Legal & Legislative Committee — 2026-03-23

Attendance

Cal Finocchiaro absent · Ward 6; Bradley Freeman present · President, Ex; Manjula Karamcheti absent · Vice Chair; Elizabeth Kowal present · At-Large; Kimberly Vandiver present · Ward 5

Agenda

1. CALL TO ORDER (0:00)
2. Attendees (0:30)
3. MINUTES APPROVAL (0:44)
4. PUBLIC COMMENT (1:16)
5. ORDINANCES
6. That the City of Melrose accept the paragraph of Section 12 of M.G.L. chapter 138 that any common victualler, who also holds a license to sell wine and malt beverages may, upon written approval by the Melrose Liquor Licensing Commission, also be allowed to sell liqueurs and cordials. (5:00)
7. Requesting an increase to the exemption amount of the Veterans Tax Work Off Program abatement from $1,000 per year to $1,500 per year, as authorized by Chapter 59, Section 5K of the Massachusetts General Laws. (9:30)
8. That the Melrose City Council vote to dissolve the Melrose Redevelopment Authority (14:57)
9. Amending Melrose Revised Ordinance 93-6 Leashing Requirements to Provide Exceptions for K-9 dogs and Service Animals. (19:56)
10. Amend the language of the Mobile Food Vendor Article III of Chapter 127 of City of Melrose Ordinance remove the requirement of public hearing prior to license issuance. (22:35)
11. ORDERS
12. ADJOURNMENT (26:50)

Minutes

Legal & Legislative Committee Monday, March 23, 2026, 7:00 PM City Council Chamber, 1st Floor 562 Main Street, Melrose, MA 02176 MINUTES I. CALL TO ORDER Manjula Karamcheti Vice Chair Cal Finocchiaro Elizabeth Kowal Kimberly Vandiver William Bradley Freeman President, Ex Officio Member Maya Jamaleddine Chair Meeting was called to order by Chair Jamaleddine at 7:00 PM Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Manjula Karamcheti Vice Chair Absent Cal Finocchiaro Ward 6 Absent Elizabeth Kowal At-Large Present Kimberly Vandiver Ward 5 Present William Bradley Freeman President, Ex Present Officio Member Maya Jamaleddine Chair Present II. MINUTES APPROVAL Legal & Legislative Committee Meeting January 20, 2026 7:00 PM Motion to Approve the minutes made by President Freeman Seconded by Councilor Vandiver All were in favor and motion passed RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Maya Jamaleddine, Bradley Freeman, Elizabeth Kowal, Kim Vandiver NAYS: None ABSENT: Manjula Karamcheti, Cal Finocchiaro III. PUBLIC COMMENT 1 When: Mar 23, 2026 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Topic: Legal & Legislative Committee Meeting Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android: https://cityofmelrose- org.zoom.us/j/99971270256?pwd=bxamCKOO5eIacPQmbXyhMf1cCVdJTc.1 Passcode:435855 Webinar ID: 999 7127 0256 Motion to Open public comment made by Chair Jamaleddine at 7:02 PM Comments on the floor: -My name is Robert Driscoll. I reside at 33 Thurston Road here in Melrose. I'm a retired Melrose firefighter, I'm a retired Air Force colonel with 38 years of military service, and I'm also the chairman of the Melrose Veterans Advisory Board. Thank you for the opportunity to state my support for the Veterans Work Off Program in the City of Melrose. It goes back many years, when I and other members of the Melrose Veterans Community came before the Board of Aldermen to support and stand up for this program. And from what I understand, we fell a bit short on proper language in the local ordinance as adopted that conflicted with state law for the Veterans Write-off program. So we are here again before you tonight to correct this and restart this important initiative. We are all aware that today in the United States, as well as in the Commonwealth, in our own city, many of our neighbors struggle to pay their bills. Affordability is a major challenge. This program, merited off the Senior Citizen Work Off Program, will help veterans of any age who own property in the city to have the opportunity to work off a portion of their real estate taxes. It could mean the difference between paying their taxes or paying for medication or food. I hope you will support this program and help the veterans in our community remain in our community. Thank you. -Good evening, Madam Chairwoman, members of the committee. I am Michael Buggy of 131 Myrtle Street, Melrose. I'm here tonight to speak in support of the Veterans Tax Work Off Program. This program's been working successfully for many years. It's allowed veterans to stay active in the community while receiving meaningful financial relief. It's given the city the benefit of their time, skills, and dedication. It's a true win-win for both sides of this equation. I understand that there are concerns because of conflicts with state laws, and I respect the need to address those. I urge you to find the path forward that preserves this program. Whether it's through adjustments, clarifications, pursuing the legal solution, whatever allows this to continue, I hope this path moves forward. At its core, this program is about honoring service in a practical, meaningful way. It shows that Melrose does think and care about the veterans, and we do support them. I hope that you will keep this program in place for the veterans who rely on it and find continued benefit for the community as well. Thank you for your time. There were no comments via Zoom. Motion to Close public comment made by Chair Jamaleddine at 7:05 PM IV. ORDINANCES

A. (ID # 2026-611): That the City of Melrose accept the paragraph of Section 12 of M.G.L. chapter 138 that any common victualler, who also holds a license to sell wine and malt beverages may, upon written approval by the 2 Melrose Liquor Licensing Commission, also be allowed to sell liqueurs and cordials. Motion to Recommend made by President Freeman Seconded by Councilor Vandiver All were in favor and motion passed RESULTS: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] TO: City Council AYES: Maya Jamaleddine, Bradley Freeman, Elizabeth Kowal, Kim Vandiver NAYS: None ABSENT: Manjula Karamcheti, Cal Finocchiaro Comments on discussion: -President Freeman stated that Table 4 is in my ward. It's great to see a new business get up and running, so anything that we can do to support new businesses like that, I'm all in favor of. One question I was going to ask you just answered, actually, was how many existing licenses would be eligible for this if they chose to pursue it, and I understand that it's 3. And my other question is just a clarification that if we were to move forward with this, those requests would then go to the Liquor Commission, and you would have a process to determine if those entities were awarded this license, it would be entirely in the purview of the Commission. And I'm under the assumption that it has to go to the state as well, too. Yes, so through the Chair, that's correct. So it would have to be a permit granted by the Liquor Commission in writing. After a hearing, it would then have to be granted by the ABCC after the local license is issued.

B. (ID # 2026-617): Requesting an increase to the exemption amount of the Veterans Tax Work Off Program abatement from $1,000 per year to $1,500 per year, as authorized by Chapter 59, Section 5K of the Massachusetts General Laws. Motion to Recommend made by Councilor Vandiver Seconded by President Freeman All were in favor and motion passed RESULTS: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] TO: City Council AYES: Maya Jamaleddine, Bradley Freeman, Elizabeth Kowal, Kim Vandiver NAYS: None ABSENT: Manjula Karamcheti, Cal Finocchiaro Comments on discussion: -Councilor Vandiver asked can you share the number of veterans and the number of dollars currently in the program? Tammy replied I have just recently began this position in July. This program's not running currently because, as Lauren said, we're in the middle of two different things, because we need to codify it, so we haven't started the program for 2026. I don't have an exact number of how many people will be in the program, and I wasn't here last year. I do know that we have consistently had veterans and veteran family members participate in this program since 2012, but I don't have an exact number, being that I just started in the office in July. 3 -President Freeman asked can you give an example of some of the employment opportunities available to veterans if they partake in this program? Tammy replied that some of the things that would be available would be volunteering with the Veterans Food Pantry, which we have once a month, Memorial Day activities, Veterans Day activities, food drives and outreach events, different things, Thanksgiving and holiday support, office and administrative support. These are all things that are just within the Veterans Department specifically. President Freeman asked if you have a senior citizen who's also a veteran and they avail themselves to the senior citizen tax abatement, are they also able to claim the veterans abatement. No, they must choose only one program and they couldn't double dip in those two contracts. The Veterans Advisory Board had brought to our attention that there is state legislation pending to raise the amount from $1,500, where it currently is, to $2,000, so that it would match the senior property tax work off. So, once it does make its way through the State House, we'll be back to you all to increase it again. -Councilor Vandiver asked if there is a provision to allow someone else to do the work for the veteran, and no it must be the veteran or a veteran family dependent. -Chair Jamaleddine asked if there is a limit to the number of abatements per household, for example if a household has 2 veterans, and it is limited to one per household.

