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City Council — 2025-11-24

Special City Council Meeting 11/24

This meeting starts at 0:00 in a recording that covers several meetings.

Attendance

Cal Finocchiaro present · Ward 6; Mark Garipay present · Ward 4; Ward Hamilton present · At-Large; Maya Jamaleddine present · 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

  1. CALL TO ORDER (0:00)
  2. Attendees (0:40)
  3. MINUTES APPROVAL (1:48)
  4. City Council Meeting November 17, 2025 7:45 pm (1:58)
  5. PUBLIC COMMENT (2:08)
  6. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE HONORABLE MAYOR & OTHER CITY OFFICIALS
  7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS (2:35)
  8. Appropriations (2:48)
  9. Supplemental Appropriation in the amount of $13,500,000 for the Fiscal Year 2026 (2:55)
  10. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES
  11. EXPIRIES
  12. RULE 36 REPORTS (3:56)
  13. ADJOURNMENT (4:28)

Minutes

City Council Special Meeting Monday, November 24, 2025, 7:00 PM City Council Chamber, 1st Floor 562 Main Street, Melrose, MA 02176 MINUTES I. CALL TO ORDER Cal Finocchiaro Mark Garipay Ward Hamilton Maya Jamaleddine Manjula Karamcheti John Obremski Devin Romanul Robb Stewart Kimberly Vandiver Ryan Williams Leila Migliorelli, President Meeting was called to order by President Migliorelli at 7:00 PM Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Cal Finocchiaro Ward 6 Present Mark Garipay Ward 4 Present Ward Hamilton At-Large Present Maya Jamaleddine At-Large Present 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 II. MINUTES APPROVAL 1 A. City Council Meeting November 17, 2025 7:45 pm Motion to Approve the minutes unanimously without reading made by President Migliorelli. III. PUBLIC COMMENT When: Nov 24, 2025 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Topic: Special City Council Meeting Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android: https://cityofmelrose- org.zoom.us/j/93247990396?pwd=TuV8abaQz1hw8lRBlLMJ8eaG6MmZ5w.1 Passcode:109707 Webinar ID: 932 4799 0396 Motion to Open public comment made by President Migliorelli at 7:02 PM There were no comments on the floor or via Zoom Motion to Close public comment made by President Migliorelli at 7:02 PM IV. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE HONORABLE MAYOR & OTHER CITY OFFICIALS V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Appropriations

