City Council — 2026-04-27

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

1. CALL TO ORDER (1:02:12)
2. Attendees (1:02:32)
3. MINUTES APPROVAL
4. City Council Regular Meeting April 6, 2026 7:45 PM (1:03:10)
5. PUBLIC COMMENT (1:03:20)
6. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE HONORABLE MAYOR & OTHER CITY OFFICIALS (1:12:46)
7. NEW BUSINESS
8. Filings by the Honorable Mayor
9. Appointments/Reappointments
10. Reappointment of Peter Bowman, 24 Arlington Road, to the Library Board of Trustees for a three-year term, said term to expire the last day of February 2029. (1:12:52)
11. Appointment of Mark McKinnon, 585 Franklin Street, to the Melrose Housing Authority for a five-year term, said term to expire first Monday of March, 2029. Mr. McKinnon is completing the term of Ellen Connolly who has stepped down. (1:13:12)
12. Appropriations
13. Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) in the amount of $170,000 to Capital Outlay (#931) to purchase a sidewalk plow. (1:13:32)
14. Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) in the amount of $880,000 to Capital Outlay (#931) to purchase DPW Vehicles. (1:13:48)
15. Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) in the amount of $865,000 to DPW-Snow (#431) to close the snow and ice deficit for FY26. (1:14:03)
16. Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) in the amount of $244,944 to the School Department (#1620) for medicaid reimbursement received in FY25. (1:14:20)
17. Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) in the amount of $10,000 to DPW-Highway (#422) to purchase bike racks. (1:14:40)
18. Filings by members of the Honorable City Council
19. Resolutions
20. A Resolution recognizing and supporting ALS, often known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, in Melrose for the Month of May 2026 (1:14:57)
21. Licenses
22. Renewal of Livery Service License for 2026 (1:19:22)
23. ​Renewal of Junk Dealer and Second Hand Dealer ​License for 2026 (1:19:40)
24. Renewal of Gasoline and Storage Licenses for 2026 (1:19:50)
25. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
26. Grants
27. Acceptance of a FY26 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant in the amount of $12,375.87 (1:20:00)
28. ​Acceptance of a Climate Leaders Technical Assistance Grant in the amount of $139,000 (1:20:55)
29. Orders
30. That the City Council authorize the Mayor to enter into an Intermunicipal Agreement (IMA) for establishing a regional Animal Control Officer position in partnership with the Towns of Wakefield and Stoneham. (1:21:43)
31. Informational order - Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board Update (1:22:39)
32. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES (1:23:13)
33. EXPIRIES (1:23:20)
34. RULE 36 REPORTS (1:23:23)
35. CITY COUNCILOR UPDATES (1:23:28)
36. ADJOURNMENT (1:23:52)

Minutes

City Council Regular Meeting Monday, April 27, 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 7:53 PM Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Jason Chen At-Large Present Cal Finocchiaro Ward 6 Present Maya Jamaleddine At-Large Present 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 April 6, 2026 7:45 PM Motion to unanimously approve the minutes without reading made by President Freeman 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 NAYS: None III. PUBLIC COMMENT When: Apr 27, 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/99180785438?pwd=qMYQinOAw8kmkevcLzc0ZrGWEpNoc1.1 Passcode:263736 Webinar ID: 991 8078 5438 Motion to Open public comment made by President Freeman at 7:55 PM Comments on the floor: Billie Malone, Melrose Parents Committee member, of Ashland Street and Nancy Wu of Richardson Street requested more resources, services and a better environment for children at the Melrose Public Library. They requested support to get the library staff to create a more stimulating environment for children and their families, sharing that they frequently go to libraries in surrounding communities that provide a better environment with more programs for their kids. There were no comments via Zoom Motion to Close public comment made by President Freeman at 8:04 PM IV. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE HONORABLE MAYOR & OTHER CITY OFFICIALS V. NEW BUSINESS A. Filings by the Honorable Mayor i. Appointments/Reappointments 2

1. (ID # 2026-824): Reappointment of Peter Bowman, 24 Arlington Road, to the 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

2. (ID # 2026-1146): Appointment of Mark McKinnon, 585 Franklin Street, to the Melrose Housing Authority for a five-year term, said term to expire first Monday of March, 2029. Mr. McKinnon is completing the term of Ellen Connolly who has stepped down. Motion to Refer to Boards & Commissions Committee made by President Freeman RESULT: ASSIGN TO COMMITTEE TO: Boards & Commissions ii. Appropriations

1. (ID # 2026-1147): Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) in the amount of $170,000 to Capital Outlay (#931) to purchase a sidewalk plow. Motion to Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee made by President Freeman RESULT: ASSIGN TO COMMITTEE TO: Appropriations & Oversight

2. (ID # 2026-1148): Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) in the amount of $880,000 to Capital Outlay (#931) to purchase DPW Vehicles. Motion to Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee made by President Freeman RESULT: ASSIGN TO COMMITTEE TO: Appropriations & Oversight

3. (ID # 2026-1149): Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) in the amount of $865,000 to DPW-Snow (#431) to close the snow and ice deficit for FY26. Motion to Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee made by President Freeman 3 RESULT: ASSIGN TO COMMITTEE TO: Appropriations & Oversight

4. (ID # 2026-1150): Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) in the amount of $244,944 to the School Department (#1620) for medicaid reimbursement received in FY25. Motion to Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee made by President Freeman RESULT: ASSIGN TO COMMITTEE TO: Appropriations & Oversight

5. (ID # 2026-1151): Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) in the amount of $10,000 to DPW-Highway (#422) to purchase bike racks. Motion to Refer to Appropriations & Oversight Committee made by President Freeman RESULT: ASSIGN TO COMMITTEE TO: Appropriations & Oversight B. Filings by members of the Honorable City Council i. Resolutions

1. (ID # 2026-835): A Resolution recognizing and supporting ALS, often known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, in Melrose for the Month of May 2026 Motion for Immediate consideration made by Councilor Jamaleddine Seconded by Councilor Romanul All were in favor and motion passed Motion to Place on File made by Councilor Jamaleddine Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro 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 NAYS: None C. Licenses 4

i. (ID # 2026-831): Renewal of Livery Service License for 2026 Motion to Refer to Protection & License Committee made by President Freeman RESULT: ASSIGN TO COMMITTEE TO: Protection & License

ii. (ID # 2026-861): Renewal of Junk Dealer and Second Hand Dealer License for 2026 Motion to Refer to Protection & License Committee made by President Freeman RESULT: ASSIGN TO COMMITTEE TO: Protection & License

iii. (ID # 2026-871): Renewal of Gasoline and Storage Licenses for 2026 Motion to Refer to Protection & License Committee made by President Freeman RESULT: ASSIGN TO COMMITTEE TO: Protection & License VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Grants

i. (ID # 2026-773): Acceptance of a FY26 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant in the amount of $12,375.87 Motion for Passage made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro All were in favor and Motion passed Councilor Karamcheti was absent for this vote RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Jason Chen, Cal Finocchiaro, Bradley Freeman, Maya Jamaleddine, Elizabeth Kowal, John Obremski, Christopher Park, Devin Romanul, Kim Vandiver, Ryan Williams NAYS: None ABSENT: Manjula Karamcheti

ii. (ID # 2026-775): Acceptance of a Climate Leaders Technical Assistance Grant in the amount of $139,000 5 Motion for Passage made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Jamaleddine 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 NAYS: None B. Orders

i. (ID # 2026-774): That the City Council authorize the Mayor to enter into an Intermunicipal Agreement (IMA) for establishing a regional Animal Control Officer position in partnership with the Towns of Wakefield and Stoneham. Motion to Postpone until May 4 meeting made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Williams 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 NAYS: None Councilor Romanul made a motion to postpone this item until May 4 to allow for additional public testimony. He had gotten some feedback from constituents and had spoken with members of the administration and wanted to make sure that the public got a chance to weigh in with their experiences on animal control.