C. (ID # 2026-475): That the Melrose City Council vote to dissolve the Melrose Redevelopment Authority Motion to Recommend made by Councilor Vandiver Seconded by Councilor Kowal All were in favor and motion passed RESULTS: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] TO: City Council AYES: Maya Jamaleddine, Bradley Freeman, Elizabeth Kowal, Kim Vandiver NAYS: None ABSENT: Manjula Karamcheti, Cal Finocchiaro Comments on discussion: -Councilor Vandiver stated that I appreciate you bringing this before us to close things out cleanly, and to do that final act of beautifying Milano Park at the corner of Main Street and Grove Street. I think that's a great use of those funds. -Chair Jamaleddine asked how much money is left in the account and there is currently $45,000 which will be put toward the Milano Park final project. Administrative code specifies how the money can be used and there is also grant money for this specific project.

D. (ID # 2026-447): Amending Melrose Revised Ordinance 93-6 Leashing Requirements to Provide Exceptions for K-9 dogs and Service Animals. Motion to Recommend made by Councilor Vandiver Seconded by Councilor Kowal All were in favor and motion passed RESULTS: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] TO: City Council AYES: Maya Jamaleddine, Bradley Freeman, Elizabeth Kowal, Kim Vandiver 4 NAYS: None ABSENT: Manjula Karamcheti, Cal Finocchiaro Comments on discussion: -Chair Jamaleddine asked for an explanation of when a service animal would be off the leash. It could be for a visually impaired individual who the dog is trained to help retrieve products for. The dog would then be off-leash to go get the item and bring it right back. These dogs are heavily trained before they are equipped for service, so I think they're very well-behaved dogs and don't generally need a leash.

