City Council — 2026-02-26

City Council Meeting 2.26

This meeting starts at 22:48 in a recording that covers several meetings.

Attendance

Jason Chen present · At-Large; Cal Finocchiaro present · Ward 6; Bradley Freeman present · President; Maya Jamaleddine present · At-Large; Manjula Karamcheti present · Ward 1; Elizabeth Kowal present · At-Large; John Obremski present · Ward 2; Christopher Park present · Ward 3; Devin Romanul present · Ward 7; Kimberly Vandiver present · Ward 5; Ryan Williams present · At-Large

Agenda

Minutes

City Council Regular Meeting Thursday, February 26, 2026, 7:45 PM City Council Chamber, 1st Floor 562 Main Street, Melrose, MA 02176 MINUTES I. CALL TO ORDER Jason Chen Cal Finocchiaro Maya Jamaleddine Manjula Karamcheti Elizabeth Kowal John Obremski Christopher Park Devin Romanul Kimberly Vandiver Ryan Williams Brad Freeman, President Pledge of Allegiance Meeting was called to order by President Freeman at 7:45 PM Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Jason Chen At-Large Present Cal Finocchiaro Ward 6 Present Maya Jamaleddine At-Large Present Remote Manjula Karamcheti Ward 1 Present Elizabeth Kowal At-Large Present John Obremski Ward 2 Present Christopher Park Ward 3 Present Devin Romanul Ward 7 Present Kimberly Vandiver Ward 5 Present Ryan Williams At-Large Present William Bradley Feeman President Present 1 II. MINUTES APPROVAL A. City Council Regular Meeting February 2, 2026 7:45 PM Motion to Approve the minutes made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Vandiver All were in favor and motion passed RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams III. PUBLIC COMMENT When: Feb 26, 2026 07:45 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Topic: City Council Meeting Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android: https://cityofmelrose- org.zoom.us/j/97822197550?pwd=Ex2aPaodVhKtCwP0v4aFNHCarsI9JE.1 Passcode:354991 Webinar ID: 978 2219 7550 Motion to Open public comment made by Councilor Williams at 7:48 PM Seconded by Councilor Karamcheti All were in favor and motion passed RESULT: PASSED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams There were no comments on the floor or via Zoom Motion to Close public comment made by Councilor Karamcheti at 7:48 PM Seconded by Councilor Romanul All were in favor and motion passed RESULT: PASSED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams IV. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE HONORABLE MAYOR & OTHER CITY OFFICIALS V. NEW BUSINESS 2 A. Filings by the Honorable Mayor i. Appointments/Reappointments

1. (ID # 2026-309): Reappointment of George Bibilos, 264 Grove Street, Melrose to the Melrose Historical Commission, for a term of three years, said term to expire the last day of February 2029. Motion to Refer to Boards & Commissions Committee made by President Freeman. RESULT: ASSIGN TO COMMITTEE TO: Boards & Commissions

2. (ID # 2026-310): Reappointment of William Butler, 102 Crescent Road, to the Beebe Estate Board of Trustees for a three-year term, said term set to expire on the last day of February 2029. Motion to Refer to Boards & Commissions Committee made by President Freeman. RESULT: ASSIGN TO COMMITTEE TO: Boards & Commissions

3. (ID # 2026-311): Reappointment of Jessica Rowcroft McKenna, 5 Marmion Road, Melrose to the Beebe Estate Board of Trustees for a three-year term, said term to expire on the last day of February 2029. Motion to Refer to Boards & Commissions Committee made by President Freeman. RESULT: ASSIGN TO COMMITTEE TO: Boards & Commissions

4. (ID # 2026-354): Reappointment of Cathie Mercier, 466 Pleasant Street, to the Melrose Library Board of Trustees for a three-year term, said term to expire the last day of February 2029. Motion to Refer to Boards & Commissions Committee made by President Freeman. RESULT: ASSIGN TO COMMITTEE TO: Boards & Commissions

5. (ID # 2026-355): Reappointment of Joe Viola, 134 Howard Street, Melrose MA to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, for a term of one year, said term set to expire on the last day of January, 2027. Motion to Refer to Boards & Commissions Committee made by President Freeman. RESULT: ASSIGN TO COMMITTEE TO: Boards & Commissions 3

6. (ID # 2026-356): Reappointment of Cathy Gulino, 25 Apple Hill Road, to the Melrose Board of Assessors for a three-year term set to expire on the last day of February 2029. Motion to Refer to Boards & Commissions Committee made by President Freeman. RESULT: ASSIGN TO COMMITTEE TO: Boards & Commissions

7. (ID # 2026-379): Reappointment of Darren Brown, 43 School Street, Melrose to the Historical Commission for a term of three years, said term to expire on the last February 2029. Motion to Refer to Boards & Commissions Committee made by President Freeman. RESULT: ASSIGN TO COMMITTEE TO: Boards & Commissions

8. (ID # 2026-381): Appointment of Diana Weinburg, 94 Maple Street, Melrose to the Commission on Women for a term of three-years, said term to expire the last day of February, 2029. Motion to Refer to Boards & Commissions Committee made by President Freeman. RESULT: ASSIGN TO COMMITTEE TO: Boards & Commissions

9. (ID # 2026-396): Reappointment of Bryan Thorp, 77 Wentworth Road, to a five-year term as a Regular Member on the Zoning Board of Appeals; said term to expire the last day of February 2031. Motion to Refer to Boards & Commissions Committee made by President Freeman. RESULT: ASSIGN TO COMMITTEE TO: Boards & Commissions

10. (ID # 2026-397): Reappointment of Robert Tullis, 8 Thurston Road, to the Historic District Commission (HDC), for a three-year term, said term to expire on the last day of February 2029. Motion to Refer to Boards & Commissions Committee made by President Freeman. RESULT: ASSIGN TO COMMITTEE TO: Boards & Commissions

11. (ID # 2026-444): Reappointment of Joseph Hunt, 132 Mount Vernon Avenue, to the Melrose Historical Commission for a three-year term set to expire on the last day of February 2029. 4 Motion to Refer to Boards & Commissions Committee made by President Freeman. RESULT: ASSIGN TO COMMITTEE TO: Boards & Commissions

12. (ID # 2026-445): Appointment of Joseph Swithin Shortlidge, 132 Bay State Road, Melrose, to the Melrose Human Rights Commission for a term of three years, said term to expire the last day of February 2029. Motion to Refer to Boards & Commissions Committee made by President Freeman. RESULT: ASSIGN TO COMMITTEE TO: Boards & Commissions

13. (ID # 2026-446): Appointment of Laurie Chomko, 14 Botolph Street, Melrose, to the Melrose Human Rights Commission, for a term of three years, said term to expire on or before the last day in February, 2029. Motion to Refer to Boards & Commissions Committee made by President Freeman. RESULT: ASSIGN TO COMMITTEE TO: Boards & Commissions

14. (ID # 2026-456): Appointment of Paul Cusolito, 63 Stratford Road, Melrose to the Cemetery Commission for a term of three years, said term to expire the last day of February 2029. Motion to Refer to Boards & Commissions Committee made by President Freeman. RESULT: ASSIGN TO COMMITTEE TO: Boards & Commissions

15. (ID # 2026-476): Appointment of Dawn Jacobs, 462 East Foster Street, Melrose to the Board of Health for a term of three years, said term to expire on or before the last day of February, 2029. Motion to Refer to Boards & Commissions Committee made by President Freeman. RESULT: ASSIGN TO COMMITTEE TO: Boards & Commissions B. Filings by members of the Honorable City Council i. Ordinances

1. (ID # 2026-447): Amending Melrose Revised Ordinance 93-6 Leashing Requirements to Provide Exceptions for K-9 dogs and Service Animals. 5 Motion to Refer to Legal & Legislative Committee made by President Freeman. RESULT: ASSIGN TO COMMITTEE TO: Legal & Legislative C. Grants

i. (ID # 2026-455): Acceptance of EOEEA Cooling Corridors Grant for $48,000 Motion to Refer to Appropriations & Ovesight Committee made by President Freeman. RESULT: ASSIGN TO COMMITTEE TO: Appropriations & Oversight

ii. (ID # 2026-477): Acceptance of the BSAS MassCALL3B Grant by the Health & Human Services Department Motion to Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee made by President Freeman. RESULT: ASSIGN TO COMMITTEE TO: Apprpriations & Oversight VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Appointments/Reappointments

i. (ID # 2026-294): Reappointment of David Hoff, 46 Warwick Road, to the Commission on Disability for a three-year term, said term to expire on the last day of February 2029. Motion to Approve made by Councilor Williams Seconded by Councilor Karamcheti All were in favor and motion passed RESULT: PASSED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None

ii. (ID # 2026-295): Reappointment of Garin Boyd, 463 Lebanon Street, to the Commission on Disability for a three-year term, said term to expire on the last day of February 2029. Motion to Approve made by Councilor Williams Seconded by Councilor Karamcheti All were in favor and motion passed RESULT: PASSED [UNANIMOUS] 6 AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None

iii. (ID # 2026-296): Reappointment of Margaret Sheets, 53 Melrose Street to the Commission on Disability for a three-year term; said term to end on the last day of February 2029. Motion to Approve made by Councilor Williams Seconded by Councilor Karamcheti All were in favor and motion passed RESULT: PASSED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None B. Orders

i. (ID # 2026-305): Authorizing a Bond under the Water Enterprise System through MWRA Local Water System Assistance Program bonds in the amount of Eight Hundred Forty Eight Thousand Six Hundred dollars ($848,600) Motion for Passage made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro All were in favor and motion passed RESULT: PASSED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None C. Requests

