonight. I understand that just like an informational thing that will be I think go to committee and come up for more discussion later. But just in terms of you know, thinking about the environmental aspects of Road salts, I think Melrose has a really interesting opportunity right now to think about whether or not you know, the technology of road salt that we've been using for, you know, many years in the past is really the thing that needs to be invested in going forward. So if you do, excuse me, just sort of a search on like Road salts and you know environmental impact abroad salt. There's a ton of research about how damaging applications of

▶ 30:33 road salt in the winter are to the roads the environment, you know gets into Wetlands just you know long Litany of problems, but the good news is that there are their new technologies specifically braining and those types of things that a number of communities in Massachusetts Cambridge Wellesley. I'm sure some others are using with great success and it requires different infrastructure, but it's essentially pre trading the roads with Brian so you don't have to solve them as heavily with the road salt. And so I think before the city of Melrose decides to spend, you know, a million and a half dollars and make this long-term commitment to this very sort of old technology and very environmentally damaging

▶ 31:12 technology with us all the road solid just to make sure that that process includes really stepping back and saying is this just because we've always done Way is that the right way to do this? Is that the right way to spend the money is that the right way to be caring for our environment and all of those sorts of questions. So really just make hope asking the council and hopefully the city as they undertake that process to really take this unique opportunity to do the due diligence and see the delay in the construction of the salt shed to be perhaps an opportunity. more so than a delay So that's item one. secondly, we wanted to talk about the artificial turf field or retiring proposed for the Fred Green Fields.

▶ 32:03 Do you want to go first? No you all right and pardon me. I have a little bit of a burn my throat. so Is there any small rose as some of you all may know we gotten interested in the idea of the artificial turf in the City generally because of the proposal to Turf the West Knoll field and in looking that at that whole project we looked at it first and just said, oh well, what kind of you know, is this a waste generating project? And could it be how could the waste produced by it be be reduced? And so that led us to look at the the fact that the you know, all of the material used in an artificial turf field is, you know goes to a landfill or incinerator, right? So the in that's kind of how we how we

▶ 32:56 first got involved in this in thinking about it. But really the problems with artificial turf are like that's just the tip of the iceberg. I sent you all a information package packet in emails late last night that Included, you know some kind of highlight points, but also some information about all the research that's been done on artificial turf and I think it's really interesting that the mayor in his remarks earlier was talking about sort of all of the Investments That Melrose is making to be a healthy community. And it released the fact that an artificial turf field was included on that list. I think really speaks to the deceptive marketing and almost brainwashing that the artificial turf industry

▶ 33:41 has been able to do to many many communities, you know, frankly including Melrose over the years. And so before we make a big investment of and I know 600,000 you guys approve lots of money all the time, but that's a lot of money and it's a commitment not just the money. It's a commitment to this again unhealthy and outdated technology that is not just for the next 10 years, but effectively probably for another 30 years, right? Because we're saying, oh, we just want to keep giving this artificial turf field a long life. So some of the reasons that artificial turf is actually not healthy. If you open up the PDF attachment that I sent with the email there's this handy infographic that just highlights and very simple terms. Why?

▶ 34:29 Isn't healthy and why we shouldn't be thinking about it for our community. So the first one is the infill. So the Fred Green Field has a tire crumb infill. Tire and by the way, all of this comes from extensive research that's been done by the toxics use Research Institute, which is part of UMass Lowell. So I think any time you have a recreational surface for or Recreational facility for Kids that is being studied and documented by an organization called the toxic use Research Institute. That's probably not a great sign. But anyway, so the infill tire crumb contains chemicals that are known to be hazardous to human health and the environment. Number two other materials like the plastic grass

▶ 35:17 fibers toxic chemicals have been measured in artificial grass fibers the shot pads underneath the field. Excuse me can be made with chemicals of concern some of the chemicals of concern that have been found in the plastic carpet fiber in artificial turf are things like pfas. So specifically in Franklin, Massachusetts when they took out Old Turf and it was subsequently actually dumped in a wetland near Franklin presumably because it was too costly for the contractor whoever to dispose of it properly when it was found in the Wetland some independent. Some of it was sent to an independent lab and actually found pfas in that artificial turf. So in that case it was particularly problematic sitting in a Wetlands which feeds into