i. (ID # 2025-614): Supplemental Appropriation in the amount of $13,500,000 for the Fiscal Year 2026 Motion for Passage made by Councilor Garipay Seconded by Councilor Stewart All were in favor and motion passed RESULT: PASSED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Cal Finocchiaro, Mark Garipay, Ward Hamilton, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, John Obremski, Devin Romanul, Robb Stewart, Kim Vandiver, Leila Migliorelli, Ryan Williams NAYS: None VI. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES VII. EXPIRIES VIII. RULE 36 REPORTS IX. ADJOURNMENT Councilor Garipay wished the Melrose High band, cheerleaders and football team good luck in their game at Fenway Park. Motion by unanimous consent to Adjourn the meeting made by President Migliorelli at 7:05 pm Meeting was adjourned 2 CITY OF MELROSE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR City Hall, 562 Main Street Melrose, Massachusetts 02176 JENNIFER GRIGORAITIS Telephone - (781) 979-4440 Mayor To: Melrose City Council From: Mayor Jen Grigoraitis Re: Ballot Question 1A Override: Supplemental Appropriation for the Fiscal Year 2026 CC: Kerri Golden, CFO Lauren Grymek, Chief of Staff Shannon Philips, City Solicitor Cari Berman, Interim Superintendent of Schools Ken Kelley, Interim Deputy Superintendent for Finance & Operations Melrose School Committee With the passage of Question 1A on the November 4, 2025 municipal election ballot, voters of the City of Melrose have authorized a permanent increase to the City of Melrose’s tax levy limit by $13.5 million beginning July 1, 2025 (FY26). Language of Question 1A: Shall the City of Melrose be allowed to assess an additional $13,500,000.00 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purposes of funding: 17 school, 5 public works, and 2 police officer positions (salaries and benefits); city and school employee union contracts and benefits; school technology and curriculum needs; public works, senior center, veterans services, and library programs; and repairs and maintenance to roads, sidewalks, buildings, and parks for which monies from this assessment will be used for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025? Before any of this additional voter-approved taxing authority can be used beginning July 1, 2025, an appropriation by the City Council is required. To effectuate and further the will of the voters, I am submitting this request for supplemental appropriation to the FY2026 City operating budget. Page 1 Supplemental Appropriation for FY 2026: Below is a summary of the requested supplemental appropriation for FY 2026 by department, consistent with the spending purposes as identified to voters in the above question.1 A detailed breakdown of each department’s appropriation for FY2026 is included at the end of this memo. As it relates specifically to the School Department, City Council is being asked to vote only on the total amount of the appropriation for FY26. Under state law, while City Council must establish the total appropriation to the School Department, it does not have the authority to determine how the appropriation is allocated within the School Department budget or to restrict the School Committee’s expenditures of that appropriation. The School Committee will vote and make its decision on the actual allocations of this appropriation amount within the School Department budget at its public meetings in the near future. 2 Please also note that there are multiple appropriations in City department budgets, including IT, Public Works, and Employee Benefits, that will directly benefit the Melrose Public Schools as outlined in the ballot question. These appropriations are under the purview of the City Council. Department Total Appropriation Department of Public Works $7,347,096 School Department $3,818,800 Employee Benefits $1,483,579 Information Technology $525,000 Police Department $200,210 Council on Aging $40,000 Library $35,315 Veterans Services $30,000 Human Resources $20,000 TOTAL $13,500,000 Pending Council approval, this supplemental appropriation will increase the FY 26 City of Melrose budget to $121,075,802.00 Thank you for your consideration and support. 1 By law, any additional funds raised beginning July 1, 2025 must be earmarked for the spending purposes as stated in the question only in the first fiscal year (FY26). See DLS Proposition 2 ½ Ballot Questions Requirements and Procedures, pg. 8 (August 2017). 