i. (ID # 2026-307): Appropriation in the amount of $340,000 from Capital Stabilization for DPW Refuse/Yard Waste Truck Motion for Passage made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Karamcheti All were in favor and motion passed RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams 7 NAYS: None VII. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES VIII. EXPIRIES IX. RULE 36 REPORTS A. Public Safety Buildings Project Update Councilor Chen reported on the public safety buildings project, which is $5.7 million under budget at $61 million total cost. Two contractors were selected: CTA for Engine 2 and Michael M. O'Connor for the police department. They will start neighborhood meetings and demolition in the next couple of months. The cost reduction is partly due to reducing the scope of what is needed in the plans and that it is a favorable time to have this work done. Councilor Karamcheti stated that the Engine 2 community meeting is now moved to Thursday, March 5. X. CITY COUNCILOR UPDATES A. Councilor Chen Update President Freeman thanked the DPW for their work at clearing the snow after this storm. Councilor Chen shared information regarding the proposed development project at Summit Avenue. This plan is going to the Zoning Board of Appeals on March 11, and it's their final time to make a decision on behalf of the city. The current design has 28 town homes being constructed in place of 2 homes. Residents are concerned about water runoff issues, flooding and the significant amount of blasting that will take place. They are not opposed to development on the land but are very concerned about the sheer size of this development which causes design to do many unusual things. What is the due process for these types of development, which are 40B's but would have much impact on the abutters. There is no action from the committee right now but the city may need to take this up and make an appeal. Councilor Karamcheti stated that there are issues regarding fire trucks and DPW services being able to access the area, wildlife issues, and it's a complicated piece of land to develop on. There are an extensive number of safety concerns from the residents. This design proposal has gone on for 2 years and is a long standing situation, and she encouraged residents to share their comments on this. XI. ADJOURNMENT Motion to Adjourn made by Councilor Karamcheti at 8:05 PM Seconded by Councilor Romanul All were in favor and motion passed RESULT: ADJOURNED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Manjula Karamcheti, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None 8 January 13, 2026 Office of the Mayor Melrose City Hall Melrose, MA 02176 Attn: Diane MacDonald Dear Ms. MacDonald, I am writing to you to express my interest in being reappointed to the Melrose Historical Commission. I have enjoyed almost 4 years of service and look forward to more productive work on behalf of the Commission. During my time on the Commission, I was very active in helping to develop and roll out the Mary Stetson Clarke Historical Recognition Award a couple of years ago. I think this award has helped raise awareness about celebrating and preserving the history of our wonderful city. Additionally, it is always a pleasure to work at our booth at the Melrose Victorian Fair and engage with our fellow Melrosians and enjoy their almost palpable excitement about the history and the wonderful homes of our community. I have also enjoyed working at a number of “Research Your Home Nights” where we make resources available to our residents so they can learn more about the history of their homes. I am also excited at the prospect of working with the Commission as we transition from an Advisory Commission to a Regulatory Commission working in partnership with the Planning Board. I look forward to helping to implementing the recent move to give the Commission “demo-delay” oversight of proposed projects. I am hopeful this can be done thoughtfully and add value to the process and not simply being viewed as obstructionist. As someone who has lived in this city 55+ years and having seen the many changes that have occurred, I feel I have a lot to offer my fellow Commissioners. I think we have a tremendous mix of backgrounds and experience on the Commission and it is my hope that I can continue to work with these wonderfully talented people. Thank you for your consideration. Very truly yours, George J. Bibilos 264 Grove Street, Melrose, MA 02176 781.888.4144 Beebe Estate Board of Trustees Reappointment Accomplishments Co-Chair Bill Butler; Treasurer Jessica Rowcroft McKenna List of Accomplishments for 2025 - Hosted a series of six beer garden events in 2025 - Rekeyed entire building - Decorated property for the holidays - Refurbished Council on Aging plaster walls and painted - Painted rear exterior of property - Extensive brush removal and landscaping - Continued garden maintenance and improvements - Partnered with the Creative Alliance on a new website - Hosted 67 events consisting of private parties, non-proﬁt meetings and community educational classes - Trustees met 11 times over the past year - Added two new Trustees including a Building Manager - Finalized the Beebe Estate MOU - Added a portable air conditioner to increase Summer rental opportunities Beebe Estate Board of Trustees Reappointment Accomplishments Co-Chair Bill Butler; Treasurer Jessica Rowcroft McKenna List of Accomplishments for 2025 - Hosted a series of six beer garden events in 2025 - Rekeyed entire building - Decorated property for the holidays - Refurbished Council on Aging plaster walls and painted - Painted rear exterior of property - Extensive brush removal and landscaping - Continued garden maintenance and improvements - Partnered with the Creative Alliance on a new website - Hosted 67 events consisting of private parties, non-proﬁt meetings and community educational classes - Trustees met 11 times over the past year - Added two new Trustees including a Building Manager - Finalized the Beebe Estate MOU - Added a portable air conditioner to increase Summer rental opportunities February 2026 List of accomplishments of Cathie Mercier as a Library Trustee • Trustee of the Melrose Public Library, Melrose, Massachusetts. April 2016-present. • Collaborated with MPL Director on ﬁve-year strategy plan, June 2018-October 2019. • Trustee delegate to the Melrose Building Committee, June 2023-April 2025. • Revision of the Trustees By-Laws, 2024-25. • Elected Chair in April 2025 and re-elected in January 2026. February 2, 2026 Mayor Jennifer Grigoraitis Melrose City Hall - Second Floor 562 Main St Melrose, MA 02176 Re: Reappointment to the Melrose Affordable Housing Trust Dear Mayor Grigoraitis: With my current term on the Melrose Affordable Housing Trust ending soon, I am writing to express my interest in reappointment to the Trust. Our group has had a productive year, and I believe we’ve helped to create a thoughtful process to prioritize the use of scarce public resources in worthy housing development or preservation projects in the years ahead. By creating clear goals, guidelines, an implementation plan, and a formal application process, the Trust has moved from "planning" to "doing" -- as evidenced by our approval of a funding request for three units at 87 West Wyoming Avenue. I see the creation of housing opportunities as a critical need for Melrose. My goal for the next term is to work with my fellow Trustees to identify and secure funding to ensure the Trust has the sustainability it needs to make Melrose affordable to more people. I would be honored to continue serving the city in this capacity. Sincerely, Joe Viola 134 Howard Street Cathy A. Gulino 25 Applehill Road Melrose, MA 02176 Experience 1998 - City of Melrose, Melrose, MA present Board of Assessors Oversee and direct the policies and procedures of the City of Melrose Assessors office. 1998 - City of Melrose, Melrose, MA 2010 Member of the Property Valuation Board: Oversee sale of City owned property. 2008- Melrose-Wakeﬁeld Hospital, Melrose, MA present Point of Care Coordinator Oversee all laboratory testing performed outside the laboratory at Point of Care. 1994 - Melrose-Wakeﬁeld Hospital, Melrose, MA 2008 Medical Laboratory Technologist Rotate through blood bank, hematology, chemistry and processing departments. 1991 - Fleet Bank, Nashua, N.H. 1994 Commercial & Residential Real Estate Review Appraiser 1988- Patriot Properties, Inc., Marblehead, MA 1991 Commercial real estate appraiser and revaluation work. 1985- Eastern Appraisal Services, Beverly, MA 1988 Residential and commercial real estate appraiser Education Merrimack College, North Andover, MA Bachelor of Arts Degree, May 1990, Magna Cum Laude Mass Bay Community College, Wellesley, MA Associate's Degree in Science, June 1979 Medical Laboratory Technician Program Massachusetts Association of Assessing Officers Course 101: Intoduction to Assessment Administration: Laws, Procedures, and Valuation. 1998 City of Melrose Office of the Mayor Attention: Diane MacDonald 562 Main Street Melrose, MA 02176 Darren J. Brown djbrown219@gmail.com 43 School Street Melrose, MA 02176 781-724-6912 14 January 2026 To Whom It May Concern, I wanted to express my interest in reappointment to the Melrose Historical Commission. During my two years on the Commission, I currently serve as the treasurer and have assisted with all events including the Research Your Home Nights, the Melrose 175th celebration and the Victorian Fair. These events have given me the opportunity to assist residents with learning more about their home and the community along with how to use the available resources for future research as well as the role of the Commission in the community. I am currently reaching out to contacts in the archaeology and historical preservation fields and awaiting word back from the Mass Historical Commission on a proposed housing development. The Commission’s mission statement is something that I strongly support and believe in. I have long been an advocate of the preservation, protection and promotion of all aspects of the region’s rich history and through education and usage can raise awareness for both present day and future generations. I have been interested in history for as long as I can remember and had pursued a career in the field serving as a museum curator for over fifteen years. I have provided advocacy for the region’s historical resources both professionally and in volunteer positions through my affiliation with area historical societies, organizations and house museums. I have an extensive history in education and collaboration with different organizations and communities. I served nine years as a member of the Town of Saugus’ Historical Commission and six years as the elected president of the Saugus Historical Society along with the two years on the Melrose Historical Commission. I strongly believe that I have the necessary interest, passion and skill set to continue in my role for another term as a valuable member of the Melrose Historical Commission. I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks in advance for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Darren J. Brown Bryan E. Thorp 77 Wentworth Rd. Melrose, MA 02176 9 February 2026 Jennifer Grigoraitis Mayor, City of Melrose City Hall, 562 Main St Melrose, MA 01276 Dear Jennifer, Per your oﬃce’s request, I am sending a brief list of my work during my time on the Zoning Board of Appeals. I would like to note that I am a recently retired architect, with more than 40 years of experience with a wide variety of project types from residential housing to major institutional projects. I have been a Melrose resident since 1992 and raised my 3 children (all MHS graduates) here. I have served on the ZBA since 2008. Since my last appointment to the Board in 2022: ● I participated in 116 cases, including ﬁve Comprehensive Permit Applications ● I was the Board’s representative in the unsuccessful arbitration for 28 Greenwood St.. ● I was elected Chair of Board of Appeals in April 2025 ● I participated in the Board’s adoption of Rules and Regulations for the ﬁrst time ● I attended a training given by a land use attorney to review zoning laws, permits, and the re-codiﬁed zoning ordinance. I hope you ﬁnd this information useful. Thank you for the opportunity to serve the residents of our community and represent Melrose as we continue to grow smartly and work to improve the lives of our neighbors. Thank you. Sincerely, Bryan Thorp Office of the Mayor c/o Diane MacDonald – Hello Diane – My name is Joseph Hunt, and nothing would give me more pleasure than to be reappointed for another term on the Melrose Historical Commission. I have been a member of this commission for about 15 years. I have previously served as secretary and presently serve as the commission’s vice-chair. I am honored to be a member of this current commission which is the most talented and active that I’ve been associated with. During my current term, in addition to actively participating in monthly meeting discussions and planning, I initiated and presently manage a decorative historic home plaque program. These plaques are intended to not only publicly identify speciﬁc historical Melrose structures and sites, but their inherent visibility will help raise awareness of Melrose’s history. Since the historical commission ‘s existence is not well known, I submitted an idea to help raise its public awareness. The idea was to have participating downtown stores display a large commission supplied photograph showing their building or storefront appearance from about 50 years ago when the commission was established. This idea was successfully implemented by other commission members. Along with commission members, I participate in our twice-yearly “Research Your Own Home Nights” where Melrose homeowners are provided with internet and physical resources. Then they are coached in how to best use them when researching their own home. I also help man our table at the Chamber of Commerce’s yearly Victorian Fair. If I am reappointed, I intend to continue the above activities while being mindful that the assumption of Demolition Delay regulatory obligations will require some current manpower and schedule adjustments. As always, my focus will be on balancing the preservation of Melrose Historical assets while avoiding Melrose becoming a dull, uneconomic “time capsule” I hope the above information is adequate for submission to the City Council. If not, or if you have questions, please contact me. -Joseph Hunt, Vice Chair Melrose Historical Commission JOSEPH SWITHIN SHORTLIDGE 132 Bay State Road, Melrose, MA 02176 RESUME - November 10, 2025 Data Collaborative (recently retired from the company) Database application integration specialist. 