ii. (ID # 2026-749): Informational order - Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board Update Motion to Place on File made by Councilor Romanul Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro 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 NAYS: None VII. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES VIII. EXPIRIES 6 IX. RULE 36 REPORTS X. CITY COUNCILOR UPDATES XI. ADJOURNMENT President Freeman stated that the next city council meeting will be on Monday, May 4th, at 7:45pm, and then on Monday, May 11th, the Mayor has called a joint meeting of the Melrose City Council and the School Committee to unveil her FY27 budget at 7:15 PM. That will be followed by a special meeting of the City Council to receive that budget, and initiate the process for the next two months of budget hearings and appropriations and oversight. Motion to Adjourn made by Councilor Williams at 8:15 PM Seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro All were in favor and meeting was adjourned 7 From: Linda C.W. Gardener To: Mayor"s Office Subject: Fwd: Reappointment to the Melrose Library Board of Trustees Date: Saturday, April 4, 2026 4:27:29 PM Please see below Peter Bowman's expression of interest in continuing on the Library Board of Trustees. -- Linda CW Gardener [she/her], Director Melrose Public Library, Melrose MA www.melrosepubliclibrary.org 781-665-2313 ****CITY OF MELROSE PUBLIC RECORDS NOTICE: Please be advised that the Massachusetts Attorney General has determined that email is a public record unless the content of the email falls within one of the stated exemptions under the Massachusetts Public Records Laws.**** ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Peter Bowman < > Date: Sat, Apr 4, 2026 at 3:21 PM Subject: Reappointment to the Melrose Library Board of Trustees To: Linda C.W. Gardener <lcwgardener@noblenet.org> Dear Melrose City Council: I am seeking reappointment to the Melrose Library Board of Trustees. I have been a life long resident of the City of Melrose. I have served on the Traffic Commission and was Chairman of the Melrose Master Plan Committee some years back. I also currently serve on the Cable Access Committee. I joined the Library Board of Trustees in December 2022. I have served as an officer on the Board, filling positions of Clerk and Treasurer. I currently serve as the Treasurer. I have been an active Board member and in the role I have monitored trust fund investments and interacted with our advisors at UBS. I have worked closely with the Library Director reviewing and revising new policies and policy updates. I look forward to continuing to serve on the Board. Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information. I look forward to your decision. Thank you. Peter T. Bowman ****CITY OF MELROSE PUBLIC RECORDS NOTICE: Please be advised that the Massachusetts Attorney General has determined that email is a public record unless the content of the email falls within one of the stated exemptions under the Massachusetts Public Records Laws.****Dear Council Members, I am writing to express my interest in serving on the Board of the Melrose Housing Authority. I am committed to supporting safe, affordable, and accessible housing within our community, and I would welcome the opportunity to contribute to the Authority’s mission. I am particularly interested in helping strengthen policies and programs that promote housing stability, responsible stewardship of public resources, and equitable service to residents. Through my professional experience in and out of government, I have developed strong skills in collaboration, problem-solving, and thoughtful decision-making. I understand the importance of balancing strategic planning with the day-to-day needs of the individuals and families the Housing Authority serves. Having been born and raised in this great community and as a current resident of Melrose, I would be honored to bring my time and dedication to the Board and to work alongside fellow members in advancing the Authority’s goals. Thank you for your consideration. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my interest further. Sincerely, Mark McKinnon Mark McKinnon 585 Franklin St. Apt. 3 Melrose, MA 02176 Mark McKinnon 585 Franklin Street Unit 3, Melrose, MA 02176 Professional Experience Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated – Boston, MA Senior Manager, US Commercial Health Systems Marketing, December 2025 – Present • Lead the planning, strategy, and execution for Health System Congress presence and activities for JOURNAVX® (suzetrigine). • Lead implementation of all strategic account peer education programs for JOURNAVX composed of field scheduled speaker programs and headquarter-directed speaker events at congresses such as product theaters and roundtables. • Establish team processes to achieve key thought leader advice to improve understanding of in-market dynamics impacting JOURNAVX and to strengthen promotional plans across the brand. • Recruit, contract, and manage Strategic Council for ongoing commercialization advice across Health Systems team. • Support the planning and execution of strategic account led congresses. Manager, US Commercial Marketing, June 2024 – December 2025 • Manage marketing external budget of ~$120 million, ensuring efficient allocation of resources while maintaining operational quality and tracking to quarterly budget targets. • Serve as US Pain Marketing Leadership team member, providing strategic and operational support for Head of US Pain Marketing, coordinate internal calendar and communications, and represent pain marketing on planning committees for major cross-functional meetings. • Championed creation of marketing team operational excellence model by streamlining workflows and standardizing workstream touchpoints to boost team efficiency and performance. • Directed cross-functional collaboration with external agency partners through weekly team scrums and quarterly all-agency workshops and business reviews, optimizing vendor performance to deliver high- quality campaigns that support brand marketing goals for JOURNAVX launch. • Launched and managed marketing and market access/health systems Customer Facing Champion (CFC) teams to strengthen alignment between marketing and sales functions, gathering actionable field insights to enhance branded campaign materials and improve sales team effectiveness and customer experience. Manager, Marketing Operations (MOps), August 2023 – June 2024 • MOps lead for the launch of CASGEVY, facilitating and coordinating Communication Review Committee (CRC) and launch prep strategy with Regulatory Affairs and commercial business unit. • Lead member of Launch Readiness Team, working with CRC submitters and agency partners to prepare for FDA approval and launch of external marketing materials for healthcare providers, patient/caregiver communities, and payers. • Administrator of Veeva Vault PromoMats, consulting with Patient Excellence and Customer Operations, US Marketing, Market Access, and Commercial Training. • Coordinated with Regulatory and Regulatory Operations to execute FDA 2253 submission filings. • Increased operational efficiency through implementation and support of new Veeva Vault PromoMats filing process related to Customer Relationship Management (CRM) optimization and utilization. • Provided training and support for both internal and external CRC submitters (Vertex Project Managers and agency partners) on submission platform and CRC SOP and processes. • Conducted onboarding of new Marketing Operations team members, CRC reviewers, internal project managers, and agency partners on CRC process, standards, and best practices. Senior Specialist, Marketing Operations (MOps), July 2022 – August 2023 • Interim Marketing Operations lead for Hematology Therapy, facilitating and coordinating CRC meetings and launch prep strategy. • MOps lead for Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, and Market Access Strategy CRC teams, providing support in both Cystic Fibrosis and other pipeline disease areas. • Supported activity planning (build agendas, timelines, and project prioritization milestones) for Heme commercial business unit, identifying and communicating opportunities for process improvement. • Managed and facilitated CRC process for two product label expansions in Cystic Fibrosis, including scenario planning, launch readiness activities, and Regulatory Agency submissions. • Performed Administrator oversight of the Marketing Operations Electronic Review Platform Senior Coordinator, Community Affairs and Office of the CEO, July 2018 – July 2022 • Served as project manager for all Community Affairs and Office of the CEO activities to ensure timely execution and cross-functional collaboration with Government Affairs and Public Policy, Corporate Communications, Legal, OBIE, and the Vertex Foundation. • Tracked, processed, and managed budget for all Massachusetts-based corporate sponsorships, partnerships, and memberships related to Vertex’s corporate giving strategy. • Provided strategic external partnership strategy recommendations to VP of Community Affairs to advance corporate social responsibility goals within the Greater Boston community. • Conducted external partner meetings and represented Vertex at external events (trade organization business meetings, non-profit board meetings, charity dinners, and galas). • Served on the planning committee for special projects, including the Vertex High School Intern Program. U.S. House of Representatives – Washington, D.C. Scheduler and Legislative Assistant, May 2016 – April 2018 • Public policy research staffer for immigration, civil rights, election reform, and government oversight portfolio and provided legislation floor vote recommendations. • Managed official, political, and personal schedule for Member of Congress and provided strategic oversight of office operations. • Created and implemented targeted scheduling plans based on legislative and political priorities and provided preparatory logistical materials and advance work. • Met with activists, constituents, and business stakeholders, and provided legislative service action reports. Scheduler and Legislative Correspondent, June 2015 – May 2016 • Managed constituent correspondence program providing oversight of response strategy and operations. • Drafted, edited, and catalogued hundreds of constituent response letters. Staff Assistant, January 2014 – June 2015 • Managed administrative operations, including facilitating staff and Member meetings. • Assembled and managed congressional intern program, including recruiting, hiring, and training. • Drafted personal correspondence, letters of recommendation, and meeting memos for Member of Congress and senior staff. Education The University of Southern California – Los Angeles, CA Bachelor of Arts in International Relations & Bachelor of Arts in Russian Language & Studies Awards 2024 Vertex Pinnacle Award DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Administration–Engineering–Water–Sewer–Facilities Parks–Forestry–Highway–Sanitation–Cemetery–Fleet CITY OF MELROSE Elena Proakis Ellis, P.E., BCEE City Yard, 72 Tremont Street Director of Public Works Melrose, Massachusetts 02176 Telephone – (781) 665-0142 E-mail: eproakis@cityofmelrose.org MEMORANDUM To: Mayor Jennifer Grigoraitis Melrose City Council From: Elena Proakis Ellis, P.E., Director of Public Works cc: Kerriann Golden, CFO/Auditor Lauren Grymek, Chief of Staff James Troup, Deputy DPW Director – Administration & Finance Matt Spinale, DPW Operations Manager Date: April 17, 2026 Re: DPW Sidewalk Plow Purchase – Free Cash Request The Department of Public Works requests $170,000 to purchase an additional sidewalk plow. During this winter (FY26), the City’s sidewalk plows had consistent problems during storms, resulting in only three of four plows operational during any given storm event when sidewalk plowing was required. This caused DPW crews to get behind in sidewalk and corner clearing, with more drivers available than equipment, and with four established sidewalk plowing routes that each require equipment. The proposed vehicle is estimated to cost $170,000 and can eventually also be used for summer operations with the purchase of additional attachments in future years. The Department of Public Works hereby requests $170,000 of free cash to add one new, more reliable sidewalk plow to our fleet. The funds will be deposited into a dedicated account set up by the Auditor’s Office (019313-551002). Thank you for your consideration of this critical equipment. City Auditor CITY OF MELROSE AUDITOR’SCity Hall, OFFICE 562 Main Street Melrose, Massachusetts 02176 Telephone - (781) 979-4110 Fax - (781) 662-2182 Free Cash Orders for Fiscal Year 2026 “Free cash” is a term used to describe any remaining, unrestricted funds from the previous fiscal years. After it is “certified” by the state, free cash use requires a recommendation from the Mayor and an appropriation from the City Council. More information on free cash is available on the state’s website (https://www.mass.gov/info-details/free-cash). Council Order Item APPRO Balance of Free ID Amount Cash Dep/Fund Description Status Certified 5,558,450.00 2026-612 20,020.00 5,538,430.00 Dept - 162 Poll Pads and a label Printer Approved 2026-614 50,000.00 5,488,430.00 Fund - 2543 Melrose Cultural Council Approved 2026-615 25,000.00 5,463,430.00 Dept - 121 Chamber and City Event Support Approved 2026-1147 170,000.00 5,293,430.00 Dept - 423 Sidewalk Plow 2026-1148 880,000.00 4,413,430.00 Dept- 931 DPW Vehicles 2026-1149 865,000.00 3,548,430.00 Dept-931 DPW Snow and Ice Deficit 2026-1150 244,944.00 3,303,486.00 Fund - 1620 School Department 2026-1151 10,000.00 3,293,486.00 Dept- 422 Bike Racks *The first three appropriation requests listed were approved at the 4/6/26 City Council meeting. As requests are submitted by the administration and approved by the City Council, the table above will be updated accordingly and shared with subsequent orders. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Administration–Engineering–Water–Sewer–Facilities Parks–Forestry–Highway–Sanitation–Cemetery–Fleet CITY OF MELROSE Elena Proakis Ellis, P.E., BCEE City Yard, 72 Tremont Street Director of Public Works Melrose, Massachusetts 02176 Telephone – (781) 665-0142 E-mail: eproakis@cityofmelrose.org MEMORANDUM To: Mayor Jennifer Grigoraitis Melrose City Council From: Elena Proakis Ellis, P.E., Director of Public Works cc: Kerriann Golden, CFO/Auditor Lauren Grymek, Chief of Staff James Troup, Deputy DPW Director – Administration & Finance Matt Spinale, DPW Operations Manager Date: April 17, 2026 Re: DPW Vehicle Replacement – Free Cash Request The Department of Public Works requests $880,000 to replace vehicles that are beyond their useful life and are required to provide essential services to the City. Vehicles proposed for replacement are outlined in the attached report and include the Year 1 vehicles listed. The proposed vehicles include: • One heavy duty hook-lift style dump truck that can be used with a liquid brine tank in winter and a dump body in summer. We propose in Year 2 (FY28) to request funds to purchase a clam shell catch basin cleaning assembly to futher build the utility of this vehicle for year-round use, as compared to the existing truck which is used only in winter operations. There are presently no reliable electric or hybrid options for this truck. The estimated FY27 cost is $300,000. • Four one-ton dump trucks and two pickup trucks, in place of five one-ton dump trucks. These trucks will be for the Parks, Forestry, Cemetery, and Highway Divisions. Electric or hybrid vehicles will be considered for the smaller 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 each for the two pickup trucks, for a total of $580,000. The Department of Public Works therefore requests $880,000 of free cash to replace these critical vehicles. The funds will be deposited into a dedicated account set up by the Auditor’s Office (019313-551002). Thank you for your consideration of this critical equipment. 