Finance Committee — 2022-10-17
Attendance
Christopher Cinella ; Mark Garipay ; Maya Jamaleddine ; Manjula Karamcheti ; Leila Migliorelli ; John Obremski
Agenda
Minutes
CITY OF MELROSE FINANCE COMMITTEE CALENDAR● OCTOBER 17, 2022 Council Chamber, First Floor, Melrose City Hall Committee Meeting 8:00 PM 562 Main Street, Melrose, MA 02176 The public should take notice that the Melrose City Council may, on certain occasions, have a quorum in attendance due to standing committees of the City Council consisting of both voting and non-voting members. Members attending this duly posted meeting are participating and deliberating only in conjunction with the business of the standing committee. Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Maya Jamaleddine Chair Present Mark Garipay Vice Chair Present Leila Migliorelli Present Manjula Karamcheti Present John Obremski Absent Christopher Cinella President, ex oficio Present Non voting members present include: Councilor Stewart and Councilor Grigoraitis.
ORDER-2023-19 Appointment Appointment of Francis X. Wright Melrose Board of Registrars of Voters Ought to Pass City Council City of Melrose Page 1 10/21/2022 11:18 AM
Transcript
▶ 1:00:55 This provides notice to the of the Quorum for the record in accordance to the open meeting law at this time. If there is no objection, I will open the floor for public comment. If there is and this is a time where any one of the public can come forward and speak. Okay. Hi, good evening. Julie deloveo 13 Circuit Street. I'm before you regarding the appointment of Mr. Right to the board of registrars. As you know, I came before the city council back on September 19th asking that the appointment. not move forward At that time both the Democrat and Republican City committees had received letters from the mayor dated September 1st requesting three names from each committee. And allowing 45 days to submit those names according
▶ 1:01:49 to the Massachusetts general laws chapter 51 section 15. I showed you that letter. The 45 days expiration had not occurred when Mr. Wright's name was placed on the agenda for appointment. I spoke to the Council on that night stating that the Republican City committee be allowed to submit their three names as requested by the mayor in accordance with Mass General law. this matters now before you I'm asking again that this not be moved forward. I know time is of the essence that we have an election coming up. But we need to abide by laws. and fairness as a committee of the council, who is the government body for the city. I'm asking again that Mr. Right not be put forward. Since the meeting on September 19th, a list of three names was
▶ 1:02:40 submitted to the mayor by the Melrose Republican City committee. The list was received by the mayor on September 30th by certified mail. Well before the expiration of the 45 days. The mayor should be required to review all six names. And then make a decision. While the outcome may not change it is critical that the mayor be held to the highest level. Of ethical integrity and Vibe and abide by the laws. For which he cited in his letter to our committees. Why send the letter if there is absolutely no intention of even considering our nominees. But also like to note that I don't believe the mayor had any intention. of even thinking of a republican candidate on September 12th the date on the letter submitted
▶ 1:03:31 by the Democratic City committee with their nominees. The mayor texted Mr. Wright at 3:49 pm. It's go time for the on the appointment. Are you in? If he was serious about the process and following at least the spirit of the law if not the letter of the law. That he put in his letter. He would have taken the time to allow the Republican City committee to reply and submit their names. I went back and reviewed the finance committee meeting where Brigid alveson was put forth as the Democratic nominee. As the mayor was presenting Ms. Elverson. He spoke as around the role of the board and said the following. quote to make sure elections registrations and the process are run according to the law. And then he referenced the following.
▶ 1:04:27 Fund I quote fundamental fairness. That's what I'm coming up forward about abiding by the law. and fundamental fairness if the mayor truly believes in abiding by the law and fundamental fairness. Then why did he behave in the manner? He did when it came to this most recent nomination. Why did he not allow the Republican City committee to submit their three names? in addition during my time before you the mayor said three times We need to get a legal opinion as to whether the position has to be filled with the demo with a Republican. Three times while I sat beside him as his nominee. three times after officially selecting a nominee Where is the fundamental fairness? Where is the abiding by the law?
▶ 1:05:26 If you do move forward I ask that you question Mr. Right to the extent you questioned me. I ask that his personal beliefs his first amendment rights be questioned. Well, this appointment is partisan you as a committee are non-partisan. And must act objectively as a committee governing body for the city. It is your duty to ensure the mayor acts within the law and with integrity and fundamental fairness. Your partisan beliefs should be put aside and you should take an objective approach. To your questioning it overseeing of the process. To ensure ensure fairness you should have a list of questions that you ask all candidates. It shouldn't matter whether you know them. Or you have the same political beliefs?