20 years 11 months Arlington, Massachusetts, United States Specialties: Database application programming, API integrations Quality Control Systems, Business Operations Management, School Operations, Customer Relationship Management Systems (CRM), High-volume Email Newsletter Systems, Content Management Systems (CMS) Teach Quickbase (recently closed down) Quickbase Teacher, Expert Builder, and Integrator While hands-on building is what I spent the most of my hours on for clients, teaching them the magic of Quickbase was far more valuable. More valuable both for my clients and for me. My clients' mastery of Quickbase fundamentals raised the quality of all the work we did together. Other Avocations Blue of a Kind (recently disbanded) Tenor 1 2006 - Present (19 years) Blue of a Kind was a men's a cappella ensemble that presented lively arrangements of songs exploring the genres of jazz, blues, gospel, sea chanteys, folk, spirituals and popular music. Based north of Boston, Blue of a Kind consisted of approximately 17 voices (split between Tenor 1, Tenor 2, Baritone, and Bass) that shared a passion for performing and blending their voices as one, enriching audiences and singers alike. Ethos RoundTable Co-Convener The Ethos RoundTable was an informal group of people interested in 1) measuring and extending ethos, and 2) using technology for positive social change. We met monthly, in Harvard Square (Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA) for discussions and presentations. Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship Manager of Technology Strategy and Systems February 2006 - December 2008 (2 years 11 months) Documented complex database migration. Met with all Boston College stakeholders in the project. Set expectations and worked with college- wide security audit team to maintain integrity of the implementation and maintenance of non-standard (to BC) technology. Executed 10-phase migration, within budget. Trained 30 users on the new system. Netmarquee Inc which was acquired by Circle.com which was acquired by Euro RSCG Senior Technical Architect December 1995 - October 2004 (9 years) One of the most profitable divisions of Havas / Euro RSCG Worldwide. Marketing officers of Symantec, Lexmark and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines relied extensively on my tools for marketing programs. - Discovered client-driven technical requirements for CMS, CRM, and email broadcast. Subsystems included versioning, workflow, customer list management, multi-lingual translations (double-byte), approval queues, WYSIWYGs, and campaign metrics - Architected, and oversaw routine use of a high-volume email system that broadcast 5 million emails per month across wide range of clients and marketing requirements. Education Harvard College, Harvard University BA, Visual and Environmental Studies · (1978 - 1983) Babson F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business Master of Business Administration - MBA, Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies · (August 1994 - May 2003) Joseph (Josh) S. Shortlidge JOSEPH SWITHIN SHORTLIDGE 132 Bay State Road, Melrose, MA 02176 781 724 1326 josh@swithin.com November 10, 2025 Dear Lizzy, Melrose Human Rights Commission Team Members, and City of Melrose Officers, I wish to become a member of the Melrose Human Rights Commission (MHRC). Ever since I saw George Floyd get killed on May 25th 2020 I have been working to understand what I previously did not actively even recognize as a part of my world. How can I wake myself / ourselves up to be anti-racists? I plan to continue opening that blind spot in my ongoing life’s education. The Melrose Unitarian Universalist Church (MUUC) has an “Anti Racism Team” (MUUC-ART) which I led for three years during COVID, and am still an active participant of. One reason I want to join the Melrose’s Human Rights Commission (MHRC) is to link your group more solidly with MUUC-ART. Also, for the last four years I have been helping revive Melrose’s “Martin Luther King Jr Day of Service”. Melrose is disproportionately white, and there are some really important lessons that our community would benefit from learning about that trait. For instance, we had slaves in Melrose. Who knew… and is that important for us to become aware of? I have sat in on multiple MHRC meetings, and am very impressed by the large changes the group has recently undergone. I met the people who led that change, some of whom have since left the group, and the new people that have come to fill those roles in our City. I want to join that team of Melrosians. Thank You Joseph (Josh) S. Shortlidge LAURIE CHOMKO Melrose, MA 02176  STRENGTHS AND ACHIEVEMENTS Marketing leader with 20+ years in financial services, known for building strong partnerships with advisors, client associates and sales teams to understand their needs and deliver innovative solutions that drive client engagement and business growth. Brings B2B and B2C experience across brokerage, retail banking, wealth/asset management, wealth management banking & lending, and segment marketing (structured lending, business owner, family office, philanthropy, retirement). Experienced in collaborating across cross-functional teams to develop marketing programs that enhance client awareness, satisfaction, and business performance. Proven track record in delivering marketing strategies that drive both top-line and bottom-line results, with flawless execution across channels to maximize ROI. Holds Series 7 and 63 licenses, providing a deep understanding of the financial services landscape. EXPERIENCE BANK OF AMERICA, Boston, MA March 2008 - Present Senior Vice President, Data, Digital & Global Marketing Data, Digital & Global Marketing Ultra High Net Worth (UHNW) Digital Acquisition Marketing (March 2024 - Present) Lead the development of the UHNW digital acquisition framework, driving net new client growth through strategic, data-driven and scalable multi-channel lead-generation and nurture programs. Execute targeted digital and email campaigns, personalized experiences and behavior-based engagement strategies supported by continuous test-and-learn optimization and measurement to improve acquisition, engagement and net client growth.  Strategic Architect: Built and executed lead-generation and nurture campaigns delivering 57 new UHNW relationships totaling $250MM (avg. win size $5M), ensuring the right message reaches the right audience in the right channel.  Data-Driven Optimization: Use insights and behavioral analysis to refine strategies; conduct A/B tests to improve design, messaging and engagement.  Scalable Frameworks: Develop repeatable processes to build and activate UHNW target populations efficiently and consistently. Wealth Management Banking, Lending & Rewards lead (July 2022 - Present) Led a team responsible for showcasing the full banking and investing value proposition to Wealth Management clients. Partner closely with the business to shape strategy and develop integrated marketing plans that drive acquisition and deepening, including direct-to-client programs, advisor-level marketing tools and specialist support.  Translate banking priorities into Wealth Management marketing strategies across Banking, Lending & Rewards.  Led Wealth Management marketing workstream for the New Bank of America App.  Influenced adoption of always-on participation in Consumer Card, Preferred Rewards and Digital Marketing indirect messaging across BofA digital channels.  Launched the Merrill Tiered Checking Offer, generating 6,000+ new checking accounts and driving assets to both BofA and Merrill.  Led marketing strategy for enhanced incentives for Premium Rewards & Premium Rewards Elite Cards, resulting in 3,700+ new cardholders.  Developed a multi-channel Preferred Rewards Lifestyle Benefits strategy that boosted Offers logins to 2,600+, a 500% increase in a single day. Ultra High Net Worth (UHNW) Segment Marketing (September 2020 – June 2022) Led the strategic integration of Wealth Management Banking for Private Bank (PB), driving deeper UHNW client engagement through a focused go-to-market strategy, brand alignment and client-centric banking and investing experiences. Oversaw a portfolio of marketing strategies supporting sales and service across the Family Office, Business Owner, and Diverse Communities segments.  Preferred Rewards Launch: Introduced the Preferred Rewards loyalty program into PB, developing the marketing strategy, positioning, program language, visual identity and PB-specific advisor communication and education.  Premium Rewards Elite Card Launch: Directed the PB launch of the Premium Rewards Elite credit card, integrated with Preferred Rewards to enhance UHNW engagement. Built UHNW-aligned strategy, positioning, messaging and advisor support materials. L A U R I E C H O M K O P A G E 2 BANK OF AMERICA ( CONT .) Enterprise, Consumer and Global Wealth Investment Management Marketing Ultra High Net Worth (UHNW) Segment Marketing (October 2016 – August 2020) Strategic partner to Merrill UHNW channels, including Merrill Private Wealth Management (PWM), catering to clients with $10mm+ under management. Responsible for the PWM’s national coverage to ensure strong strategies are built to drive acquisition, growth and deepening while supporting the brand, business and adding capacity back into our advisors’ day. UHNW Thought Leadership Marketing (January 2014 – October 2016) Led Merrill Private Wealth Management’s Thought Leadership program, catering to clients with $10mm+ under management. Thought Leadership Segment Marketing (January 2012 – January 2014) Managed budget and team to amplify Bank of America Private Bank’s Thought Leadership program by featuring the latest thinking to demonstrate the firm’s expertise by optimizing and leveraging a variety of delivery channels to clients with $3mm+ under management. Institutional Investments & Philanthropic (II&PS) Solutions Marketing (June 2009 – January 2012) Led II&PS marketing, which included advisor enablement, thought leadership, sponsorships and events, advertising and research through multiple lines of business. Institutional Retirement Strategic Marketing (March 2008 – June 2009) Built and executed institutional retirement marketing strategies that drove brand positioning and growth. FIDELITY INVESTMENTS, Boston, MA March 1998 - December 2007 Fidelity Capital Markets (October 2006 - December 2007) Senior Director, Program Marketing National Financial, a Fidelity Investments Company (October 2000 - October 2006) Director, Broker Marketing (January 2005 - October 2006) Director, Marketing (July 2002 - January 2005) Senior Communications Manager (October 2000 - July 2002) Fidelity Employer Services Company (March 1998 - October 2000) Communications Consultant Education CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE UNI VERSITY, New Britain, CT Bachelor of Science, Industrial Technology Graphic Design/Management and Marketing FINRA Licenses: General Securities Representative License Series 7 and States Securities License 63 Statement of Interest Laurie Chomko Members of the Melrose Human Rights Commission, I am writing to express my interest in serving as a Commissioner on the Melrose Human Rights Commission for a three-year term. I support the Commission’s mission to make Melrose one community that is open, inclusive, and respectful of all, and I would be honored to contribute to efforts that promote equity, inclusion, and civic engagement across our city. I am committed to thoughtful collaboration and responsible service in support of positive local change. Attached is my resume for reference. Laurie Chomko PAUL CUSOLITO Mechanical Specialist • New England Email: PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY Mechanical Specialist with over 20 years of experience in the building materials and mechanical systems industry. Proven success in contractor relations, technical sales, value engineering, and key account management. Recognized for strong negotiation skills, HVAC expertise, and the ability to drive business growth across the New England region. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE ASC ENGINEERED SOLUTIONS — NEW ENGLAND Mechanical Specialist (August 2017 – Present) • Provide technical support, product solutions, and value‑engineered alternatives for specifying engineers, contractors, and distributors. • Manage territory growth, customer relationships, and key accounts in the mechanical trades. TYCO MECHANICAL PRODUCTS — NEW ENGLAND Territory Manager (June 2012 – August 2017) • Managed regional sales for mechanical and HVAC-related product lines. • Built and maintained strong contractor and distributor relationships. • Drove sales growth through strategic planning, presentations, and product training. TOWER HILL SALES Manufacturers Representative (January 2000 – May 2012) • Represented multiple manufacturers across the mechanical and industrial sectors. • Developed and maintained long‑term customer relationships. • Supported contractors and engineers with product selection and system recommendations. February 12, 2026 Dear Mayor Grigoraitis, I am writing to express my interest in serving on the Cemetery Commission for the City of Melrose. As a committed resident, I value the importance of preserving and maintaining our community’s cemetery as a place of remembrance, history, and dignity. I am prepared to contribute my time, attention, and thoughtful perspective to help ensure this important piece of our local history and heritage remains dignified, accessible, and sustainable for future generations. I would be honored to support the Commission’s work in maintaining this important community space. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Paul Cusolito Dawn C.Jacobs BSN, MPH Melrose, MA 02176 | PROFESSIONAL PROFILE MPH-credentialed Clinical Research Leader with over 20 years of experience directing large-scale, multi-center Maternal Child Health (MCH) and epidemiological studies. Proven expert in orchestrating national clinical operations across 30 NICU sites , managing cohorts of 50,000+ subjects , and leading diverse multi-disciplinary teams. Combines deep clinical nursing roots in the NICU and Pediatrics with advanced expertise in IRB oversight , federal grant administration, and public health crisis response. CORE COMPETENCIES ● Clinical Operations: Multi-site Study Coordination, Protocol Development, Site Recruitment. ● Regulatory & Compliance: IRB Submissions (Smart-IRB), HIPAA, GCP Certiﬁcation, Patient Consent. ● Data & Research: Epidemiology, Survey Design, Adverse Event Monitoring, REDCap. ● Leadership: Grant Writing (NIH/HRSA), Budget Estimation, Staff Mentorship, Cross-Functional Collaboration. ● Public Health: Emergency Preparedness, Vaccine Mobilization, Community Outreach. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE SLONE EPIDEMIOLOGY CENTER AT BOSTON UNIVERSITY | Boston, MA Project Coordinator – Maternal & Child Health Research | 2000–2021 ● Multi-Site Leadership: Spearheaded operations for national observational research (SAFE PREP) across 30 NICUs , managing complex workﬂows between multi-disciplinary teams and site investigators. ● Large-Scale Data Integrity: Directed a premier multi-center epidemiologic study of birth defects involving 50,000+ subjects , evaluating the safety proﬁles of medication exposures during pregnancy. ● Regulatory Oversight: Managed the end-to-end IRB submission and renewal process , ensuring 100% compliance with federal regulations and institutional contracts. 1 ● Grant & Budget Administration: Partnered with Principal Investigators to secure funding by developing comprehensive budget estimates and drafting technical components for federal grant applications. ● Team Management: Recruited and mentored high-performing research staff, fostering a culture of precision in data collection and adherence to AAP guidelines . CATALDO AMBULANCE SERVICES | Multiple Sites, MA Vaccine Clinic Nurse / Public Health Response | 2021–2024 ● Mass Mobilization: Administered COVID-19 vaccines at high-volume public clinics including Fenway Park and Hynes Convention Center . ● Vulnerable Population Outreach: Provided clinical care and routine "Vaccines for Children" (VFC) within shelter systems and community-based schools. BOSTON UNIVERSITY ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE CENTER | Boston, MA Clinical Research Coordinator | 2016–2018 ● Subject Advocacy: Managed recruitment and enrollment for Alzheimer’s disease clinical trials; performed eligibility screenings and obtained informed consent. ● Safety Monitoring: Conducted rigorous monitoring for adverse events and ensured trial protocol adherence. NEW ENGLAND MEDICAL CENTER | Boston, MA Clinical Research Coordinator – Pediatric Infectious Disease | 1998–2000 ● Vaccine Trials: Coordinated a variety of pediatric vaccine clinical trials, managing patient follow-up and pharmaceutical sponsor monitoring activities. BOSTON CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL | Boston, MA Research Nurse – HIV Clinic / Staff Nurse | 1977–1998 ● Clinical Leadership: Provided specialized assessment for HIV-infected children and enrolled patients in national ACTG protocols . 2 ● NICU Expertise: Served as a Nurse Monitor for Adverse Drug Reaction studies in the Newborn ICU (NICU) and as a Staff Nurse in Pediatric Oncology . CONSULTING & PUBLIC HEALTH LEADERSHIP CITY OF MELROSE HEALTH DEPARTMENT | Melrose, MA Public Health Consultant | 2004–2005 ● Emergency Preparedness: Developed the Infectious Disease Emergency Plan for the Mystic Valley Bioterrorism Coalition, identifying resources for vulnerable populations. ● Program Planning: Assisted the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition with grant writing and community needs assessments. EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS ● Master of Public Health (MPH): Maternal & Child Health | Boston University School of Public Health ● Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): Excelsior University ● Registered Nurse (R.N.) Diploma: Boston Children’s Hospital School of Nursing ● TESOL Certiﬁcate: Boston University School of Education ● Licensure: Registered Nurse (RN), Commonwealth of Massachusetts COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ● Visiting Moms Program: Peer Support Volunteer | Jewish Family and Children’s Service ● The Food Drive: Food Security Logistics Volunteer | Melrose, MA ● Medical Reserve Corps: COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Nurse | Cape Ann, MA 3 February 13, 2026 Mayor Jennifer Grigoraitis Melrose City Hall 562 Main St Melrose , MA 02176 Dear Mayor Grigoraitis: I am writing to express my interest in serving on the Melrose Board of Health. I am eager to contribute my time, skills and commitment to supporting the health and well-being of our community. I have many years experience in healthcare and believe strong public health leadership is essential to maintain a safe and thriving city. I would welcome the opportunity to assist in advancing policies , initiatives and community outreach efforts that promote public health and safety in Melrose. Thank you for your consideration. My resume is attached. I would be pleased to discuss my interest and qualifications at your convenience. Sincerely, Dawn Jacobs Melrose Cc: Anthony Chui Director Health and Human Services City of Melrose City of Melrose, MA § 93-6. Leashing requirements. [Amended 5-20-2002 by Ord. No. 02-324] A. No person shall own or keep in the City, outside the confines of the owner's or keeper's property, any dog that is not held firmly on a leash. B. The Animal Control Officer may, at his/her discretion, waive the provisions of Subsection A if a determination is made that the owner or keeper has a valid reason to have the dog unleashed or untethered for training, exhibition or show purposes. [Amended 8-21-2017 by Ord. No. 2018-4] The enforcing agent may, in their discretion, waive the provisions of Subsection A for service animals, if they determine that harnessing, leashing, or tethering the dog will interfere with the dog’s tasks, or the handler’s disability prevents using a harness or leash. In such instances, the dog is still required to remain with the handler and under their control at all times. C. The leash requirements of this section shall not apply to police K-9 units when actively engaged in official duties, such as training or public exhibitions, and such activities require the dog to be off leash. In these instances, the dog must be clearly identifiable as a police K -9, and under the control of the law enforcement handler at all times. D. Violation of this section shall be punishable as follows: (1) First offense, unaltered or altered: fine of $50. (2) Second offense, unaltered or altered: fine of $100. (3) Third offense: $150. (4) Apprehension: $10. (5) Confinement: $10 per day. (6) Kennels: $100. (7) Seeing eye dogs: no fees. E. Exemptions. Dogs will be permitted to go without leashes only within areas designated as "off-leash dog areas" as determined by the Board of Park Commissioners in accordance with § 173-17, provided that: [Added 6-4-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-180] (8) All dogs are leashed prior to entering and upon leaving the off-leash dog area. (9) All dogs must be accompanied by a guardian who must remain with his/her dog(s) at all times while using the off-leash dog area. (10) Guardians are legally responsible for their dog(s) and any injuries caused by their dog(s). (11) Guardians may bring no more than three dogs to the off-leash dog area at one time. Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/ME1773 on 2025-11-12City of Melrose, MA (12) Guardians must dispose of their dog's fecal matter in accordance with § 93-8. (13) The following dogs are forbidden from entry into the off-leash dog areas: (a) Dogs in heat. (b) Dogs less than six months of age. (c) Dogs without municipal licenses and up-to-date vaccinations. (d) Aggressive dogs. Any dog that engages in fighting or that does not respond to voice 1. Editor's Note: The line "Adoption: all fees and expenses" which immediately followed this subsection in Ord. No. 02-324 was deleted per instructions from the City as superseded by Ord. No. 02-102. See § 93-11. Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/ME1773 on 2025-11-12City of Melrose, MA § 93-6 § 93-6 command. Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/ME1773 on 2025-11-12 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Administration–Engineering–Water–Sewer–Facilities Parks–Forestry–Highway–Sanitation–Cemetery–Fleet CITY OF MELROSE Jay Coy, P.E., PMP City Hall, 562 Main Street Acting City Engineer Melrose, Massachusetts 02176 MEMORANDUM Telephone – (781) 979-4172 E-mail: jcoy@cityofmelrose.org To: Mayor Jennifer Grigoraitis Melrose City Council From: Jay Coy, Acting City Engineer cc: Kerriann Golden, CFO/Auditor Lauren Grymek, Chief of Staff Elena Proakis Ellis, Director of Public Works James Troup, Deputy DPW Director – Administration & Finance Date: February 10, 2026 Re: Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Cooling Corridors Grant Acceptance We are requesting City Council acceptance of a grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) through their Cooling Corridors program. The $48,000 allocated to Melrose from this grant will flow from EEA through the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA), to the City of Melrose. This project, in partnership with MyRWA, enables the city to plant and maintain new trees to reduce the urban heat island effect in the hottest neighborhoods of our city. The City of Melrose is committed to establishing a healthy and diverse urban tree canopy to benefit all of our residents. This project will help achieve that goal by planting and maintaining trees in areas currently lacking canopy coverage. These new plantings will enhance neighborhood aesthetics, improve air quality, and promote public health across the city. In addition, this project will support Melrose’s climate resilience strategy by targeting urban heat island hot spots in neighborhoods disproportionately affected by rising temperatures. Strategic tree planting in these areas will help lower surface temperatures, reduce cooling-related energy demands, and advance environmental equity by prioritizing underserved communities. The City will complete installation of trees under this grant by June 30, 2026 using our on-call tree planting contractor. There is no cost match requirement for the grant, and expenses for this project will be reimbursed by MyRWA via the EEA Grant in the amount of $48,000. We hereby request the City Council’s acceptance of $48,000 from this EEA Cooling Corridors grant allocated to the City of Melrose, passing through MyRWA. The grant Memorandum of Understanding with MyWRA is attached for your reference. The funds will be expended from a dedicated project account set up by the CFO/Auditor and reimbursed by EEA via MyRWA as funds are expended. Thank you for your consideration of this request. 1 January 22, 2026 City of Melrose 562 Main Street Melrose, MA 02176 ATTN: Ja y Co y Re: Cool Corridors FY26-27 Grant Award To whomever it may concern: I am pleased to inform you that the Mystic River Watershed Association (“MyRWA”) h a s awarded a grant of $48,000 to th e City o f Me lrose . These funds are designated for tree planting and watering as per the grant planting plan. The enclosed Grant Agreement describes the terms and conditions of this grant. Please review this document carefully, sign and return to us as soon as possible. Please also a tta ch a W9 from your organ iza tion if th e Mystic River Watersh ed Association does not already have your tax documentation on-file. We recommend keeping a copy of the grant agreement for your records. If you have any questions regarding the purpose, terms, conditions, reporting requirements, paym ent, or timing of this grant, do not hesitate to contact our Pro je ct Manager, Karina Ramos at karina.ramos@mysticriver.org. We are delighted to collaborate on this important project, and we look forward to celebrating its progress. Sin ce re ly, Pa trick He rron , Exe cu tive Dire cto r MysticRiver.org | 23 Maple Street | Arlington, MA 02476-6401 | (781) 316-3438 2 GRAN T AGREEMEN T Grant Awardee: City o f Me lro se Grant Name: Cool Corridors FY26-27 Grant Award Grant Purpose: Tree planting and watering maintenance Grant Amount: $48,000 (Attachment D) Grant Expiration Date: Trees to be planted by June 2026 and watering through June 2027 Grant Source: Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and En viro n m e n t a l Affa ir s (EEA) This agreement (the “Grant Agreement”) contains the terms and conditions of the subaward to the Grant Awardee from the Grant Source to the Mystic River Watershed Association. This subaward is for achievement of the Grant Purpose. If you wish to accept the terms and conditions, please sign the Grant Agreement below. We anticipate that this grant will be paid on the following schedule: Scheduled Date: Payable in a lump sum upon completion of the Grant Purpose, by June 30, 2026. The following outlines the City of Melrose’ required contingencies to be eligible for reimbursement from the Mystic River Watershed Association, as per the Conditions of Aw a r d (At t a ch m e n t A) fr o m t h e Gr a n t So u rce (EEA): 1. Plant 61 trees in EJ neighborhoods/ hotspots, per the approved planting plan and species list by June 30th, 2026 (At t a ch m e n t C). 2. Ad h e re to DCR’s Spe cifica tion s for Tre e Plan tin g a n d Ca re gu id e (Attachment A & B). 3. Submit photos of a Massachusetts Certified Arborist (MCA) or International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist providing on-site su pe rvision o f tre e p la n tin g work performed. 4. After planting is complete, provide tree location data as either a shapefile or Esri file geodatabase with the following attributes included: a. Tre e spe cie s (varie ty/cu ltiva r if a p p lica b le ) b. Date planted c. Street name or nearest building address d. Indicate private or public property 5. Provide tree watering log including trees watered, dates, and associated labor costs of tree planting through June 30th, 2027. MyRWA’s re sp on sib ilitie s: 1. Project and financial management of deliverables. 3 2. A list of tree species and locations provided to EEA Tree Planting Manager before any trees are planted or purchased. 3. Aggregate all reimbursement documentation and submit at the end of FY 26 and 27. 