City Council — 2025-08-18

City Council Meeting

This meeting starts at 1:12:17 in a recording that covers several meetings.

Attendance

Cal Finocchiaro absent · Ward 6; Mark Garipay present · Ward 4; Ward Hamilton present · At-Large; Maya Jamaleddine absent · At-Large; Manjula Karamcheti present · Ward 1; Leila Migliorelli present · At-Large; John Obremski present · Ward 2; Devin Romanul present · Ward 7; Robb Stewart present · Ward 3; Kimberly Vandiver present · Ward 5; Ryan Williams present · At-Large

Agenda

Minutes

CITY OF MELROSE CITY COUNCIL BULLETIN● AUGUST 18, 2025 Council Chamber, First Floor, Melrose City Hall Regular Meeting 7:59 PM 562 Main Street, Melrose, MA 02176 Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Cal Finocchiaro Ward 6 Absent Mark Garipay Ward 4 Present Ward Hamilton At-Large Present Maya Jamaleddine At-Large Absent Manjula Karamcheti Ward 1 Present John Obremski Ward 2 Present Devin Romanul Ward 7 Present Robb Stewart Ward 3 Present Kimberly Vandiver Ward 5 Present Ryan Williams At-Large Present Leila Migliorelli At-Large Present

(ID # 12883) Appointment/Reappointment Appointment of Cole Lepler, 34 Frances Street, to the Conservation Commission Assign to Committee Boards & Commission

(ID # 12895) Appointment/Reappointment Appointment of Tamara Shovelton as Veterans’ Services Agent Assign to Committee Appropriations & Oversight Committee

(ID # 12899) Appointment/Reappointment Reappointment of Charles Harak, 14 Country Club Road, to the Melrose Housing Authority for a three-year term; said term to end on the first Monday of March 2028. Assign to Committee Boards & Commission

(ID # 12898) Grant Requesting acceptance of a Massachusetts Gaming Commission Community Mitigation Fund Grant in the amount of $166,800 to address the impacts of gambling related harms in our community. Assign to Committee Appropriations & Oversight Committee

(ID # 12943) Utility Petition City of Melrose Page 1 8/26/2025 4:33 PM Minutes City Council August 18, 2025 National Grid install 1 JO Pole on Mt Zion Road NO 31114550 Move without Recommendation City Council

(ID # 12851) Transfer Requesting Transfer of Funds from Department of Public Works' Parks and Forestry Salary Accounts to Parks and Forestry Expense Accounts For Contracted Tree Services Assign to committee Finance Committee

(ID # 12942) Amending Something Previously Adopted Amending City Ordinance to Implement a new schedule of fees for Zoning and Conservation Permits Assign to Committee Legal & Legislative Committee

(ID # 12944) Acceptance of general law; decision; fund That the City Council accept local option statute M. G. L c. 39, Section 23D for the Melrose Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Conservation Commission, and the Historic District Commission holding adjudicatory hearings to allow for members to not be disqualified from voting on a matter solely because of their absence from one hearing date. Assigned to Committee Legal & Legislative Committee

(ID # 12866) Appointment/Reappointment Reappointment of Gail Infurna, 12 Mt. Vernon St., #41, to the Traffic Commission, for a five year term; said term to expire on the last day of May 2030. Passed City Council

(ID # 12867) Appointment/Reappointment Reappointment of Jeffrey Parenti, 29 Trenton Street, to the Traffic Commission, said term to expire on the last day of May 2030. Passed Boards & Commission

(ID # 12887) Appointment/Reappointment Appointment of Gentry Andrews, 15 Orient Place, to the Melrose Commission on Women Passed City Council

(ID # 12888) Appointment/Reappointment City of Melrose Page 2 8/26/2025 4:33 PM Minutes City Council August 18, 2025 Appointment of Gentry Andrews, 15 Orient Place, to the Melrose Historical Commission Passed City Council

(ID # 12865) License - Common Victualler Bangkok Bar Shi new Common Victualler License Granted City Council