2 See Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, s, 34 Page 2 City of Melrose FY 26 Supplemental Appropriation 1 of 4 Supplemental Appropriation for the Fiscal Year 2026 (401, 402, 422, 433, 475, 485, 491) Department of Public Works - $7,347,096.00 Description Amount Restore 5 positions $284,521.00 • City Engineer (General fund portion) • Facilities Manager (General fund portion) • Facilities Laborer • HMEO • Mechanic Restore DPW Summer Work Program $131,000.00 Restore Overtime Costs for Programs: $63,223.00 • Main Street Flower Baskets • City Yard Saturday Hours • Municipal Park & Weekend Downtown Trash Removal • City Event Support & Parklets • Roadway Line Painting School Building Maintenance & Improvements: $4,345,052.00 • MHS Bathroom Renovations Project • MHS Courtyard Stairs Rebuilding • MVMMS Solar Inverter Repairs • MVMMS Front Stairs & Sidewalk Repairs • MVMMS HVAC Controls Upgrades • Winthrop School Doors & Masonry Repairs • Districtwide Asbestos Remediation Milano Center Outdoor Lighting $40,000.00 Roads & Sidewalks: $1,240,000.00 • Additional Road Paving Projects • Sidewalk Repairs Projects City of Melrose FY 26 Supplemental Appropriation 2 of 4 • Howard Street Speed Tables • Crosswalk Improvements • Road Flooding Mitigation Projects • Engineering Projects & Repairs Parks: $1,243,300.00 • Tree Planting, Trimming, Removals, and Adopt-a-Site • Common & Dutton Park Playground Replacements • Softball & Baseball Fields Improvements • Tennis & Pickleball Courts Repairs • Foss Park Basketball Court Repairs • Citywide Open Space & Playground Maintenance (300) School Department - $3,818,800.00 Description Amount Restore 17 Positions $1,649,000.00 Current Fiscal Year Contractual Obligations $529,000.00 Curriculum Materials $1,469,500.00 Instructional Technology $171,300.00 (911, 914, 916, 942) Employee Benefits - $1,483,579.00 Description Amount Pension $500,000.00 Post Employment Benefits $500,000.00 Health Benefits for 24 Positions Restored $442,455.00 Medicare Employer Tax for restored positions $41,124.00 City of Melrose FY 26 Supplemental Appropriation 3 of 4 (155) Information Technology - $525,000.00 Description Amount School Technology Needs: $525,000.00 • School Security Cameras • MHS Projector Upgrades • Districtwide PA System Upgrades • Back Up Power Modernization • Elementary Classroom Chromebook Replacements (211) Police Department - $200,210.00 Description Amount Restore (2) Police Officers $154,076.00 New Recruit Costs $46,134.00 (541) Council on Aging - $40,000.00 Description Amount Program Support $40,000.00 (611) Library - $35,315.00 Description Amount Restore Sunday Hours $25,315.00 Program Support $10,000.00 City of Melrose FY 26 Supplemental Appropriation 4 of 4 (543) Veterans Services - $30,000.00 Description Amount Outreach, Events, Commemoration Program Support $30,000.00 (152) Human Resources - $20,000.00 Description Amount New Hire Advertising $8,000.00 New Hire Physical Exams $12,000.00 City of Melrose FY 26 Supplemental Appropriation Budget Line Item Department # Description Amount 011522-520500 152 Advertising 8,000.00 011522-543000 152 Physical Exams 12,000.00 Total Department 152 Human Resources 20,000.00 01155772-551097 155 School IT - Equipment and Infrastructure Upgrades 525,000.00 Total Department 155 Information Technology 525,000.00 012111-511000 211 Restore Police Positions (2 Officers) 154,076.00 012112-540007 211 Recruit Startup Costs (Tuition, Uniforms and Equipment) 46,134.00 Total Department 211 Police Department 200,210.00 013001-511000 300 School Department Appropriation 3,818,800.00 Total Department 300 School Appropriation 3,818,800.00 014011-511000 401 Restore DPW Positions (City Engineer & Facilities Manager) 111,704.00 014011-512000 401 Restore DPW Summer Work Program 21,000.00 014011-513000 401 Restore Overtime 3,905.00 Total Department 401 DPW - Admin/Engineering 136,609.00 01402771-511042 402 Restore DPW Position - Laborer 54,349.00 014021-512004 402 Restore DPW Summer Work Program 69,120.00 01402771-513000 402 Restore Overtime 18,329.00 014023-551094 402 City Building Maintenance/Improvements 40,000.00 01402773-551172 402 School Building Maintenance/Improvements 4,345,052.00 Total Department 402 DPW - City and School Facilities 4,526,850.00 1 of 3City of Melrose FY 26 Supplemental Appropriation Budget Line Item Department # Description Amount 014221-512004 422 Restore DPW Summer Work Program 4,800.00 014221-513000 422 Restore DPW OT 5,764.00 014222-526900 422 Traffic Markings 10,000.00 014223-551101 422 Road Paving Projects 600,000.00 014223-551190 422 Sidewalk Repair Projects 250,000.00 014222-551183 422 Traffic Calming (RFRBS & Howard St speed tables) 50,000.00 014223-551165 422 Road Flooding Mitigation 330,000.00 