4. Complete and submit required quarterly and final reports. Ta x-Exe m p t io n : [The Grant Awardee is a municipal subdivision of the Commonwealth and use of the funds will be consistent with the public sector/non- profit purpose of the grant.] Use of Grant Funds (the “Grant Purpose”): Attachment C is referred to as the Grant Purpose. Under United States law, the Mystic River Watershed Association’s grant funds, and any in co m e e a rn e d on th e fu n ds, m a y b e on ly u se d fo r ch a rita b le , re ligio u s, scie n tific, lite rary or educational purposes. Consistent with the foregoing, grant funds can only be used for the Grant Purpose. Documentation of use of funds is needed. Grant funds may not be used to carry on propaganda or otherwise attempt to influence the outcome of any election for public office or to carry on, directly or indirectly, any voter registration drives. This grant is not earmarked for lobbying activity or influencing legislation within the meaning of Section 4945(e) of the Code and the accompanying Treasury Regulations, and the Mystic River Watershed Association and the Grant Awardee have made no agreement, oral or written, to that effect. You confirm that you are familiar with the U.S. Executive Orders and laws prohibiting the provision of resources and support to individuals and organizations associated with terrorism and the terrorist-related lists promulgated by the U.S. government. You will u se reasonable efforts to ensure that you do not support or promote terrorist activity, related training or money laundering. You hereby certify that no goods or services were provided to the Mystic River Watershed Association in exchange for or in consideration of this grant. Grant Modifications, No-Cost Extensions and Unexpended Grant Funds: Requests for substantive changes to the scope/purpose of the grant must be submitted in advance for approval from the Mystic River Watershed Association. To request a grant modification, please contact the MyRWA representative named in the Cover Letter to the Grant Agreement. Gran t m o d ifica tion s m a y be m a de a t th e d iscre tion o f th e Mystic Rive r Watershed Association staff. If additional time past the Grant Expiration Date is needed to complete the work, you can request a no-cost extension. To request a no-cost extension, the MyRWA representative 4 named in the Cover Letter to the Grant Agreement. No-cost extensions may be granted only at the discretion of the Mystic River Watershed Association staff. Mystic River Watershed Association maintains the right to retain unexpended grant funds that are no longer needed by the Grant Awardee to achieve the Grant Purpose. If the Grant Awardee foresees this occurring, please submit a written request to the MyRWA representative named in the Cover Letter to the Grant Agreement identifying an appropriate grant disbursement amount to achieve the Grant Purpose. Termination and Return of Grant Funds to the Mystic River Watershed Association: The Mystic River Watershed Association has the right at its discretion to terminate or suspend the grant or withhold payment if (a) it is necessary to comply with any requirements of the law, (b) the Grant Awardee fails to comply with any of the terms or conditions of this Grant Agreement, or (c) Grant Awardee has substantially failed to progress in a manner consistent with the timelines for achieving the Grant Purpose, has used the funds for a purpose other than the Grant Purpose, or otherwise breached the terms and conditions of the grant. The Grant Awardee is also required to immediately repay the Mystic River Watershed Association any portion of the grant funds that are not used for the purpose of the grant. Miscellaneous: Liability Relea se You agree to release and the Mystic River Watershed Association from and against any and a ll lia b ility, lo ss, a n d e xp e n se (in clu d in g re a son a b le a ttorn e y’s fe e s an d e xp e n se s) o r cla im s for injury or damages arising out of or resulting from, or that are alleged to arise out of or result from, the actions or omissions by you or any of your directors, officers, agents, volunteers, employees, subgrantees, contractors or subcontractors with respect to the grant. You agree that any activities by the Mystic River Watershed Association in connection with the grant, such as its review or proposal of suggested modifications to the grant, will not modify or waive the Mystic River Watershed Association’s rights under this paragraph. Th is p ara gra ph sh a ll su rvive th e te rm ination of the Grant Agreement. Entire Agreement: Severability and Amendment This Grant Agreement is our entire agreement and supersedes any prior oral or written agreements or communications by the Mystic River Watershed Association or by you regarding its subject matter. The provisions of this Grant Agreement are severable so that if a n y p ro vision is fou n d to b e in va lid , ille ga l or u n e n force a b le , or an y pro vision is re vise d or amended and approved by the Mystic River Watershed Association, such finding, revision or amendment shall not affect the validity, construction or enforceability o f an y re m a in in g provisions. This Grant Agreement may be amended only by a mutual written agreement of the parties. 5 Assignment This Grant Agreement or any of the rights or obligations under this Grant Agreement may not be assigned without the Mystic River Watershed Association’s prior written consent. An assignment includes (a) any transfer of the grant, (b) an assignment by operatio n o f la w, in clu d in g a m e rge r o r co n so lid a tion , o r (c) th e sa le or tran sfe r o f a ll or su b sta n tia lly a ll o f your assets. Leadership Transition You are responsible for notifying the Mystic River Watershed Association if or when there is a transition of the Leader and/or Primary Contact within the organization. Please send the new contact information to the Operations Manager named in the Cover Letter to the Grant Agreement. Counterparts This Grant Agreement, including any amendments, may be executed in counterparts which, when taken together, will constitute one Grant Agreement. Faxed or emailed copies of this Gran t Agre e m e n t will be a s e q u a lly b in d in g a s o rigin a ls. CERTIFICATION: The following individual, certified to be a responsible officer of the named organization, accepts and agrees to the foregoing terms of this Agreement by signing and returning it. By sign in g e le ctron ica lly, th is p e rson a ckn o wle d ge s th a t th e ir e le ctron ic sign a tu re will se rve a s and have the same legal effect as an actual signature of the document. /Name2/ /Title2/ City of Melrose Mystic Rive r Wate rsh e d Associa tion x_____________________________________ x_____________________________________ Ja y Co y Patrick Herron City Engineer Executive Director MEMO To: Melrose City Council From: Anthony Chui, Health and Human Services Director Date: 02/12/2026 Subject: BSAS MassCALL3B Grant Subaward The City of Medford, serving as the lead municipality and fiscal agent for the BSAS MassCALL3B grant, is subcontracting with Mystic Valley Public Health Coalition communities to support regional substance use prevention initiatives. Through this partnership, the City of Melrose has been awarded $7,750 for Fiscal Year 2026 to implement evidence-based prevention and youth development strategies. At least 70% of the funds awarded will support direct prevention strategies. These may include Responsible Beverage Service training for alcohol servers and retailers, coordination of alcohol compliance checks with the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission and Melrose Police Department, implementation of restorative practices training for school and community partners, and participation in a regional social norms marketing campaign focused on reducing youth substance use and promoting positive community health behaviors. Up to 30% of the funds may be used for capacity-building activities that strengthen local prevention infrastructure. Eligible activities include racial equity and inclusion initiatives, Mental Health First Aid training, youth leadership and positive youth development programming, trauma-informed service training, and development of health education materials for youth and adults. Melrose is required to submit quarterly activity reports and invoices documenting expenditure, program outputs, and progress toward goals. Payments are provided on a reimbursement basis following approval by the City of Medford. The City must maintain program and fiscal records for at least three years for audit and compliance purposes. This funding supports Melrose’s ongoing efforts to reduce youth substance use, strengthen prevention capacity, and promote long-term community health outcomes. January 20, 2026 Dear Mayor Grigoraitis: I am writing to request to be re-appointed to the City of Melrose Commission on Disability for another 3-year term. During my recent term my accomplishments have included: 1. Serving as Commission Chair for 2 years 2. Service as Vice Chair for the past year 3. Leading the development of the recently published disability guide for community organizations. 4. Working to build the partnership between the Melrose Public Schools, Chamber of Commerce, and city businesses to expanding work experiences and employment opportunities for students with disabilities. 5. Assisting with successful applications to the Massachusetts Office on Disability for funding of capital improvements to increase accessibility of city buildings. It has been an honor to serve on the commission for the past 6 years. I would very much appreciate the opportunity to continue to work together with my fellow commission members and the city to ensure Melrose is an accessible and welcoming community for all residents with disabilities. Sincerely, David Hoff 46 Warwick Road Melrose, MA. 02176 Mayor Jennifer Grigoraitis Melrose City Hall Melrose, MA 02176 Dear Mayor Grigoraitis: Please accept this letter as my request for reinstatement onto the Melrose Commission on Disability. Over the past three years I have served as Secretary for two of those years. Prior to that I served as Vice Chair. I have helped organize and execute city wide activities including the Disability Pride Month celebration. I have made it my goal to attend Melrose city meetings and support disability policy and grant approval. I have also worked to increase representation and inclusion within the disabled community. As an artist and an advocate, I try to incorporate creative expression and community engagement into the work I do with the Commission. I feel grateful to have served for six years. It is amazing to work with a motivated, talented and passionate Commission. I am so proud of our accomplishments and the seismic shifts we have made to increase accessibility in Melrose. As noted in the recent city meeting: our list is long and it will be a while until we are “totally there” with accessibility. I would like to continue my work. It would be an honor to serve another three year term. Sincerely, Garin A. Boyd 463 Lebanon Street Margaret Sheets Melrose, MA linkedin.com/in/margaret-sheets January 5, 2026 Dear Lauren and Diane, I am writing to formally request reappointment to the Melrose Commission on Disability for a new three-year term. Having served as a founding member since 2020, I am deeply committed to continuing the Commission’s work in ensuring Melrose is as welcoming and inclusive as possible for people with disabilities. During my time with the Commission, I have served in various leadership roles, including Commission Secretary and Vice Chair. In my current role as Commissioner At-Large, I am particularly proud of leading the planning for Disability Pride Month in 2024 and 2025. By coordinating with local partners like Follow Your Art and the Melrose Public Library, we successfully engaged the community through murals, panel discussions, and inclusive children’s book readings. Beyond events, I remain dedicated to practical advocacy, such as my recent work collaborating on a resource guide to help our local organizations and places of worship improve their physical and social accessibility. In a subsequent three-year term, I hope to build on this momentum by expanding on Disability Pride Month events to ensure they continue to grow and become a well-established yearly town event. I also feel strongly that my knowledge of the Commission's growth since its inception will be an asset in ensuring the Commission’s long-term projects reach completion. I would be pleased to discuss my goals or any other information you may need for my reappointment at your convenience. Please feel free to contact me at or by phone at . Sincerely, Margaret Sheets DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Administration–Engineering–Water–Sewer–Facilities Parks–Forestry–Highway–Sanitation–Cemetery–Fleet CITY OF MELROSE Jay Coy, P.E., PMP City Hall, 562 Main Street Acting City Engineer Melrose, Massachusetts 02176 Telephone – (781) 979-4172 E-mail: jcoy@cityofmelrose.org January 20, 2026 To: Melrose City Council Mayor Jennifer Grigoraitis From: Elena Proakis Ellis, DPW Director Jay Coy, Acting City Engineer cc: Kerriann Golden, CFO/Auditor Kathryn Armata, Treasurer Collector Shannon Philips, City Solicitor James Troup, Assistant DPW Director – Administration & Finance Re: Authorization to borrow LWSAP funds for CY2026 Water Main Improvements The Melrose DPW is proposing a project for the MWRA Local Water System Assistance Program (LWSAP) to fund the CY2026 Annual Water Main Improvements. The estimated cost of the program is $848,600 and includes, but may not be limited to, the following work: • Grove Street (1450 LF) – This street ranked “poorest” in the City’s roadway condition assessment. The project includes new 8-inch and 12-inch diameter cement-lined ductile iron water mains from Lebanon Street to Argyle Street, to be installed prior to final paving presently scheduled for 2027. Final pavement restoration will be funded by other sources and completed by the City’s paving contractor. This neighborhood was ranked as a Phase II improvement in the 2017 water system CEP. The rate model shows that there is older debt rolling off in FY26 such that there should be no rate impact from the proposed borrowing. The funds borrowed pursuant to this Order will be deposited into a designated fund as determined by the Finance Department, similar to our other MWRA water and sewer loans. For this purpose, The Department of Public Works respectfully requests the City Council to review and consider the attached Treasurer’s bond order. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Administration–Engineering–Water–Sewer–Facilities Parks–Forestry–Highway–Sanitation–Cemetery–Fleet CITY OF MELROSE City Yard, 72 Tremont Street Elena Proakis Ellis, P.E., BCEE Director of Public Works Melrose, Massachusetts 02176 Telephone – (781) 665-0142 E-mail: eproakis@cityofmelrose.org January 28, 2026 To: City Council Jennifer Grigoraitis, Mayor Lauren Grymek, Chief of Staff Kerri Golden, CFO/Auditor From: Elena Proakis Ellis, DPW Director CC: James Troup, DPW Deputy Director Administration and Finance Matt Spinale, Operations Manager RE: Capital Stabilization Request for Replacement of Truck #26 – Refuse Truck The Department of Public Works respectfully requests an appropriation from Capital Stabilization in the amount of $340,000 to replace Truck #26, the City’s Class 8 refuse truck. The DPW is proposing to replace this truck with a new diesel refuse truck of similar, but slightly smaller size. Truck #26 is used predominately for curbside yard waste pickup by the City’s in-house forces. The existing truck that will be replaced is in need of a repair in the range of $10,000 to $15,000, and Truck #26 has been identified as in need of replacement for the last four years. The City has routinely spent between $10,000 and $30,000 on repairs for this truck over the last decade. Rather than sinking more funds into repairs, we recommend replacing this aging vehicle. The recommended useful life for a refuse truck is on the order of 7 to 10 years, while Truck #26 is now 21 years old, with about 120,000 miles. In addition to being used for yard waste collection, the new truck will also be able to tip school dumpsters, providing redundancy with the DPW’s smaller refuse truck, Truck #18. While we were able to purchase an electric vehicle to replace Truck #18, which is used for municipal barrels, the collection of yard waste is much more energy intensive, with constant operation of the hopper throughout the day. We do not believe an electric vehicle is feasible to accomplish this task at this time. Thus, we are proposing to purchase a 25-yard rear loading refuse truck from a state contract vendor under State Contract VEH111 for heavy duty vehicles. We formally request an appropriation from Capital Stabilization in the amount of $340,000 for the purpose of funding the immediate purchase of a new refuse vehicle. The Department of Public Works will be the custodian of these funds in an account set up by the Auditor and will be the responsible Project Manager. Thank you for your support and consideration. We would be happy to call or meet with anyone who wishes to ask any questions in advance of the City Council meeting. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Administration–Engineering–Water–Sewer–Facilities Parks–Forestry–Highway–Sanitation–Cemetery–Fleet CITY OF MELROSE City Yard, 72 Tremont Street Elena Proakis Ellis, P.E., BCEE DirectorMay 6, 2022of Public Works Melrose, Massachusetts 02176 Telephone – (781) 665-0142 E-mail: eproakis@cityofmelrose.org To: Jennifer Grigoraitis, Mayor Kerri Golden, CFO/Auditor Date: February 6, 2026 From: Elena Proakis Ellis, Director of Public Works CC: Jim Troup, Deputy Director Administration and Finance Matt Spinale, Operations Manager Derek Lanphere, Operations General Foreman RE: Vehicle Condition and Replacement Request The Department of Public Works has updated our vehicle replacement program to reflect vehicles that have been replaced in the last several years and our current needs. We are at a critical point with trucks that are failing and are in dire need of replacement. By the end of our recent large snowstorm, eighteen vehicles used for snow and ice response were out of service. One week later, we still have eleven of those vehicles down. The following trucks are recommended for replacement as soon as possible and have been programmed into a three-year replacement plan. Trash Packer Truck 26 - 2004 International Packer - 120,000 Miles - Sanitation Division (yard waste/municipal waste) 1 Condition: Rotted body, hydraulic lines in need of replacement, rotted hopper, currently out of service Replacement Cost: $340,000 Additional Notes: This vehicle is critical to the department’s day-to-day operations. It is used for curbside yard waste pickup and occasionally for municipal barrel collection. Replacement of this vehicle has been determined to be more cost-effective over its life cycle than outsourcing yard waste pickup or continuing to repair this unreliable and old vehicle. The DPW has identified a suitable replacement vehicle that is immediately available from a state-contract vendor. A winch will be included on the new vehicle to provide redundancy for municipal and school building dumpster collection. Heavy Duty Trucks Truck 21 - 1999 International Dump – 78,000 Miles - Highway Division (out of service) Condition: Cracked frame, rotted floor, failed inspection. Replacement Cost: $350,000 - Ford F650 or F700 (non CDL) Additional Information: This truck is proposed to be replaced with a hook lift truck with a brine tank instead, to expand the City’s capacity to use liquid brine. Other attachments could include a dump body and a salter. We would also like to purchase a catch basin cleaning clamshell for this truck, which would cost approximately an additional $100,000 and could be added in a later year. This proposed replacement will allow the City more versatility and year-round usage of this truck. The existing truck has traditionally been used predominantly for winter operations, with minimal utility in other seasons. Truck 29 - 1997 International – 35,000 Miles - Highway Division (snow operations) Condition: Rotted floor, failing frame, difficulty passing annual inspection Replacement Cost: $230,000 2 Light Dump Trucks Truck 33 - 2012 Chevy 3500 Dump w/Liftgate – 70,000 Miles - Parks & Forestry Division (also used for snow operations) Condition: Rotted holes in floor, difficulty passing inspection Replacement Cost: $110,000 Additional Information: This is the primary vehicle used for pulling the landscape trailer and for parks maintenance. Truck 35 - 2011 Chevy 3500 Dump – 53,000 Miles - Parks & Forestry Division (also used for snow operations) Condition: Rotted floor, difficulty passing inspection Replacement Cost: $110,000 Truck 38 - 2012 Chevy 3500 Dump – 70,000 Miles - Parks & Forestry Division (also snow operations) Condition: Rotted floor, difficulty passing inspection. Replacement Cost: $110,000 3 Truck 47 - 2011 Chevy 3500 - 52,000 Miles – Cemetery Division (also snow operations) Condition: Rotted bed. Replacement Cost: $110,000 Truck 48 - 2009 Chevy 3500 - 58,000 Miles – Cemetery Division (also snow operations) Condition: Rotted body and bed, difficulty passing inspections. Replacement Cost: $110,000 Truck 56 – 2006 Ford F350 SD – 75,000 Miles – Facilities Division Utility Body (snow operations) Condition: Normal wear – 20 years old, rusted components Replacement Cost: $80,000 to $110,000 4 Truck 58 – 2008 Ford F350 SD – 33,000 Miles – Facilities Division (also snow operations) Conditions: Rusting floor, normal wear of 18 year old vehicle Replacement Cost: $80,000 to $110,000 Pickup Trucks Truck 59 – 2007 Chevy Colorado – 48,000 miles – Facilities Building Systems Supervisor Conditions: Rusted body, normal wear of 19 year old vehicle Replacement Cost: $65,000 Additional Information: Could be considered for replacement with an electric vehicle, though it is normally stored at Melrose High School where charging capability presently does not exist Specialty Equipment Truck 50 - 1997 Case Backhoe – Cemetery Division (also snow operations) Condition: Rotted floors, primary vehicle for all cemetery operations. Replacement Cost: $210,000 5 Truck 77 - 1997 Volvo L90 C Loader - Highway Division (snow operations) Conditions: Rotted body and in need of tires. Engine overhaul needed. Replacement Cost: $250,000 Truck 64 – 1997 Ford F350 Utility-Boom Bucket Truck – 46,000 miles – Highway Division Conditions: Rusted frame, normal wear for 29 year old truck Replacement Cost: $150,000 Vehicle 1 – 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV – 102,800 miles – Engineering Division Condition: Rotted body and needed engine overhaul that was cost-prohibitive. Retired vehicle and disposed of as surplus. No photos are available. Replacement Cost: $50,000 Additional Information: Can be replaced with an electric vehicle, since charging is available at City Hall and this vehicle does not perform snow or other 24/7 operations. The Engineering Division is presently operating with no City vehicles. Vehicle 40 – 2004 Chevrolet 1500 Cargo Van – 150,000 miles – Facilities Van Condition: Vehicle was inoperable so was taken out of service and disposed of as surplus. No photos are available. Replacement Cost: $70,000 Additional Information: Could be replaced with a Transit-type van or similar. 6 HB-2 – 2012 Falcon Asphalt Hotbox – Highway Division Conditions: Inoperable Replacement Cost: $40,000 Vehicle 62 – 2008 Prinoth (Bombardier) SW 4S Sidewalk Plow – Snow Operations Conditions: Intermittently out-of-service during last several storms Replacement Cost: $190,000 Additional Information: Proposed to be replaced with a trackless machine with various attachments that will make it a useable vehicle year-round, rather than dedicated only to snow and ice response. Vehicle 23 – 2016 Freightliner 114SD Vactor – 19,000 miles – Sewer Division Conditions: Several components of suction and tank mechanisms have experienced failure in the last few years, sometimes costing upwards of $25,000 to $30,000 for individual repairs. Replacement Cost: $650,000 Additional Information: The DPW uses the Vactor for both clearing sewer blockages and for vacuum excavation. Excavation can be harder on the equipment but minimizes the risk of damage to surrounding 7 utilities when digging in tight locations. The DPW is proposing to consider replacing this truck with a model that has a slightly smaller chassis but an equivalent tank size. Summary As shown above, the conditions of the vehicles compromise the safety of our staff and jeopardize the levels of services that our residents have come to expect from the DPW. We have exceeded the expected life of these vehicles on both miles and age. Some vehicles present safety concerns with large holes in the floors, potentially allowing exhaust to enter the cabs of those vehicles. Our personnel have welded floors back in and made temporary repairs, but continuing to repair these severely deteriorated vehicles is not practical or cost effective. Snow operations have become increasingly challenging due to a lack of functioning vehicles; in the recent large storm, we had four employees who were unable to perform their jobs by the end of the storm event due to a lack of operational vehicles for them to drive. As noted above, of 18 vehicles that were rendered inoperable during the storm event, eleven continue to be out- of-service, awaiting repairs by our mechanics. Recommended replacement intervals for fleet vehicles were taken from the report by Matrix Consulting Group specifically evaluating Melrose’s fleet, as well as Fleet Counselor Services, a nationally recognized consulting firm. Vehicle Type Recommended Useful Life Age of City Vehicles* Estimated (Fleet Counselor Services Data) Replacement Cost Packer – Yard Waste 12 years or 9,000 hours #26 – 21 years $340,000 Heavy Dump Trucks 12 years or 120,000 miles #21 – 27 years/OOS $300,000 #29 – 29 years** $290,000 Light Dump Trucks 12 years or 120,000 miles #33 – 14 years $110,000 #35 – 15 years** #38 – 17 years** #47 – 15 years #48 – 17 years #56 – 20 years** #58 – 18 years** Pickup Trucks 10 years or 120,000 miles #59 – 19 years $65,000 Backhoe - Cemetery 15 years or 9,000 hours #50 – 29 years** $210,000 Loader 15 years or 10,000 hours #77 – 29 years** $250,000 Bucket Truck – Highway 12 years or 120,000 miles #64 – 29 years $150,000 DPW Engineering 10 years #1 – 18 years/OOS $50,000 DPW Facilities Van 10 years #40 – 22 years/OOS $70,000 Hotbox 15 years HB-2 – 14 years/OOS $40,000 Sidewalk Bombardier 15 years #62 – 18 years** $190,000 Vactor 12 years #23 – 10 years $650,000 TOTAL 3-year cost $3,315,000 Average annual cost $1,105,000/year Average annual cost (excluding sewer vehicle) $888,333/year *OOS = Out of Service **Experienced failure during January 25, 2026 storm 8 The Melrose DPW fleet vehicles shown above represent approximately $3.315M in short-term needs. Please note that this list does not include non-DPW fleet needs, such as the Fire Department, Police Department, Council on Aging, Inspectional Services, etc., who also operate vehicles within the City’s fleet. The proposed expenditure of $1,105,000 per year shown in the table above is very closely in line with Matrix Consulting Group’s estimated replacement need of $1,134,222 annually for Melrose’s fleet. When eliminating the cost of the Vactor truck, which would be paid using the Sewer Enterprise Fund, the total annual need is approximately $888,000. The three-year needs have been broken down into the following proposed plan: IMMEDIATE: The following request is being made concurrent with this memorandum: • A replacement for yard waste/refuse truck #26 has been submitted, for which Capital Stabilization funds are being requested in February 2026. The estimated cost of replacement is $340,000. YEAR 1: For this year’s free cash request, DPW recommends replacing the following Public Works vehicles: • Heavy Dump Truck (#21, already out of service) – proposed to be replaced with a hook lift truck with a brine tank, dump body, and catch basin cleaning clamshell assembly. The estimated cost, including the various style body attachments, is $300,000. • Light Dump Trucks (#33, #35, #38, #47 and #48) – we propose replacing these with four one-ton pickup trucks and two smaller pickup trucks. Electric or hybrid vehicles will be considered for the two pickup trucks, depending on whether they will be used for snow operations. The estimated cost for these vehicles is $110,000 each for the four one-ton trucks and $70,000 for the two pickup trucks, for a total of $580,000. This results in a total free cash request of $880,000 from the general fund. Sustainable options will be explored for one pickup truck if it is determined it will not be used for snow plowing, consistent with the City’s EV-first policy. In addition, the DPW is pursuing replacement of the Sewer Division’s Vactor truck. This specialized equipment has an estimated cost of $650,000. A budgetary line item has been carried in the Sewer Enterprise Fund of $80,000 per year, intended to be used toward a lease-to-own Vactor truck. There is enough free cash in the Sewer Enterprise Fund to pay for a $200,000 downpayment, with annual payments of roughly $89,000/year over five years. Free cash for the downpayment will be requested in spring 2026 from the Sewer Enterprise Fund’s retained earnings balance. 9 YEAR 2: We recommend replacement of the following vehicles in Year 2: • Heavy Dump Truck #29, with an estimated replacement cost of $230,000 • The Wyoming Cemetery backhoe (#50), estimated to cost $210,000 • The 2008 Bombadier sidewalk plow. We recommend replacement with a trackless machine that can also be used with attachments for summer operations, with an estimated cost of $190,000. • Engineering Division vehicle – this can be replaced with an electric vehicle, given the availability of a charging station at the City Hall parking lot. This replacement is estimated at $50,000. • Catch basin clamshell attachment for the new Truck #21 (hook lift) - $100,000 This amounts to a total of $780,000 for Year 2 replacement vehicles. YEAR 3: We recommend replacement of the following vehicles in Year 3: • Highway Division bucket truck - $150,000 • Light trucks (utility bodies for facilities with one salter) - #56 and #58 ($80,000 to $110,000 each, depending on what is specified) • DPW Facilities van #40 - $70,000 • Pickup truck #59 - $65,000 • Loader #77 - $250,000 • Hotbox HB-2 - $40,000 The resulting request for Year 3 is $795,000. The DPW is anxious to get our fleet up to a serviceable level, to allow us to provide both efficiency and cost-effectiveness in the services we provide. We appreciate your consideration of this capital plan for our vehicles over the next three years. 10