(ID # 12884) Calling Election Calling the Local Election for Tuesday, November 4th 2025 from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm at the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School gymnasium complex. Passed Finance Committee

(ID # 12885) Election Requesting City Council approval of the Board of Registrars of Voters Recommendations relative to In Person Early Voting and Mail In Voting for the November 4, 2025 Local Election Passed Finance Committee

(ID # 12729) Ordinance Amending Chapter 4 of the Revised Ordinances of the City of Melrose, to Insert a New Section 4-15, Payment of Taxes as Condition of City Facility Rental Passed City Council

ORDER-2026-1 Amending Revised Ordinances Amending Chapter 198 of the Revised Ordinances of the City of Melrose Solid Waste and Recycling to update language to reflect current programs. Passed as Amended City Council

ORDER-2026-2 Amending Revised Ordinances Amending Chapter 202 of the Revised Ordinances of the City of Melrose Streets and Sidewalks Passed as Amended City Council

ORDER-2026-3 Amending Revised Ordinances City of Melrose Page 3 8/26/2025 4:33 PM Minutes City Council August 18, 2025 Amending Chapter 228 of the Revised Ordinances of the City of Melrose Water, Sewers, and Drains Passed City Council

ORDNC-2026-2 Amending Revised Ordinances Amending Chapter 164-2(C)(6) of the Revised Ordinances of the City of Melrose to specify permitted hours and days for construction activities Passed

(ID # 12797) Request Proposed Local Fee increase for Vital Record Production and Licensing to begin in FY26 Place on file City Council City of Melrose Page 4 8/26/2025 4:33 PM

Transcript

▶ 1:12:22 and will be available for viewing in its entirety on MMTV and through the city website Link. Madam Clerk, will you please call the role Councillor Oppi. Councilor Garipay? Here. Councilor Hamilton? Here. Councilor Jamine. Councilor Carrum Chetty. Here. Councilor Reky? Here. Councilor Romanul? Here. Councilor Stewart? Here. Councilor Vandiver? Here. Councilor Williams. Here. Present. Ley. Here. It makes for a quorum. Okay. Quorum. At this time, please rise if you're able to join the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One Nation under God, indivisible, With liberty And justice for all. Okay, At this time I will motion to approve, um,

▶ 1:13:18 Leila Migliorelli: by unanimous consent without reading the minutes from, um, June 16th, 2025 and July 21st. 2025. Seeing no objections, those minutes are now approved. Now onto public comment. I will motion by unanimous consent to open the floor for public comment. Seeing no objections, the floor is now open for public comment. Um, this is a portion of the meeting where the public may speak on any item on tonight's agenda. Um, is there anyone here in public comment in person? Nope. Anyone online? Nope. Okay. I will motion by unanimous consent to close public comment. Seeing no objection, public comment is now con close and I will entertain a moment of motion to recess. So moved. Second. Uh, not recess. Sorry. Uh,

▶ 1:17:22 We oh five and we are now back in session for the full city council. Um, moving on the agenda. The next thing is new business filings by the Honorable Mayor. Appointments and Reappointments ID Number 1 2 8 8 3. Appointment of Cole LOLer. 34 Frances Street to the Conservation Commission. This will go to boards and commissions ID. Number 1 2 8 9 5. Appointment of Tamara SH as Veteran Services Agent. This will go to appropriations and oversight ID number 1 2 8 9 9 reappointment of Charles Hart 14 Country Club Road to the Melrose Housing Authority for a three year term. Said term to end on the first Monday of March, 2028. This will go to boards and commissions. Next up are grants ID number 1 2 8 9 8 requesting acceptance

▶ 1:18:19 of a Massachusetts Gaming Commission Community Mitigation Fund grant and the amount of 166,800 to address the impacts of gambling related harms in our community. This will go to appropriations and oversight. Next petitions ID number 1 2 9 4 3. National Grid install one J Poll on Mount Z Zion Road number 3 1 1 1 4 5 5 0. Councillor Williams. Thank you President Elli. Um, I would like to motion for immediate consideration of this item for the purpose of setting a hearing on September 2nd at 8:00 PM Okay. Second. Immediate you said sought immediate consideration. Yeah. Okay, so immediate consideration doesn't need to be seconded, right? No. Okay. So now motion to Thank you. Um, Councillor Williams, you're motioning now to Yes.

