City Council — 2023-11-13
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
- New Business
- APPRO-2024-8 : An Appropriation from Mt. Hood Reserve Fund, account 8417-590000, in the amount of $100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Dollars) to Mt. Hood Capital Improvement, account 620000-529006 to do tree work. The current balance as of 11/2/23 is $392,299.82.
- ORDER-2024-11 : A Proclamation In Support of the 8th Annual Melrose Kindness Day on November 20, 2023
- ORDER-2024-12 : Requesting the adoption of the Specialized Energy Code as found in 225 CMR §§ 22 and 23, including Appendices RC and CC, as the minimum energy code for the City of Melrose effective July 1, 2024.
- ORDER-2024-13 : Request that City Council hold a Public Hearing and subsequently determine the percentages of local tax levy to be borne by each class of real and personal property for Fiscal Year 2024.
- PET-2024-2 : Petition of National Grid for grant of location to construct underground electric conduit at Chipman Ave.
- PET-2024-3 : Petition of National Grid for grant of location to install underground electrical conduit at Marvin Rd.
- Unfinished Business
- APPT-2024-8 : Reappointment of Beth E. Delahaij, 35 Stevens Road, to the Planning Board to a five-year term; said term to expire the last day of February 2028
- APPT-2024-9 : Reappointment of John Welch, Jr., 20 Botolph Street, to the Planning Board to a five-year term; said term to expire the last day of February 2025
- APPT-2024-10 : Reappointment of Carla Morelli, 89 Malvern St., to the Planning Board for a five-year term; said term to expire the last day of February 2026.
- APPT-2024-11 : Reappointment of Paul King, 31 Melbourne Ave., to the Planning Board for a five-year term; said term to expire on the last day of February 2024
- APPT-2024-12 : Reappointment of Gregory Sampson, 30 Morgan St., to the Planning Board for a five-year term; said term to expire on the last day of February 2028
- APPT-2024-13 : Reappointment of John J. Higgins, Jr., 47 Malvern St., to the position of Constable
- APPRO-2024-7 : An Appropriation from Ambulance Retained Earnings in the amount of $7,416.83
- GRANT-2024-1 : Acceptance of Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Recycling Dividend Program Grant in the amount of $16,900
- LIC-2024-3 : Application of Imad Agoujgal, D/B/A Voyage Livery, Inc for a 1 vehicle livery service license, at 29 Gould Street, Melrose, MA
- LIC-2024-4 : Application of Richard Aylward Jr., D/B/A RA Luxury Transportation for a 1 vehicle livery service license, at 29 Goss Avenue, Melrose, MA
- Adjournment
Minutes
CITY OF MELROSE CITY COUNCIL BULLETIN● NOVEMBER 13, 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 Absent Jack Eccles At-Large Present Mark Garipay Ward 4 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 Jen Grigoraitis Ward 6 Present
APPRO-2024-8 Appropriation An Appropriation from Mt. Hood Reserve Fund, account 8417- 590000, in the amount of $100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Dollars) to Mt. Hood Capital Improvement, account 620000- 529006 to do tree work. The current balance as of 11/2/23 is $392,299.82. Assigned to committee
ORDER-2024-11 Proclamation A Proclamation In Support of the 8th Annual Melrose Kindness Day on November 20, 2023 Placed on File
ORDER-2024-12 Accepting Act of Legislature/Local Option Requesting the adoption of the Specialized Energy Code as found in 225 CMR §§ 22 and 23, including Appendices RC and CC, as the minimum energy code for the City of Melrose effective July 1, 2024. Assigned to Committee
ORDER-2024-13 Classification of Property City of Melrose Page 1 11/13/2023 9:14 PM Minutes City Council November 13, 2023 Request that City Council hold a Public Hearing and subsequently determine the percentages of local tax levy to be borne by each class of real and personal property for Fiscal Year 2024. Set Public Hearing Appropriations & Oversight Committee
PET-2024-2 Utility Petition Petition of National Grid for grant of location to construct underground electric conduit at Chipman Ave. Refer to Committee
PET-2024-3 Utility Petition Petition of National Grid for grant of location to install underground electrical conduit at Marvin Rd. Refer to Committee
APPT-2024-8 Appointment Reappointment of Beth E. Delahaij, 35 Stevens Road, to the Planning Board to a five-year term; said term to expire the last day of February 2028 Passed