Transcript

▶ 22:26 Bradley Freeman: Councillor Park? Yes. Councillor Williams? Yes. President Freeman? Yes. Chair Romanul? Yes. That motion passes. Terrific. Motion passes. We are now adjourned. Thanks so much, everybody. Oops. Good evening. The time is 7:45 PM on Thursday, February 26th- ... 2026. I am Council President Freeman. This meeting of the Melrose City Council is called to order. In accordance with the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law, this meeting is being broadcast and recorded by the Melrose Cable Access TV, and will be available for viewing in its entirety on MMTV and through the city website. Pursuant to current allowances under the Open Meeting Law, enacted under Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025, signed into law by Governor Healey on March

▶ 23:13 Bradley Freeman: 28th, 2025, City Councillor Jamaleddine is participating in this meeting tonight remotely via the city's Zoom platform. Due to Councillor Jamaleddine remote participation, all votes will be taken by roll call. Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll? I will. Councillor Chen? Yes. Councillor Finocchiaro? Here. Councillor Jamaleddine? Say that. Here. Councillor Karamcheti? Here. Councillor Kowal? Here. Councillor Obremski? Here. Councillor Park? Present. Councillor Romanul? Here. Councillor Vandiver? Here. Councillor Williams? Here. President Freeman? Here. That makes for a quorum. Wonderful. At this time, please rise if you're able to join in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of

▶ 24:03 America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. At this time, I will entertain a motion to approve the minutes from February 2nd, 2026. So moved. Second. A motion, uh, by Councillor Romanul, seconded by Councillor Vandiver.... Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Council Chen? Yes. Councilor Finocchiaro? Yes. Councilor Jamaleddine? Yes. Councilor Karamcheti? Yes. Councilor Kowal? Yes. Councilor Obremski? Yes. Councilor Park? Yes. Councilor Romanul? Yes. Councilor Vandiver? Yes. Councilor Williams? Yes. President Freeman? Yes. That motion passes. Thank you. Those minutes are now approved. I will now entertain a motion to open the floor for public

▶ 25:00 Bradley Freeman: comment. Motion to open the floor for public comment. Second. Motion by, uh, Councilor Williams, seconded by Councilor Karamcheti. Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Councilor Chen? Yes. Councilor Finocchiaro? Yes. Councilor Jamaleddine? Yes. Councilor Karamcheti? Yes. Councilor Kowal? Yes. Councilor Obremski? Yes. Councilor Park? Yes. Councilor Romanul? Yes. Councilor Vandiver? Yes. Councilor Williams? Yes. And President Freeman. Yes. That motion passes. So the floor is now open for public comment. Per Rule 33A of the Melrose City Council rules, this is the portion of the meeting where anyone in the public may speak on any item tonight, on tonight's agenda. Comments expressing any viewpoint on other matters are also welcome.

▶ 25:41 Bradley Freeman: Is there anyone in the audience who would like to speak? Seeing none, is there anyone online? No one online. Okay, I will now entertain a motion to close the floor for public comments. Motion to close public comment. Second. Motion by Councilor Karamcheti, seconded by Councilor Romanul. Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Councilor Chen? Oops, sorry. Yes. Sorry. Councilor Chen? Yes. Councilor Finocchiaro? Yes. Councilor Jamaleddine? Yes. Councilor Karamcheti? Yes. Councilor Kowal? Yes. Councilor Obremski? Yes. Councilor Park? Yes. Councilor Romanul? Yes. Councilor Vandiver? Yes. Councilor Williams? Yes. President Freeman? Yes. That motion passes. Thank you. We are now closed for public comment.

▶ 26:21 Moving on to the agenda, there are no communications from the Honorable Mayor tonight. We'll move on to new business. Filings by the Honorable Mayor, appointments and reappointments. ID number 2026-309, reappointment of George Biblios, 264 Grove Street, Melrose, to the Melrose Historical Commission for a term of three years, said term to expire the last day of February 2029. This will go to Boards and Commissions. ID number 2026-310, reappointment of William Butler, 102 Crescent Road, to the BB Estate Board of Trustees for a three-year term, said term t- set to expire on the last day of February 2029. This will go to Boards and Commissions. ID number 2026-311, reappointment of Jessica Rockruff McKenna, 5 Mar-

▶ 27:10 Mary- Marmion Road, Melrose, to the BB Estate Board of Trustees for a three-year term, said term to expire on the last day of February 2029. This will go to Boards and Commissions. Reappointment of Kathy Mercier, 466 Pleasant Street, to the Melrose Library Board of Trustees for a three-year term, said term to expire the last day of February 2029. This will go to Boards and Commissions. ID number 2026-355, reappointment of Joe Vio- Viola, 134 Howard Street, Melrose, Mass, to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund for a two... for a one-year term, said term to expire on the last day of January 2027. This will go to Board and the Commissions. ID number 2026-356, reappointment of Kathy Galino, t- 25 Apple Hill Road, to the Melrose Board of Assessors

▶ 27:55 for a three-year term set to expire on the last day of February 2029. This will go to Boards and Commissions. ID number 2026-379, reappointment of Darren Brown, 43 School Street, Melrose, to the Historical Commission for a term of three years, said term to expire on the last Feb- on the last day of February 2029. This will go to Boards and Commissions. ID number 2026-381, appointment of Diana Weinberg, 94 Maple Street, Melrose, to the Commission on Woman for a term of three years, said term to expire the last day of February 2029. This will go to Boards and Commissions. ID number 2026-396, reappointment of Brian Thorpe, 77 Wentworth Road, to a five-year term as a regular member on the Zoning Board of Appeals, said term to expire the

▶ 28:42 last day of February 2031. This will go to Boards and Commissions. ID number 2026-397, reappointment of Robert Tulis, 8 Thurston Road, to the Historic District Commission for a three-year term, said term to expire on the last day of February 2029. This will go to Boards and Commissions. ID number 2026-444, reappointment of Joseph Hunt, 132 Mount Vernon Avenue, to the Melrose Historical Commission for a three-year term set to expire on the last day of February 2029. This will go to Boards and Commissions. ID number 2026-445, appointment of Joseph Swinton Shortledge, Shortledge, 132 Bay State Road, Melrose, to the Melrose Human Rights Commission for a term of three years, said term to expire the last day of February 2029.

▶ 29:29 This will go to Boards and Commissions. ID number 2026-446, appointment of Laurie Chamko, 14 Bol- Botolph Street, Melrose, to the Melrose Human Rights Commission for a term of three years, said term to expire on or before the last day of February 2029. This will go to Boards and Commissions. ID number 2026-456, appointment of Paul Castillito, 63 Stratford Road, Melrose, to the Cemetery Commission for a term of three years, said term to expire the last day of February 2029. This will go to Boards and Commissions. ID number 2026-476, appointment of Don Jacobs, 462 East Foster Street, Melrose, to the Board of Health for a term of three years, said term to expire on or before the last day of February 2029.

