Health, Education & Welfare Committee — 2023-03-13
Attendance
Jen Grigoraitis ; Maya Jamaleddine ; Manjula Karamcheti ; John Obremski ; Robb Stewart ; Ryan Williams
Agenda
- Call to Order
- Public Comment
- Orders
- ORDER-2023-68 : Appointment of Helena Widtfeldt, 44 Briggs Street, to the Melrose Affordable Housing Trust for a one-year term, said term to expire on the last day of January 2024. Ms. Widtfelt’s term fills the unexpired term of resigned Affordable Housing Trust member Carolyn Federoff.
- Appointments/Reappointments
- APPT-2023-2 : Appointment of Allison Goldberg, 24 Cottage Street, to the Commission on Women (MCW) for a two-year term set to expire on the last day of February 2025. Ms. Goldberg’s appointment replaces the membership of Kristyn Bunce DeFilipp, whose term is expired and who is not seeking reappointment.
- APPT-2023-4 : Appointment of Emily Paisner, 71 E Emerson St, to the Melrose Commission on Women (MCW), for a one-year term set to expire on the last day of February 2024. Ms. Paisner’s appointment replaces the term of Rilda Kissel, who has resigned from the Commission.
- APPT-2023-1 : Reappointment of William Butler, 102 Crescent Road, to the Beebe Estate Board of Trustees for a three-year term set to expire on the last day of February 2026.
- APPT-2023-3 : Reappointment of Carol Ann Licitra, 308 E Foster St, to the Melrose Board of Health for a three-year term set to expire on the last day of February 2026.
- Adjournment
Minutes
CITY OF MELROSE HEALTH, EDUCATION & WELFARE COMMITTEE CALENDAR● MARCH 13, 2023 Council Chamber, First Floor, Melrose City Hall Committee Meeting 7:00 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 Manjula Karamcheti Chair Present John Obremski Vice Chair Present Maya Jamaleddine Present Robb Stewart Present Ryan Williams Present Jen Grigoraitis President, Ex Oficio Present
ORDER-2023-68 Appointment Appointment of Helena Widtfeldt, 44 Briggs Street, to the Melrose Affordable Housing Trust for a one-year term, said term to expire on the last day of January 2024. Ms. Widtfelt’s term fills the unexpired term of resigned Affordable Housing Trust member Carolyn Federoff. Ought to Pass City Council
APPT-2023-2 Appointment Appointment of Allison Goldberg, 24 Cottage Street, to the Commission on Women (MCW) for a two-year term set to expire on the last day of February 2025. Ms. Goldberg’s appointment replaces the membership of Kristyn Bunce DeFilipp, whose term is expired and who is not seeking reappointment. Ought to Pass City Council
APPT-2023-4 Appointment Appointment of Emily Paisner, 71 E Emerson St, to the Melrose Commission on Women (MCW), for a one-year term set to expire on the last day of February 2024. Ms. Paisner’s appointment replaces the term of Rilda Kissel, who has resigned from the Commission. Ought to Pass City Council
APPT-2023-1 Appointment City of Melrose Page 1 3/15/2023 10:46 AM Minutes Health, Education & Welfare Committee March 13, 2023 Reappointment of William Butler, 102 Crescent Road, to the Beebe Estate Board of Trustees for a three-year term set to expire on the last day of February 2026. Ought to Pass City Council
APPT-2023-3 Appointment Reappointment of Carol Ann Licitra, 308 E Foster St, to the Melrose Board of Health for a three-year term set to expire on the last day of February 2026. Ought to Pass City Council City of Melrose Page 2 3/15/2023 10:46 AM
Transcript
▶ 0:00 Manjula Karamcheti: And it's seven o'clock. This is a meeting of the health education and Welfare committee. I'm councilor Karm chady. The chair joining me tonight are counselor bremski our vice chair Councilor. Jamaladin counselor Stewart councilor Williams and president Grigoraitis exophicio. This takes place of an attendance roll call this also provides notice of Quorum for the record. In accordance with the open meeting law this meeting is being recorded and broadcast in our local cable access Channel mmtv, as well as live through live streamed through mmtv.org. This meeting will be available for further viewing through the city of Melrose website meeting portal as well. We're now going to move into the public comment portion of
▶ 0:50 Manjula Karamcheti: the meeting. This is a time where any member of the public may choose to speak on any items on our agenda. The committee isn't doesn't engage in back and forth dialogue at this time, but we'll listen to whatever any individuals have to say or share with us. At this time, I'll motion by unanimous consent to open public comment. Seeing no objections public comment is now open. Doesn't look like anyone here in the audience is here to speak to the hew agenda do Mr. Clerk. Do we have any participants wishing to speak or participate online? Not at this time? Okay. Thank you very much. Seeing as there is no one here to present to us or speak to us at this time a motion by unanimous consent to close public comment.