▶ 36:06 the drinking water of the town of Franklin. But as in trouble, you know pea faster forever Kohl's they're known carcinogens Etc so bad, so Item number three on the infographic is heat. So on summer days artificial turf temperatures have been measured at over 150 degrees a resident Melrose today actually went to Fred Green Fields and took the temperature at the on the surface of the field was 144 degrees. Pretty hot. So when you think about creating heat islands and things like that that we're concerned about with the climate and the environment 144 degrees pretty hot. Secondly. I don't know that most people want our kids out playing on a 144 degree temperature surface due to the you know, burn wrists Etc

▶ 36:56 disposal in most cases artificial turf can't be completely recycled. Typically. It's not recycled and it goes to landfills or incinerated typically at a high cost and then lastly on the infographic is the environment synthetic particles migrate into the environment contributing to micro plastic pollution replacing natural grass reduces habits it for small habitat for small organisms. So these are just some highlights of the environmental and human health concerns that we have with artificial turf field and I think the request here and I apologize by this is all very 11th hour. I know that this process has been ongoing for while that before this decision to re-turf their Fried Green Field is made to really make sure that the due diligence has

▶ 37:47 been done. I'm not suggesting that you the council that it's your job to go and read every research paper and interview all the communities who are having problems with their fields and those sorts of things but someone should do it and that someone should be the folks in the city who are proposing that this retiring is the right idea because presumably, you know, they should do that due diligence. You know, I have they really looked at all of these Studies have they understood by the effects are Etc. I didn't mention the injury data related to artificial turf as well. I know we have limited time for public comments, but I would just really encourage the community as Melrose that we are committed to a healthy

▶ 38:27 Christopher Cinella: community and a healthy environment that this decision to meet her and kind of double down on this decision of the Fred Greenfield is just really not consistent with with our values and goals as a community. Thank you could just pause you right there because we do have to open up our public hearing on another matter or a little past the time to do that by law. So if we pause you there for like a minute. If there's no objection at this time seeing that it's 8 o'clock. I'd like to open up our public hearing. under the National Grid order 22 -113 okay, that order is now before us for Public Works. is there anybody here this evening to speak on the we are we I think we don't. We don't need you to present at this time. Yeah, we heard

▶ 39:22 early in committee. But it as of now if there's any folks here to speak on that on that order. Seeing nobody. Okay. What is the well, there's no objection. We'll close the public hearing. Public hearing is now closed. and he may just a formality, but you can continue now with public comments. Sorry. I just wanted to add a couple of points. on the plastic pollution issue people that are younger than any of us sitting here are very much. inundated with plastics, you know, they're definitely been studies about how It's just in in. people's bodies now because of What we eat and ingestion. Drink out of plastic materials and eat out of plastic containers, so I don't think it's great to add more. microplastic pollution and toxic

▶ 40:32 chemicals coming out of artificial turf and when the heat island effect it just brought to mind. An event last summer when there was a heat wave the city opened up the field. to have sort of some water spraying by the fire department and I'm sure that'll continue in other years when they're they're hot days again. And so there will be children younger than high school children in that field potentially getting exposed to off-gassing from the turf. So those are the things I just wanted to add. to the commentary Thank you. So anybody else here for public comment? And do we get that online? Okay, we're gonna go to on an online person first actually been waiting for our it Department over here is working it out pretty good. It's

▶ 41:39 the McSweeney. Can you hear us? No. Well, they work on that if you want to come up. Mr. McSweeney, can you hear us? Thank you. Hi, Rebecca into Bartolo. Thank you so much for the opportunity also with zero waste Melrose, but also a parent of three school-aged children. Just wanted to talk about a little bit more about the health and safety of the of athletes. There's been several studies done by the National Football Association as well as FIFA showing increase risk of injuries on turf fields first grassfields. The Players Association has asked that all fields in the NFL. We return to Grass. This is really a Issue that really for all children just soccer or lacrosse football is just all those quick turning