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 City Auditor CITY OF MELROSE AUDITOR’SCity Hall, OFFICE 562 Main Street Melrose, Massachusetts 02176 Telephone - (781) 979-4110 Fax - (781) 662-2182 Free Cash Orders for Fiscal Year 2026 “Free cash” is a term used to describe any remaining, unrestricted funds from the previous fiscal years. After it is “certified” by the state, free cash use requires a recommendation from the Mayor and an appropriation from the City Council. More information on free cash is available on the state’s website (https://www.mass.gov/info-details/free-cash). Council Order Item APPRO Balance of Free ID Amount Cash Dep/Fund Description Status Certified 5,558,450.00 2026-612 20,020.00 5,538,430.00 Dept - 162 Poll Pads and a label Printer Approved 2026-614 50,000.00 5,488,430.00 Fund - 2543 Melrose Cultural Council Approved 2026-615 25,000.00 5,463,430.00 Dept - 121 Chamber and City Event Support Approved 2026-1147 170,000.00 5,293,430.00 Dept - 423 Sidewalk Plow 2026-1148 880,000.00 4,413,430.00 Dept- 931 DPW Vehicles 2026-1149 865,000.00 3,548,430.00 Dept-931 DPW Snow and Ice Deficit 2026-1150 244,944.00 3,303,486.00 Fund - 1620 School Department 2026-1151 10,000.00 3,293,486.00 Dept- 422 Bike Racks *The first three appropriation requests listed were approved at the 4/6/26 City Council meeting. As requests are submitted by the administration and approved by the City Council, the table above will be updated accordingly and shared with subsequent orders. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Administration–Engineering–Water–Sewer–Facilities Parks–Forestry–Highway–Sanitation–Cemetery–Fleet CITY OF MELROSE James Troup City Yard, 72 Tremont Street Assistant Director – Administration & Finance Melrose, Massachusetts 02176 Telephone – (781) 665-0142 E-mail: jtroup@cityofmelrose.org MEMORANDUM To: Mayor Jennifer Grigoraitis Melrose City Council From: James Troup, DPW Deputy Director – Administration and Finance cc: Kerriann Golden, CFO/Auditor Kathryn Armata, Treasurer Collector Elena Proakis Ellis, DPW Director Date: April 9, 2026 Re: FY26 Snow and Ice Commitment In consideration of the commitments of the Snow and Ice Budget for Fiscal Year 2026, the Department of Public Works is requesting a Free Cash transfer in the amount of $865,000 to make each category whole and to avoid financing the deficit. This winter dealt us challenges that have not been seen in nearly 10 years. Total snowfall exceeded 60 inches, highlighted by two storms at the end of February and early March that dumped over 45 inches of snow and each lasted more than 36 hours. The DPW Team responded to nearly two dozen events. Contracted vendors were used for 6 storms. Snow removal operations were in effect on four separate occasions. Adding to our difficulties was a stretch of nearly two months when temperatures did not exceed 30 degrees. The strain of the winter weather operations coupled with the aging fleet requires additional costs to maintain our equipment. Please note that our 5-year average spent on Snow and Ice operations is $1,024,066. Unlike FY23, FY24, and FY25, this year was a far from mild winter. Fiscal controls including purchasing from State Contracts and competitive bidding for supplies and materials continue to positively impact the spending in this category. We continue to leverage these controls to minimize the effect from the Snow and Ice deficit on our operating budget. The Free Cash allocation will be distributed to offset deficits in Overtime, Contracted Services, and Supplies/Materials line items that include fuel, road salt, and repair parts. Thank you for your consideration and continued support. City Auditor CITY OF MELROSE AUDITOR’SCity Hall, OFFICE 562 Main Street Melrose, Massachusetts 02176 Telephone - (781) 979-4110 Fax - (781) 662-2182 Free Cash Orders for Fiscal Year 2026 “Free cash” is a term used to describe any remaining, unrestricted funds from the previous fiscal years. After it is “certified” by the state, free cash use requires a recommendation from the Mayor and an appropriation from the City Council. More information on free cash is available on the state’s website (https://www.mass.gov/info-details/free-cash). Council Order Item APPRO Balance of Free ID Amount Cash Dep/Fund Description Status Certified 5,558,450.00 2026-612 20,020.00 5,538,430.00 Dept - 162 Poll Pads and a label Printer Approved 2026-614 50,000.00 5,488,430.00 Fund - 2543 Melrose Cultural Council Approved 2026-615 25,000.00 5,463,430.00 Dept - 121 Chamber and City Event Support Approved 2026-1147 170,000.00 5,293,430.00 Dept - 423 Sidewalk Plow 2026-1148 880,000.00 4,413,430.00 Dept- 931 DPW Vehicles 2026-1149 865,000.00 3,548,430.00 Dept-931 DPW Snow and Ice Deficit 2026-1150 244,944.00 3,303,486.00 Fund - 1620 School Department 2026-1151 10,000.00 3,293,486.00 Dept- 422 Bike Racks *The first three appropriation requests listed were approved at the 4/6/26 City Council meeting. As requests are submitted by the administration and approved by the City Council, the table above will be updated accordingly and shared with subsequent orders. City Auditor CITY OF MELROSE AUDITOR’SCity Hall, OFFICE 562 Main Street Melrose, Massachusetts 02176 Telephone - (781) 979-4110 Fax - (781) 662-2182 Free Cash Orders for Fiscal Year 2026 “Free cash” is a term used to describe any remaining, unrestricted funds from the previous fiscal years. After it is “certified” by the state, free cash use requires a recommendation from the Mayor and an appropriation from the City Council. More information on free cash is available on the state’s website (https://www.mass.gov/info-details/free-cash). Council Order Item APPRO Balance of Free ID Amount Cash Dep/Fund Description Status Certified 5,558,450.00 2026-612 20,020.00 5,538,430.00 Dept - 162 Poll Pads and a label Printer Approved 2026-614 50,000.00 5,488,430.00 Fund - 2543 Melrose Cultural Council Approved 2026-615 25,000.00 5,463,430.00 Dept - 121 Chamber and City Event Support Approved 2026-1147 170,000.00 5,293,430.00 Dept - 423 Sidewalk Plow 2026-1148 880,000.00 4,413,430.00 Dept- 931 DPW Vehicles 2026-1149 865,000.00 3,548,430.00 Dept-931 DPW Snow and Ice Deficit 2026-1150 244,944.00 3,303,486.00 Fund - 1620 School Department 2026-1151 10,000.00 3,293,486.00 Dept- 422 Bike Racks *The first three appropriation requests listed were approved at the 4/6/26 City Council meeting. As requests are submitted by the administration and approved by the City Council, the table above will be updated accordingly and shared with subsequent orders. MELROSE PUBLIC SCHOOLS ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES 360 LYNN FELLS PARKWAY, MELROSE, MA 02176 TELEPHONE: (781) 662-2000 FAX: (781) 979-2149 WWW.MELROSESCHOOLS.COM CARI BERMAN, SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS KEN KELLEY, DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT - FINANCE DATE: April 17, 2025 TO: Honorable Mayor Grigoraitis Cc: Melrose School Committee, Kerri Golden, City CFO FROM: Ken Kelley, Deputy Supt. - Finance RE: MPS FY26 appropriation funding request consideration The District is respectfully requesting that the Mayor consider the following funding appropriation request for the Melrose Public Schools (MPS): The District is respectfully requesting the Medicaid reimbursement transfer for FY26. The Medicaid funds are used as part of the District’s year end budget offset funds. Transfer In Account: 16204 49000 Medicaid reimbursement: $244,944 Thank you for your consideration. 1 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Administration–Engineering–Water–Sewer–Facilities Parks–Forestry–Highway–Sanitation–Cemetery–Fleet CITY OF MELROSE Elena Proakis Ellis, P.E., BCEE City Yard, 72 Tremont Street Director of Public Works Melrose, Massachusetts 02176 Telephone – (781) 665-0142 E-mail: eproakis@cityofmelrose.org MEMORANDUM To: Mayor Jennifer Grigoraitis Melrose City Council From: Elena Proakis Ellis, P.E., Director of Public Works cc: Kerriann Golden, CFO/Auditor Lauren Grymek, Chief of Staff James Troup, Deputy DPW Director – Administration & Finance Date: April 17, 2026 Re: Bike Racks – Free Cash Request The Department of Public Works requests $10,000 to purchase and install bike racks in various locations throughout the City. City staff had previously maintained a list of all current and desired bike rack locations. This list will be updated and desired locations will be documented to determine which are the highest priority. Locations that have been discussed include schools, parks, and business districts, many of which already have bike racks but could benefit from additional bike storage space due to existing demand. The proposed funding will be used for both the purchase and installation of these bike racks. This project is consistent with the City’s Complete Streets and Safe Routes to School programs, encouraging safe and convenient active transportation and reducing traffic congestion. The Department of Public Works hereby requests $10,000 of free cash for bike racks. The funds will be deposited into a dedicated account set up by the Auditor’s Office (014222-551075). Thank you for your consideration of this project. City Auditor CITY OF MELROSE AUDITOR’SCity Hall, OFFICE 562 Main Street Melrose, Massachusetts 02176 Telephone - (781) 979-4110 Fax - (781) 662-2182 Free Cash Orders for Fiscal Year 2026 “Free cash” is a term used to describe any remaining, unrestricted funds from the previous fiscal years. After it is “certified” by the state, free cash use requires a recommendation from the Mayor and an appropriation from the City Council. More information on free cash is available on the state’s website (https://www.mass.gov/info-details/free-cash). Council Order Item APPRO Balance of Free ID Amount Cash Dep/Fund Description Status Certified 5,558,450.00 2026-612 20,020.00 5,538,430.00 Dept - 162 Poll Pads and a label Printer Approved 2026-614 50,000.00 5,488,430.00 Fund - 2543 Melrose Cultural Council Approved 2026-615 25,000.00 5,463,430.00 Dept - 121 Chamber and City Event Support Approved 2026-1147 170,000.00 5,293,430.00 Dept - 423 Sidewalk Plow 2026-1148 880,000.00 4,413,430.00 Dept- 931 DPW Vehicles 2026-1149 865,000.00 3,548,430.00 Dept-931 DPW Snow and Ice Deficit 2026-1150 244,944.00 3,303,486.00 Fund - 1620 School Department 2026-1151 10,000.00 3,293,486.00 Dept- 422 Bike Racks *The first three appropriation requests listed were approved at the 4/6/26 City Council meeting. As requests are submitted by the administration and approved by the City Council, the table above will be updated accordingly and shared with subsequent orders. FIRE DEPARTMENT Fire Headquarters, 576 Main Street John J. White Melrose, Massachusetts 02176 Chief of Department Telephone - (781) 979-4404 DATE: March 31, 2026 TO: City of Melrose – City Council RE: FY26 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Award _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Honorable Members of the City Council, I am writing to inform you that the Melrose Fire Department has been awarded grant funding from the Executive Office of Public Safety & Security Department of Fire Services in the amount of $12,375.87. The Department proposes utilizing these funds to support the purchase of critical life safety equipment, seven (7) self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) cylinders and three (3) multi-gas detection meters. The seven SCBA cylinders will be utilized as spare bottles, allowing personnel to remain in immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) environments for longer durations by supporting rapid cylinder exchange during extended or consecutive fire incidents. This added capacity reduces operational delays and enhances firefighter safety by ensuring continuous and reliable air supply. The multi-gas meters will be assigned to each frontline apparatus (Ladder 1, Engine 2, and Engine 3), ensuring that every responding unit is equipped with dependable equipment to monitor hazardous atmospheric conditions and support safe decision- making on scene. This funding will allow the Department to improve equipment reliability, reduce the risk of in-service equipment failure, and strengthen the ability to safely and effectively respond to emergencies. The Department respectfully requests approval to proceed with the purchase of this equipment utilizing the awarded grant funds. Thank you for your continued support of our personnel and the safety of our community. Respectfully submitted, John J. White Chief of Department OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS STATE HOUSE BOSTON, MA 02133 (617) 725-4000 MAURA T. HEALEY KIMBERLEY DRISCOLL GOVERNOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR March 31, 2026 Chief John White City of Melrose 576 Main Street Melrose, MA 02176 Dear Chief White, Congratulations! I am pleased to inform you that the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security and the Department of Fire Services (DFS) has awarded the City of Melrose Fire Department $12,375.87 of funding for the Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program in State Fiscal Year 2026. With each new challenge, the fire service in Massachusetts demonstrates its ability to adapt, overcome, and continue providing the excellent level of services that the citizens of the Commonwealth have come to expect. Please know how thankful I am for this, and how grateful I am to be able to provide your department with this important equipment. The contract, terms and conditions, and other documents for this program will be provided to you by DFS. Please contact Tim Moore at DFS with any questions about this award at 978-567-3721 or Timothy.Moore@mass.gov for contract terms, conditions, and other award documents. Sincerely, GOVERNOR MAURA T. HEALEY LT. GOVERNOR KIMBERLEY DRISCOLL COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS | STANDARD CONTRACT FORM This form is jointly issued and published by the Office of the Comptroller, the Executive Office for Administration and Finance, and the Operational Services Division as the default contract for all Commonwealth Departments when another form is not prescribed by regulation or policy. The Commonwealth deems void any changes made on or by attachment (in the form of addendum, engagement letters, contract forms or invoice terms) to the terms in this published form or to the Standard Contract Form Instructions and Contractor Certifications, the Commonwealth Terms and Conditions, the Commonwealth Terms and Conditions for Human and Social Services, or the Commonwealth IT Terms and Conditions which are incorporated by reference herein. Additional non-conflicting terms may be added by Attachment. Contractors are required to access forms at macomptroller.org/forms or mass.gov/lists/osd-forms. CONTRACTOR INFORMATION COMMONWEALTH INFORMATION Contractor Legal Name Department Mosaic Department Code City of Melrose Department of Fire Services DFS d/b/a Contract Manager Name David Clemons Legal Address Business Mailing Address As entered on Form W-9 or Form W-4 P.O. Box 1025, Stow, MA 01775 562 Main St, Melrose, MA 02176 Contract Manager Name Billing Address If Different Chief John White N/A Phone Fax Phone Fax 781-979-4403 781-662-2304 978-567-3179 978-567-3121 Email Email jwhite@cityofmelrose.org David.Clemons@mass.gov Vendor Code VC6000192115 Mosaic Transaction ID(s) CT-DFS-1000-2026FFEGRANT00000000 Vendor Code Address ID RFR/Procurement or Other ID Number