Total Department 422 DPW - Highway 1,250,564.00 014331-512000 433 Restore DPW Summer Work Program 2,500.00 014331-513000 433 Restore DPW OT 19,700.00 Total Department 433 DPW - Sanitation 22,200.00 014751-512000 475 Restore DPW Summer Work Program 24,000.00 014751-513000 475 Restore DPW OT 15,525.00 014752-551182 475 Tree Planting 100,000.00 014752-524006 475 Forestry Hired Equipment -Tree Trimming 100,000.00 014752-537640 475 Adopt- A-Site Support 5,000.00 014753-551168 475 Playground and Park Improvements 536,000.00 014752-527806 475 Playground & Equipment Repairs 20,000.00 014752-535200 475 Landscaping Supplies 5,000.00 014753-551169 475 Pickleball/Foss Park/Tennis Courts Improvements 125,000.00 014752- 551177 475 Baseball/Softball Field Improvements 352,300.00 Total Department 475 DPW - Parks and Forestry 1,282,825.00 014851-511000 485 Restore DPW Position - Mechanic 57,124.00 Total Department 485 DPW - Automotive 57,124.00 2 of 3City of Melrose FY 26 Supplemental Appropriation Budget Line Item Department # Description Amount 014911-511000 491 Restore DPW Position - HMEO 61,344.00 014911-512000 491 Restore DPW Summer Work Program 9,580.00 Total Department 491 DPW - Cemetery 70,924.00 015412-543800 541 Program Support 40,000.00 Total Department 541 Council on Aging 40,000.00 015432-543800 543 Veterans Outreach, Events, and Commemoration Support 30,000.00 Total Department 543 Veterans 30,000.00 016111-511000 611 Restore Sunday Hours 25,315.00 016112-543800 611 Program Support 10,000.00 Total Department 611 Library 35,315.00 019111-511010 911 Pension Obligation - Employee Benefits 500,000.00 Total Department 911 Pension 500,000.00 019142-549201 914 Group Health Providers - Health Insurance (24 Employees) 442,455.00 Total Department 914 Health Insurance 442,455.00 019162-548000 916 Medicare Costs - Employer Portion (1.45%) 41,124.00 Total Department 916 Medicare 41,124.00 019422-561400 942 OPEB Funding - Employee Benefits 500,000.00 Total Department 942 Stabilization Fund 500,000.00 Total Appropriation 13,500,000.00 3 of 3 Supplemental Appropriation for the Fiscal Year 2026 (Override Budget) City of Melrose Prepared November 17, 2025 MHS - Bathrooms Renovation MHS - Courtyard Stairs MVMMS - Solar Inverter Repairs School Building Maintenance & Improvements MVMMS - Front Stairs and Sidewalk Repairs $4,345,052.00 MVMMS - HVAC Control Upgrades Winthrop School - Doors & Masonry Repairs All Schools - Asbestos Remediation Restore 17 Positions $1,649,000.00 Schools $8,688,852.00 Current Fiscal Year Contractual Obligations $529,000.00 Instruction & Learning $3,818,800.00 Curriculum Materials $1,469,500.00 Instructional Technology $171,300 School Security Cameras MHS - Projector Upgrades School Technology Needs $525,000.00 Districtwide - PA System Upgrades Back Up Power Modernization Elementary Schools - Chromebook Replacements City Engineer (General fund portion) Facilities Manager (General fund portion) Restore 5 positions $284,521.00 Facilities Laborer Heavy Machinery/Equipment Operator (Cemetery) Mechanic Restore DPW Summer Work Program $131,000.00 Main Street Flower Baskets City Yard Saturday Hours Department of Public Works Restore Overtime Costs for Programs Municipal Park & Weekend Downtown Trash Removal $1,718,744.00 $63,223.00 City Event Support & Parklets Roadway Line Painting Additional Road Paving Projects Sidewalk Repairs Projects Howard Street Speed Tables Roads & Sidewalks $ 1,240,000.00 Crosswalk Improvements Road Flooding Mitigation Projects Engineering Projects & Repairs Pension $500,000.00 Post Employment Benefits $500,000.00 School / City Employee Benefits & Health Benefits for Restored Positions $442,455.00 Human Resources $1,503,579.00 Medicare Employer Tax for Restored Positions $41,124.00 New Hire Advertising $8,000.00 New Hire Physical Exams $12,000.00 Tree Planting, Trimming, Removals, & Adopt-A-Site Common Park & Dunton Park Playground Replacements Infield Work at Morelli, Common and Conant Fields Softball & Baseball Field Improvements Lights at Monk Field Parks & Fields $1,243,300.00 Scoreboard at Common Field Tennis & Pickleball Court Repairs (Crystal & Tremont Street courts) Foss Park Basketball Court Repairs Citywide Open Space & Playground Maintenance Restore 2 Police Officers $154,076.00 Police Department $200,210.00 New Recruit Costs $46,134.00 Milano Center Outdoor Lighting $40,000.00 Council on Aging $80,000.00 Program Support $40,000.00 Restore Sunday Hours $25,315.00 Library $35,315.00 Program Support $10,000.00 Veterans' Services $30,000.00 Outreach, Events, Commemoration Program Support $30,000.00