APPT-2024-9 Appointment Reappointment of John Welch, Jr., 20 Botolph Street, to the Planning Board to a five-year term; said term to expire the last day of February 2025 Adopted
APPT-2024-10 Appointment Reappointment of Carla Morelli, 89 Malvern St., to the Planning Board for a five-year term; said term to expire the last day of February 2026. Passed
APPT-2024-11 Appointment Reappointment of Paul King, 31 Melbourne Ave., to the Planning Board for a five-year term; said term to expire on the last day of February 2024 Passed
APPT-2024-12 Appointment City of Melrose Page 2 11/13/2023 9:14 PM Minutes City Council November 13, 2023 Reappointment of Gregory Sampson, 30 Morgan St., to the Planning Board for a five-year term; said term to expire on the last day of February 2028 Passed
APPT-2024-13 Appointment Reappointment of John J. Higgins, Jr., 47 Malvern St., to the position of Constable Passed
APPRO-2024-7 Appropriation An Appropriation from Ambulance Retained Earnings in the amount of $7,416.83 Passed
GRANT-2024-1 Grant Acceptance of Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Recycling Dividend Program Grant in the amount of $16,900 Passed
LIC-2024-3 License Application of Imad Agoujgal, D/B/A Voyage Livery, Inc for a 1 vehicle livery service license, at 29 Gould Street, Melrose, MA Granted
LIC-2024-4 License Application of Richard Aylward Jr., D/B/A RA Luxury Transportation for a 1 vehicle livery service license, at 29 Goss Avenue, Melrose, MA Granted City of Melrose Page 3 11/13/2023 9:14 PM
Transcript
▶ 0:02 Jen Grigoraitis: Good evening. Today is Monday, November 13th, 2023. The time is 7:45 PM and this meeting of the Melrose City Council is called to order. I am President Greg in accordance with Massachusetts Open Meeting Law. This meeting is recorded by Melrose Cable Access and will be available for viewing in its entirety on MMTV and through the city website Link. Excuse me, Madam Clerk, will you please call The role Councilor? Son. Counselor Ec Echos. Here. Councilor Garipay? Here. Councilor Jamine? Here. Councilor Ka Shady. Here. Councilor McMaster? Here. Councilor Melli? Here. Councilor Reky. Here. Councillor Stewart. Here. Councillor Williams. Here. President Greg. Here. 10 present. 10 present. So please note a quorum
▶ 0:47 Jen Grigoraitis: for the record at this time, please rise if you are able to salute the flag. I pledge allegiance of the United States of America and to the Republic for for which stands? Nation one Nation under God, indivisible. With liberty. With Liberty and Justice. Justice for all. At this time, I will motion by unanimous consent to accept without reading the council meeting minutes from October 16th and October 23rd, 2023. Seeing no objection, those meetings have now been approved. I will now motion by unanimous consent to open the floor for public comment. This is when any member of the public can speak to any item on our agenda. Seeing no objections, public comment is now open. Don't think we have anyone joining us in person. Mr.
▶ 1:38 Clerk, do we have anyone online? Uh, There are no participants online at this time. Okay, so 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 new business filings by the Honorable Mayor Appropriation 2024 dash eight appropriation for Mountain Hood Reserve Fund, account number 8 4 1 7 dash 5 9 0 0 and the amount of $100,000 to Mount Hood Capital improvement account number 6 2 0 0 0 5 2 9 6 to do tree work, the current balance as of November 2nd, 2023 is $392,299 and 82 cents. This order will be sent to appropriations and oversight Order. 2024 dash 11 proclamation in support of the eighth annual Melrose Kindness Day on
▶ 2:36 Jen Grigoraitis: November 20th, 2023. Councillor Eccles, Madam President, I move for immediate consideration on this order. So we have a You don't need a second. We have a motion for immediate consideration made by Counselor Eckles. Any objection? Seeing none. That order is now before us and I believe Mr. Mayor, are you planning to join us? So I'll entertain a motion to suspend the rules. Motion to suspend the rules. Second. So we have a motion to suspend the rules made by By Councillor Meliore. Seconded by Councilor Eccles. All in favor? A. Aye. Any opposed? The rules are now suspended. Welcome, Mr. Mayor. Thank you Madam President, mayor Elect. If the kindest warriors would like to join me, that would be tremendous.