E. (ID # 2026-632): Amend the language of the Mobile Food Vendor Article III of Chapter 127 of City of Melrose Ordinance remove the requirement of public hearing prior to license issuance. Motion to Recommend made by President Freeman Seconded by Councilor Kowal All were in favor and motion passed RESULTS: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] TO: City Council AYES: Maya Jamaleddine, Bradley Freeman, Elizabeth Kowal, Kim Vandiver NAYS: None ABSENT: Manjula Karamcheti, Cal Finocchiaro Comments on discussion: -Councilor Vandiver stated the difference between what was previously written that included a public hearing, and what this would become, is that it would still be coming through City Council in a publicly noticed meeting and not an official public hearing. People could still come to public comment and comment on that specific food truck and their plans and suitability. The difference would be not needing to do a notification a certain number of weeks prior in the newspaper for an official public hearing. President Freeman confirmed that it would remove the need for a public notification in the newspaper, as well as sending individual notices to households within a certain vicinity of the food truck location. To continue, this may make a lot of sense because these food trucks will be in a variety of locations. It might be difficult to notify all the people that they would be near. On the other hand, we have food truck zones, so if we did continue with this public hearing process, it would be the same set of people getting notified every time for that zone. So just making sure that we're all on the same page here. I have had one complaint from somebody in Ward 5 that they are concerned about the food trucks near them, and whether they would receive notice. I think they would probably prefer to get as much notice as possible, but it does seem that there is still a standard meeting notice that they would receive here. If one of the neighbors received a notice and they would like to voice a concern, they don't have a hearing to attend. The request still would be coming before the City Council, so it would be on the agenda for a license committee meeting and, there would be public comment time at that meeting. After the fact, after the license is issued, they would treat it just as any other question they may have about any existing license, and go before that relevant department within the city. V. ORDERS 5 VI. ADJOURNMENT The City of Melrose does not discriminate based on disability and is committed to hosting accessible meetings and events. Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication, written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City of Melrose or to attend meetings, should contactthe City’s ADA Coordinator, Polina Latta platta@cityofmelrose.org. Motion to Adjourn by unanimous consent made by Chair Jamaleddine at 7:28 PM. All were in favor and meeting was adjourned 6 … … … . CITY OF MELROSE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR . City Hall, 562 Main Street Melrose, Massachusetts 02176 JENNIFER GRIGORAITIS Telephone - (781) 979-4440 Mayor MEMORANDUM To: Melrose City Council From: Jen Grigoraitis, Mayor Re: Acceptance of specific paragraph of Section 12 of M.G.L. Chapter 138 Date: March 9, 2026 Cc: Lauren Grymek, Chief of Staff Kerriann Golden, CFO Shannon Phillips, City Solicitor Joe Nevin, Chair, Liquor Licensing Commission The Melrose Liquor Licensing Commission has recently received a request from one of its license holders, Table Four (Lovergaag, LLC d/b/a Table 4), to expand its offerings to customers to include the sale of cordials and liqueurs. Currently, their on-premises license is for wine and malt beverages only. In certain cities and towns that vote to accept a specific state law, M.G.L. c. 138 section 12, businesses that hold a wine and malt beverages license and also a common victualler’s license, may be given a permit to also sell cordials and liqueurs. Given this, I am requesting that City Council City vote to accept this section of state law which will allow Table Four, and other on–premises wine and malt license holders to seek a permit to sell liqueurs and cordials. The relevant paragraph of this section of law states as follows: M.G.L. c. 138 section 12: In any city or town which votes to accept the provisions of this paragraph, a common victualler, who holds a license under this section to sell wines and malt beverages may, upon written approval, also sell liqueurs and cordials pursuant to said license, subject, however, to all other licensing provisions of this chapter. If Council accepts this section, the Liquor Commission will then be able to consider permitting these additional sales for current licensees. Any such establishment would also then need to receive approval from the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission (ABCC) to add sale of cordials and liqueurs to their license. Thank you for your consideration. ORDER: That the City of Melrose accept the paragraph of Section 12 of M.G.L. chapter 138 that any common victualler, who also holds a license to sell wine and malt beverages may, upon written approval by the Melrose Liquor Licensing Commission, also be allowed to sell liqueurs and cordials. WHEREAS, Massachusetts General Law, chapter 138, section 12 includes the following paragraph stating, "In any city or town which votes to accept the provisions of this paragraph, a common victualler, who holds a license under this section to sell wines and malt beverages may, upon written approval, also sell liqueurs and cordials pursuant to said license, subject, however, to all other licensing provisions of this chapter”; and WHEREAS, liqueurs and cordials are defined as flavored spirits product containing not less than 2½% by weight sugar, dextrose, levulose or a combination thereof made by mixing or redistilling any class or type of spirits with or over fruits, flowers, plants or pure juices therefrom or other natural flavoring materials or with extracts derived from infusions, percolation or maceration of such materials.; and WHEREAS, the City of Melrose’s acceptance of this provision will support local wine and malt license holders who wish to expand options for their customers while supporting the overall strength and vibrancy of our local economy; and WHEREAS, upon acceptance of this provision any establishment seeking to serve liqueurs or cordials in Melrose would be required to obtain a permit from the License Commission and approval from the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC), and so NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDERED: That the City of Melrose accepts the paragraph of Section 12 of M.G.L. Chapter 138 allowing a common victualler, who holds a license under Section 12 to sell wines and malt beverages to, upon written approval by the Melrose Liquor Licensing Commission, also sell liqueurs and cordials pursuant to said license and all other licensing provisions of M.G.L. c. 138. 3/9/26, 1:12 PM General Law - Part I, Title XX, Chapter 138, Section 12 Part I ADMINISTRATION OF THE GOVERNMENT Title XX PUBLIC SAFETY AND GOOD ORDER Chapter ALCOHOLIC LIQUORS 138 Section LICENSES AUTHORIZING SALE OF BEVERAGES TO BE DRUNK ON 12 PREMISES; VETERANS' ORGANIZATIONS, CORPORATIONS, ETC.; SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION; HOURS OF SALE; LIQUEURS AND CORDIALS; LIQUOR LEGAL LIABILITY INSURANCE REQUIREMENT Section 12. A common victualler duly licensed under chapter one hundred and forty to conduct a restaurant, an innholder duly licensed under said chapter to conduct a hotel, a pub brewer, a continuing care retirement https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXX/Chapter138/Section12 1/133/9/26, 1:12 PM General Law - Part I, Title XX, Chapter 138, Section 12 community and a keeper of a tavern as defined by this chapter, in any city or town wherein the granting of licenses under this section to sell all alcoholic beverages or only wines and malt beverages, as the case may be, is authorized by this chapter, subject however, in the case of a tavern, to the provisions of section eleven A, may be licensed by the local licensing authorities, subject to the prior approval of the commission, to sell to travelers, strangers and other patrons and customers not under twenty-one years of age, such beverages to be served and drunk, in case of a hotel or restaurant or continuing care retirement community licensee, only in the dining room or dining rooms and in such other public rooms or areas of a hotel as the local licensing authorities may deem reasonable and proper, and approve in writing; and provided further, that the limitations relative to service and consumption in a restaurant or hotel or continuing care retirement community only in the dining rooms and such other public rooms or areas deemed reasonable and proper by the local licensing authority shall not be deemed to preclude the restaurant or hotel from allowing a patron to retain and take off the premises only so much as may remain of a bottled wine purchased by the patron in conjunction with a meal and not totally consumed by the patron during such meal; provided further, that the limitations relative to service and consumption in a tavern, club or war veterans' organization licensed pursuant to this section shall https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXX/Chapter138/Section12 2/133/9/26, 1:12 PM General Law - Part I, Title XX, Chapter 138, Section 12 not be deemed to preclude the tavern, club or war veterans' organization from allowing a patron, member or guest, as the case may be, to retain and take off the premises only so much as may remain of a bottled wine purchased by the patron, member or guest in conjunction with a meal and not totally consumed by the patron, member or guest during such meal; provided further, that all such wine bottles shall be resealed in accordance with regulations promulgated by the commission and transported in a manner authorized in section 24I of chapter 90 when carried in a motor vehicle, as defined in section 1 of said chapter 90; provided, that no tavern license shall be granted to the holder of a hotel license hereunder. Such sales may also be made, by an innholder licensed hereunder, to registered guests occupying private rooms in his hotel, and in the dining room or dining rooms and in such other public rooms or areas of buildings on the same premises as the hotel and operated as appurtenant and contiguous to and in conjunction with such hotel, and to registered guests occupying private rooms in such buildings and in the case of condominium accommodations that are located appurtenant and contiguous to and also upon the same premises as a hotel, sales may be made by the hotel licensee as the local licensing authorities may deem reasonable and proper, and approve in writing. Such sales may also be made by a continuing care retirement community licensed hereunder, to residents or guests of https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXX/Chapter138/Section12 3/133/9/26, 1:12 PM General Law - Part I, Title XX, Chapter 138, Section 12 residents in rooms in a continuing care retirement community, and in the dining rooms and in such other public rooms or areas of buildings on the same premises as the continuing care retirement community and operated as appurtenant and contiguous to and in conjunction with such continuing care retirement community, and to guests of residents in such buildings; provided, however, that such sales may be made by the continuing care retirement community licensee as the local licensing authorities may deem reasonable and proper and approve in writing. Such sales may be made by a restaurant licensee at such stands or locations in a sports arena, stadium, ball park, race track, auditorium or in any one building at an airport as the local licensing authority may deem reasonable and proper, and approve in writing. A local licensing authority may grant a license for the sale of all alcoholic beverages or a license for the sale of wines and malt beverages at any location on the grounds of a golf course as it deems reasonable and proper. Upon an application for a restaurant license, the local licensing authorities may in their discretion grant such a license authorizing the sale of alcoholic beverages on all days of the week or one authorizing such sale on secular days only, and the decision of such authorities as to which of the two types may be granted upon any particular application shall be final. During such time as the sale of such alcoholic beverages is authorized in any city or town under this chapter, the authority to grant https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXX/Chapter138/Section12 4/133/9/26, 1:12 PM General Law - Part I, Title XX, Chapter 138, Section 12 innholders' and common victuallers' licenses therein under chapter one hundred and forty shall be vested in the local licensing authorities; provided, that if a person applies for the renewal of both a common victualler's license or an innholder's license under said chapter one hundred and forty and a hotel or a restaurant license, as the case may be, under this section and the local licensing authorities refuse to grant said common victualler's or innholder's license or fail to act on the applications therefor within a period of thirty days, such applicant may appeal therefrom to the commission in the same manner as provided in section sixty-seven and all the provisions of said section relative to licenses authorized to be issued by local licensing authorities under this chapter shall apply in the case of such common victualler's license or innholder's license. If a license granted under this section to a person holding a license as an innholder or common victualler is suspended or revoked for any particular cause, no action shall be taken on account thereof by such authorities with respect to such innholder's or common victualler's license prior to the expiration of the period provided for an appeal under section sixty-seven in case no such appeal is taken, or prior to the disposition of any such appeal so taken, nor thereafter, except for further cause, in case such disposition is in favor of the appellant. Any club in any city or town https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXX/Chapter138/Section12 5/133/9/26, 1:12 PM General Law - Part I, Title XX, Chapter 138, Section 12 wherein the granting of licenses to sell alcoholic beverages, or only wines and malt beverages, as the case may be, is authorized