▶ 1:19:14 Set the public hearing correct For September 7th, I'm sorry, for September 2nd at 8:00 PM Okay. All in favor? A aye. Any opposed? That public hearing is now set for September 2nd at 8:00 PM Appreciate you moving on to transfers ID number 1 2 8 5 1 Requesting transfer of funds from Department of Public Works, parks and Forestry salary accounts to parks and forestry expense accounts for contracted tree services. This will go to finance. Next up are ordinances ID number 1 2 9 4 2 amending city ordinance to implement a new schedule of fees for zoning and conservation permits. This will go to legal and ledge ID number 1 2 9 4 4 That the city council accept local option statute, uh, master no law C 39,

▶ 1:20:14 section 20 3D for the Melrose Planning Board Zoning Board of Appeals Conservation Commission and the Historic District Commission holding a, a juju, oh gosh. Adjudicating adjudicative hearings judicatory to allow for members to not be disqualified from, from voting on a matter solely because of their absence from one hearing date. This will go to legal and legislative. Okay. Moving on to unfinished business appointments. ID number 1, 2 8, 6 6 reappointment of Gail in Verna 12, Mount Vernon Street, number 41 to the traffic commission for a five year term, said term to expire on the last day of May, 2030. Madam President, this comes from the Boards and Commissions Committee with a motion for, uh, passage,

▶ 1:21:05 Leila Migliorelli: uh, for to recommend. And at this time I motion for passage. Second, Motion for passage made by Councillor Vandiver, seconded by Councillor Repe on discussion, seeing none. All in favor? A aye. Any opposed? That passes ID number 1 2 8 6 7 reappointment of Jeffrey Parente, 29 Trenton Street to the Traffic Commission. Said term to expire on the last day of May, 2030. Uh, Madam President, this also comes from Boards and Commissions with a recommendation for passage. And at this time I motion for passage. Second. Motion for passage made by Councillor Vandiver, seconded by Councillor Caram Jie. Um, on discussion, seeing none. All in favor? Aye. A. Any opposed? That passes ID Number one. 2 8 8 7 Appointment of Gentry Andrews 15, orient Place

▶ 1:21:57 Leila Migliorelli: to the Melrose Commission on Women Madam President. This comes from Boards and Commissions with a motion to recommend at this time a motion for passage. Second motion for passage made by Councillor Vandiver, seconded by Councillor Carm Chidi. On discussion. Seeing none, Madam Clerk. Oh no. Sorry. All in favor, aye. Aye. Any opposed? That order passes ID Number one. 2 8 8 8. Appointment of Gentry Andrews 15, orient Place to the Melrose Historical Commission And Madam President. This comes from Boards and Commissions with a recommendation for passage at this time. A motion for passage. Second. Motion for passage made by Councillor Vandiver, seconded by Councillor Kem JY on discussion. Seeing none. All in favor? A. Aye. Any opposed? That passes.

▶ 1:22:42 Now moving on to licenses ID number 1 2 8 6 5 Bangkok Bar she New Common Vic license matter. President, this comes to us from the Protection and License Committee with a recommendation to place on file. And at this time I'd like to make a motion to place on file. Second, Uh, motion to place on file made by Councillor Remodel, seconded by Councillor Stewart on discussion. Seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? That is now placed on file now on to orders ID number 1 2 8 8 4. Calling the local election for Tuesday, November 4th, 2025 from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM at the Melrose, at the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School Gymnasium Complex. Madam President, this comes from the Finance Committee,

▶ 1:23:29 Leila Migliorelli: uh, with a recommendation for passage and at this time I'll make a motion for passage. Second. Motion for passage made by Councillor Stewart, seconded by Councillor Romanul on discussion. Seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? That passes ID number 1 2 8 8 5 Requesting city council approval of the Board of Registers of voters recommendations relative to in-person early voting and mail-In voting for the November 4th, 2025 local election. Madam President. This also comes from the Finance Committee with the recommendation for passage. And at this time I will motion for passage. Second. Motion for passage made by Councillor Stewart, seconded by Councillor Remodel on discussion. Seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed?