▶ 42:50 movements a lot of knee and Ankle injuries. I have a cousin who's plays division one soccer down South Carolina and a fortune. She hasn't played the past two seasons because she's torn or ACL twice now and she attributes it to her Fields. It's definitely not a safe playing surface. It's not environmental good environmental practices, but it's also not a good safe practice for our community for our athletes as well. Just really would. Urge the city council to further look into the costs for returning the field to grass for the health and safety of our athletes as well as the environmental concerns. And Ann Marie Scanlon with zero waste Melrose as well. To Echo what Rebecca said I was a high school student athlete and

▶ 43:41 I played soccer and we always played on grass Turf didn't really exist at the time. And I knew that when I did a slide tackle or if I took a tumble that it was gonna be on grass and grass was gonna give my friends would do slide tackles in all we got were some scratches. We didn't take out any ACLS or anything like that. I became active in zero waste Melrose just this past winter. I'm new to this but both my parents have had cancer a friend of mine in her 30s had cancer and a mindful of the impact of carcinogens that we can't really even see. So even if I eat fish, I'm probably gonna get little bits of plastic. So I'm hopeful that the city will look at again not putting plastic down. return to grass

▶ 44:40 Thank you. Thank you. Is anybody else here for public comment? Are we doing online? No go we ask them to submit an email. Andrew can read it to the record that comes in. Did you submit an email nothing yet? No. Okay. So at this time if there's no objection, we will now close public comment. Public comment is now closed and we have some new business. Adam Clark the business Christopher we still info 2022-7 information item updating the city council on salt shed. the Appropriations Committee order 2022-16 a transfer from seminars 0 1 1 1 1 2 2 5 4 0 7 0 0 and the amount of 535 dollars to city council printing center Services 0 1 1 1 2 2 5 2 1 0 0 to fund FY 23 budget public hearing ads and office

▶ 45:51 supplies for the council go to the finance committee. Order 2022-117 acceptance of a $50,000 Grant from the executive office of administration and finance for streets for streetscape infrastructure upgrades. That we'll go to the Appropriations Committee. order 2022-18 acceptance of the fy22 AED grant program awarded to the Melrose fire department by the Executive Office of Public Safety and securities office of Grants and research in the amount of 2,500 order 2022-19 city of Melrose operating budget for the for the fiscal year 2023 in the amount of 95 million two hundred fifty six thousand eighty dollars. the Appropriations Committee order 2022-120 reauthorization of the city Melrose revolving fun table as first adopted

▶ 46:54 by city ordinance, June 18th, 2018. And annually, thereafter revolving funds are further authorized under Massachusetts General Law chapter 44 section 53 e One one half so the Appropriations Committee. Order 2022-121 ambulance Enterprise operating budget for fiscal 2023 and the amount of 1 million 1,312 dollars. the Appropriations Committee order 2022-122 Mount Hood operating budget for fiscal 2023 in the amount of 1 million 572,549 dollars Appropriations Committee. Order 2022-123 water Enterprise operating budget for fiscal 2023 in the amount of six million 119,429 dollars the Appropriations Committee. Ordered 2022-124 sewer Enterprise operating budget for fiscal 2023 in the amount of 8,793,99.

▶ 48:09 Appropriations Committee Order 2022-125 reappointment of Joseph Nevin before 15 East Foster Street to the city of Melrose Liquor License Commission for another six-year term said term to expire at the first day of June 2028 license. licenses licensed 2022-6 second hand dealer transfer of ownership apple of my eye. That we'll go to protection license. 2022-7 second hand dealer renewals 2022 protection license 2022-8 Livery car service renewals commencing May 1st 2022 production license 2022-9 Livery car service non-renewal 2022 protection license 2022-10 Hackney Carriage taxi license renewals commencing May 1st 2022 Protection and license reports from committee ordered 2022-106 authorizing a bond under the water enterprise system

