City Council — 2023-08-21
Attendance
Christopher Cinella ; Jack Eccles ; Mark Garipay ; Jen Grigoraitis ; Maya Jamaleddine ; Manjula Karamcheti ; Shawn M. MacMaster ; Leila Migliorelli ; John Obremski ; Robb Stewart ; Ryan Williams
Agenda
- Call to Order
- Reading of the Minutes
- Public Comment
- Communications from His Honor, The Mayor And Other City Officials
- New Business
- ORDER-2024-5 : Request For Debt Exclusion Question For Public Safety Buildings Be Placed on the November 7, 2023 Election Ballot
- APPT-2024-4 : Appointment of Kevin Cronin, 18 Birch Hill Road, to the Liquor Licensing Commission for a six-year term; said term to expire on the first Monday in June 2029.
- APPT-2024-5 : Appointment of Erica Brown as Council of Aging (COA) Director effective August 31, 2023
- APPRO-2024-1 : An Appropriation from the Contract Stabilization Fund (#8404) to Library Budget (#611) to fund year 1 of the recently executed CBA in the amount of Forty-Four thousand, four hundred ten dollars ($44,410).
- APPRO-2024-2 : An Appropriation from the Contract Stabilization to the Parking Budget (#296) for the executed lease between the City of Melrose and the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Boston in the amount of $5,000.
- APPRO-2024-3 : An appropriation from Capital Stabilization Fund (#8405) to DPW, Parks Department (#475) in the amount of Thirty-Six Thousand, Seven Hundred and ninety-five dollars ($36,795.00) to replace the existing fence at Fred Green Field.
- LIC-2024-2 : Common Victualler - Melrose Diner (transfer of ownership)
- ORDER-2024-6 : Declaration of City - Owned Equipment/Vehicles Available for Disposition via Public Bid
- ORDER-2024-7 : Calling the City Election for Tuesday, November 7, 2023 from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School gymnasium complex
- ORDER-2024-8 : Authorizing officer assignment to the polls for the November 7, 2023 election
- INFO-2024-2 : An Order on the Status of the Melrose Public Library Renovation Project
- RES-2024-1 : A Resolution Honoring Melrose Little League’s Massachusetts U10 Baseball State Champions
- Unfinished Business
- APPT-2024-1 : Reappointment of Robert Christiansen to the Melrose Park Commission, for a three-year term set to expire on the First Monday of May 2025.
- APPT-2024-2 : Reappointment of Fatma Ulku Duru to the Human Rights Commission, for a three-year term set to expire on the last day of February 2026.
- APPT-2024-3 : Appointment of Jake Rogers, 11 Cherry Street, to the Melrose Human Rights Commission, for a three-year term set to expire on the last day of February 2026.
- INFO-2024-1 : That this City Council Order the Director of Health and Human Services to appear before us pursuant to Section 2-7 (b) of the Melrose City Charter to provide information relative to public health inspections.
- LIC-2024-1 : Gasoline and Storage Licenses post deadline Renewals 2023
- Orders
- ORDER-2023-100 : Presentation of the Final Report of the Public Safety Building Committee
- ORDER-2024-1 : Calling the Preliminary Mayoral Election for Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023 from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School gymnasium complex
- ORDER-2024-2 : Polling location officer assignment for the Mayoral preliminary September 19, 2023 election
- Adjournment
Minutes
CITY OF MELROSE CITY COUNCIL BULLETIN● AUGUST 21, 2023 Council Chamber, First Floor, Melrose City Hall Regular Meeting 7:45 PM 562 Main Street, Melrose, MA 02176 Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Christopher Cinella At-Large Present Jack Eccles At-Large Present Mark Garipay Ward 4 Present Maya Jamaleddine At-Large Absent Manjula Karamcheti Ward 1 Present Shawn M. MacMaster Ward 5 Present Leila Migliorelli At-Large Present John Obremski Ward 2 Absent Robb Stewart Ward 3 Present Ryan Williams Ward 7 Present Jen Grigoraitis Ward 6 Present
ORDER-2024-5 Ballot/Overide Order Request For Debt Exclusion Question For Public Safety Buildings Be Placed on the November 7, 2023 Election Ballot Assigned to Committee Appropriations & Oversight Committee
APPT-2024-4 Appointment Appointment of Kevin Cronin, 18 Birch Hill Road, to the Liquor Licensing Commission for a six-year term; said term to expire on the first Monday in June 2029. Assign to Committee
APPT-2024-5 Appointment Appointment of Erica Brown as Council of Aging (COA) Director effective August 31, 2023 Assign to Committee
APPRO-2024-1 Appropriation An Appropriation from the Contract Stabilization Fund (#8404) to Library Budget (#611) to fund year 1 of the recently executed CBA in the amount of Forty-Four thousand, four hundred ten dollars ($44,410). Assigned to committee