▶ 1:24:20 That passes. Now we're onto ordinances ID number 1 2 7 2 9 amending chapter four of the revised ordinances of the City of Melrose to insert a new section four dash 15 Payment of taxes as condition of City Facility Rental. Madam President, this comes to us from the Legal and Legislative Committee with a recommendation for passage. And at this time I'll make a motion for passage. Second. Motion for passage made by Councillor Romanul, seconded by Councillor Repe. On discussion, seeing none, Madam Clerk, will you please call the role? Yes. Councilor Garipay. Yes. Councillor Hamilton? Yes. Councilor Cameron Chetty. Yes. Councilor Brosky. Yes. Councilor Romanul? Yes. Councilor Stewart? Yes. Councilor Vandiver. Yes. Councilor Williams? Yes.

▶ 1:25:07 President Moore. Yes. Motion passes. Okay. Id Number 1, 2 7 4 2 amending chapter 1, 9 8 of the revised ordinances of the city of Melrose, solid waste and recycling to update language to reflect the current programs. Madam President, this comes to us from the Legal and Legislative Committee with a recommendation for passage amended. And at this time I'll make a motion for passage as amended. Second motion for a passage as amended made by Councilor Romanul. Seconded by Councilor Carrum Shady. On discussion, seeing none, Madam Clerk, will you please call the role? Yes. Councilor Garipay? Yes. Council Hamilton? Yes. Councilor Karen Chetty. Yes. Cremsky? Yes. Councilor Romanul? Yes. Councilor Stewart? Yes. Councilor Vandiver. Yes.

▶ 1:25:56 Councilor Williams? Yes. President Melli? Yes. Motion passes ID number one. 2 7 4 3. Amending chapter 2 0 2 of the revised ordinances of the City of Merrill Streets and Sidewalks. Madam President, this comes to us from the Legal and Legislative Committee with a recommendation for passage as amended. And at this time I'll make a motion to pass it pass as amended. Second Motion for passage as amended made by Councilor Romanul. Seconded by Councilor Gpe. On discussion. Seeing none, Madam Clerk Councilor Gpe? Yes. Councillor Hamilton? Yes. Councilor Karen Chetty. Yes. Councillor Brosky. Yes. Councillor Romanul. Yes. Councilor Stewart? Yes. Councillor Vandiver. Yes. Councillor Williams? Yes. President Elli? Yes. Motion passes ID number one.

▶ 1:26:48 2 7 4 4 amending chapter 2, 2 8 of the revised ordinances of the City of Melrose Waters Sewers and Drains. Madam President. This also comes to us from the Legal and Legislative Committee with a recommendation for passage. And at this time we'll make a motion for passage. Second. Motion for passage made by Councilor Remodel, seconded by Councilor Graham Shady. On discussion. Seeing none. Madame Clerk Councilor Garipay? Yes. Councilor Hamilton? Yes. Councilor Karen Chetty. Yes. Councilor Reky. Yes. Councilor Romanul? Yes. Councilor Stewart? Yes. Councilor Vandiver. Yes. Councillor Williams? Yes. President Elli? Yes. Motion passes ID number 1 2 7 9 5. Amending chapter 1 6 4 dash two C six of the revised ordinances of the city of Melrose to specify