under this chapter may be licensed by the local licensing authorities, subject to the approval of the commission, to sell such beverages to its members only, and also, subject to regulations made by the local licensing authorities, to guests introduced by members, and to no others. A member of a club licensed under this section may bring wine to be consumed on the premises with a meal purchased at the club, unless the club objects, which it may do at its sole discretion. At all times the club shall control the handling, serving and dispensing of wine in accordance with this chapter and may refuse to pour wine for any patron for any reason or for no reason, regardless of whether bottles are opened or unopened. Unopened bottles shall be returned to the patron who shall remove such bottles from the premises at the conclusion of the event, and open bottles shall be returned and resealed in accordance with regulations promulgated by the commission and transported in a manner authorized by section 24I of chapter 90 when carried in a motor vehicle, as defined in section 1 of said chapter 90. The club shall set and charge a reasonable corkage fee, which shall be added to the member's meal expense. Such fee shall be set at not less than $30 and shall be applied to each bottle of wine that is opened. https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXX/Chapter138/Section12 6/133/9/26, 1:12 PM General Law - Part I, Title XX, Chapter 138, Section 12 The local licensing authorities of any city or town wherein the granting of licenses under this section to sell all alcoholic beverages or only wines and malt beverages, as the case may be, is authorized by this chapter, may, subject to the approval of the commission and irrespective of any limitation of number of licenses contained in section seventeen, issue a license to any corporation the members of which are war veterans and which owns, hires or leases in such city or town a building, or space in a building, for the use and accommodation of a post of any war veterans' organization incorporated by the Congress of the United States, to sell such beverages to the members of such post only, and also, subject to regulations made by the local licensing authorities, to guests introduced by such members and to no others. The local licensing authorities may determine in the first instance, when originally issuing and upon each annual renewal of licenses under this section, the amount of the license fee, for a tavern license or for any other license under this section for the sale of all alcoholic beverages, or for any other license under this section for the sale of wines and malt beverages, and provided that nothing herein shall prevent such authorities from establishing license fees differing in amounts within the limitations aforesaid for restaurant licenses authorizing such sale on secular days only. If different license fees are so established the fee for licenses https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXX/Chapter138/Section12 7/133/9/26, 1:12 PM General Law - Part I, Title XX, Chapter 138, Section 12 authorizing the sale of alcoholic beverages on all days of the week shall not be more than twenty-five per cent higher than the fee for licensing such sale on secular days only. Before issuing a license to any applicant herefor under this section, or before a renewal of such license, the local licensing authority shall cause an examination to be made of the premises of the applicant to determine that such premises comply in all respects with the appropriate definition of section one and that the applicant is not less than twenty-one years of age and a person of good character in the city or town in which he seeks a license hereunder. No license shall be issued to any applicant who has been convicted of a violation of a federal or state narcotic drugs law. The local licensing authorities may accept the surrender of a license issued under this section and may issue in place thereof to the same licensee any other form of license authorized under this section, and may allow as a credit on the fee for the new license the license fee paid for the license surrendered but no refund shall be authorized. Different licenses issued as aforesaid for any portion of the same license year to the same licensee shall count as one license for the purposes of section seventeen. The hours during which sales of such alcoholic beverages may be made by any licensee as aforesaid shall be fixed by the local licensing authorities either generally or specially for each licensee; provided, however, that no https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXX/Chapter138/Section12 8/133/9/26, 1:12 PM General Law - Part I, Title XX, Chapter 138, Section 12 such sale shall be made on any secular day between the hours of two and eight o'clock antemeridian and that, except as provided in section thirty- three, no such licensee shall be barred from making such sales on any such day after eleven o'clock antemeridian and before eleven o'clock postmeridian, and no tavern shall be kept open on any such day between one o'clock antemeridian and eight o'clock antemeridian; provided, further, that any such licensee or his manager shall not be prohibited from being on the licensed premises at any time; provided, further, that the employees, contractors or subcontractors shall not be prohibited from being upon such premises at any time for the purpose of cleaning, making renovations, making emergency repairs to or providing security for, such premises or preparing food for the day's business or opening or closing the business in an orderly manner. The licensing authority shall not decrease the hours during which sales of such alcohol beverages may be made by a licensee until after a public hearing concerning the public need for such decrease; provided, however, that a licensee affected by any such change shall be given 2 weeks notice of the public hearing. No license issued under this section shall be subject to any condition or requirement varying the occupancy of the licensed premises as certified by any person or state or local agency charged with the administration or enforcement of the state building code or any of its rules or regulations. https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXX/Chapter138/Section12 9/133/9/26, 1:12 PM General Law - Part I, Title XX, Chapter 138, Section 12 No person, firm, corporation, association or other combination of persons, directly or indirectly, or through any agent, employee, stockholder, officer or other person, or any subsidiary whatsoever, licensed under the provisions of sections eighteen or nineteen shall be granted a license under this section. In cities and towns which vote to authorize under section eleven the granting of licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages, specific licenses may nevertheless be granted under this section for the sale of wines or malt beverages only, or both. The licensing authorities may refuse to grant licenses under this section in certain geographical areas of their respective cities or towns, where the character of the neighborhood may warrant such refusal. All malt beverages sold by a licensee under this section containing not more than three and two tenths per cent of alcohol by weight shall be expressly sold as such. No malt beverage shall be sold on draught from a tap, faucet or other draughting device, unless there shall plainly appear on or attached to such device, in legible letters, the brand or trade name of the malt beverage so sold therefrom. https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXX/Chapter138/Section12 10/133/9/26, 1:12 PM General Law - Part I, Title XX, Chapter 138, Section 12 In any city or town wherein the granting of licenses under this section to sell alcoholic beverages or wines and malt beverages is authorized, a person may be granted a general on-premise license by the local licensing authorities, subject to the prior approval of the commission, authorizing him to sell alcoholic beverages without food to patrons and customers subject to all other relevant provisions of this chapter, provided that such beverages shall be sold and drunk in such rooms as the licensing authorities may approve in writing. The annual license fee for such general on-premise license shall be determined by the local licensing authority. For the purposes of section eleven an affirmative vote on subdivision A or B shall be considered an authorization for the granting of general on- premise licenses in a city or town. A common victualler who holds a license pursuant to this section may provide on premises sample wine or malt beverage tasting; provided however, that such licensee shall not solicit orders for wine or malt for off premises consumption; and provided further, that any such wine tasting shall be limited to one ounce per serving and any such malt beverage tasting shall be limited to two ounces per serving and food shall be served in conjunction with any such wine or malt beverage tasting. https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXX/Chapter138/Section12 11/133/9/26, 1:12 PM General Law - Part I, Title XX, Chapter 138, Section 12 In any city or town which votes to accept the provisions of this paragraph, a common victualler, who holds a license under this section to sell wines and malt beverages may, upon written approval, also sell liqueurs and cordials pursuant to said license, subject, however, to all other licensing provisions of this chapter. A common victualler who holds a license for the sale of all alcoholic beverages or holds a license for the sale of wines and malt beverages and who also holds pursuant to this section written approval to sell liqueurs and cordials pursuant to his license may provide on-premises sample liqueurs and cordials tasting; provided however, that a licensee shall not solicit orders for liqueurs and cordials for off-premises consumption; and provided, further, that any such liqueurs and cordials tasting shall be limited to 1/4 of an ounce per serving and food shall be served in conjunction with any liqueurs and cordials tasting. A common victualler who holds a license for the sale of all alcoholic beverages may provide on premises sample alcoholic beverages tasting; provided, however, that a licensee shall not solicit orders for alcoholic beverages for off–premises consumption; and provided further, that any tasting of alcoholic beverages, other than wines and malt beverages, shall be limited to 1/4 of an ounce per serving and food shall be served in conjunction with any alcoholic beverages tasting. https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXX/Chapter138/Section12 12/133/9/26, 1:12 PM General Law - Part I, Title XX, Chapter 138, Section 12 No license shall be issued or renewed under this section until the applicant or licensee provides proof of coverage under a liquor legal liability insurance policy for bodily injury or death for a minimum amount of $250,000 on account of injury to or death of 1 person, and $500,000 on account of any 1 accident resulting in injury to or death of more than 1 person. Proof of the insurance coverage required by this section shall be made by filing a certificate of insurance in a form acceptable to the local licensing authority. The insurance shall be subject to sections 5 and 6 of chapter 175A of the General Laws. https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXX/Chapter138/Section12 13/133/11/26, 11:43 AM General Law - Part I, Title IX, Chapter 59, Section 5N Part I ADMINISTRATION OF THE GOVERNMENT Title IX TAXATION Chapter ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES 59 Section REDUCTION OF PROPERTY TAX OBLIGATION OF VETERAN IN 5N EXCHANGE FOR VOLUNTEER SERVICES Section 5N. In any city or town which accepts this section, the board of selectmen of a town, or in a municipality having a town council form of government, the town council or the mayor, with the approval of the city council in a city, may establish a program to allow veterans, as defined in clause Forty-third of section 7 of chapter 4 or a spouse of a veteran in the case where the veteran is deceased or has a service-connected disability, to volunteer to provide services to that city or town. In exchange for such volunteer services, the city or town shall reduce the real property tax https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleIX/Chapter59/Section5N 1/33/11/26, 11:43 AM General Law - Part I, Title IX, Chapter 59, Section 5N obligations of that veteran on the veteran's tax bills and that reduction shall be in addition to any exemption or abatement to which that person is otherwise entitled; provided, however, that person shall not receive a rate of, or be credited with, more than the current minimum wage of the commonwealth per hour for the services provided pursuant to that reduction; and provided further, that the reduction of the real property tax bill shall not exceed $1,500 in a given tax year. It shall be the responsibility of the city or town to maintain a record for each taxpayer including, but not limited to, the number of hours of service and the total amount by which the real property tax has been reduced and to provide a copy of that record to the assessor in order that the actual tax bill reflect the reduced rate. A copy of that record shall also be provided to the taxpayer prior to the issuance of the actual tax bill. The cities and towns shall have the power to create local rules and procedures for implementing this section in a way that is consistent with the intent of this section. Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit the reduction of workforce or otherwise replace existing staff. The amount by which a person's property tax liability is reduced in exchange for the volunteer services shall not be considered income, wages or employment for purposes of taxation as provided in chapter 62, for the purposes of withholding taxes as provided in chapter 62B, for the purposes https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleIX/Chapter59/Section5N 2/33/11/26, 11:43 AM General Law - Part I, Title IX, Chapter 59, Section 5N of workers' compensation as provided in chapter 152 or any other applicable provisions of the General Laws. While providing such volunteer services, that person shall be considered a public employee for the purposes of chapter 258 and those services shall be deemed employment for the purposes of unemployment insurance as provided in chapter 151A. A city or town, by vote of its legislative body, subject to its charter, may adjust the exemption in this clause by: (i) allowing an approved representative for persons physically unable to provide such services to the city or town; or (ii) allowing the maximum reduction of the real property tax bill to be based on 125 volunteer service hours in a given tax year, rather than $1,500. https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleIX/Chapter59/Section5N 3/3 OFFICE OF PLANNING AND CITY OF MELROSE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT City Hall, 562 Main Street Melrose, Massachusetts 02176 LORI MASSA, AICP Telephone - (781) 979-4190 Director & City Planner M E M O R A N D U M TO: Melrose City Council FROM: Lori Massa, Director & City Planner CC: Mayor Jennifer Grigoraitis Kerriann Golden, CFO/Auditor Shannon Phillips, City Solicitor Lauren Grymek, Chief of Staff Maya Noviski, Senior Planner Jane Pitts, Accounting Manager DATE: February 17, 2026 RE: Melrose Redevelopment Authority Vote to Dissolve The Melrose Redevelopment Authority (MRA) has voted to submit the question of its dissolution to the City Council. The MRA has been inactive for many years, and the Office of Planning and Community Development has initiated the housekeeping item of officially dissolving the Authority with the final use of the Authority’s funds for a project within their original area of focus in the Urban Review Plan. Massachusetts General Law requires that the City Council vote to submit its request to the State Secretary to certify a Redevelopment Authority’s dissolution. The project for which the remaining funds will be used is the restoration/beautification project at Milano Park at the corner of Main and Grove Streets, which will take place this spring. The majority of the funding for the project was obtained through an earmark that the City received from the State; however, more funds are necessary to complete the project and since the work directly relates to the goals of the MRA, it is a logical use of the funds. BACKGROUND Established in 1959, the Melrose Redevelopment Authority (MRA) was created to take advantage of the federal Urban Renewal Program. Under the program, public funding was provided for the revitalization of disinvested and underutilized neighborhoods, and the redevelopment of substandard and blighted open areas for residential, commercial, industrial, business, governmental, recreational, educational, hospital or other uses. While the federal government subsidized most of the costs of projects administered by Redevelopment Authorities, the State contributed significant financial resources, as well. Redevelopment Authorities, which could expend their funds without municipal approval, worked alongside municipal officials to achieve the goals and missions of cities and towns. As such, in 1978, the MRA created an Urban Renewal Plan for the Friends Block in Downtown Melrose, which was bounded by Main Street, East Foster, Leonard Road, and Grove Street, after a fire created a blighted area spanning over 100,000 sf. With the State’s approval of the plan, State and federal funds were dispersed to support the project. The plan had the following goals: • Providing focus for public investment and private reinvest into downtown Melrose; • Providing a unified combination of urban residential and commercial uses in a mix of older renovated and newly constructed buildings; • Providing attractive off-street parking; and • Improving the visual and aesthetic appearance by the provision of comprehensive design and landscape improvements. One of the more visible outcomes from this effort was the renovation of the Prince Building, which is currently home to Eastern Bank. The creation of the plan, which expired in 2008, and the renovation of the Friend’s Block were the MRA’s last significant undertakings, and it has been largely inactive since. DISSOLUTION With the closeout of the federal Urban Renewal Program in the 1970s, Redevelopment Authorities lost a key funding source and became obsolete. Many were absorbed by municipalities’ planning departments. In Melrose, according to the City’s Administrative Code Article 3, Section 310-Planning and Community Development Department, administrative control of the MRA was assumed by the Director of Planning and Community Development and all monies and assets were credited to the Planning and Community Development account. According to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 121B, if a Redevelopment Authority determines that there is no further need for its existence, it may submit the question of its dissolution to the City Council. If council votes to approve such dissolution, the vote is submitted to the State Secretary for certification, and the Redevelopment Authority is officially dissolved. At its meeting on February 3, 2026, Philip Kukura, Joan Cassidy, and James Oosterman, the Members of the MRA, voted to submit a request to the City Council to approve the dissolution of the Melrose Redevelopment Authority due to its purposes being realized and the lack of assets and outstanding obligations. Thank you for your consideration. 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 BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MELROSE AS FOLLOWS: That current §152-15 Lunch carts, be deleted. That Chapter 127 Hawkers, Peddlers and Transient Vendors be amended to reflect a new title — Hawkers, Peddlers, Transient Vendors, and Mobile Food Vendors — and a new Article III Mobile Food Vendors be added as follows: Article III – Mobile Food Vendors §127-13 License Required; Applicability No person or business entity, including a religious or charitable organization shall operate as a mobile food vendor, , without first obtaining a license from the City Council. A “Mobile Food Vendor” means any mobile operation that stores, prepares, packages, serves, sells, or otherwise provides any prepared or packaged food or beverages for human consumption to the general public from a truck or cart, excluding ice cream trucks. The purpose of this section is to allow for food trucks or “mobile food vendors” to be licensed to operate in certain designated locations in the City of Melrose and to streamline the process for their operation on a recurring basis within City limits. A mobile food vendor license is not required with respect to the following mobile food vendors: a) vendors associated with the Melrose Farmers’ Market; b) vendors selling food and beverages on a one-day basis or for special events (up to three calendar days per year per vendor), including charitable and non-profit fundraisers; c) beverage or snack cart services provided at Mt. Hood Golf Course of Bellevue Golf Course; and d) to private events not open to the general public held on private or public property. All such vendors shall continue to follow necessary permitting through the Melrose Board of Health and any other required City approvals. §127-14 Issuance of License; Fee; Term A. Every mobile food vendor wishing to conduct business in the City of Melrose, except those as indicated above, shall apply for and obtain an annual license. An application on a form prescribed by the City Clerk shall be completed on an annual basis and filed with the City Clerk. Each licensee shall pay an annual fee of $500 for the mobile food vendor license. B. Along with any additional required documentation listed on the application, applicants shall submit all of the following with the application for a mobile food vendor license: 1. Proof of Annual Food Service Permit issued by the Melrose Board of Health; 2. Hawkers and Peddlers License issued by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; 3. Approvals from the Health Department, Parks Department, Public Works Department, Police Department, Fire Department; 4. .If requested location is on public property, a copy of the permission granted by the necessary City board, commission, agency, or department having jurisdiction over the public property (e.g. Parks Commission, Beebe Board of Trustees, School Department, etc.); 5. If requested location is on private property, a copy of the lease or agreement from the property owner authorizing the intended use; 6. Occupancy permit issued by the Engineering Department if parking will be along a public way; 7. Unless operating on private property, the existence of a general liability policy in effect during the days and times for which the license is sought with coverages as required by the City; and 8. Unless operating on private property, an agreement absolving the City, its officials, officers and employees from all liability in connection with the proposed use of City property, and indemnifying the City for any damage or expenses as required by the City; C. After application materials are reviewed for completeness, the applicant will then be required to obtain a license from City Council. D. In reviewing an application, the City Council shall consider the public good and general welfare and convenience of the community and shall take into account factors such as the following: 1. Traffic and pedestrian safety, 2. Impact on nearby parking, residences, and businesses; 3. Application completeness and departmental approvals; 4. Existing number of mobile food vendors; 5. History of compliance; 6. Other public safety or community concerns. E. Approved Locations of Operation: 1. No applicant shall be approved to park within 50 feet of an entrance of a restaurant unless they have received written consent from the owner(s) of any restaurant(s) within 50 feet of the proposed location. 2. Licensees shall operate only in designated locations approved for the days and times on the License as approved by Council. F. The issuance of a mobile food vendor license does not grant to, or entitle, the licensee the exclusive use of any service route or location, in whole or in part, other than the time and place specified in the license or permit for the term of the license or permit. G. Annual licenses issued shall begin on May 1st and expire on April 30th the following year. All renewal applications shall be submitted to the City Clerk’s office by April 1st. H. Mobile food vendor licenses may be renewed by the City Clerk on an annual basis upon submission of updated application materials, new departmental approvals, and payment of required fees. §127-15 Conditions of Operation A. Mobile food vendors may only operate at specifically approved public or private locations at specifically approved times. B. Mobile food vendor may not operate for more than eight (8) hours at any one location per calendar day. C. Mobile food vendors may only operate between the hours of 8:00 AM and 9:00 PM on public property. D. Mobile food vendors must maintain a clean site and provide trash/recycling receptacles, and remove all trash and recycling generated by their operation upon departing the site each day. Additionally: 1. All vendors are encouraged to provide consumers with compostable single- service articles, such as compostable forks, and paper plates. 2. No single-use plastic bags are permitted. All bags must follow requirements established in Chapter 198 Article V of the Melrose City Code. 3. Single-use plastic straws are only to be provided upon request as established in Chapter 198 Article VI Melrose City Code. 4. No styrofoam or polystyrene products are permitted as established in Chapter 198 Article VII Melrose City Code.. 5. All mobile food vendors shall inspect adjacent streets, sidewalks and alleys within 50 feet regularly for purposes of removing any litter found. E. Mobile food vendors must follow all posted traffic and parking regulations and park only in legal parking spaces, and may not for any reason park: 1. Blocking any fire department connection or fire lane, fire hydrant, crosswalk, loading zone, or within 20 feet of an intersection or blocking any driveway; 2. Within any bike lane, bus stop, or upon any sidewalk. F. Mobile food vendors may not conduct business with people in vehicles nor shall they serve customers who stop or park vehicles in a vehicle or bicycle travel lane near the mobile food vendor. G. Mobile food vendors may not provide or allow any dining area, including but not limited to tables, chairs, booths, bar stools, benches, and standup counters. H. Mobile food vendors shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations and ordinances, and any conditions on the License. Mobile food vendors shall maintain for the term of their License all necessary underlying licenses such as the food establishment permit, state hawker and peddlers’ license, and all necessary approvals and insurance coverages for use of the designated location. I. Licenses are non-transferable and must be clearly displayed. §127-16 Enforcement; Modifications; Fines A. City Council may modify a mobile food vendor license after the issuance of such license,,i) for cause, after reasonable notice to the licensee of the grounds for the proposed modification and the time and place of the hearing regarding such proposed modification, or ii) at the request of the Licensee, subject to Council approval. B. In regards to trucks or carts on public property or along the public way, the City reserves the right to temporarily move a truck or cart to a nearby location if there is a need by the City to use the approved location for emergency purposes, snow removal, construction, or other public benefit. C. The City Council may suspend, revoke, or decline to renew a mobile food vendor license for cause, after reasonable notice to the licensee of the grounds for the proposed action and the time and place of the hearing regarding such action. D. The Police Department, Public Works Department, Fire Department, and Health and Human Services Director are all authorized to enforce this ordinance. E. In cases involving an immediate public safety or health hazard, the local health director or other enforcing authority may order an immediate, temporary suspension of the license for 14 days without a prior hearing. A public hearing will be held within that timeframe to review the action. F. In addition, this ordinance may be enforced by non-criminal disposition under M.G.L. c. 40 § 21D. Any mobile food vendor who refuses, neglects, or fails to comply with any laws, regulations, ordinances, or codes applicable to the license shall be subject to a fine of $100 per day. Failure to comply with any provision of this Ordinance, or retain the required licenses, permits, and approvals necessary for operation will constitute grounds for violation. Each day of non-compliance shall constitute a separate offense.