APPRO-2024-2 Appropriation City of Melrose Page 1 8/22/2023 2:47 PM Minutes City Council August 21, 2023 An Appropriation from the Contract Stabilization to the Parking Budget (#296) for the executed lease between the City of Melrose and the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Boston in the amount of $5,000. Assigned to committee
APPRO-2024-3 Appropriation An appropriation from Capital Stabilization Fund (#8405) to DPW, Parks Department (#475) in the amount of Thirty-Six Thousand, Seven Hundred and ninety-five dollars ($36,795.00) to replace the existing fence at Fred Green Field. Assigned to committee
LIC-2024-2 License - Common Victualler Common Victualler - Melrose Diner (transfer of ownership) Assigned to commitee
ORDER-2024-6 General Declaration of City - Owned Equipment/Vehicles Available for Disposition via Public Bid Assigned to Committee
ORDER-2024-7 Calling Election Calling the City Election for Tuesday, November 7, 2023 from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School gymnasium complex Assigned to Committee Finance Committee
ORDER-2024-8 Election Authorizing officer assignment to the polls for the November 7, 2023 election Assigned to Committee Finance Committee
INFO-2024-2 Informational An Order on the Status of the Melrose Public Library Renovation Project Assign to Committee Protection and License Committee
RES-2024-1 Resolution City of Melrose Page 2 8/22/2023 2:47 PM Minutes City Council August 21, 2023 A Resolution Honoring Melrose Little League’s Massachusetts U10 Baseball State Champions Hold City Council
APPT-2024-1 Appointment Reappointment of Robert Christiansen to the Melrose Park Commission, for a three-year term set to expire on the First Monday of May 2025. Adopted
APPT-2024-2 Appointment Reappointment of Fatma Ulku Duru to the Human Rights Commission, for a three-year term set to expire on the last day of February 2026. Adopted
APPT-2024-3 Appointment Appointment of Jake Rogers, 11 Cherry Street, to the Melrose Human Rights Commission, for a three-year term set to expire on the last day of February 2026. Adopted
INFO-2024-1 Informational That this City Council Order the Director of Health and Human Services to appear before us pursuant to Section 2-7 (b) of the Melrose City Charter to provide information relative to public health inspections. Assign to Committee
LIC-2024-1 License - Gasoline Storage Gasoline and Storage Licenses post deadline Renewals 2023 Granted
ORDER-2023-100 Informational Presentation of the Final Report of the Public Safety Building Committee Placed on File
ORDER-2024-1 Calling Election City of Melrose Page 3 8/22/2023 2:47 PM Minutes City Council August 21, 2023 Calling the Preliminary Mayoral Election for Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023 from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School gymnasium complex Passed
ORDER-2024-2 Election Polling location officer assignment for the Mayoral preliminary September 19, 2023 election Passed City of Melrose Page 4 8/22/2023 2:47 PM
Transcript
▶ 0:00 Jen Grigoraitis: That house. Good evening. Today is Monday, August 21st, 2023. The time is 7:46 PM and this meeting of the Melrose City Council is called to order. I am President Gita in accordance with the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law. This meeting is recorded by Melrose Cable Access and will be available for viewing in its entirety on M M T V and through the city website Link. Will the clerk please call the role Counselor Sella? Here. Counselor Eckles. Here. Counselor Gareg. Here. Councilor Jamine. Councilor Karen Chetty. Here. Councillor McMaster. Here. Councillor Melli. Here. Councillor Reky. Councillor Stewart. Here. Councilor Williams. Here. President Greg Reis. Here. Nine Present. Nine Present. So please note that as a quorum,
▶ 0:59 Jen Grigoraitis: the record and the council will proceed at this time. Please rise if you are able to salute the flag. I pledge P Allegiance pgi, the flag of United States of America and to the Republic for which stands, one Nation under God in liberty and Justice. Justice. At this time, I will motion by unanimous consent to accept without reading the City Council's special meeting. July 13th, 2023. And City Council regular meeting. July 17th, 2020. Three minutes. Seeing no objection, those minutes have been approved. I'll now motion by unanimous consent to open public comment. This is the portion of our meeting where any member of the public can speak to any item on our agenda. Seeing no objection, public comment is now open.