e.g. “AD001”. AD001 BD-26-1021-DFS-DFS01-126740 Note: The Address ID must be set up for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) payments. NEW CONTRACT CONTRACT AMENDMENT Procurement or Exception Type (Check one option only) Current Contract End Date Amendment Amount PRIOR to Amendment Or Enter “No Change” Statewide Contract (OSD or an OSD-designated department.) Amendment Type Collective Purchase Check one option only. Attach details of amendment changes. (Attach OSD approval, scope, and budget.) Amendment to Date, Scope, or Budget Department Procurement - Includes all Grants 815 CMR 2.00. (Attach updated scope and budget.) ✔ (Attach Solicitation Notice or RFR, and Response or other procurement supporting documentation.) Interim Contract with Current Contractor (Attach justification for Interim Contract and updated scope/budget.) Emergency Contract (Attach justification for emergency, scope, and budget.) Contract Employee (Attach any updates to scope or budget.) Contract Employee (Attach Employee Status Form, scope, and budget.) Other Procurement Exception (Attach authorizing language/justification and updated scope/budget.) Interim Contract with new Contractor (Attach justification for Interim Contract and updated scope/budget.) Other Procurement Exception (Attach authorizing language, legislation with specific exemption or earmark, and exception justification, scope, and budget.) TERMS AND CONDITIONS The Standard Contract Form Instructions and Contractor Certifications and the following document are incorporated by reference into this Contract and are legally binding. Check ONE option: Commonwealth Terms and Conditions Commonwealth Terms and Conditions for Human and Social Services Commonwealth IT Terms and Conditions COMPENSATION Check ONE option. The Department certifies that payments for authorized performance accepted in accordance with the terms of this Contract will be supported in the state accounting system by sufficient appropriations or other non-appropriated funds, subject to intercept for Commonwealth owed debts under 815 CMR 9.00. Rate Contract (No Maximum Obligation). (Attach details of all rates, units, calculations, conditions or terms and any changes if rates or terms are being amended.) Maximum Obligation Contract. Total maximum obligation for total duration of this contract (or new total if contract is being amended): $12,375.87 Page 1 of 2 Updated 2/23/2026 Mosaic Transaction ID(s) CT-DFS-1000-2026FFEGRANT00000000 PROMPT PAYMENT DISCOUNTS (PPD) Commonwealth payments are issued through Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) 45 days from invoice receipt. See Prompt Pay Discounts Policy. Contractors requesting accelerated payments must identify a PPD as follows: Payment issued within: 10 days 0% PPD. 15 days 0% PPD. 20 days 0% PPD. 30 days 0% PPD. If PPD percentages are left blank, identify reason: Statutory/legal Ready Payments (M.G.L. c. 29, § 23A) ✔ Agree to standard 45-day cycle Only initial payment BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CONTRACT PERFORMANCE or REASON FOR AMENDMENT Enter the Contract title, purpose, fiscal year(s) and a detailed description of the scope of performance or what is being amended for a Contract Amendment. Attach all supporting documentation and justifications. This contract is for funds awarded through the Department of Fire Services’ FY26 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant, in accordance with the FY26 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity, the contractor’s FY26 Application, and the attached Contract Addendum. Funds for this program will be disbursed on a reimbursement basis only. SUPPLIER DIVERSITY PROGRAM (SDP) PLAN Does the Supplier Diversity Program apply? YES If YES, the Contractor’s annual SDP commitment for this Contract is NO If NO, and the department is an Executive Department, enter the appropriate exemption: Non-construction grants to public entities ANTICIPATED START DATE (Complete ONE option only.) The Department and Contractor certify for this Contract, or Contract Amendment, that Contract obligations: 1. may be incurred as of the Effective Date (latest signature date below) and no obligations have been incurred prior to the Effective Date. 2. may be incurred as of , 20, a date LATER than the Effective Date below and no obligations have been incurred prior to the Effective Date. 3. were incurred as of , 20, a date PRIOR to the Effective Date below, and the parties agree that payments for any obligations incurred prior to the Effective Date are authorized to be made either as settlement payments or as authorized reimbursement payments, and that the details and circumstances of all obligations under this Contract are attached and incorporated into this Contract. Acceptance of payments forever releases the Commonwealth from further claims related to these obligations. CONTRACT END DATE Contract performance shall terminate as of June 30, 2026, with no new obligations being incurred after this date unless the Contract is properly amended, provided that the terms of this Contract and performance expectations and obligations shall survive its termination for the purpose of resolving any claim or dispute, for completing any negotiated terms and warranties, to allow any close out or transition performance, reporting, invoicing or final payments, or during any lapse between amendments. CERTIFICATIONS Notwithstanding verbal or other representations by the parties, the “Effective Date” of this Contract or Amendment shall be the latest date that this Contract or Amendment has been executed by an authorized signatory of the Contractor, the Department, or a later Contract or Amendment Start Date specified above, subject to any required approvals. The Contractor certifies that they have accessed and reviewed all documents incorporated by reference as electronically published and the Contractor makes all certifications required under the Standard Contract Form Instructions and Contractor Certifications under the pains and penalties of perjury, and further agrees to provide any required documentation upon request to support compliance, and agrees that all terms governing performance of this Contract and doing business in Massachusetts are attached or incorporated by reference herein according to the following hierarchy of document precedence, the applicable Commonwealth Terms and Conditions, this Standard Contract Form, the Standard Contract Form Instructions and Contractor Certifications, the Request for Response (RFR) or other solicitation, the Contractor’s Response (excluding any language stricken by a Department as unacceptable, and additional negotiated terms, provided that additional negotiated terms will take precedence over the relevant terms in the RFR and the Contractor’s Response only if made using the process outlined in 801 CMR 21.07, incorporated herein, provided that any amended RFR or Response terms result in best value, lower costs, or a more cost effective Contract. AUTHORIZING SIGNATURE FOR THE CONTRACTOR AUTHORIZING SIGNATURE FOR THE DEPARTMENT Signature and date must be captured at time of signature. Signature and date must be captured at time of signature. Signature Date Signature Date Print Name Print Title Print Name Print Title Jennifer Grigoraitis Mayor Jon M. Davine State Fire Marshal Page 2 of 2 Updated 2/23/2026 Department of Fire Services and the City of Melrose Contract Addendum for Discretionary Grant Agreement FY26 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Scope of Work and Budget Authorization: The Department of Fire Services (DFS) is authorized to administer discretionary FY26 Firefighter Safety Equipment grant funds in accordance with Line Item 8324-2000 of Section 2D of Chapter 151 of the Acts of 2020, Line Item 1100-2515 of Section 2 of Chapter 140 of the Acts of 2022, and 815 CMR 2.00. Introduction: This entire agreement (the “Grant Agreement”) between the parties consists of the following documents: (1) the Commonwealth’s Standard Terms and Conditions; (2) the Commonwealth’s Standard Contract Form; (3) this Addendum; (4) the FY26 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Notice of Funding Opportunity and Application Form BD-26-1021-DFS- DFS01-126740; and (5) the Grant Recipient’s (the “Grantee”) application for FY26 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant funding. Grant Project Description and Budget: The awarded funding shall be used only to purchase the equipment listed below. The quantities and unit prices of these items shown in the Grantee’s application shall be considered estimates only and may be adjusted at the discretion of the Grantee to account for changes to market conditions, the Grantee’s operational needs, or the total grant award amount. All items listed shall be construed to include any ancillary equipment typically necessary for operation of said equipment (batteries, chargers, mounting stations, carrying cases, etc.). Department Description of Allowable Equipment City of Melrose Combustible Gas Detector/4-Gas Meter SCBA Bottle Total Award $12,375.87 The funds may not be used to serve as a match for a federal grant. The funds may not be used for construction and all applicable local and state procurement requirements must be adhered to in the use of the grant funds. Grant Manager: The DFS and the grantee will each assign a grant manager with respect to this Grant Agreement. It is anticipated that the grant manager listed in the Grantee’s application will not change during the term of this agreement. In the event that a change is necessary, the party requesting the change will provide prompt written notice to the other. The DFS Grant Manager will monitor the grant and grant-supported activities to ensure compliance with grant requirements, work closely with the Grantee to assure successful completion of the grant performance goals, provide technical assistance upon request, and review and approve required reporting/reimbursement request documentation. The Grantee’s grant manager will serve as the interface between DFS and all Grantee personnel involved with this program. The Grantee’s grant manager will oversee the projects and activities that must be executed to meet the grant funding goals, will monitor the grant to assure the objectives are being met, funds are utilized efficiently and communicate necessary adjustments to the DFS grant manager if challenges arise, will facilitate regular communication with the DFS grant manager, including status reports/updates, participation in site visits, review of performance against the Grant Agreement, and will provide accurate and timely reporting to the DFS grant manager. The grantee’s grant manager is Chief John White, who can be reached at: 576 Main Street, Melrose, MA 02176, tel: 781-979-4403, email: jwhite@cityofmelrose.org. The DFS grant manager is David Clemons, Director of Operations, 1 State Road, Stow, MA 01775, tel: 978- 567-3179, email: David.Clemons@mass.gov. Reimbursement Request Process: The DFS agrees to disburse funds on a cost reimbursement basis. All costs requested for reimbursement must be listed on the DFS FY26 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Reimbursement Request Form. Appropriate supporting documentation for all costs must also be attached, including: 1. Copy of invoice 2. Proof of payment – Cancelled check or similar other proof of payment documentation from the Grantee’s official accounting system or financial institution showing that the transaction has been completed. Period of Performance: Approved expenditures may not be made until a contract has been executed between DFS and the grant recipient. Expenses incurred prior to execution of a contract will not be eligible for reimbursement through this program. Grant recipients must take delivery of equipment no later than June 30, 2026. Equipment delivered to the recipient after that date will not be eligible for reimbursement through this program. Reimbursement requests must be submitted no later than July 24, 2026. DFS will only reimburse for costs incurred through the grant performance period, June 30, 2026. Grant Monitoring: The Department of Fire Services will conduct grant monitoring through either a desk-based review or on-site monitoring visits, or both, in order to obtain additional information or verify information related to grant spending, grant-funded activity, or grant award outcomes. Advance notice, when practicable, will be given prior to a site visit. In accordance with 815 CMR 2.00, the Grantee shall maintain records, books, files, reports, and other data in such detail as shall properly substantiate claims for payment for a minimum retention period of seven years beginning on the first day after the final payment under the grant. Any and all records pertaining to this grant are subject to inspection or audit by DFS at any time. DFS reserves the right to request, and the Grantee expressly agrees to provide, any additional records or documentation DFS deems necessary, at any time and for any reason, to verify that grant funds are being expended in a manner consistent with the stated purpose of the grant. Findings of non-compliance with any portion of this agreement may result in a demand for funds to be returned to DFS. Changes in Scope of Work or Budget: The grant project description and budget are fixed and any change would be a “material” change in the contract. “Material” changes to the project description (adding, deleting or altering items) or budget lines (deletions, additions or changes to items) will require both parties to execute an amended Standard Contract Form and Grant Agreement. Contract amendments may not be made retroactively and must be made prior to the grant end date. Opportunity to Consult with Counsel: Grantee acknowledges that it has had the opportunity to consult with counsel of its choosing in the review of this Agreement, that it is encouraged by the DFS to do so and that the Grantee is fully aware of the contents of this agreement and its legal effect. Representations: The individuals signing this agreement attest that they are competent and authorized to enter into this Agreement on behalf of their respective agencies. Approved by: Approved by: City of Melrose Department of Fire Services Jennifer Grigoraitis, Mayor Jon Davine, State Fire Marshal Print Name and Title Print Name and Title Date Date Commonwealth of Massachusetts CONTRACTOR AUTHORIZED SIGNATORY LISTING This form is jointly issued and published by the Office of the Comptroller (CTR) and the Operational Services Division (OSD) as the default form for all Commonwealth Departments when another form is not prescribed by regulation or policy. Signature for Corporation (C or S), Partnership, Trust/Estate, Limited Liability Company, State and Local Government Entity (must match Form W-9 tax classification) Contractor Legal Name Contractor Vendor/Customer Code (if available, not the Taxpayer Identification Number or Social Security Number) INSTRUCTIONS: Any Contractor (other than a sole-proprietor or an individual contractor) must provide a listing of individuals who are authorized as legal representatives of the Contractor who can sign contracts and other legally binding documents related to the contract on the Contractor’s behalf. In addition to this listing, any state department may require additional proof of authority to sign contracts on behalf of the Contractor, or proof of authenticity of signature (a notarized signature that the Department can use to verify that the signature and date that appear on the Contract or other legal document was actually made by the Contractor’s authorized signatory, and not by a representative, designee or other individual.) For privacy purposes DO NOT ATTACH any documentation containing