▶ 49:26 through mwra local water system assistance program bonds for FY 2022 in the amount of 600 685,000. This comes from the Appropriations and oversight committee with a recommendation for passage. And at this time I would motion for Passage. motion for passage made by counseling agoritis seconded by counselor Williams any discussion seeing none Madam clerk if you could please Mr. Clerk. Counselor Eckles. Yes counselor garapay. Yes counselor. Gregoritis. Yes Council Asian maladene. Yes counsel. Caromchetti. Yes counselor McMaster. Yes Council. Migliarelli. Yes. Absolutely bremski. Yes counselor Stewart. Yes counselor Williams. Yes president. Snella. Yes 11. Yes order 2022-107 appointment of Carolyn federoff 108

▶ 50:22 Ashland Street to the affordable housing trust for three-year term. Council records Mr. President, this comes from the health education and Welfare committee with a recommendation for passage and at this time I moved for pass. Age passage made by Council Ackles seconded by second house of camchetti. I think a little whisper there. I got you. any discussion Seeing none all those in favor. I I posed. Order 2022 -108 and appropriation for free cash account numbers zero one dash three two, four zero zero one in the amount of 600,000 to Parks Turf replacement account number zero one four seven, five three dash five five one one seven seven. How's the greatis Mr. President? This order comes from the Appropriations and oversight committee with the recommendation for passage and

▶ 51:18 Ryan Williams: I would motion for Passage. passage made by Council grigoritis Circuit seconded by councilor pay any discussion councilor Williams I just wanted to thank the folks from zero waste Melrose who came out here tonight. I have a lot of the same questions you do. And I would love to have answers to the questions. But unfortunately we weren't provided with the opportunity to learn those answers. I think everybody shares the same goal of making sure that our kids have access to sports opportunities and that they have those opportunities in a safe way both my kids play soccer. Um, I've had a turf-based ligament injury myself from playing sports as a kid. and I think I I find it hard to believe that we can

▶ 52:08 Ryan Williams: move forward with a 600,000 appropriation with no discussion of Alternatives. No discussion of what an alternative might cost or even a simple report from any organization like the UMass. The UMass Turf Clinic that comes out and we'll do evaluations of soil and grasses and try to help cities figure out how to avoid using artificial turf. I understand that it's easy and it's cheap and I've worked in the environmental space for a long time and I could Fill many many chapters of many books with all of the ways that we have made missteps by doing what's easy and cheap and fast. And so with that I understand that we have votes to pass, but I can't support this. Anybody else on discussion? Council Uranus thank you, Mr. President. I want to Echo councilor Williams

▶ 52:57 Jen Grigoraitis: Commons and we had a lot of Engagement from the public which is always great to see I think there was some acknowledgment that this is at the very end of the process, which I think can be challenging for all of us. I think some great points were raised tonight and going forward. I I would certainly appreciate a more holistic approach from the city that involved experts from our department of health sustainability the Conservation Commission as we weigh issues around groundwater and athlete safety. I don't think those are necessarily within the purview of the parks commissioner and DPW which is who we heard from. I also recognize that we have a binary choice that is what is presented to us. However, frustrating

▶ 53:34 Jen Grigoraitis: or imperfect that may feel I don't think 600,000 is going to create a new field and I think there are real impacts in our communities health and well-being if we don't have a surface to use at Fred Green, I'm already concerned about what the impacts will be next summer when that field is likely out of commission as we talk about increasing Rec programming to help our youth so I am Also not thrilled with the choice that's before me but recognize that we have to make hard decisions within imperfect information all the time. So I will be continuing to support it, but would certainly welcome more information when we take up things like the salt shed going forward. Anybody else on discussion? Councils thank you Mr. President. I think

▶ 54:17 Jack Eccles: that you know, this is a like one of our many long-term capital projects and I see this is kind of routine maintenance and not a way and not an opportunity to reassess what we're going to do with this because we weren't expecting to keep it for 10 years. We're just replacing the carpet and we're going to be keeping the infill. So there's a lot that goes on to that goes on in if we were to switch to natural grass. I tried to do a little bit of research to find. Can examples of communities that have gone from Turf back to natural grass and I haven't really had much luck with that. I think it's going to be a much larger discussion. It's definitely going to be in this Council and hopefully with some public input going forward