Transcript

▶ 0:00 Maya Jamaleddine: Or the victualer, which I never know how to say. Good evening. The time is seven PM on Monday, March twenty-third, twenty twenty-six. This is the meeting of the Legal and Legislative Committee. I am Maya Jamaldein, pronounce she and her, the chair. And also joining me tonight are, Councilor Kowal, Councilor Vandiver, and President, Ex Officio Freeman. This serves as notice of a quorum for the record, and in accordance with the open meeting law, this meeting is being recorded and broadcast live on MMTV. Um, and for the next item, I will, I will make a motion, to... I will entertain a motion to, for minute approval, from meeting on January twentieth, twenty twenty-six. So moved. Second. Uh, we have a, a motion made by President Freeman,

▶ 1:07 Maya Jamaleddine: seconded by, Councilor, Vandiver, on discussion. Seeing none, this, these minutes are being approved. Next, is public comment. I will motion by unanimous consent to open the floor up for public comment. Seeing no objection, we are now open for public comment, and this is the portion of the meeting where anyone can speak on any item on the, agenda for tonight. Please say your name and address. Yes, good evening. Uh, my name is Robert Driscoll. I reside at Thirty-three Thurston Road here in Melrose. Um, I'm a retired Melrose firefighter, I'm a retired Air Force colonel with thirty-eight years of military service, and I'm also the chairman of the Melrose Veterans Advisory Board. Thank you for the opportunity to state my support for the Veterans Work Off

▶ 2:05 Program here in the city of Melrose. A little history on this program. It goes back many years ago when I and other members of the Melrose veterans community came before the Board of Aldermen to support and stand up this program. And from what I understand, we fell a bit short on proper language in the local ordinance as adopted that conflicted with state law for the Veterans Write Off Program. So we are here again before you tonight to correct this and restart this important initiative. We are, we are all aware that today in the United States, as well as in the Commonwealth, in our own city, many of our neighbors struggle to pay their bills. Affordability is a major challenge. This program, merit off the Senior Citizen Work Off Program,

▶ 2:52 will help veterans of any age who own property in the city the opportunity to work off a portion of their real estate taxes. It could mean the difference between paying their taxes or paying for medication or food. I hope you will support this program and help the veterans in our community remain in our community. Thank you. Thank you. Good evening. Good evening. Michael Buggy, One Thirty-One Myrtle Street, Melrose, Mass. Good evening, Madam Chairwoman, members of the committee. Um, I'm here tonight to speak in support of the Veterans, Tax Work Off Program. Uh, this program has been working successfully for many years. Uh, it's allowed veterans to stay active in the community while receiving,

▶ 3:39 while receiving meaningful, meaningful financial relief. Um, it's given the city the benefit of their time, skills, and dedication. It's a true win-win for both sides of, this equation. I understand that there are concerns, because of conflicts with state laws, and I respect the need, to address those. But I urge, you to find the path forward to-- that preserves this program. Whether that it's, whether it's through adjustments, clarifications, pursuing the legal solution, whatever allows this to continue, I hope, this path moves forward. Um, at its core, this program is about honoring service in a practical, meaningful way. It shows, that Melrose does think and care about the veterans, and we do support

▶ 4:28 Maya Jamaleddine: them. Uh, I hope you-- that you will keep this program in place for the veterans who rely on it and find continued benefit for the community as well. Thank you for your time. Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak? Do we have anyone online? There's no one online. Okay. Seeing none, if there is no objection, I will motion to close public comment. Seeing no objection, we are now closed for public comment. Next, onto our ordinance and items on our agenda. Um, ID number twenty twenty-six dash six eleven, that the City of Melrose accept the paragraph of Section twelve of M- MGL Chapter one thirty-eight, that any common victualer, who also holds a license to sell wine and malt beverages may, upon written approval by the Melrose Liquor Licensing Commission,

▶ 5:34 Maya Jamaleddine: also be allowed to sell liquors and, cordials. Uh, we have... Hi, Madam, Phillips. Uh, please- Good evening. The floor is yours. Uh, Shannon- It's been a while since I've been in this, room, so No problem. Forgot everybody's names. Uh, Shannon Phillips, City Solicitor. I'm joined, tonight by Joe Nevin, who's the Chair of the Liquor Commission. Uh, this current order is on your agenda tonight at the request of both the mayor and the Melrose Liquor Commission. Table four, specifically Melrose, a new restaurant. It's currently a licensed restaurant in Melrose with a wine and malt beverage license only. Uh, they're looking to, it's my understanding and, um-Joe can elaborate on this little more, but they're looking to expand their