personal information, such as bank account numbers, Social Security Numbers, driver’s licenses, home addresses, Social Security cards, or any other personally identifiable information that you do not want released as part of a public record. The Commonwealth reserves the right to publish the names and titles of authorized signatories of contractors. There are three types of electronic signatures that will be accepted on this form: 1) Traditional “wet signature” (ink on paper); 2) Electronic signature that is either: a. hand drawn using a mouse or finger if working from a touch screen device; or b. An upload picture of the signatory’s hand drawn signature; 3) Electronic signature affixed using a digital tool such as Adobe Sign or DocuSign. Typed text of a name not generated by a digital tool, computer generated cursive, or an electronic symbol are not acceptable forms of electronic signature. Authorized Signature Title Phone Email Address Signatory Name (As it will appear on contract Number or other documents) Acceptance of any payment under a Contract or Grant shall operate as a waiver of any defense by the Contractor challenging the existence of a valid Contract due to an alleged lack of actual authority to execute the document by the signatory. I certify that I am a responsible authorized officer of the Contractor and as an authorized officer of the Contractor I certify that the names of the individuals identified on this listing are current as of the date of execution and that these individuals are authorized to sign contracts and other legally binding documents related to contracts with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on behalf of the Contractor. I understand and agree that the Contractor has a duty to ensure that this listing is immediately updated and communicated to any state department with which the Contractor does business whenever the authorized signatories above retire, are otherwise terminated from the Contractor’s employ, have their responsibilities changed resulting in their no longer being authorized to sign contracts with the Commonwealth or whenever new signatories are designated. Please note: You cannot self-certify your own signature as a single signer listed above. Signature Date Print Name Phone Number Title Email Address A copy of this listing must be attached to the “record copy” of a contract filed with the department. Page 1 of 1 OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER (EFT) AUTHORIZATION AGREEMENT FORM Complete this form to enroll, modify, or terminate an existing Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) agreement with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts departments. Part I: Reason for Submission See Instructions on Page 3 New Change Cancel Enrollment Enrollment Enrollment Doc ument Included (Optional) Voided Bank Letter Check Part II: Account Holder Information See Instructions on Page 3 Account Holder Legal Name dba Name If different from above Legal Address Number, Street, Apartment/Suite Number City State Zip Code Account Holder Employer Identification Number (EIN) Social Security Number (SSN) Tax Identification Number 9 digits Part III: Financial Institution Information See Instructions on Page 3 Financial Institution Name Routing Number Account Number Account Type Only 9 digits Checking Savings If this is an Enrollment Modification, you must include your old financial institution information or your request will be returned. Old Financial Institution Name Old Routing Number Old Account Number Old Account Type Only 9 digits Checking Savings Part IV: Vendor/Customer Information See Instructions on Page 3 This is the person we will contact for any questions regarding this EFT Authorization Contact Person’s Name Contact Person’s Title Contact Person’s Phone Contact Person’s Email This completed form should be submitted to the requesting department or the department you are currently doing business with. (Revised November 2023) Page 1 of 3 OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER (EFT) AUTHORIZATION AGREEMENT FORM Part V: Authorization See Instructions on Page 3 By signing below, I hereby certify that the account(s) indicated on this form is under my direct control and access; therefore, I authorize the State Treasurer as fiscal agent for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to initiate, change, or cancel credit entries to the account(s) as indicated on this form. For ACH debits consistent with the International ACH Transaction (IAT) rules check one: I affirm that payments authorized by this agreement are not to an account that is subject to being transferred to a foreign bank account. I affirm that payments authorized by this agreement are to an account that is subject to being transferred to a foreign bank account. This authority is to remain in full force and effect until the Office of Comptroller (CTR) has received written notification from either me or an authorized officer of the organization of the account's termination in such time and in such a manner as to afford CTR a reasonable opportunity to act upon it. Account Holder Authorized Signature Print Name Title Date Part VI: Verification from the Commonwealth Department See Instructions on Page 3 I hereby certify the Vendor/Customer is an authorized signatory and verified by internal records and verbal confirmation initiated by our department. VCC/VCM Document ID Three letter Department Code Signature Print Name Title Phone Number Date This completed form should be submitted to the requesting department or the department you are currently doing business with. (Revised November 2023) Page 2 of 3 OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER (EFT) AUTHORIZATION AGREEMENT FORM INSTRUCTIONS All EFT requests are subject to a 5 (five) day pre-certification period in which all accounts are verified by the qualifying financial institution before any direct deposits are made. Part I: Reason for Submission Indicate your reason for completing this form by checking the appropriate box: New EFT enrollment, a change to your EFT enrollment account information, or cancellation of your EFT enrollment. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts reserves the right to request additional documentation such as Voided Check as verification of account ownership. Part II: Account Holder Information • Account Holder Name: Enter the accounts holder legal name (individual or business name), as reported to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). • d/b/a Name: Enter the d/b/a name if applicable. • Street Address: Enter the account holder’s street address. Enter the account holder’s city, state, and zip code. • Account Holder Tax Identification Number: Enter the tax identification number as reported to the IRS. If the business is a group, organization or corporation, provide the Federal employer identification number (EIN). If enrolling as an individual provide your Social Security Number. Part III: Financial Institution Information • Financial Institution Name: Enter your Financial Institution’s name (this is the name of the bank or qualifying depository that will receive the funds). NOTE: The account name to which EFT payments will be paid is to the name submitted on Part II of this form. • Routing Number: Enter the bank or financial institutional nine-digit routing number, including applicable leading zeros. • Account Number: Enter the account holder’s account number with the financial institution, including applicable leading zeros. • Account Type: Select the account type (Checking or Savings). • Old Financial Institution Name: Enter your Old Financial Institution’s name (this is the name of the bank or qualifying depository that has been receiving the funds). • Old Routing Number: Enter the old bank or financial institutional nine-digit routing number, including applicable leading zeros. • Old Account Number: Enter the old account holder’s account number with the financial institution, including applicable leading zeros. • Account Type: Enter the old account type (Checking or Savings). NOTE: Supporting bank documents must be in the account holder legal name only. Part IV: Contact Information • Enter the name, title, telephone number, and email address of a contact person who can answer questions about the information submitted on this EFT Authorization Form. Part V: Authorization • By your signature on this form, you are certifying that the account is drawn in the Name of an Individual, or the Legal Business Name of the person or entity who has sole control of the account to which EFT deposits are made. • The EFT authorization form must be signed and dated by the same account holder name in Part II and include a title and telephone number. • Submit this form electronically, or mail it with with the original signature in black or blue ink to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department that you are doing business with. Part VI: Verification from the Commonwealth Department By your signature on this form, you are certifying that authentication of the vendor/customer’s authorized signatory was conducted by review of the Contractor Signatory Authorization Form (CASL) or by another internal verification process, and additional verification was conducted to confirm banking or address change request. Departments should have multiple known vendor contacts to confirm any registration change. This completed form should be submitted to the requesting department or the department you are currently doing business with. (Revised November 2023) Page 3 of 3COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS | STANDARD CONTRACT FORM This form is jointly issued and published by the Office of the Comptroller, the Executive Office for Administration and Finance, and the Operational Services Division as the default contract for all Commonwealth Departments when another form is not prescribed by regulation or policy. The Commonwealth deems void any changes made on or by attachment (in the form of addendum, engagement letters, contract forms or invoice terms) to the terms in this published form or to the Standard Contract Form Instructions and Contractor Certifications, the Commonwealth Terms and Conditions, the Commonwealth Terms and Conditions for Human and Social Services, or the Commonwealth IT Terms and Conditions which are incorporated by reference herein. Additional non-conflicting terms may be added by Attachment. Contractors are required to access forms at macomptroller.org/forms or mass.gov/lists/osd-forms. CONTRACTOR INFORMATION COMMONWEALTH INFORMATION Contractor Legal Name Department Mosaic Department Code d/b/a Contract Manager Name Legal Address Business Mailing Address As entered on Form W-9 or Form W-4 Contract Manager Name Billing Address If Different Phone Fax Phone Fax Email Email Vendor Code Mosaic Transaction ID(s) VC Vendor Code Address ID RFR/Procurement or Other ID Number e.g. “AD001”. AD Note: The Address ID must be set up for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) payments. NEW CONTRACT CONTRACT AMENDMENT Procurement or Exception Type (Check one option only) Current Contract End Date Amendment Amount PRIOR to Amendment Or Enter “No Change” Statewide Contract (OSD or an OSD-designated department.) Amendment Type Collective Purchase Check one option only. Attach details of amendment changes. (Attach OSD approval, scope, and budget.) Amendment to Date, Scope, or Budget Department Procurement - Includes all Grants 815 CMR 2.00. (Attach updated scope and budget.) (Attach Solicitation Notice or RFR, and Response or other procurement supporting documentation.) Interim Contract with Current Contractor (Attach justification for Interim Contract and updated scope/budget.) Emergency Contract (Attach justification for emergency, scope, and budget.) Contract Employee (Attach any updates to scope or budget.) Contract Employee (Attach Employee Status Form, scope, and budget.) Other Procurement Exception (Attach authorizing language/justification and updated scope/budget.) Interim Contract with new Contractor (Attach justification for Interim Contract and updated scope/budget.) Other Procurement Exception (Attach authorizing language, legislation with specific exemption or earmark, and exception justification, scope, and budget.) TERMS AND CONDITIONS The Standard Contract Form Instructions and Contractor Certifications and the following document are incorporated by reference into this Contract and are legally binding. Check ONE option: Commonwealth Terms and Conditions Commonwealth Terms and Conditions for Human and Social Services Commonwealth IT Terms and Conditions COMPENSATION Check ONE option. The Department certifies that payments for authorized performance accepted in accordance with the terms of this Contract will be supported in the state accounting system by sufficient appropriations or other non-appropriated funds, subject to intercept for Commonwealth owed debts under 815 CMR 9.00. Rate Contract (No Maximum Obligation). (Attach details of all rates, units, calculations, conditions or terms and any changes if rates or terms are being amended.) Maximum Obligation Contract. Total maximum obligation for total duration of this contract (or new total if contract is being amended): Page 1 of 2 Updated 2/23/2026 Mosaic Transaction ID(s) PROMPT PAYMENT DISCOUNTS (PPD) Commonwealth payments are issued through Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) 45 days from invoice receipt. See Prompt Pay Discounts Policy. Contractors requesting accelerated payments must identify a PPD as follows: Payment issued within: 10 days % PPD. 15 days % PPD. 20 days % PPD. 30 days % PPD. If PPD percentages are left blank, identify reason: Statutory/legal Ready Payments (M.G.L. c. 29, § 23A) Agree to standard 45-day cycle Only initial payment BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CONTRACT PERFORMANCE or REASON FOR AMENDMENT Enter the Contract title, purpose, fiscal year(s) and a detailed description of the scope of performance or what is being amended for a Contract Amendment. Attach all supporting documentation and justifications. SUPPLIER DIVERSITY PROGRAM (SDP) PLAN Does the Supplier Diversity Program apply? YES If YES, the Contractor’s annual SDP commitment for this Contract is NO If NO, and the department is an Executive Department, enter the appropriate exemption: ANTICIPATED START DATE (Complete ONE option only.) The Department and Contractor certify for this Contract, or Contract Amendment, that Contract obligations: 1. may be incurred as of the Effective Date (latest signature date below) and no obligations have been incurred prior to the Effective Date. 2. may be incurred as of , 20 , a date LATER than the Effective Date below and no obligations have been incurred prior to the Effective Date. 3. were incurred as of , 20 , a date PRIOR to the Effective Date below, and the parties agree that payments for any obligations incurred prior to the Effective Date are authorized to be made either as settlement payments or as authorized reimbursement payments, and that the details and circumstances of all obligations under this Contract are attached and incorporated into this Contract. Acceptance of payments forever releases the Commonwealth from further claims related to these obligations. CONTRACT END DATE Contract performance shall terminate as of , 20 , with no new obligations being incurred after this date unless the Contract is properly amended, provided that the terms of this Contract and performance expectations and obligations shall survive its termination for the purpose of resolving any claim or dispute, for completing any negotiated terms and warranties, to allow any close out or transition performance, reporting, invoicing or final payments, or