Transcript

▶ 0:00 Leila Migliorelli: Are you all okay if I start? Get it done. (laughs) You're summoning everybody? (laughs) (gavel banging) Recording in progress. (laughs) That was too funny. We answer to it, though. (laughs) Good for you. (laughs) Good evening. The time is 7:00 PM on Monday, November 24th. This is a special meeting of the Melrose City Council. I am President Migliorelli, calling the meeting to order. In accordance with the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law, this meeting is being broadcast and recorded by Melrose Cable Access TV and will be available for viewing in its entirety on MMTV and through the city website link. Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll? Yes. Councillor Finocchiaro? Here. Councillor Garipeh?

▶ 0:53 Here. Councillor Hamilton? Here. Councillor Jamaleddine? Here. Councillor Karamcheti? Here. Councillor Obremski? Here. (chair creaks) Councillor Romanul? Here. Councillor Stewart? Here. (laughs) Councillor Vandiver? Here. Councillor Williams? Here. President Migliorelli? Here. All are present. Okay. Um, at this time, uh, please rise if you're able to join the Pledge of Allegiance. I forgot the same thing. I 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. Um, moving to the minutes approval. At this time, I will motion by unanimous consent without reading the, um, to approve the minutes of

▶ 1:58 Leila Migliorelli: the full city council meeting on November 17th. Um, seeing no objections, those minutes are now approved. Next up is public comments. I will motion by unanimous consent to open the floor for public comments. Seeing no objections, we are now open for public comments. Um, is there anyone here tonight wishing to speak in public comment? Seeing no one present, anyone online? There's no one online. Great. I will motion by unanimous consent to close public comment. Seeing no objections, we are now closed for public comment. Moving right along, um, to unfinished business, our one and only item on the agenda tonight. Uh, Madam Clerk, will you please read the item? Appropriations ID number 2025-614, supplemental

▶ 2:51 appropriation in the amount of 13,500,000 for the fiscal year 2026. Um, I'm sorry. Uh, Madam President, this comes from Appropriations, uh, and Oversight with a recommendation for passage. At this time, I'll make, uh, motion for passage. Second. Motion for passage made by Councillor Garipeh, seconded by Councillor Stewart. On discussion, seeing none. Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll? Yes. Councillor Finocchiaro. Yes. Councillor Garipeh. Yes. Councillor Hamilton. Yes. Councillor Jamaleddine. Yes. Councillor Karamcheti. Yes. Councillor Obremski. Yes. Councillor Romanul. Yes. Councillor Stewart. Yes. Councillor Vandiver. Yes. Councillor Williams. Yes. President Migliorelli. Yes. That motion passes.

▶ 3:56 Mark Garipay: Okay. Um, that is all for our items on the agenda. Does anyone have anything to report? Councillor Garipeh. Well, I don't have anything to report, but I'd like to just, uh, wish the Melrose football team, uh, the Melrose band and the cheerleaders the best of luck tomorrow as they hopefully, uh, are successful against the, uh, Wakefield Warriors. Oh. Tomorrow night at 4:00 PM. 4:00 PM, change time. Yes. Oh. And there will be... And there's a link on, um, MHSTV if anyone is interested in watching the game too. Let's go Melrose. All right. Thank you. That's it. (laughs) Okay. Thank you. I will, um, then motion by unanimous consent to adjourn the meeting. Seeing no objections, we are now adjourned from the special meeting of City

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