▶ 54:55 Leila Migliorelli: along some of the other fields, but I will also be sticking with the vote. I took in the Appropriations Committee and supporting this. counseling thank you, Mr. President. Thank you counselor triggeritis and Eccles. You basically said a lot of the comments that I had tonight. I do recognize and appreciate the the public comment around this decision as I I think I've stated before I like to do thorough research. I like to make sure I'm well prepared. It's really hard to engage in this binary decision and with sort of last-minute information. I agree with counselor Eckles that this is a replacement. My impression was that the impact would be less than on the environment putting aside player safety

▶ 55:47 Leila Migliorelli: And so therefore I will not be changing my vote either and but similarly look forward to a more robust conversation. Not only about the environmental impacts of all of our projects and maybe perhaps including some other stakeholders when we're making these decisions to provide us with information because you know, unlike console Williams not all of us are environmental experts. It's so we need a little bit of help in secondarily. I still I think from the last meeting I still have some questions regarding Allocating free cash without more information about the total project costs and having a total budget in front of us that to me is something that I'd like to see some teachers do moving forward. But as

▶ 56:30 Maya Jamaleddine: we are right now if we vote no on this, you know, it tables the conversation for six months and and I'm not I don't feel like I'm into position to to go back on my original decision. Thank you Council jamalogy. Thank you like many of my colleagues. I'm also torn with this decision. I tried to get more information and details during the loss appropriation meeting. Unfortunately, it was left unanswered and the more I think about it. I know that we are the cost. If we don't pass it, it's going to be probably losing one year of no practice and limiting athletes. However If I'm gonna compare it to the harm and the amount of years that's gonna harm that's going to cause for our community. It's going to be way more than one year.

▶ 57:29 Manjula Karamcheti: I cannot support this and that's why unfortunately I'm going to have to back up. Because kimchi first. I also just wanted to thank zero waste Melrose for sharing information and making sure that we had more data and information regarding some of the issues related to turf fields. I appreciate that and struggling with getting it last minute and that we do have a binary decision to make my colleagues have said so many things that I also wanted to say, but what I am hoping Is that we can consider when we're thinking about the L Pond Park area in particular the null and the Cabbage Patch. The youth voice has expressed very much the desire for those fields to be more usable more accessible and for

▶ 58:19 Manjula Karamcheti: our kids to have more spaces and places for a variety of recreation. And so that has sort of come up for me and thinking about Fred Green. How do we move forward thinking about all our key stakeholders thinking about the environmental impacts thinking about athletes safety but also about equity and access so that more kids and more families and more members of the community are able to utilize our parks and recreational spaces closer to home and not having to travel so far. So how might we build that into our future plans when we think about Capital Improvement. Thank you anyone else? And clerk call the roll counselor Eccles. Yes counselor. Garapay. Yes counselor. Gregoritis. Yes Council. Jamaladin. No

▶ 59:11 council. Caramchetti. Yes councilman McMaster. Yes Council. Migliarelli. Yes counsel, o'brimski. Yes counselor Stuart. Yes counselor Williams. No president. Sonella. Yes. 9 yes order 2022-109 acceptance of a grant from the Massachusetts cultural Council the amount of 1,500. Mr. President, this order comes from the Appropriations and oversight committee with a recommendation for passage and at this time I would motion for Passage. Eccles any discussion Seeing none all those in favor. I I posed. order 2022-110 acceptance of a massive Community First partnership award in the amount of $25,000 to support Energy Efficiency measures for the for Melrose homes and businesses. This comes from the Appropriations and oversight committee with a recommendation

▶ 1:00:15 for passage. I will motion for passage second. Passage made by Council gregoritis seconded by counselor at migliarelli. And seeing none all those in favor. I I opposed no opposed. Order 2022-111 appointment of alien Breen of 18 Woodcrest Ave to the city of Melrose Commission on disability. Counselor Eccles this President. This comes from the health education and Welfare committee with a recommendation for passage. And at this time I move for passage. That's right. the passage made by counselor Eccles second by counselor garapay discussion Sorry concept. I'm cheating. I heard you faintly just speak up. All those in favor. Alright opposed Order 2022-12 appointment of Christopher Bernard of 71 cranmore Lane