▶ 3:20 Paul Brodeur: This is the good stuff. So I have offered for, um, your consideration. I hope you'll join me in proclaiming, um, the following and then we will hear from the smart people have whatum and up to and what are some of our youngest learners have been up to here in Melrose. So whereas Melrose's Random Acts of Kindness Day, now known as Melrose Kindness Day was created by a dedicated group of Melrose residents who are engaged in our various PTOs, faith-based organizations, nonprofits, civic organizations, as well as local businesses committed to living up to our city's motto of one community open to all. Whereas the purpose of Melrose Kindness Day is to elevate compassion and thoughtfulness with random acts of kindness performed
▶ 4:08 Paul Brodeur: by individuals, business schools, organiza and organizations throughout our community and beyond. And whereas the Melrose Kindness Day was started in 2015 as a social media campaign to encourage random acts of kindness and has grown bigger each year and is held annually on November 20th to recognize this date as a day that should be filled with kindness. And whereas practicing random acts of kindness helps improve someone's day, reminds others that love is the most powerful force in the universe and that things that unite us are stronger than those that could divide us. Whereas in a world where it can seem like kindness is in short supply, we must remind ourselves and our community that people care
▶ 4:56 Paul Brodeur: and that we are all in this life together and therefore be it resolved that I Paul Broder, mayor of the City of Melrose, joined by the members of the Melrose City Council, do hereby declare November 20th to be Melrose Kindness Day and further that we call upon the residents of the city of Melrose to take notice and to practice random acts of kindness and spread goodwill towards others On November 20th and throughout the year now, who's gonna be speaking on behalf of the group? I Have something quick to say. Terrific. Mary Beth Darwin, the, the one of the two chief co-conspirators of the operation. I got a little choked up with that, Paul. That's beautiful. It's good stuff. Um, so I just just wrote up a little something to say.
▶ 5:45 So in 2016 I wrote a letter to the paper asking my fellow Mel Rosens to take back November 20th with kindness. Melrose responded and continues to respond, was started with the smallest plea has become a movement for the past five years, it was just two of us. I have Stephanie to thank for partnering with me, for working together to ensure that kindness remains a focus in our community and beyond, and that it continues to grow. Miller's Kind has become bigger than both of us though, and we are so grateful for the many volunteers who rolled up their sleeves and got to work. Our Kindness Porch Initiative continues to grow because of some so many amazing donors, but also because Kelly, Marlene and Elaine raised their hands together, they ensure
▶ 6:34 that the items we collect are distributed to those vulnerable communities that need them. This year's Kindness Day, which we'll celebrate one week from today, will be more amazing than ever because of Lyn Erin. Sarah. They are our preschool and elementary school reps responsible for these beautiful posters that will be Aduring adorning. The hallways of City Hall, Deb, Abby, Maddie, Lori, Noreen, Vicki, Joanne, Marsha, Michelle, Carol, Lauren and Mary. All women's names Um, are integral to the mission. They asked how they could help and they did. The Melrose High School Kindness Club, which Stephanie inspired and has guided will play an integral role in Kindness Day this year as well. With over 40 members new this year, they've got big plans
▶ 7:25 for making kindness stay kinder than ever. Letters will be read, murals will be hung, music will be played, and kindest warriors will be celebrated because of our Melrose Kind Team, thank you to everyone who has joined in for believing that this is the way forward in our city and in our world. There are many other kindest warriors who make this day a success. Boy Scouts and Girl Scout troops, school clubs, elected officials and regular old Mel Rosens accept kindest assignments to celebrate those that are often overlooked. So if Melrose seems a bit kinder next Monday, if the police and fire station, the post office, the library, and other everyday helpers seem happier, you'll know that our kindness warriors have been at work putting the
▶ 8:12 kind in Melrose Kind. I also have a list that I thought you guys might just wanna look at. Um, that shows everything that will be done on leading up to on Kindness Day and after just the whole kind of season and everyone who's, um, been involved. So you feel like taking a peek. Do you wanna say anything about these beautiful posters? Um, so we have on the mic. So, um, you'll notice all throughout city hall that we have these amazing posters that, um, Erin and I hung up today. Um, they were created by, um, some of our youngest learners at the Franklin School. Um, and they just demonstrate what kindness kindness means to them. Um, whether it's helping a friend, um, or just, you know, holding someone's hand, they have all,
▶ 9:01 um, little special messages about what it means. Um, we also have letters that all of our elementary school students have been working on, um, that we're gonna be sorting through tonight, that are gonna be going to, um, some of the elderly housing on Monday. So, um, the students are so older adults. Adults older, sorry, older adults, um, housing and um, even to, sorry. And um, so the kids are really excited about that. They, um, drew Pictures wrote special me special messages, sign their name and they're just really looking forward to, um, you know, brightening the days of their fellow Mel Rose. Yes, thank you. Um, The mayor just, uh, reminded me that we encourage you to follow all of the activity on Facebook