▶ 1:42 Manjula Karamcheti: Seeing no objections public comment is now closed. We have one order and four appointments before us this evening. Our first order is order number 2023-68 the appointment of Helena widfelt 44 Briggs Street to the Melrose affordable housing trust for a one-year term said term to expire on the last day of January 2024, Ms. Windfeld's term fills. The unexpired term of resigned affordable housing trust member Carolyn federoff and this is offered by mayor Paul Broder who is here. So at this time, I will motion by unanimous consent to suspend the rules. Seeing no objection. The rules are suspended, please mayor Broder and Helena. Come join us. And mayor when you are ready, please speak to your appointee. Very good. Thank you madam. Chair Member of
▶ 2:37 Paul Brodeur: the committee. There's good to see you all here this evening and blooded us Monday and not Tuesday which might prevent some more significant challenges given the weather. But here we are. So I am here as you know to offer, you know, consideration the appointment of Helena whitfelt to the Mel's affordable housing trust you recall that that trust has a little bit over 300,000 in it as we sit here today. His father off I should know is was quite disappointed to leave but she actually moved out of the city. So she was incredibly gracious in apologetic and her approach as she as she let me know what's going which is not at all to disrespect you Helena, Helena, actually Will be very effective in stepping into Carolyn's shoes.
▶ 3:29 Paul Brodeur: She's been working in the affordable housing industry world for over a decade. I know we have a long agenda this evening. So suffice to say when there was an expert in the room let the expert speak and shut your mouth. So Elena over to you to talk a little bit about your your sure people's location. So Helena Whitfield, I've been in Melrose resident for about eight years now and particularly as mayor Boudreau mentioned. I've worked in the affordable housing industry for 15 years. I've done 10 years collectively with a affordable housing consulting firm and spend about five years doing affordable housing research as well my background. I have a master's in Community Development planning. Most of
▶ 4:13 my Consulting work is more with the public housing authority sector. So this is a little bit of a departure from that, but I'm well versed in generally affordable housing and certainly the need for it here in Melrose. Do we have questions from any counselors? Go ahead president gregoritis Adam chair. Thank you. It's lovely to see you both tonight. And I just wanted to say to you Ms. Woodfelt. Thank you for your willingness to serve. I'm so excited to hear about your expertise. I'm I know many of us here are passionate about affordable housing and concerned about the looming crisis throughout Metro Boston. And so I just was wondering if you could give any insight that you have on to how we continue to educate the community
▶ 4:59 about the need for housing. That's a good question in terms of communication. I mean, I think I've seen a few things pop up here and there about the the current plan is underway. I think there's probably not enough communication about that. You know, I know that there's some other planning activities going on on the agenda later this evening that are I don't know if it's the property over at Greenwood, but you know, there's a lot of conversation about affordable housing and people's misunderstanding about requirements of how much affordable housing has to be in place and just sort of I think it's general knowledge about what is required when a new development comes in and what that implications of that are for
▶ 5:37 the community, you know, I think people assume affordable housing means that taxpayers directly paying the bill for that subsidized unit. And I think educating people about the different sources of of subsidy that are coming into these units where they come from how they're funded ultimately I think is also an important step and people understanding that maybe it doesn't necessarily directly impact their their build the end of the day. Okay, thank you. We have a great team in the planning office and it's wonderful to know that you'll be you know, somewhat of a part of that through this boarding commission. Thank you madam chair. Council Williams a big plus one to man president. It's really great to have somebody with planning background and expertise in
▶ 6:17 Ryan Williams: this and somebody who has a lot of experience working with all of these various elements of affordable housing. It's really important, and we're lucky to have you so thank you for stepping up. My one question is kind of an open-ended one. What do you think the most important thing the city can do is what do you think is the most important thing if you had to pick one that a City municipal entity no pressure though. Yeah, get a little price. Okay. Let's see if I get this right let's you know philosophically even what do you think is the most important thing a city can do on affordable housing? I mean, I think there's a so much that can be done. That's a loaded question. But I think I always go back to thinking about families. I think having a