▶ 6:18 offerings to customers to now include cordials and liquors. Under state law, if the city through its city council accepts this paragraph that we've identified, as laid out, the Melrose Liquor Commission will then be able to permit, any common vic restaurants that also have, a only a wine and malt beverage license to also sell, cordials and liquors, at their premises. Uh, the mayor and the Liquor Commission are requesting council accept this section so that the commission will then have the ability to permit these licensed restaurants which don't have an all alcohol license, like Table 4, so that they can expand their offerings to customers. Um, so as I mentioned, with me tonight is Joe Nevin, who's the chair of the Liquor

▶ 6:59 Commission. I'll turn it over to him now to add anything he'd like related to why the commission is looking for this option. Thank you. We're looking... Thank you. Joe Nevin. Uh, it's really at the request of our, license holder that we are looking into this. Um, we think it's a good idea. It's, it'll allow them to have a broader offering. They have a very, them s- specifically have a very unique offering, and, to be able to do things that are very complimentary, like a, a Aperol Spritz or things of that nature, they'll be able to do that. Uh, what the cordials are, you know, liquors as well as, alcohol that has a high su- a higher sugar content. I don't know the exact threshold of that, but it's, you know...

▶ 7:52 So they have the ability to serve anything made with those products, and, they can craft that. But, overall, it's a, it's just a different product. And, each, any establishment that comes to us will have its own unique point of view on it. Thank you. Uh, and we only have three license holders, currently. One is, Wooden Fire, one is, Table 4, and one is Big Fin Pokey. Perfect. Mm-hmm. And, I have next, President Freeman. Thank you very much. Um, first, I just wanna say, Table 4 is in my ward. Uh, it's great to see a new business get up and running. So I... Anything that we can do to support new businesses like that, I'm all in favor of. One question I was gonna ask you, you just answered actually, was how many existing

▶ 8:39 Bradley Freeman: licenses would be eligible for this if they chose to pursue it. So thank you for that. And my other question is just a clarification, that if we were to move forward with this, those requests would then go to the Liquor Commission and, and you would have a process to determine if those entities were awarded this license. It would entirely- That's correct ... purview of the commission. And I'm, under the assumption that it has to go to the state as well too. Yes. Yeah. So through the chair, that's correct. So it would have to be a permit granted by the Liquor Commission in writing, after hearing, and then it would then have to be granted by the ABCC after the local license is issued. Wonderful. Thank you.

▶ 9:10 Maya Jamaleddine: Perfect. Any other comments from my colleagues? What is the will of the committee? Motion to recommend. Second. We have a motion to recommend made by President Freeman, seconded by Councilor Vanderberg. Uh, on discussion. Seeing none, all in favor? Aye. Aye. Any oppose? Okay. Thank you. Thank you. This is passed- Thank you ... and will be recommended to the full council. Next is ID number 2026-617, requesting an increase to the exemp- exemption amount of the Veterans Tax Work Off Program abatement pro- from one thousand per year to, fifteen hundred per year as authorized by Chapter 59, Section 5K of the Massachusetts General Law. Good evening. Hi. Can I start? Yeah. Hello. Hi. Uh, my name is Tamara Shovelton. I'm the Director of Veteran Services, here

▶ 10:08 for the City of Melrose. So we're coming to you today asking to raise the amount of the, Veteran Tax Work Off Program from one thousand to fifteen hundred, which was raised by the state already. Um, this raising of this amount will greatly help our veterans who are able to be in this program to help, with their tax burden for their property taxes. Perfect. Would you like to add anything? Um, I'll just add, I think, Colonel Driscoll mentioned this in his comments that, the program dates back to 2012 when the city council or then board of aldermen did adopt the Mass General Law with this provision. Um, and before you is a second order to codify the program, which is, being held in A&O. So we've got kind of a two-part to this.

▶ 10:56 Um, but also just wanna give credit to Ms. Shovelton for kind of coming in, you know, she's been here less than a year, and realizing that we needed to do some of these things, and to the Veterans Advisory Board for, encouraging and supporting the administration to put the increase before you all. Yes, of course. Thank you. Any question from my colleagues? Uh, Councilor Vanderberg. Thank you. Um, can you share, the number of veterans who currently are part of the program and the k- dollar-- the number of people and the number of amount of, dollars currently in the program? So as I have just recently began this position in July, we-- this program's not running currently because, as Lauren said, we're in the middle of, of two

▶ 11:43 different things 'cause we need to codify it, so we haven't started the program for 2026. So I don't have an exact number of how many people will be in the program, and I wasn't here last year. I do know that we have consistently had veterans and veteran family members participate in this program since 2012, but I don't have an exact number, being that I just started in the office in July. Mm-hmm. Okay. Thank you. Um, President Freeman. Uh, just two quick questions. One, can you just give an example of some of the-employment opportunities available to the veterans if they partake in this program? Oh, absolutely. Um, so some of the things that would be available would be, like, volunteering with the veterans food pantry, which we have once a month,

▶ 12:26 Bradley Freeman: Memorial Day activities, Veterans Day activities, food drives and outreach events, different things, Thanksgiving and holiday support, office and administrative support. Those are all things that are just within the veterans department specifically. Wonderful. And then my second question is if you have a senior citizen who's also a veteran, and they avail themselves to the senior citizen tax abatement, are they also able to claim this? So it's, it's, it's one, and they would do the other one 'cause the other one's a larger threshold. The o- it's, it's either a or. Oh. And so most senior citizens, I imagine, would do the other one. But because there is a large list for that one, and there, there might not be

▶ 13:01 enough spots, if there are veterans that maybe didn't get a spot in the senior citizen tax write-off, they would be eligible to then do the veterans tax write-off, but they couldn't double dip in those two programs. That, that's great that it's another opportunity, though, so thank you. And, again, the Veterans Advisory Board, had brought to our attention that there is state legislation pending, to raise the amount from fifteen hundred, where it currently is, to two thousand, so that it would match the senior property tax work off. So once that does make its way through the State House, would be back to you all to increase it again. Yeah. Awesome. Any other question? Councilor Vandiver. Thank you. Uh, I was just remembering that recently with the

▶ 13:42 Maya Jamaleddine: senior citizen work off program, I believe we approved language allowing someone else to do the work on their behalf. I just wanna check. In this case, we're not-- we don't have that type of provision, right? No, we don't have that type of provision. For the Veterans Tax Write-off program, you have to be a veteran or a veteran family dependent, as, as laid out by Massachusetts general law for what distinguishes a veteran and a veteran dependent. Okay. Thank you. No problem. Awesome. I actually have a follow-up question on Councilor Vandiver question. So is it per household, fifteen hundred, or is it- It's per household. Per household. So if we have two veterans, it will still qualify for-

▶ 14:23 Maya Jamaleddine: For one household. Yep. Yes. Excuse me. Okay. Um, what is the will of the, committee? I'll make a motion to recommend. Second. We have a motion to recommend made by Councilor Vandiver, seconded by President Freeman. On discussion. Seeing none, all in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay. This motion passes. Congratulations. Thank you for coming and testifying on this. Thank you for your time. Um, next we have ID number twenty twenty-six dash four seventy-five, that the Melrose City Council vote to dissolve the Melrose, Redevelopment Authority. And we have, Director Massa. How are you? Uh, good. Hello, I'm Lori Massa. I'm the director of the Office of Planning and Community Development, and I'm with Phil Cocora, who is the chair of the Melrose

▶ 15:21 Redevelopment Authority. So we're here tonight to request, a vote to dissolve the Melrose Redevelopment Authority. Uh, the current members are Phil, Joan Cassidy, and Jim Oosterman, and they have, taken that vote to, put this before the council. Uh, the Office of Planning and Community Development has initiated this housekeeping item, as we use the remaining funds in the Melrose Redevelopment Authority's, purview. So we're gonna be using these, funds to beautify and renovate Milano Park, which is at the corner of Main Street and Grove Street. And this is the exact block that the Melrose Redevelopment Authority was focusing in on using, federal funds, to improve over the years. So the Redevelopment Authority was first

▶ 16:13 established in 1959, through the Federal Urban Renewal Program. And then in 1978, the group, created a, an urban renewal plan for this Friends Block, after there was a large fire. And the most visible outcome of their efforts was, the renovation of the Prince Building, which currently houses the, Eastern Bank. So with the, the final use of these funds, we'd like to have the city council vote, and then we would submit that to the state, secretary for certification and, the kind of closing the, the books on, on having the Redevelopment Authority, in Melrose. And this is pretty typical. Um, a lot of the Redevelopment Author- Authorities didn't continue to have funding, after the federal and state money, dried up in the, the seventies.