▶ 9:45 and Instagram on Melrose Kind. And what we tried to do on the day and leading up to the day is capture as much information as is happening. So a lot of times there's wonderful things happening, but we don't know how to capture that. So if you see someone doing something, if you do something yourself, if you please share it with us, um, because it is infectious and it does spread and the hope is that it will ripple throughout the community and then beyond. So thank you so much for having us. It's a big honor to be here and we're super proud of the team growing, so thank you. We have to go sort our letters now. Okay, thank you. Um, we will get back to less exciting and kind business and move on to the next order
▶ 10:47 Of order. Don't we place On, oh, I'm sorry. Motion to place on file. Thank you. Place On file. We have a motion to place on file made by Councillor Eccles, seconded by Councillor Repe. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? That's placed on file Order 2024 dash 12 requesting the adoption of the specialized energy code as found in 2 25 Code of Massachusetts regulations Section 22 and 23, including appendices, RC and cc as as the minimum energy code for the city of Melrose effective July 1st, 2024. This order will go to appropriations and oversight Order 2024 dash 13 request that the city council hold a public hearing on subsequently determine the perce, the percentages of local tax levy to be born by each class of real
▶ 11:40 and personal property for fiscal year 2024. Councilor Elli, Mad president. I'd like to, um, motion for immediate consideration for the purposes of setting this public hearing on Thursday, November 30th. So we have a motion for immediate consideration to set a public hearing for November 30th. Is there any objection? See no objection. That motion is granted and that's hearing is set and the order will be remanded to appropriations and oversight Petition 2024 dash two Petition of National Grid for a grant of location to construct Underground electric conduit a Chipman of Councilor Eccles. Um, I believe we're looking for media consideration to set public hearings would make a motion for Media consideration for the purpose of setting a public
▶ 12:33 Jen Grigoraitis: Hearing for December 4th at 7:20 PM We have a motion for a media consideration made by Councilor Eccles. Any objections? Seeing none That hearing will be set for December 4th at 7:20 PM and this order will be sent to Public Works Petition 2024 dash three Petition of National Grid for grant of location to install underground electrical conduit at Marvin Road. We're also looking for immediate consideration to set the public hearing for this petition to December 4th at 7:20 PM Anyone, councilor All I would like to, uh, motion for immediate consideration for, uh, petition 2024 dash three For purposes of setting the public hearing to December 4th at seven 20. Is there any objection? Seeing none That hearing is set for December 4th at 7:20 PM
▶ 13:24 Jen Grigoraitis: and this order will be sent to Public Works filings by members of the Honorable City Council. I don't believe we have anything. We'll move on to unfinished business Appointment 2024 dash eight reappointment of Beth e Alhaji 35 Stevens Road to the Planning Board for a five year term. Said to expire on the last day of February, 2028. Councillor Garippa Madam President, this comes from the protection licensing with the recommendation for uh, passage and at this point, at this time, I make that motion second For passage. So we have a motion for passage made by Councillor Repe, seconded by Councillor Stewart. Is there any discussion? Seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? And so that appointment passes
▶ 14:08 Appointment 2024 dash nine reappointment of John Welsh Junior 20 Bool Street to the Planning Board for a five year term set term to expire on the last day of February, 2025. Councillor Oppe Mad President. This comes from protection and licensing with a recommendation for passage. At this time I make the motion for passage. Second. So we have a motion for passage made by Councilor Repe, seconded by Councilor Stewart. Anyone on discussion? Seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? That motion passes Appointment 2024 dash 10 reappointment of Carla Morelli, 89 Malvern Street to the Planning Board for a five year term. Said term to expire on the last day of February, 2026. Councillor Gar Madam President,
▶ 14:52 Jen Grigoraitis: this comes from protection and licensing with the recommendation of a passage at this time. I make that motion. Second. So we have a motion for passage made by Councillor Garbe, seconded by Councillor Williams. Anyone on discussion? Seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? That appointment passes Appointment 2024 dash 11 reappointment of Paul King, 31 Melbourne Ave. To the planning board for a five year term set term to expire on the last day of February, 2024. Councillor Gareg, Madam President, this also comes from protection and licensing with a recommendation for passage. At this time I make a motion for passage. Second. Bless you. We have a motion for passage made by Councillor Repe, seconded by Councillor Eccles.