▶ 6:59 safe stable sanitary, you know affordable place that family can set down Roots kids can kind of be living in a home that they can then stay in as they age through the school system and having that structure and that stability allows kids to flourish and families to flourish. So my passion is thinking about family units whether it's homeownership or rental, but creating that space for them to really Set some roots for their young ones. Well, you'll be in good company with some of the folks on the trust. That's nothing else. Thank you. Counselor Stewart, thank you. Madam. Chair Miss Whitfield your Your resume and background is impeccable your ideally suited for this and with that. I will make a motion to recommend to the full Council your appointment
▶ 7:46 Manjula Karamcheti: second. So we have a motion made by a counselor Stewart seconded by a President Grigoraitis. on discussion I just want the opportunity to say thank you also for volunteering I think your expertise in both affordable housing and in planning, it will be just such a value add to the work we're trying to do and I think that really understanding of why affordable housing is actually a value add to a community I can hear in what you're saying that you'll be able to help us communicate that in a variety of ways so That's all I had for discussion. So all in favor. I any opposed. Alright this motion carries. Thank you so much for being here tonight. If your time this motion will be moved to full Council and you don't need to appear at that time, but you're
▶ 8:41 Manjula Karamcheti: always welcome to join us. Thank you. All right moving on to our second order. This is appointment 2023-2 the appointment of Allison Goldberg 24 Cottage Street to the commission on women for a two-year term set to expire on the last day of February 2025 Ms. Goldberg's appointment releases replaces. The membership of Kristen buns to Philip whose term is expired and who is not seeking reappointment. We are still under suspension of the rules. So mayor Broder if you will, please go ahead I don't schedule I don't see is Goldberg in the in the audience why this evening that have been said I can tell you a little bit about the Goldberg's background and then you can obviously do which will with the order so she applied
▶ 9:39 Paul Brodeur: when we notified the community. We've got a ton of response. I want to say when we let folks know about links on the women's commission and Miss Goldberg, I actually knew a little bit in a former life is she started her Korean Public Service as a staff at the State House under state representative. Now the system minority leader Alice pice starred in constituent services, but became Chief of Staff to the education committee. So as we kind of kick around a little bit the benefits of the student Opportunity Act. I can assure you she had a bit of a hand in it. For those of you who are up there. Once you know, the staff is very often more important than the then the elected as I wouldn't say that about Alice, but
▶ 10:28 Paul Brodeur: I will say that That Ali did have a very big role to play and that and she now works for the Barbara Lee foundation for those who all who don't know the Bible Lee fund Foundation has for quite some time been very active in supporting mostly supporting women running for office. But as also sponsored internships career advancement in a whole host of support to advance women across professional Arenas, that is what she does right now. Obviously, I mean, I really can't think of a better person when we think about access and representation who could better speak to that finale, so I offer that for your consideration. Are there any questions from a counselors? for the mayor and okay. Well, what is the will
▶ 11:30 Maya Jamaleddine: of the committee? motion to recommend All right. Second. Hey, we have a motion to recommend made by counselor Williams seconded by president Grigoraitis. on discussion I mean, I'm definitely in favor of recommending the applicant. However, I would love to have her here for questions directed to her to her. But since She's not available. I mean, I'm not gonna stop that. I just want to say I would wish absolutely and I'm not sure in terms of scheduling what happened. I've reached out to her and I haven't heard back. I did try her on the phone no luck there. So I will try to try to reach up to her for the city council meeting. Okay? Counselor Stewart, thank you. Madam. Chair, I would be comfortable supporting this
▶ 12:31 Manjula Karamcheti: this motion with an offer the opportunity to come before us for the full Council. Thank you. I think that makes sense. so all in favor any opposed okay this motion carries and we will make a recommendation for the applicant to attend our city council meeting. So counselors have the opportunity to ask questions then to verify moving forward with the full Council vote. All right. So the third order we're going to find ourselves I think in a similar situation because this is an appointment as well. The third order is an appointment 2023-4 and it is the appointment of Emily paysner. 71 East Emerson Street to the Melrose Commission on women for a one-year term set to expire on the last day of February 2024 Ms. Paisner's