▶ 1:51 Is there anyone wishing to speak head on up, Sign in, or no? No. Sign in. Just say your name for the record. Excellent. All right. Uh, my name is Michelle Carson. I live in Linwood. Um, thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight. Let me start by saying I'm really impressed with the attention to detail and forethought that the Public Safety Building Committee put into their recommendations. We're really fortunate to have these volunteers along with our public safety professionals who put so much time and energy into this project proposal. I am here as a concerned resident and also as the daughter of a retired firefighter. I have witnessed firsthand the unwavering commitment of brave fire personnel and
▶ 2:32 the significance of their stations to them, which serve as their home away from home. Tonight, I ask you to consider the full Public Safety Building Plan as proposed by the committee. I ask you to include the urgently needed improvements at Engine three, not just for the sake of creating a healthier work and living environment, but also for the greater benefit of our entire community. It's evident that Engine three requires a rebuild to ensure the wellbeing of our fire personnel, but that is only part of the equation. There are limitations posed by the size and historic designation of Central Fire. Engines two and three are vital for providing the necessary space for both personnel and equipment that are fire department urgently requires
▶ 3:18 neglecting these improvements now will only lead to more significant expenses down the line and will continue to put the health of our engine three firefighters at risk Using, Using the average home value that has been referenced throughout these discussions. It's my understanding that the full plan recommended by the committee would cost $20 per month, give or take more per household than the plan proposed by the mayor that he's asking to have on the ballot. While the overall investment is large, for sure, $20 a month more is a small investment when compared to the invaluable safety and security of the full plan promises. As a resident who has long awaited these necessary changes, I commend the mayor for recommending this for a November ballot. However,
▶ 4:04 I respectfully urge the council and the mayor to collaborate and revise the plan proposed by the mayor to encompass the critical investments desperately needed at Engine three. This isn't the first administration to recognize the importance of public safety as a generational investment. It's the second committee, I believe, to highlight this critical matter and make a recommendation. The time for action is now. We owe it to our firefighters and police, our community, and the generations to come to take a bold stance on this issue. Thank you. Thank you. Do we have anyone else in the audience? Please come forward. Hi, my name is Eugene Walsh and I am Eugene Gibbons mother. So I should say that because she worked on the, uh,
▶ 4:54 public safety committee very hard for the last. I've seen her working on that with the other members. I am saying everything that Michelle just said, she said it for me. But I would like to add a personal, um, context to it. I live in elderly housing on West Holster Street. The police and the fire come to our building frequently. Well, the fire department a lot. The police not so much, but three, four times a day, sometimes the ambulance and the fire truck will pull up there. So we really rely upon those services. I realize that that 130 million sounds like a lot right now, but like everything Michelle said, it's $20 more a month. I realize as a senior citizen, I'm not paying property taxes,
▶ 5:44 but P B D management and other elderly people who own the building elderly services, who own the building do pay those taxes. And I don't know what's been done to involve them in the process, but I think that they should be willing to pay taxes. That would amount to that much more if that's what it came down to. The other aspect I wanted to share is that I came here because many years ago I was involved in community organization and advocacy and civil rights and all that kind of stuff. And I see this as a community, organizational critical matter. Public safety with the fire department and the police is very important and I know you all know that. And with respect to the mayor, with respect to all of you,
▶ 6:28 I just wish that you would reconsider and go for the full amount because it's gonna cost more later on down the road. When we look at what's going on globally with the environment, with the water, with the electricity, with the communication systems, not to mention the fires and the floods, it becomes really obvious that we need to start attacking this stuff. Not just because of climate change, but because it's actually happening. So I'm kind of nervous and I hope I made sense, but I just came to put in my 2 cents worth. Thank you. Thank you. Mr. Clerk, do we have anyone online? There are a Few attendees. If I could just, yep. Mm-hmm. If you're here for a Oh, sure. I'll be super brief. 'cause you all have a bunch of paperwork, um,
▶ 7:15 Paul Brodeur: that has been submitted, uh, regrettably somewhat in, in, in my absence, uh, that it's good to be back. And it's good to see all of you here. Um, I appreciate the comments and I think you know that my concern is about fitting this into a greater matrix of needs, uh, for the, for the community with some other capital needs coming up. Um, I very much appreciate the comments and I am a especially mindful of the, uh, the service of firefighters, given that, um, my uncle, if I have the relationship right, died in a fire as he's a firefighter and gardener. And my cousin served as a captain in Tewksbury and my uncle Dick was on the job, uh, his whole career in Everett. So I think I get it though. There's,
▶ 8:10 Paul Brodeur: you can't really step into the show shoes of the folks that do the job to be sure. I guess what I would ask is, we have this, uh, as we have this debate, as we have this conversation, uh, I know you all take it very seriously. I guess I would ask that you avoid the temptation to, um, take an action with this idea that, well, it's really up to the voters to decide. I hope you'll vote for at the end of your deliberations, whatever, whatever you, you know, whatever you land on. I hope it's something that you will support vocally in the community that you will advocate for, uh, amongst your friends and your neighbors. If you ha if you happen to be running for reelection, make it part of the, part of the, make it part of the campaign.