▶ 17:10 And so we are just taking this, final step to officially dissolve. Perfect. Thank you. And, would you like to say, to add anything on Director Massa's comment? Well, I, I'm here really just answer any questions that you might have, or, follow up on any of the previous discussion. But, as has been already stated, we saw our role at this point to be ready to close down and to say good night, and, wish anybody who's moving on with something related to this to keep on with it. There is some discussion underway now to reestablish the, historic society, in Melrose. Uh, the Historic District Commission is continuing to operate, and these are two things that I've been very much involved in for many years.

▶ 18:09 Kimberly Vandiver: Yeah. Uh, and, so if there are any questions, I'd be happy to- Yeah. Um, thank you so much for your service and everything that you did for Melrose and, our community. We appreciate everything you did. Um, I'll open it for my colleagues if they have any question.Councillor Vandiver. Thank you. I, I don't have any questions. I, I think that it... I appreciate you bringing this before us to, close things out cleanly and, and to do that final act of beautifying that, corner. I think that's, a, a great use of those funds, and I vote to, recommend... make a motion to recommend. Well, we- Second. We have a motion to recommend made by Councillor Vand- Vandiver, seconded by Councillor Kowal. Um, discussion.

▶ 18:57 Maya Jamaleddine: I don't know if yeah, I m- I have a question. I don't know if I missed how much is the f- current fund right now? How much is left? So $45,000. $45,000. And the, administrative code specifies how the funds can just... They go into the planning, department, funds and to use that money. So we have, also grant money for this specific project. So with those two, amounts combined, we're able to, to move forward with the, the, Milano Park project. Awesome. Um, and, any other, comments on discussion? Okay, all in favor? Aye. Aye. Any oppose? Okay, this motion passes. Thank you again for everything you did for our community, and good luck on your next chapter. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Next, we have ID number

▶ 19:58 Bradley Freeman: 2026-447, amending Melrose Revised Ordinance 93-6, leashing requirements to provide exceptions for K9 dogs and service animals. Uh, President, Freeman. Thank you, Chair Jamaleddine. Uh, this is an order that was filed by Councillor Finocchiaro, who is unable to join us tonight due to a f- a family matter. So she asked me just to briefly speak to this, provide a little background, and answer any questions. This is an ordinance that the council passed earlier this year that aimed to, provide a little more clarity around our dog leash ordinances, and at the time, we acknowledged that there was a provision we wanted to revisit regarding police dogs. And in that time since then, we also learned of a provision regarding service animals that we wanted to make sure

▶ 20:44 Bradley Freeman: was in here just to ensure that anyone who has a service animal is able to have that dog or animal be operated in a manner that is best fit for their responsibilities, and that may not be with the use of a leash. Um, but as long as that dog or other animal is within their control, we wanted to make sure that was allowed. So what this ordinance does is it puts a provision in there for service animals, and it also specifies that dogs, canine dogs being used for police activity, are able to be off leash for the purposes of that activity and that activity only. Um, so I'd be happy to answer any questions anyone has. It's, it's in the packet with both of the, the amendments clearly labeled. Thank you. Um, any questions from my

▶ 21:26 Maya Jamaleddine: colleagues? I have a question. Please. So m- and, and that's probably because I, I don't own a dog myself. So, service animals, would be for, a service reason- Yeah. It could be- ... they may be required to be off leash. So this part of the service, is that what it is? Yeah. It could be, for an example, for a visually impaired individual who, who the dog is trained to help retrieve products for them. Okay. The dog would then be off leash to go- Got it ... get the item and bring it right back. Um, again, these dogs are heavily, heavily trained before they, are equipped for service. So I think they're very well-behaviored dogs and, and- Yeah ... don't generally need a leash. That makes a lot of sense. Um, thank you. Any other comments?

▶ 22:19 Maya Jamaleddine: Okay. What is the will of the committee? A motion to recommend. Second. We have a motion to recommend made by Councillor Vandiver, seconded by Councillor Kowal on, discussion. Seeing none, all in favor? Aye. Aye. Any oppose? Okay, this motion passes. ID number 2026-632, amend the language of the, mobile food vendor, articles three of, chapter 127 of City of Melrose ordinance, remove the requirements of public hearing prior to license, issuance. Chair Jamaleddine. Okay. Uh, thank you. This is another issue that, Councillor Finocchiaro brought forward. This is following up on a matter the council passed last session to allow for, mobile food vendors in Melrose. After conversations with the city clerk's office as

▶ 23:16 Bradley Freeman: well as the city solicitor, there was a recommendation that we remove the requirement for vendors to come in for a public hearing. Um, and instead, they would submit their application through the normal process and would be approved by the city council as part of the Protection and License Committee without the need for a public hearing for, for each individual food truck. Mm-hmm. Okay. Any, question from my colleagues? Councillor Vandiver. Thank you. Um, so just talking through this a little bit and making sure that everyone's on the same page about what that would mean for this. Um, so the difference between, my understanding would be then the difference between what was previously written that included a public hearing

▶ 23:57 Kimberly Vandiver: and what this would become is that we would... it would still be coming through city council in a publicly noticed meeting. People could still come to public comment and comment on that specific food truck and their plans and suitability. Um, and so really the difference would be not needing to do a notification a certain number of weeks prior in the newspaper. It can, it... Through the chair, could President Freeman confirm that? Yeah, that's my understanding. It would remove the ne- need for a public notification in the newspaper as well as sending individual notices to, to households within a certain vicinity of the food truck location. Okay. And, if I can continue then. So, and that actually may make a lot of sense

▶ 24:41 Kimberly Vandiver: just in terms of these food trucks will be in a variety of locations. It might be difficult to notify all the people that they would be near. On the other hand, we have food truck zones, so it would... If we did g- continue with this public hearing process, it would be the same set of people probably getting notified every single food truck who are near any food truck zone. Um, so just, just making sure that we're kind of all on the same page here. And then, just to state related to that, I have had one, complaint from somebody in Ward 5 that they, they are concerned about, you know, food trucks near them and, whether they would receive notice. So I, I think they would probably prefer to get as much notice possible,

▶ 25:24 Maya Jamaleddine: but, but it does seem that there is still a nor- a standard meeting notice that they would receive here, so. Um, just kind of talking out loud, making sure everyone has the same shared understanding. No, actually it's, it's... You brought a very good point. Thank you. Um, so to follow up on your question, Councilor, Vandiver, so if, let's say one of the neighbors, received a notice and they, would like to voice a concern, they don't have a hearing, to go to and voice their concern. Who, they will have to go to the licensing? Um, like, where would they go? Go ahead. So, to Councilor Vandiver earlier point, there still would, it still would be coming before the city council. So it would be on the agenda for a license. Um, there would be public comment.

▶ 26:20 Maya Jamaleddine: Um, after the fact, after the license is issued, they would treat it just as any other question they may have about any existing license and go before that relevant department within the city. Okay. Um, any, other comments? Go ahead. Motion to recommend. Second. We have a motion to recommend made by President, Freeman, seconded by, Councilor Kowal on discussion. Seeing none, all in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay, this motion carries. Um, and, we have no orders left. Um, and if there is no objection, I would like to entertain a motion to adjourn. Seeing none, we are adjourned.

Original documents

• Minutes (CivicClerk PDF)
• Agenda (CivicClerk PDF)
• Agenda packet (CivicClerk PDF)
• This meeting on the city portal