▶ 1:06:16 And I would ask you to go back and watch. the questioning of Bridget Albertson and the questioning of myself any nomination should expect quest to be questions. the mayor for my nominee Nation Made it quite clear. That he told me I should expect questions. He didn't say any such thing. With Ms. Elverson She had two questions. One before the vote then you voted in. Another question was asked. I sat before you for 45 minutes. I asked you. To take the same line of questioning. And ensure that Mr. Right Is who you want? regardless of your partisan beliefs and I will never forget the one statement that was made Mr. Rights and attorney. But somebody said in this meeting. There are good attorneys and they're bad attorneys.
▶ 1:07:24 Maya Jamaleddine: And I'm not saying I don't know Mr. Right at all as an attorney. He's probably a very good one. But if you take that stance with me. Then I ask you to take it with him. for fundamental fairness you Thank you, Ms. Delillo. Is there anyone else wishing to speak? Do we have anyone online? There's no online at this time? Okay, thank you. And at this time I would entertain more if there is no objection. I would like to close public comment. Seeing no objection public comment is now closed moving to our agenda. Order 2023-19 appointment of Francis X right mattress Board of registrars of Voters offered by mayor Paul brother and sponsored by him as well. And at this time I would like to make entertain motion to
▶ 1:08:22 Paul Brodeur: spend the rules. Motion is to spend the rules. Okay second. We have emotions spend the rules made by Vice chair Garipay pay seconded by counselor. Mcgregly Mr. Mayor and Mr. Right. Thank you madam. Chair Member of the committee. It is good to be before you again and I offer for your consideration Mr. White's candidacy for the open spot on the Registrar of Voters here in Melrose. Some of you may be familiar with Mr. Right from his past service on this body. Through six or seven terms seven seven terms. He's also is indeed a lawyer served in several capacities for the city of Somerville including a great deal of a great length of time of service as the city solicitor of the head of a significant Law Department. We are
▶ 1:09:28 Paul Brodeur: kind of an army of one or two here some of those a little bit of a of a different construct a little bit more like a law firm, I guess so it's say that in his in that in that time in his service he has Of assisted or advised the city its board and it's and its city council about all matters related to elections. In addition. He has served as a as a volunteer poll worker. That's a fairly of more recent vintage. He is a good lawyer. If we are if we are interested in that kind of a personal reference for me. I am I am happy to give it And with that I will turn it over to Mr. Wright for his comments and certainly happy to answer any questions you may have about the nomination. Good evening. Good evening. Frank Wright Francis Wright.
▶ 1:10:30 Francis X. Wright Jr.: I hear this evening. I saw the request in the Melrose weekly for anyone who might be interested in serving on the board of Registrar of Voters. I thought based on my experience. I might have something to offer the city and I submitted a letter to the mayor and the mayor. Ultimately, he gave me a call and asked if I would be still interested and I said I would and he put me forward and here we are. Happy to discuss anything about my background or any other questions you may have. Thank you anyone from the counselor. So would like to. Counselor maguirelli, thank you madam chair. Thank you Mr. Right for being here tonight. So to be consistent with questioning in this committee, you are not the chair of the Melrose City
▶ 1:11:30 Leila Migliorelli: Democratic committee, correct? No, I'm not even a member not even a member. Thank you. Do you support mail-in and early voting? Yes, how do you feel about the mandatory? voter ID Pushes, you know people trying to require mandatory voter ID registration. I don't have a strong opinion about it. Do you believe in the results of the 2020 election? Yes. And the presidential election Chris. Yes. And then just another question. So how so after you know spending so much time in this chamber and and serving the city what besides just generally being interested. Is there anything else you can say about why you want to join the board of registrars and get back involved in you know, serving the city. I've had.
▶ 1:12:30 Francis X. Wright Jr.: During my time in Somerville. I had an opportunity to advise what's known there was the election commission under their Charter from questions about Valid questions to questions about nomination papers all the way through to election day questions and being at the polls and having to deal with the shoes my office had to run into court on election day about where people could stand I've handled recounts. and having that breath of experience. I thought there was something I cut off for and I think back to before I was even on the board or even thought about running when mayor Dolan was elected and the city had two candidates who were not there was no incumbent. And it came down to I believe a two vote margin.