▶ 15:35 Jen Grigoraitis: Anyone on discussion? Seeing none. All in favor? A Aye Aye. Any opposed? And that appointment passes. Appointment 2024 dash 12 reappointment of Gregory Sampson, 30 Morgan Street to the Planning Board for a five year term set term to expire on the last day of February, 2028. Councillor Repe, Madam President, this comes from protection licensing with a recommendation for passage. And at this time I make a motion for passage. Second. Second. So we have a motion for passage made by Councillor Repe, seconded by Councillor Carm Chaney. Anyone on discussion? Seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? And that appointment passes. Appointment 2024 dash 13 reappointment of John J. Higgins, Jr.
▶ 16:20 Jen Grigoraitis: 47 Malvern Street to the position of Constable Councillor Repe, Madam President. This comes from Protection and License Committee with a recommendation of pass, uh, recommendation pass. Um, at this time I make that motion for passage. Second. So we have a motion for passage made by Councillor Repe, seconded by Councillor Williams. Anyone on discussion? Seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? And that appointment passes. Moving on to appropriations Appropriation 2024 dash seven appropriation from ambulance retained earnings in the amount of 7,416 and 83 cents. Councillor mre, Madam President, this comes from appropriations and oversight with a recommendation for passage. At this time I motion for passage.
▶ 17:03 Jen Grigoraitis: Second, We have a motion for passage made by Councilor Elli, seconded by Councillor Eccles. Councillor Stewart on discussion. Thank you Madam Chair. Um, I would like to recuse myself in this vote as there's conflict of interest. Okay. Thank you. Anyone else on discussion? Okay. Seeing none, Madam Clerk, can you please call the role Councilor Eccles? Yes. Councilor Garipay? Yes. Councilor Aldine? Yes. Councilor Carrum Shady? Yes. Councilor McMaster? Yes. Council Melli? Yes. Counselor Reky? Yes. Counselor Williams? Yes. President Gregor Reis. Yes. Nine. Yes. Nine. Yes. And so that appropriation passes. Moving on to Grants Grant. 2024 dash one, acceptance of Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Recycling Dividend Program Grant
▶ 17:54 in the amount of $16,900. Councillor Elli, mad President. This comes from appropriations and oversight with the recommendation for passage. And at this time I motion for passage. Second. So we have a motion for passage made by Councillor Elli. Seconded by Councillor Eccles. Anyone on discussion? Seeing none, Madam Clerk, can you please call the Role councilor Les? Yes. Councillor Garipay? Yes. Councilor Maladin. Yes. Councillor Karen Shady? Yes. Councillor McMaster? Yes. Councilor Elli. Yes. Counselor Osky. Yes. Councilor Stewart? Yes. Councillor Williams? Yes. President Greg Reis? Yes. 10 Yes. 10 Yes. And so that motion passes. Moving on to licenses License 2024 dash three. Application of Imad Aja DBA Voyage Livery Incorporated
▶ 18:41 for a one vehicle livery service license at 29 Gould Street, Melrose, mass. Councillor Oppe, Madam President. This comes from the Protection License Committee with a recommendation for passage. And at this time I make a motion for passage. Second. So we have a motion for passage made by Councillor Repe, seconded by Councillor Carm. Chaney, anyone on discussion? Seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? And that license is approved. Last but not least, License 2024 dash four. Application of Richard I ARD, Jr. DBA RA luxury transportation for one vehicle. Livery service license at 29 Goss Avenue, Melrose, mass. Councillor Gareg, Madam President. This is the last one. Uh, coming from Protection
▶ 19:26 Jen Grigoraitis: and License Committee with a recommendation for passage at this time. And I make a motion for passage. Second. So we have a motion for passage made by Councilor Gareg, seconded by Councillor Eccles. Anyone on discussion? Seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? That license is approved. I do not believe we have any expires. Do we have any reports under Rule 53? I will entertain a motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn. Second. So you have a motion to adjourn made by Councillor Eccles. Seconded by Councillor Stewart. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? We are adjourned to See you next Monday.