▶ 1:27:41 permitted hours in days for construction activities. Was this Right? Do we hear this one At the last? No. Why is, Hmm? This is, this should be new business, right? There's no action taken. No Action taken. So this was already on at one point. Was this covered in the July meeting? This was, this is what the building inspector came to talk to us about. Yeah. Okay. So this was covered in the last one on July 21st and you didn't, it's nothing was Yes it Was. Yes it was. Okay. Okay. So did you vote So it should have, It should be on. Well, it voted, uh, to be recommended. Okay, so sorry. So, um, That's Okay. This comes from appropriation and oversight with a ation. Oh, okay. Um, with a, uh, with a motion to recommend, um, uh, at this time I'll make

▶ 1:28:37 that motion second. Sorry. That's Okay. Wing of order. I'm just looking at the notes on here. Was it appropriation and oversight? It, in here it says legal and legislative. I believe I was here. Uh, that's all I know is I was here, but yeah, I was here too. I run at three different meetings, so I'm trying To, here lemme, Hold on. I Know we definitely had the discussion and it definitely passed. I don't remember what, uh, I can't, it's the reason I thought it. Can you look at the, yeah, the agenda. It looks like an IQM two. It came out of a legal ledge I think. Was the meeting, was there a legal alleged meeting in July? No, there wasn't. I so then I can't, Can't get it. Think we're all trying to get into I qm too.

▶ 1:29:22 Ryan Williams: It's glitching. I think that's it. Are we Sure. I can tell you in a minute. Hold on. Legal and legislative was July 21st, seven 15. And it did have on ordinances number three, this item and it was motioned to recommend to the full counsel by Councillor Gpe, who was on the Legal and legislative committee and passed. And then Councillor Garipay stated that this will have a final vote at the next full council meeting on eight 18 due to charter section two nine C, which requires it to stay in committee for 10 days before final vote. Wonderful. Excellent note taking. Excellent. Yeah. So this comes from legal alleged without the chair here, vice chair. Well I will step up to the plate once again. Okay. Evidently this comes to us from the Legal

▶ 1:30:23 and Legislative Committee for someone else's jurisdiction, uh, with a recommendation for passage. And at this time I'll make a motion for passage. I wanna second that motion. Okay. Motion for passage made by Councillor Remodel. Seconded by Councilor Williams. On discussion. Seeing none, Madam Clerk, will you please call the role? Yes. Councilor Garipay? Yes. Councilor Hamilton? Yes. Counselor Chetty. Yes. Councilor Reky? Yes. Councilor Romanul? Yes. Councilor Stewart? Yes. Councilor Vandiver. Yes. Williams? Yes. President Elli? Yes. Motion passes. All right. Requests ID number 1, 2, 7, 9 7. Proposed local fee increase for vital record, production and licensing to begin in fiscal year 26. Finance? Yes.

▶ 1:31:18 Robb Stewart: Like, Um, president? Yes. It's a long time. Evidently. This also comes from the finance committee with I'm assuming a recommended short patch. 'cause this didn't happen today. Mm-hmm. Oh yeah, it's like an You can do this. Yeah. Okay. Yes. Yes. This did. This happened in July? No, no, Today. It's right today. Okay. Alright. So this Was the thing with the dog license. The dog license. Oh, okay. Alright. It doesn't say dog license on. Alright. Vital Records. It was more than that. Records. Vital Records and License. Alright, I'm with you. Under My pur, I'm with you. So this comes from the finance committee with a recommendation for passage and at this time I'll motion for passage. Second. Motion for passage made by Councillor Stewart,

▶ 1:32:09 Ward Hamilton: seconded by Councillor Williams on discussion. Seeing none. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? That order passes nothing under expires. Anything to report under Rule 37 Councillor Hamilton? Thank you very briefly. Uh, from the Public Safety Facilities Advisory Committee that last met on August 8th, the new engine two on Tremont Street is out to bid. And that we expect to award the contract on or about October 17th. And the project will be done by May of 2027. The police station, um, will go out to bid in October award in December and we expect that building to be completed by July 27th. Thank you. Alright. Anyone else? See none. I will motion by unanimous consent to adjourn. You're now adjourned. Thank you.

City Council — 2025-08-18

Attendance

Agenda

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Transcript

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