▶ 30:15 And this will go to Boards and Commissions. Thank you very much. Good luck, Councilor Williams, with- You're a good winner. Moving on to filings by members of the Honorable City Council. Ordinances. ID number 2026-447, amending Melrose Revised Ordinance 93-6, leashing requirements to provide exceptions for canine dogs and service animals. This will go to Legal and Legislative.... Moving on to grants. ID number 2026-455, acceptance of EO- EEA Cooling Corridors Grant for 40,000. This will go to Appropriations and Oversight. ID number 2026-477, acceptance of the BSAS MassCal 3B Grant by the Health and Human Services Department. And this will go to Appropriations and Oversight. Moving to unfinished business, appointments, and reappointments.

▶ 31:11 ID number 2026-294, reappointment of David Hoff, 46 Warwick Road, to the Commission on Disability for a three-year term, said term to expire on the last day of February 2029. Thank you. From the Boards and Commissions Committee. Uh, this order comes from the committee with a recommendation, uh, to approve, and at this time, I make that motion to approve. Second. Second. Motion to approve by Councilor Williams, seconded by Councilor Karamcheti. On discussion? Seeing none, Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Councilor Chen? Yes. Councilor Finocchiaro? Yes. Councilor Jamaleddine? Yes. Councilor Karamcheti? Yes. Councilor Kowal? Yes. Councilor Bremsky? Yes. Councilor Park? Yes. Councilor Romanul? Yes.

▶ 32:02 Councilor Vandiver? Yes. Councilor Williams? Yes. President Freeman? Yes. That motion passes. ID number 2026-295, reappointment of Garren Boyd, 463 Lebanon Street, to the Commission on Disability for a three-year term, said term to expire on the last day of February 2029. Uh, this also comes from the Boards and Commissions Committee, and, uh, with the recommendation for approval, and this time I make that motion. Second. Motion approved by Councilor Williams, seconded by Councilor Karamcheti. On discussion? Seeing none. Madam Clerk. Councilor Chen? Yes. Councilor Finocchiaro? Yes. Councilor Jamaleddine? Yes. Councilor Karamcheti? Yes. Councilor Kowal? Yes. Councilor Bremsky? Yes. Councilor Park?

▶ 32:53 Yes. Councilor Romanul? Yes. Councilor Vandiver? Yes. Councilor Williams? Yes. President Freeman? Yes. That motion passes. ID number 2026-296, reappointment of Margaret Sheets, 53 Melrose Street, to the Commission on Disability for a three-year term, said term to end on the last day of February 2029. This comes from the Boards and Commissions Committee, uh, with a recommendation for passage, and at that time, I make this motion. Second. Recommendation for passage made by Councilor Williams, seconded by Councilor Karamcheti. On discussion? Seeing none. Madam Clerk. Councilor Chen? Yes. Councilor Finocchiaro? Yes. Councilor Jamaleddine? Yes. Councilor Karamcheti? Yes. Councilor Kowal? Yes. Councilor Bremsky?

▶ 33:36 Yes. Councilor Park? Yes. Councilor Romanul? Yes. Councilor Vandiver? Yes. Councilor Williams? Yes. President Freeman? Yes. That motion passes. Thank you. Moving on to orders. ID number 2026-305, authorizing a bond under the Water Enterprise System through MWRA Local Water System Assistance Program. Bonds in the amount of eight hundred and forty-eight thousand six hundred dollars. Mr. President, this motion co- um, comes to us from the Appropriations and Oversight Committee with a recommendation for passage, and at this time, I'll make a motion for passage. Second. Second. Motion of passage by Councilor Romanul, seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro. On discussion? Seeing none. Madam Clerk. Councilor Chen?

▶ 34:24 Yes. Councilor Finocchiaro? Yes. Councilor Jamaleddine? Yes. Councilor Karamcheti? Yes. Councilor Kowal? Yes. Councilor Bremsky? Yes. Councilor Park? Yes. Councilor Romanul? Yes. Councilor Vandiver? Yes. Councilor Williams? Yes. President Freeman? Yes. That motion passes. Moving on to requests. ID number 2026-307, appropriation in the amount of three hundred and forty thousand from capitals stabilization for DPW, um, refuse yard waste truck. Mr. President, this request comes to us from the Appropriations and Oversight Committee with a recommendation for passage, and at this time, I will make a motion for passage. Second. Motion for passage made by Councilor Romanul, seconded by Councilor Karamcheti.

▶ 35:10 On discussion? Seeing none, Madam Clerk. Councilor Chen? Yes. Councilor Finocchiaro? Yes. Councilor Jamaleddine? Yes. Councilor Karamcheti? Yes. Councilor Kowal? Yes. Councilor Bremsky? Yes. Councilor Park? Yes. Councilor Romanul? Yes. Councilor Vandiver? Yes. Councilor Williams? Yes. President Freeman? Yes. That motion passes. Thank you very much. Moving on to... Are there any reports from committees? Seeing none, expiries? Seeing none. Do we have any Rule 36 reports tonight? Councilor Chen. Yes, I'd like to report on the recent developments in the public safety buildings, and also share my screen. I know it's a bit hard to see, but it's a good story. So phase one of the Public Safety Buildings Committee is to

▶ 36:13 Jason Chen: rebuild Engine 2 up on Tremont Street, and also the main headquarters, the main police headquarters. And so we've gotten quotes back and awarded the business for contractors, two different contractors for both of those buildings. And if you look here, the blue is what the construction quotes came back at from the general contractors. The yellow is the total project cost, the red is what we thought it would cost, and the only p- thing that's important is the green on the bottom. Mm. So we're $5.7 million below on about $61 million of buildings, so that's about eight or nine percent below, and that does include a 5% contingency.... So we've selected two good contractors. We- the process was in the summer and fall, we pre-qualified

▶ 36:53 Jason Chen: a number of these contractors. Anyone that came in with the lowest bid would be accepted by law, and we ended up with CTA for the fire department, or for, uh, Engine 2. They are- between our architects and our building project manager, our owner's project manager, Vertex, they've all had good relationships with CTA, and they've done a number of projects together. CTA's built a number of fire stations and police stations, including the one in Medford a few years ago. We also have Michael M. O'Connor as the police department, um, general contractor, and they also have a really strong reputation. So it's good to start this project off this way. We're gonna start neighborhood meetings and demolition probably in the next couple

▶ 37:37 Jason Chen: months. Um, and then we'll start the planning for Engine 3 over on the east side. Thank you, Councilor Chen. Yeah, and it's, uh, the cost reduction is partly due to both the chiefs and, uh, the, the board or the team reducing the scope and looking at what we really don't need in those buildings, and also due to, it's just a very favorable, favorable time right now for ch- commercial construction. So the contractors came back with pretty aggressive quotes. Thank you. Yep. Any other Rule 36 r- or Councilor Karamcheti? Oh, just wanted to make a comment, uh, related to Councilor Chen, uh, information. The Engine 2 neighborhood meeting that was scheduled for this week is now gonna be rescheduled for Thursday, March 5th at 4:00 PM with Ms.

▶ 38:28 Bradley Freeman: Gaffey. Thank you. Any other Rule 36 reports? Seeing none, moving on to a new agenda item. This was at the suggestion of Councilor Vandiver, and I think it's an excellent suggestion to provide an opportunity for councilors to provide updates on community meetings they've attended or make some acknowledgements they want for various activities or events in the city. So I want to open this up, but I do first want to just echo something Councilor Finocchiaro said during the appropriations meeting, and just publicly thank DPW for all the work they've done. Um, it's been a very long five or six weeks for them. They've done an incredible job. If you drive into other towns, you really appreciate all the work that Melrose has done on this.

▶ 39:04 Jason Chen: So I just want to thank DPW for all they've done. Hear, hear. With that, are there any updates from any councilors? Councilor Chen. I'd like to make an update on the Summit Avenue development, which is going to the Zoning Board of Appeals on March 11th, and that's their final time to make a, uh, a decision on behalf of the city. Is there a way to share the screen, or should we not worry about it? Uh, do you have- All right, great. So for those who don't know, Summit Avenue has been going on for at least a couple years, and it started out as a proposal. This is up in the Highlands. It's one of the highest parts in the north part of the Highlands. Um, it's neither here nor there, but it's also,

▶ 39:44 Jason Chen: uh, within shouting distance from where Councilor Karamcheti and I live. So up on this small block, you've got two houses there right now, and the proposal is for 28 townhouses, and if you look closely at the topographical lines on the right, it's pretty steep. And there's a number of abutters, which I've highlighted in yellow, who are directly concerned about water runoff issues, a significant amount of blasting, and also how all that, how all that water, with which they already have in their basements and in their yards, is going to be affected by a huge amount of land change. And so some residents have hired engineers. The city has also done a number of consultant peer reviews, all concerned about just

▶ 40:30 Jason Chen: the sheer size of this. Many residents don't oppose development, and they know that something will go there, but the sheer size causes the design to have to do a bunch of funny things which may not hold up over time. So we're really concerned about what the due process is for these types of developments that are 40Bs, but there's... They really do impact the health and safety of the resident abutters. So there's no direct action for the committee right now, but it is something that the city may, may have to take up and, uh, appeal in some way. Thank you, Councilor Chen. Any other updates from councilors? Councilor Williams. Uh, not an update so much, but I just wanted to thank the, uh, people here,

▶ 41:13 Manjula Karamcheti: Councilor Vandiver, for your idea for the committee- community meetings. That's fantastic. Uh, and Councilor Chen, um, I know that Councilor Karamcheti has also been working with constituents on this issue for several years, and I think between the two of you in this concentrated area, that people are very well served. So kudos to all of you, and I appreciate the information. Yeah, I would... Oh, sorry. Councilor Karamcheti. Um, I would just add, in, in addition to the concerns that Councilor Chen surfaced, there are other access issues around fire trucks being able to get up safely, um, DPW services being able to maneuver, um, wildlife issues. It is a complicated piece of land to develop on, um, so there are just an

▶ 42:01 Manjula Karamcheti: extensive amount of safety issues and constituent concerns, um, that hopefully will be addressed in some way, shape, or form. And this is maybe the second or third iteration of a plan that has, uh, been proposed for Summit, um, over the past few years. So it's been a long-standing, um, situation, and the more voices involved, the better. Any other updates? Councilor Park. Uh, not so much as an update, as a question. I don't know if we're entertaining questions about the projects at hand at this- I think we probably wanna keep it limited to just the updates, because it was not noticed. Okay. Very good. Then, no. Wonderful. Any other updates? At this time, I'll entertain a motion to adjourn, then.

▶ 42:49 Motion to adjourn. Second. Motion to adjourn by Councilor Karamcheti, seconded by Councilor Romanul. Madam Clerk? Councilor Chen? Yes. Councilor Finocchiaro? Yes. Councilor Jamaleddine? Yes. Councilor Karamcheti? Yes. Councilor Kowal? Yes. Councilor Bremshy? Yes. Councilor Park? Yes. Councilor Romanul? Yes. Councilor Vandiver? Yes. Councilor Williams? Yes. President Freeman? Yes. This motion passes. We are now adjourned. Thank you, everyone.

City Council — 2026-02-26

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