during any lapse between amendments. CERTIFICATIONS Notwithstanding verbal or other representations by the parties, the “Effective Date” of this Contract or Amendment shall be the latest date that this Contract or Amendment has been executed by an authorized signatory of the Contractor, the Department, or a later Contract or Amendment Start Date specified above, subject to any required approvals. The Contractor certifies that they have accessed and reviewed all documents incorporated by reference as electronically published and the Contractor makes all certifications required under the Standard Contract Form Instructions and Contractor Certifications under the pains and penalties of perjury, and further agrees to provide any required documentation upon request to support compliance, and agrees that all terms governing performance of this Contract and doing business in Massachusetts are attached or incorporated by reference herein according to the following hierarchy of document precedence, the applicable Commonwealth Terms and Conditions, this Standard Contract Form, the Standard Contract Form Instructions and Contractor Certifications, the Request for Response (RFR) or other solicitation, the Contractor’s Response (excluding any language stricken by a Department as unacceptable, and additional negotiated terms, provided that additional negotiated terms will take precedence over the relevant terms in the RFR and the Contractor’s Response only if made using the process outlined in 801 CMR 21.07, incorporated herein, provided that any amended RFR or Response terms result in best value, lower costs, or a more cost effective Contract. AUTHORIZING SIGNATURE FOR THE CONTRACTOR AUTHORIZING SIGNATURE FOR THE DEPARTMENT Signature and date must be captured at time of signature. Signature and date must be captured at time of signature. Signature Date Signature Date Print Name Print Title Print Name Print Title Page 2 of 2 Updated 2/23/2026 TABLE OF CONTENTS DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY RESOURCES PON-ENE-2025-014 CLIMATE LEADER COMMUNITIES DECARBONIZATION TECHNICAL SUPPORT GRANT PROGRAM City of Melrose I. THE COMMONWEALTH STANDARD CONTRACT FORM II. BACKGROUND III. ATTACHMENT A: DOER PON-ENE-2025-014 IV. ATTACHMENT B: GRANTEE RESPONSE V. ATTACHMENT C: SCOPE OF GRANT AWARD VI. ATTACHMENT D: BUDGET VII. THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS STANDARD CONTRACT VIII. ATTACHMENTS: a. COMMONWEALTH TERMS AND CONDITIONS b. GRANTEE AUTHORIZED SIGNATORY LISTING c. W-9 FORM d. EFT FORM BACKGROUND 1. The DOER has selected the Grantee to receive Climate Leader Communities Decarbonization Technical Support Grant for projects described in the Grantee’s response to the PON. 2. The DOER approves the expenditure of funds as described in Attachment D (Budget) for the work planned and described in Attachment C (Scope of Grant Award). 3. The Grantee agrees to complete the projects described in the Scope of Grant Award (collectively referred to as “the Project”). This agreement (Agreement) incorporates and makes part hereof certain attachments and forms which have been provided and accepted by the parties as part to this Agreement. Copies of such agreed upon attachments and forms are attached hereto set forth in their entirety and made part of this Agreement by reference: THE COMMONWEALTH STANDARD CONTRACT FORM BACKGROUND ATTACHMENT A: CLIMATE LEADER COMMUNITIES DECARBONIZATION TECHNICAL SUPPORT GRANT ATTACHMENT B: GRANTEE RESPONSE ATTACHMENT C: SCOPE OF GRANT AWARD ATTACHMENT D: BUDGET THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS STANDARD CONTRACT ATTACHMENTS 1. COMMONWEALTH TERMS AND CONDITIONS 1. GRANTEE AUTHORIZED SIGNATORY LISTING 2. W-9 FORM 3. EFT FORM ATTACHMENT A – Climate Leader Communities Decarbonization Technical Support Grant Application Materials The Program Opportunity Notice (PON) was provided to the municipality via Commbuys, the Commonwealth’s procurement website. DOER PON-ENE-2025-014 Climate Leader Communities Decarbonization Technical Support Grant Program Bid #: BD-25-1041-ENE01-ENE01-110104 ATTACHMENT B – Grantee Response All documents listed below are available to DOER fiscal staff at: https://massdoer.imeetcentral.com/p/cgAAAAAAB-yoAAAAAAAAAAs • Final Attachment A- Heat Pump.xlsx • Final Attachment A- Salt Shed.xlsx • IMEG Heat Pump Project.pdf • WS Salt Shed Solar PV Design.pdf • Signed form B.pdf ATTACHMENT C – SCOPE OF GRANT AWARD COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS SCOPE OF GRANT AWARD AGREEMENT By and Between Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and City of Melrose (Grantee) Overview This Contract is for the DOER PON-ENE-2025-014 Climate Leader Communities Decarbonization Technical Support Grant Program to provide grant monies to municipalities to pay for a consultant (Consultant) to assist certified Massachusetts’ Climate Leader Communities by offering funding for technical support that generates both recommendations and engineering design documents to implement projects that align with the Grantee's Climate Leader Communities Municipal Decarbonization Roadmap. Program Schedule The Grantee shall contact the DOER promptly if the Grantee cannot complete work prior to the end of the grant period, which shall be 9/30/2027. Disbursement of Funds • All disbursements must be submitted during the fiscal year in which they occurred • Disbursements shall be made per receipt by the DOER of the following: 1) A signed copy of the contract between the Grantee and the Consultant. 2) Consultant invoices provided to the Grantee detailing the Consultant’s services, tasks completed, and charges for services provided. 3) A REQUEST FOR PAYMENT FORM along with the Consultant invoices to the DOER. • Final payment shall be contingent upon receipt by the DOER of a one to two-page summary (Final Report) of all work provided by the Consultant and the progress of the project for which the Consultant is providing services for, as further provided below. Grantee Warrant to Keep Facility Open For projects involving services or construction at facility(s) owned by or under the control of the Grantee, the Grantee hereby warrants and certifies that there are no present plans to close or sell the facility(s) for which the grants funds are designated for, and that said facility(s) will not be closed within the next five (5) years of contract Effective Date. Administrative Costs No administrative costs are allowed for municipal Grantees. Publicity The Grantee will coordinate with the DOER on all publicity regarding this project. Reporting and Other Required Documentation A. The Grantee shall have a program to combat fraud, waste and abuse of funds and shall incorporate into its program guidance provided by the Office of the State Comptroller. B. Quarterly reports: The Grantee shall be required to file progress and financial reports once every quarter, unless specifically exempted in writing by the DOER. Quarterly reports are due by 5PM four (4) days after the completion of each of the following quarters: a. Oct 1 – Dec 30, 2025 b. Jan 1 – Mar 30, 2026 c. Apr 1 – June 30, 2026 d. July 1 – Sept 30, 2026 e. Oct 1 – Dec 30, 2026 f. Jan 1 – Mar 30, 2027 Quarterly reports shall include: a. The progress and status of activities performed in relation to the Scope of Grant Award including an explanation of any delays or obstacles encountered in meeting the performance schedule as well as a description of efforts taken to resolve delays; and b. The actual costs incurred to date by the Project, breaking down all costs in such manner as the DOER may prescribe. C. Final Report: The Final Report shall reference and detail the work completed as outlined in Attachment B, Grantee Response along with the final invoice and the Request for Payment Form. The Final Report shall be submitted electronically to the Green Communities email address, green.communities@mass.gov. D. Ownership of Reports and Other Required Documentation: The deliverables shall be owned by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and treated as public documents. Following the completion of the contract, both the Commonwealth and the Grantee retain the right to make further use of the deliverables. ATTACHMENT D - BUDGET Check one: X Initial Budget Budget/Account Amendment. Maximum Obligation before this Amendment: $ PRIOR MMARS DOCUMENT ID: (for reference - if applicable) CURRENT DOC ID: . [See Instructions for Additional Guidance on completion. Insert as many additional lines as necessary.] A B C D E F G H I Budget Account Object Description Initial Indicate Amendment Enter “YES” if New Amount Fiscal Class Amount / or Add or Amount Amount is a After Year Amount Prior Reduce prior FY Amendment to +/- budget Amendment reduction or a current FY “Carry-in” authorization for Federal Funds FY26 70067056 P01 $138,998.00 $ $ FY27 70067056 P01 $ 1.00 $ $ FY28 70067056 P01 $ 1.00 $ $ FISCAL YEAR SUBTOTALS AND TOTAL MAXIMUM OBLIGATION FOR DURATION OF CONTRACT FISCAL YEAR: 2026 SUBTOTAL (or New Subtotal if Fiscal Year Subtotal being amended) $138,998.00 FISCAL YEAR: 2027 SUBTOTAL (or New Subtotal if Fiscal Year Subtotal being amended) $ 1.00 FISCAL YEAR: 2028 SUBTOTAL (or New Subtotal if Fiscal Year Subtotal being amended) $ 1.00 TOTAL MAXIMUM OBLIGATION FOR DURATION OF CONTRACT $139,000.00 OFFICE OF PLANNING AND CITY OF MELROSE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT City Hall, 562 Main Street Melrose, Massachusetts 02176 LORI MASSA Telephone - (781) 979-4190 Director & City Planner M E M O R A N D U M TO: Mayor Jennifer Grigoraitis Melrose City Council FROM: Lori Massa, Director OPCD Elena Proakis Ellis, Director DPW cc: Kerriann Golden, CFO/Auditor Lauren Grymek, Chief of Staff Maya Noviski, Senior Planner DATE: April 1, 2026 RE: Climate Leaders Technical Assistance Grant Acceptance The City of Melrose has been awarded a $139,000 Climate Leaders Technical Assistance Grant from the Department of Energy Resources (DOER). The funds will go towards the design of installing solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on the City’s salt shed in the DPW yard and the design of installing heat pumps at the Performing Arts Spaces at the Middle School and the School Department Central Administration Offices at the High School. The City’s salt shed, which is located in the DPW yard, was recently constructed and was designed to support solar panels with the intention of installing them when possible. This project would allow the City to use clean energy for a portion of the onsite electrical consumption. The City has been working in phases towards the decarbonization of the Middle and High Schools in line with the City's Decarbonization Roadmap. With heat pump project these areas of the schools would both be electrified and also function independently so that the systems serving the remainder of the school complex can be operated in unoccupied modes when only these spaces are occupied, resulting in further energy savings. With this technical assistance funding both projects would be construction-ready and the City would be eligible to apply for the Climate Leader Communities Decarbonization Accelerator Grant for implementation. Melrose is one of only twenty-eight communities that have the Climate Leaders designation. We hereby request that the City Council accept the grant from DOER in the amount of $139,000. The grant agreement document is attached for your reference. Thank you for your consideration of this request. CITY OF MELROSE HEALTH DEPARTMENT DEDDDDDEPTDEPARTMENT DDEPARTMENT HERE Board of Health Health Director City Hall, 562 Main Street Frank Brincheiro, MD Anthony Chui, MPH Melrose, Massachusetts 02176 Lillian Kelly R.N. Telephone - (781)979-4130 Carol Ann Licitra, L.M.H.C. health@cityofmelrose.org To: Members of the Melrose City Council From: Melrose Health Department Subject: Proposal for a Regional Animal Control Officer Position Date: April 1, 2026 The Melrose Health Department requests the City Council’s support for establishing a regional Animal Control Officer position in partnership with the Towns of Wakefield and Stoneham. This proposal builds on the existing Intermunicipal Agreement, through which the three communities already share several public health positions. The success of that collaboration demonstrates the value of coordinated regional services and provides a framework for expanding our shared capacity. Animal control needs across the region have grown in both volume and complexity. Incidents involving domestic animals and community education require a consistent approach. Currently, each municipality manages these responsibilities independently, which can lead to gaps in coverage, uneven enforcement, and limited ability to provide proactive outreach to residents. A regional Animal Control Officer would allow the three communities to respond more effectively to these challenges. This shared position would strengthen public health and safety by ensuring timely responses to domestic animal-related incidents. It would also promote consistent enforcement of regulations such as licensing, vaccination compliance, and leash laws, while expanding our capacity to educate residents on responsible pet ownership and the prevention of zoonotic diseases. By distributing the cost of the position across three municipalities, the regional model offers a cost-effective approach that enhances service quality without duplicating resources. Given the success of the current Intermunicipal Agreement, the addition of a regional Animal Control Officer can be implemented efficiently within the existing administrative structure. A regional Animal Control Officer represents a strategic investment in public health, community safety, and intermunicipal cooperation. Sincerely, Anthony Chui Regional Health and Human Services Director achui@cityofmelrose.org (781) 979-4130 April 2026 | Presentation to Melrose Affordable Housing Trust Melrose City CouncilIntroductions Amy Tierney, Chair Jim Oosterman, Vice Chair Helena Widtfeldt, Clerk Joe Viola, TreasurerWhat Is the Melrose Affordable Housing Trust? • Established by City Council vote under M.G.L. c. 44 §55 • Volunteer board appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by City Council • Supported by City staff in the ​​Office of Planning and Community Development Mission MAHTF seeks to create, preserve and support diverse affordable housing to meet the needs of low- and moderate-income households in Melrose over their lifespan, in collaboration with municipal and community partners.Why Are We Here? • City Master Plan Melrose’s • 2022 – 2027 Housing Production Plan goals Commitment to • Alignment with state housing and planning priorities • Community values: inclusivity, stability, and Affordable Housing sustainability • Stable housing strengthens families Why This Matters • Diverse housing supports economic vitality • Local action helps protect community character What Is Affordable Housing? • In Massachusetts, Affordable Housing is defined as housing that is deed-restricted to be affordable to eligible low- and moderate-income residents without paying more than 30% of their annual household income • Includes subsidized, deed-restricted, inclusionary units • Naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAH) is not deed-restricted • In Melrose, inclusionary units are set for households earning up to 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) • AMI is set annually by HUD – Melrose is in the Boston metro area 2025 Income Limits (by AMI) HH Size 30% AMI 50% AMI 60% AMI 80% AMI 1 $34,750 $57,900 $69,480 $92,650 2 $39,700 $66,200 $79,440 $105,850 3 $44,650 $74,450 $89,340 $119,100 4 $49,600 $82,700 $99,240 $132,300 Housing Needs in Melrose • Rising home prices and rents • Median s.f. home ($970k) up ~42% since 2020 • Median condo ($525k) up ~8% since 2020 • Avg rent ($2,959) up ~29% since 2020 • Seniors seeking to age in place • Young families and workforce households (i.e. retail workers, municipal employees, healthcare workers, etc.) • Residents with disabilities and households on fixed incomesMelrose by Population: approximately 29,871 the Median household income: about $133,953 Numbers Median home value: about $970,000 d Median rent: about $2,970 per month Total housing units in Melrose: about 12,711 Total rental units: about 4,169Who Is Struggling With Housing Costs in Melrose? • 30% of all households are cost-burdened • 13.9% are severely cost-burdened • 3,173 homes are owned by households over 60 years old • Renters experience higher cost burden than homeowners • Seniors face limited affordable,appropriately sized housing optionsWho are the Key Collaborators Around Affordable Housing in Melrose? • City of Melrose • Melrose Affordable Housing Trust • Melrose Housing Authority • Melrose Affordable Housing Corporation • Congregational Retirement Homes/Cefalo Memorial Complex • Private and nonprofit developers • State and federal partners – North Suburban Consortium Affordable Housing in Melrose Today • Total housing units = 12,711 • Total affordable units = 941Types of Affordable Housing in Melrose • Units monitored by various entities • Affordable housing for seniors remains limited relative to needWhere Affordable Housing Is Located in Melrose • Affordable housing located across multiple neighborhoods • Variety of housing types and scalesAffordable Housing Tools • Affordable Housing Trust • North Suburban Consortium (NSC) • Government subsidies • Inclusionary Zoning • Chapter 40BRole of the Melrose Affordable Housing Trust • Grant funds in order to create, preserve and support affordable housing • Guidelines and Application for Funds • Parameters for funding • Defined Selection Criteria • Sets Goals for next 5 years • Leverage City, state, and federal funding • Partner with nonprofit and private developers • Steward long-term affordabilityCurrent and Recent Trust Activities • 2025 Massachusetts Housing Partnership Technical Assistance grant (January 2025 - October 2025) • Meet several times a month as a Board and in subcommittees with MHP Technical Staff • Developed Mission Statement, Goals & Strategies reflected in Guidelines & Application • Melrose Affordable Housing Corporation (MAHC) project at West Wyoming Avenue • Private owner approached MAHC regarding buying 3 units • MAHC worked with private lender and NSC to secure financing for $900,000 purchase • Trust granted MAHC $140,000 • Yielded 3 deed-restricted affordable units in perpetuity • Held a public listening session with Melrose Housing Authority & MAHC • Mayor’s Melrose Minute Trust Goals Over the Next 5 Years • Community education and outreach • Develop minimum of 3 community outreach efforts a year • Sustainable and diverse funding sources • Identify sources to secure $3M over 5 years • Affordable housing development and preservation pipeline • Support creation of 150 or more homes for rent or ownershipHow We Do This Together: Today and in the Future • How the Trust works • Collaborates with various City departments & boards to support affordable housing initiatives • Coordinates with interested stakeholders • Engages residents through public meetings and future listening sessions • How the Trust is funded today ($519,901.28) • City appropriations of free cash • Developer contributions through inclusionary zoning payment in lieu • How Melrose can expand impact of Trust • Community Preservation Act (CPA) • Strategic use of City-owned property • Possible expansion of funding to Homeownership Down Payment Assistance, etc. • Expanded nonprofit and private partnershipsHow City Engage in Affordable Housing Council Can conversations and efforts Partner with the Trust Support the Trust through Free Cash appropriations Place CPA on the ballotThank You/ Questions Melrose Affordable Housing Trust Amy Tierney, Chair Jim Oosterman, Vice Chair Helena Widtfeldt, Clerk Joe Viola, Treasurer MELROSE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND Guidelines and Application Fall 2025 Melrose Affordable Housing Trust Fund Guidelines and Application TABLE OF CONTENTS Part I: INTRODUCTION a. Mission statement b. Administrative structure c. Roles and responsibilities Part II: POLICIES a. Goals and strategies b. Eligibility activities for project funding c. Affordability priorities Part III: PROCEDURES a. Application process b. Selection criteria c. Project monitoring and compliance d. Funding application 1 Part I: INTRODUCTION Established in 2020 by the Mayor and City Council, the Melrose Affordable Housing Trust Fund (MAHTF) provides for the creation and preservation of affordable housing within the City of Melrose to promote greater diversity and racial equity in the community and for the benefit of low- to moderate-income households in accordance with the provisions of M.G.L. Chapter 44, Section 55c. These guidelines detail the operational framework and funding parameters of the MAHTF. They are subject to amendments and modifications in accordance with the changing needs and resources of the MAHTF. a. Mission Statement MAHTF seeks to create, preserve and support diverse affordable housing to meet the needs of low- and moderate-income households in Melrose over their lifespan, in collaboration with municipal and community partners. b. Administrative Structure i. Board of Trustees The MAHTF is administered by a five-person Board of Trustees (“Trustees”), including the Mayor or Mayor’s designee. Trustees serve for two (2) year terms and are appointed by the Mayor. A Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer and Clerk are elected annually by the Trustees. ii. Staffing Members of the City’s Office of Planning and Community Development provide staffing support to the MAHTF. The City Treasurer serves as the Custodian of Funds, managing expenditures of the trust and periodically providing an accounting of activities to the board. iii. Meetings The Board typically meets on the second Monday of the month at City Hall. iv. Funding The MAHTF primarily receives funds from payments as specified in the inclusionary housing requirements in Melrose’s Zoning Ordinance. The Board will be seeking other funding sources such as donations and making requests for free cash. c. Roles and Responsibilities i. Powers As outlined in the MAHTF ordinance, the Board is given 17 powers, 2 including but not limited to: the right to receive, purchase, and convey real or personal property; purchase and retain real or personal property; sell, lease, convey any personal, missed or real property; execute deeds, assignments, transfers related to any transaction of the trustees; employ advisors and agents, such as accountants, appraisers and lawyers; and borrow money. The Trust ordinance limits powers in two ways, 1) the conveyance of any real property shall require the approval of the Mayor and City Council; and, 2) any debt incurred by the Trust shall not constitute a pledge of the full faith and credit of the City of Melrose. Part II: POLICIES a. Goals and Strategies To help accomplish the following goals and strategies, the Board will follow an implementation plan that outlines specific tasks for each strategy with an expected timeframe for completion. Funding - Identify sustainable and diverse funding sources to secure $3 million over five years to support the work of the trust. i. Establish a process for accepting donations to the trust fund. ii. Work toward the implementation of a real estate transfer fee with most of the revenue being allocated to the trust fund. iii. Participate in teaching the community about the Community Preservation Act and advocate for the city’s adoption of the statute. iv. Request an annual allocation of free cash be directed to the trust fund. Development – Over the next five years, support the creation of 150 or more homes, for rent or ownership, affordable for people earning up to 80% AMI. i. With the city, identify one to two municipal sites to use for affordable housing development. ii. Support the permitting process of at least 1-2 developments that include affordable homes. iii. Explore programs that may support homeownership or housing access for low- and moderate-income households. 3 iv. Develop process and criteria for allocating trust funds. Education & Outreach - Develop a minimum of three outreach efforts a year to educate the community about local housing needs and build support for more affordable housing. i. Build out the trust’s webpage with information about the trust and housing resources. ii. Initiate an annual Melrose Minute segment to focus on the local need for more affordable housing and the work of the trust. iii. Build trust with community partners through quarterly meetings to share ideas and identify areas to collaborate to address local housing needs. iv. Review upcoming City events and identify opportunities for the trust to participate. b. Eligible Activities for Project Funding The MAHTF is seeking applications for projects that will result in increased housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income households in the City of Melrose. Eligible activities may be periodically amended by the MAHTF board. i. Acquisition Includes costs associated with land/property acquisition for future affordable housing development. This may include acquisition-related costs such as closing costs and a certified real estate appraisal to establish fair market value, required for funding. While this funding activity is primarily intended for non-profit and emerging affordable housing developers, it could be available in other circumstances. ii. Predevelopment Includes determining the viability of residential development on a particular site, including costs related to architectural, engineering and consultant fees; financial feasibility analyses; 21E report; pro forma projections and other costs associated with examining the feasibility of an affordable housing development. Up to $75,000 is available per project, but the Board will consider a larger award if a qualifying proposal warrants it. For non-public proposals, funds allocated for pre-development activities will be secured by a mortgage and promissory note to be converted to a forgivable loan upon the creation of affordable housing 4 on the site. iii. Rehabilitation Includes support to rehabilitate existing housing into affordable housing. iv. New construction/Redevelopment Includes gap funding, where there is a demonstrated shortfall of private and public funding, to support the development of new affordable housing or the redevelopment of a site into affordable housing. c. Affordability Priorities The MAHTF defines low- and moderate-income as those earning up to 80% of the area median income (AMI) as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Development (HUD). However, the Board will give higher weight to development proposals that include some units for households earning 60% AMI and below. For informational purposes, the table below outlines the 2025 income limits by area median income (AMI), provided by HUD, for the Boston-Cambridge-Quincy Metropolitan Statistical Area that the MAHTF intends to support through funding: 2025 Income Limits HH Size (by AMI) 30% AMI 50% AMI 60% AMI 80% AMI 1 $34,750 $57,900 $69,480 $92,650 2 $39,700 $66,200 $79,440 $105,850 3 $44,650 $74,450 $89,340 $119,100 4 $49,600 $82,700 $99,240 $132,300 Link to HUD Income Limits for Melrose Part III: PROCEDURES a. Application Process i. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. All submissions, scheduling and communications will be through the City of Melrose’s Office of Planning and Community Development. ii. City staff will review applications and may request additional information prior to review by the MAHTF Board. Staff may recommend that Applicants submit a Preliminary Application to seek initial feedback on a 5 proposal, which may include an in-person conversation with the MAHTF Board. iii. All applicants that submit a Final Application will be expected to meet with the Board to discuss their proposal and answer any questions. iv. Trustees will score proposals according to the Selection Criteria outlined below and vote on the application request. v. Upon approval, the MAHTF will issue an award letter including the purpose and scope of the project, projected timeframe, approved funding amount for the project and the structure of funds. Awards structured as loans will be filed as mortgages at the Registry of Deeds. Upon denial, the MAHTF will provide a letter stating the reason(s) for the denial. vi. Awardees are expected to provide annual updates to staff in the Melrose Office of Planning and Community Development throughout the term of the funding allocation. b. Selection Criteria The Trustees will apply the following scoring criteria in its review of applications. Proposals must receive points in each category, receiving a minimum of 50 points to be eligible for funding. Meeting every criterion may not guarantee a funding award. Total Selection Criteria Description Points The applicant has completed development projects of similar scale and scope as the proposed project. The applicant is 25 Development Team capable of financing, developing and successfully managing Capacity projects upon occupancy. Applicants will receive consideration for contracting with a development consultant and/or partnering with a more experienced affordable housing developer. The applicant has demonstrated that the proposed 25 Development development is financially feasible, identifying sufficient Feasibility and financing sources for all project uses. Site control has been Timeline obtained (if needed) and there is a clear path to receiving necessary zoning and other public approvals. The proposed timeline is realistic and achievable. The proposed project will create new rental or homeownership affordable housing opportunities that target lower income 25 Affordability households. At a minimum, units subsidized with Trust Fund Objectives support must be affordable at 80% AMI or lower, however projects serving lower income households (i.e. 60%, 50%, 30% AMI), and those that provide a greater portion of total affordable units targeted to lower income households will receive higher evaluation scores. All units created with MAHTF 6 resources must meet and comply with requirements established by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) for the Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI). The proposal maximizes access to affordable housing and includes additional project elements such as (but not limited 15 Other Housing to) services and programming appropriate to the targeted Objectives populations, perpetual affordability restrictions, preference for disadvantaged households, green building practices, and/or the inclusion of spaces that benefit members of the general public, as appropriate. The proposed project is consistent with the goals/objectives of 10 Alignment with City and meets the housing needs identified in the City's Housing Plans Production Plan and Master Plan and addresses gaps in the current supply & cost of rental/homeownership units in Melrose. c. Project Monitoring and Compliance The MAHTF, with support from the Office of Planning and Community Development, will work with the Commonwealth’s Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) and the project sponsor to ensure units funded by the MAHTF and intended for the SHI meet all requirements to be counted. This will include annual monitoring of the units. d. Funding Application Application material requirements can be found in the funding application form. 7