▶ 13:31 Paul Brodeur: appointment replaces the term of real dickiesel who has resigned from the commission. We are still under suspension of the rules. So mayor Broder, please go ahead and let us know about this candidate. Thank you madam chair and I want to connect with our esteemed clerk to confirm that she's actually injured and that is why she could not she could not appear this evening. That is correct. Yeah, but I will if you've had a chance to review her resume in a qualification, she's again another person who step forward to kind of answer the call and it has you might imagine I do chat with these folks before before I I put them forward and this paysner has been in an advocacy role for women particularly
▶ 14:18 Paul Brodeur: young women girls in and around her career. She's actually done significant work around a podcast called equal part, excuse me equal parts plural, which is brought which is focused a lot on issues facing women around work and mother she actually in her perhaps free time in her spare time is a lacrosse coach for girls here in Melrose. So it should be you know, both professionally and as a volunteer in the community, she is committed to and passionate about this work and we wish her God speed and a full recovery and look forward to our service. Should you agree on the commission? What is the will of the committee? I'll make a motion to recommend for passage and I'm sorry to hear about Miss paysner's sorry. I think all
▶ 15:20 Manjula Karamcheti: of us are getting a call from the Melrose Public Schools about tomorrow. Everyone's phone is going off. Oh, thank you clarifying what that was. It's that that is what it is. You make it a long night. Yeah transparency. I just to Echo and I think we can Mr. Mayor work better on our end with the clerk of committees on trying to be better coordinated on making sure we have folks here and also reminding them that we do things to the legislature have the option for remote participation, but I make emotions. Okay, we have a motion made by President Grigoraitis seconded by counselor Williams and on discussion. I will just say absolutely whenever possible. We want to make sure to have our our nominees
▶ 16:02 Manjula Karamcheti: here. So that's an important part of the process. We will try to move forward and make that happen. So all in favor. aye any opposed All right. So the motion carries. Membership before you before you adjourn you might be up to a germ. What is the message from the famous now? We have a chat just really I we're not adjourning because we still have two more reappointments. Don't bury the don't you it's an early release tomorrow. We have inside information. We haven't yet. So for those watching at home, it is an early release tomorrow in the Middle School. You can bring alright, we're moving on to our fourth order. It's appointment 2023-1 the reappointment of William Butler 102 Crescent Road to
▶ 16:55 Manjula Karamcheti: the BB estate Board of Trustees for three year term set to expire on the last day of February 2026. As this is a reappointment. Our practice has been to move forward without requesting the mayor to speak on behalf of the candidate or for the candidate to be present. So what is the will of the committee? Counselor Stewart, thank you. Madam. Chair. I've known Mr. Butler for quite a while. He's in my ward. He's I think an excellent candidate who does a great job and his service on the BB estate and it's with my pleasure to recommend the appointment for full Council. We have a motion made by counselor Steward to recommend recommend for passage section and seconded by counselor. Jamaladene. undiscussion
▶ 17:48 Jen Grigoraitis: all in favor. Hi any opposed? Okay that motion carries and this appointment will be moved to full Council. And our final order is appointment 2023-3 the reappointment of Carol and lysitra 308 East Foster Street to the Melrose Board of Health for a three-year term set to expire on the last day of February 2026. This is the same as this is a reappointment. What is the will of the committee? President Grigoraitis. Thank you. Madam. Chair. I'm Isla Citra is a resident of Ward 6 and I know has served on the board of health with due diligence and I would recommend her for reappointment and also just want to take a moment to thank her for her service on that board. I think the previous three years has been a particularly challenging time
▶ 18:40 Manjula Karamcheti: to be a member of a Board of Public Health and want to thank her and all of the committee for their work during the pandemic so motion to recommend. The motion excellent so we have a motion made by President Grigoraitis seconded by counselor Stewart. on discussion All in favor. Aye any opposed. Right that motion carries and that motion will be moved to full Council. So at this time, I will entertain a motion to adjourn. I'm sure I'll make a motion to adjourn. second counselor Stewart has made a motion to adjourn seconded by counselor jamalidine all in favor. I any opposed All right. This meeting is adjourned. The time is 7:30 pm on Monday, March 13th 2023. This is a meeting of the Appropriations