▶ 1:13:28 Francis X. Wright Jr.: and ultimately there was a recount and you know considering what we've all gone through in this country in the last couple of years and I reflect on how that was handled locally and how well it went and how my memory is Mr. Conley who was the other candidate handled the situation and meddle and I thought you know if I'd like to see that. Type of attitude and that professionalism continue here in Melrose. I can't control what goes on necessarily outside of Melrose and I'm not saying I can control what happens here. Even if I'm on the board, but if I can add something to the process to make sure it's fair and and Again, bring my experience to that then I'd be happy to do it a happy to serve the city
▶ 1:14:26 Leila Migliorelli: again. thank you, um cancer really just want to make sure to let everyone know that we we now have to Um hold this meeting until and go back to that appropriation. And then we can go back. I'm sorry for the city council. I'm sorry. Here we go. You're fine. Okay. Okay, go ahead. Sorry. Thank you madam chair. Just then on the comment on process. I think I actually share the concerns of the former nominee that while both political parties were sent to lever letter giving them 45 days. To submit nominees and the mayor brought forward a candidate. prior to the 45 days passing. I I think that that's Well, I know that the city solicitor provided the council with information saying that that was within
▶ 1:15:35 Paul Brodeur: legal right to happen. I still think that it's not good practice to send letters and communicating and saying that you have X amount of time to to get back with a list of nominees and then to to not follow through with that. I don't know mayor if You have want to comment on that at all be happy to I appreciate the opportunity. So. Yeah, as a matter of practice, perhaps will advise the good news. I suppose is this there it there is no legal obligation as a solicitor pointed out to to conform with that letter because the letter is not statute. The statute is the statute that haven't been said we did get I did receive three names from the Republican City committee on or about September 13th. Whatever time Mr. Willow
▶ 1:16:36 Paul Brodeur: said I did Reach Out by phone to two of the three members on the on the letter on October 12th around 5 o'clock did not hear back from either of those individuals and believe as I as I certainly could have approached the council about withdrawing Mr. Right's nomination. If someone did appear that had a better qualification set then him the alls I got from the continent or that is required by Statute to be fair is the three names. I got more substantial information from the Democratic City committee nominees and nothing I've learned since that time now that the 45 days have passed to make me believe that Mr. Right is not the the best candidate of those that were offered to my attention from from both
▶ 1:17:36 Francis X. Wright Jr.: committees. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Mr. Wright for answering the questions candidly. Thank you anyone else? Okay, so I do have questions. I wanted to thank you for stepping up and you know accepting this position and Rule. I also wanted to ask you. How would you ensure working with other members that the work done by the voting of registrars is done fairly with no biases. I think we as a group we need to understand what our role is and our obligations are under the law. And that we fulfill our duties accordingly so that would be primarily state law. But also the the city Charter. And that we understand that we are our role basically is to run a fair and open election and make sure that everyone
▶ 1:18:42 Maya Jamaleddine: is treated fairly from the candidates to the voters residents. anyone with campaigning but I think I would urge my fellow board members. Should I be appointed that we must always conform with our duties under the law? and also just to begin. That I wanted to ask you if you believe in the election results of 2016. Not very someone because your Democrats so I wanted to ask about the Republican president. Yes. Yes, you do. Really? Yeah, okay at this time my questions and that I wanted to ask what's the role of the committee? motion to recommend Okay. Second we have motion to recommend made by a counselor mcgregation seconded by Vice chair Garipay pay. and all in favor any opposed Okay. Thank you so much. And this would be recommended to the
▶ 1:19:56 full console. Thank you again future. Um make a motion to adjourn second. Okay. We have a motion to adjourned made by Vice chair Gareth Pace. I can dead by councilor McCleary. all in favor I suppose. John here musical chairs Good evening. Welcome to the city council meeting time is 8:21 date is October 17th, and this meeting is called to order Adam Clark. If you could please call the roll counselor Eccles. Consulate arapay here Council gregoritis here Council terminology here Council migliarelli here counselor. McMaster councilor Karamcheti here counselor Williams counselor oprinsky councilor Melody here counselor Williams I'm sorry counselor Stewart. Here president vanilla. Yeah seven president, okay.