▶ 8:58 Paul Brodeur: 'cause as you'll recall from my state of the city addressed, there is no more credit. It's not the only need by any stretch, but it is the number one need of the city is addressing, uh, the fundamental inefficiencies or failures, uh, within that, within, within those buildings. I obviously have recommended, uh, more what I think is the most prudent way to go and the most arguably, uh, cautious way to go. Uh, I'm proud to say though, I do think many administrations have, uh, been very concerned about this. This is the administration that has actually filed something to potentially go before the voters. Um, and now it's in your capable hands. And I look forward to the deliberations and obviously, uh,
▶ 9:45 the administration is here to answer along the way. Any questions you may have that are within our purview. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Do we have anyone online? If you're here for, uh, public comment, please raise your digital hands. No. Okay. At this time I'll motion by unanimous consent to close public comment. Seeing no objection, public comment is now closed and we will move on to communications from his honor, the mayor and other city officials. What new business do we have tonight? Order 2024 dash five. Request for debt exclusion. Question for public safety buildings. Be placed on the November 7th, 2023 election ballot. This order will go to the Appropriations and Oversight Committee. Appointment 2024 dash four. Appointment of Kevin Cronin.
▶ 10:35 18 Birch Hill Hill Road to the Liquor Licensing Commission for a six year term set. Term to expire on the first Monday in June, 2029. This appointment will go to the Protection and License Committee Appointment. 2024 dash five Appointment of Erica Brown as Council of Aging Director, effective August 31st, 2023. This appointment will go to the Health Education and Welfare Committee Appropriation 2024 dash one. An appropriation from the contract stabilization fund number 8 4 0 4 to library budget number 6 1 1 to fund year one of the recently executed C B A in the amount of $44,410. This order will go to appropriations and oversight Appropriation 2024 dash two appropriation from the contract stabilization
▶ 11:26 to the parking budget. Number 2 9 6 for the UN for the executed lease between the city of Melrose and the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Boston in the amount of $5,000. This order will go to appropriations and oversight Appropriation 2024 dash three appropriation from stabilization fund number 8 4 5 to D P W Parks, department number 4 7 5 in the amount of 36 30 $6,795 to replace the existing fence at Fred Greenfield. This order will go to appropriations and oversight License. 2024 dash two Common Ular Melrose Diner Transfer of Ownership. This license will go to protection and license Order. 2024 dash six Declaration of city owned equipment vehicles available for disposition via public bid. This order will go to appropriations and oversight
▶ 12:20 Order. 2024 dash seven. Calling the city election for Tuesday, November 7th, 2023 from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM at the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School Gymnasium Complex. This order will go to the finance committee Order. 2024 dash eight authorizing officer assignment to the polls for November 7th, 2023 election. This order will go to the finance committee filings by members of the Honorable City Council. Info 2024 dash two an order on the status of the Melrose Public Library Renovation Project. This info order will go to appropriations and oversight Resolution 2024 dash one a resolution honoring the Melrose Little Leagues Massachusetts U 10 BA Baseball State Championship Champions, Councillor Elli.