▶ 1:01:13 to the city of Melrose Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Building Board of Trustees. Mr. President, this comes from the public service committee with the recommendation for passage and at this time I'd like to move for Passage. motion for passage made by counselor Stewart second second by councilor Karamcheti any discussion Seeing none all those in favor. I I opposed. passes order 2022-14 drainage easement appropriation Mr. President, this comes from the Appropriations and oversight committee with a recommendation for passage. I motion for Passage. motion for passage made by Council gregorite a second about Council migliarelli And any discussion seeing none Madam clerk, I believe we need a roll call on ease counselor Eccles. Yes counselor.

▶ 1:02:03 Garapay. Yes counselor. Gregoritis. Yes Council. Jamaladin. Yes Council Cameron Shady. Yes counselor McMaster. Yes Council of migliarelli. Yes councilor bremski. Yes counselor Stewart. Yes counselor Williams. Yes president sonala. Yes 11. order 2022-15 acquisition 9 Wildwood Road This comes from the Appropriations and oversight committee with the recommendation for passage. I will motion for Passage. the passage made by counciloritis executed by counselor garapay and discussion seeing none is a roll call vote Madam clerk counselor Eccles. Yes counselor garapay. Yes councilor. Gregoritis. Yes counsel, Elijah maladene. Yes. Also Karen chady. Yes councilor McMaster. Yes counselor. Migliarelli. Yes counselor bremski.

▶ 1:02:55 Yes counselor Stewart. Yes counselor Williams. Yes president. Sonella. Yes 11. Yes. Order 2022-66 an order relative to property tax relief for active duty members of the National Guard. Mr. President, this comes with from the legal legislative committee with a recommendation for passage and at this time, I'd like to motion for passage second motion for passage made by counselor. Migliarelli seconded by Consular crime Shady discussion. None Madam clerk. This is a roll call though. Counselor Eckles. Yes counselor. Garapay. Yes counselor. Gregoritis. Yes councilor. Maladene. Yes Council Karim chady. Yes counselor McMaster. Yes counselor. Migliarelli. Yes consulate. Yes remski. Excuse me. Counselor Stewart. Yes counselor Williams.

▶ 1:03:44 Yes, president. Sonala. Yes 11. Yes. Ordinance 2022-3 in order to amend revise local options for property tax exemptions. in The comments from the legal legislative committee with a recommendation for passage. And at this time I'd like to motion for passage made by councilorelli seconded by a counselor com chady any discussion. Seeing none Madam clerk. Please. Call the roll and Council or Eckles. Yes counselor. Garapay. Yes counselor. Gregoritis. Yes councilor maladene. Yes Council of Karen chadie. Yes councilor McMaster. Yes Council of migliarelli. Yes counselor o'briensky. Yes counselor Stewart. Yes counselor Williams. Yes, president sonala. Yes 11. Yes. Ordinance 2022-4 revocation of chapter 59 Section 5 Clause 57

▶ 1:04:36 to allow for qualifying tax relief. the president from legal legislative committee and with a recommendation for passage and at this time I emotionally motion for Passage. you motion of a passage made by counseling make their Ali seconded by counselor Eccles any discussion Seeing none Madam clerk counselor Eccles. Yes counselor garapay. Yes counselor. Gregoritis. Yes consulidine. Yes Council Karim. Chitty. Yes counselor McMaster. Yes. Councilman. Migliarelli. Yes counselor openski. Yes counselor Stewart. Yes counselor Williams. Yes, president sonala. Yes 11. Yes. We do not have any expires anything what under rule 53. No, I want a motion to adjourn. Mr. President, I'll make a motion to a German second much food Journey made

City Council — 2022-05-16

Attendance

Agenda

Minutes

Transcript

Original documents