▶ 13:13 Madam President, I'd like to hold this in council, um, as we are, uh, the, the leaguers are somewhere on vacation and we know that we can have them all together. Um, on the fifth. So we have a motion to hold this order in full counsel. Second with, uh, a motion made by Councillor Elli, seconded by Councillor Stewart. Any discussion? All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? That will be held in full counsel until the finish Unfinished business Appointment 2024 dash one Reappointment of Robert Robert Christensen to the Melrose Park Commission for a three year term set to expire on the first Monday of May, 2025. Councillor Stewart? Yes, Madam President. This comes from the Public Service Committee with a recommendation for passage.
▶ 13:57 Jen Grigoraitis: At this time I make a motion to rec passage. Second again. So we have a motion for passage made by Councillor Stewart, seconded by Councillor Ella. Any discussion? Seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? And that appointment is approved. Appointment 2024 dash two Reappointment of Fatma Kuru to the Human Rights Commission for three year terms set to expire on the last day of February, 2026. Councillor Merely Madam President, this comes from the Appropriations and Oversight Committee with a recommendation for passage and at this time I motion for passage. Second. So we have a recommendation for passage made by Councillor Moore, seconded by Councillor Carm Shady. Any discussion? Seeing none.
▶ 14:39 Jen Grigoraitis: All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? And that appointment is approved. Appointment 2024 dash three. Appointment appointment of Jake Rogers, 11 Cherry Street to the Melrose Human Rights Commission for a three year term set to expire on the last day of February, 2026. Councillor Meli, Madam President, this comes from Appropriations and Oversight Committee with a recommendation for passage and at this time a motion for passage. Second again. So we have a motion for passage made by Councillor Meliore, seconded by Councillor Eccles on discussion. Seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? That appointment is approved. I don't believe we have anything under appropriations or grants. So we'll move into informational items
▶ 15:20 Info 2024 dash one that this city Council order direct, the Director of Health and Human Services to appear before us pursuant to Section two dash seven B of the Melrose City Charter to provide information relative to public health inspections. Uh, this order will go to the Health Education and Welfare Committee licenses License 2024 dash one Gasoline and storage licenses Post deadline renewals 2023. Councillor Repe, Madam President, this comes from Protection and License Committee with a recommendation to place on file and at this time I make that motion. Second. So we have a motion to place on file made by Councilor Repe, seconded by Councillor Ella, is there any discussion? Seeing none. All in favor?
▶ 16:09 Jen Grigoraitis: Aye. Aye. Any opposed? And those licenses are placed on file orders Order. 2023 dash 100. Presentation of the final report of the Public Safety Building Committee. Councillor Elli. Madam President, this comes from Appropriation Oversight Committee with a recommendation to place on file and at this time I motion to place on file. Second. So we have a motion to place on file made by Councillor Elli, seconded by Councillor Ella. Is there any discussion? Seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? And that order is placed on file Order. 2024 dash one. Calling the preliminary mayor mayoral election for Tuesday, September 19th, 2023 from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM at the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School Gymnasium Complex
▶ 16:57 Robb Stewart: Counselor Eckles And Resident. This comes from the Finance Committee with the recommendation for passage. At this time, move for passage. We have a motion for passage made by Councillor Eccles, seconded by Councillor Ella. Any discussion? Councillor Stewart? Yes, Madam President. I just wanna state for the record that, uh, while I will support this, um, this order, I'm still, um, uh, not pleased with the fact that, uh, some of the, uh, the voting rights of people that found it, I think a lot more convenient to go at the, the local vote. Voting stations have been taken away from them and some people feel a little bit disenfranchised. Thank you. Mad president. Thank you. Anyone else on discussion? Okay. Seeing none. All in favor?
▶ 17:41 Jen Grigoraitis: Aye. Aye. Any opposed? And that order has passed. Order 2024 dash two. Polling location officer assignment for the mayoral preliminary September 19th, 2023 Election. Councillor Eccles, Madam President, this comes from the finance committee with a recommendation for passage. At this time I move for passage. Second, We have a motion for passage made by Councillor Eccles, seconded by Councillor Ella. Any discussion? Seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? And that order passes. Do we have any reports? Under rules Rule 53. Okay. Seeing none, I'll entertain a motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn from Second. Second. So we have a motion to adjourn made by Councillor Sunis. Seconded by Councillor Elli. All in favor? A. Aye. Any opposed?