Transcript

▶ 1:02:29 available for viewing in its entirety on MMTV and through the city website. Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll? Yes. Councilor Chen? Here. Councilor Forno Chiaroc. Here. Councilor Jamaleddine. Here. Councilor Karamcheti. Here. Councilor Kowal. Here. Councilor Obremski. Here. Councilor Park. Here. Councilor Romanul. Here. Councilor Vandiver. Here. Councilor Williams. Here. President Freeman. Here. That meets for a quorum. Thank you. 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 America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you.

▶ 1:03:15 Bradley Freeman: At this time, I'll motion by unanimous consent to approve without reading the minutes from the April 6th, 2026 meeting. Seeing no objection, those minutes are now approved. I will now motion by unanimous consent to open the floor for public comment. Seeing no objection, we are open for public comment. Per Rule 33A of the Melrose City Council rules, this is the portion of the meeting where the public may speak on any item on tonight's agenda. Comments expressing any viewpoint on any other matters are also welcome. I see we have people in the audience tonight, so please feel free to come up to the table. Just a reminder, the public comment period is an opportunity for the public to share comments. Counselors will not respond.

▶ 1:03:57 The public has up to five minutes for comments. I will notify you when you have 30 seconds remaining. Is anyone here for public comment tonight? Oh, yeah. Just giving her a little overview. And if you can just say your name and your address. Yes. All right. So my name is Billie. I live on Ashland Street in The Highlands. I don't know if I have enough for those. Sorry, Billie, what's your last name? Bloom. B-L-O-O-M. Thank you very much. Yep. Hi again. So I was actually here back when I had a three-month-old. Now she's five-- Sorry. Now she's nine months old. Mm-hmm. Three, nine. Yeah. I have three children, ages four, two, and nine months. And I'm here to speak again on the behalf of the Melrose

▶ 1:04:42 Parents Committee regarding the Melrose Public Library children's room. The Melrose Parents Committee is a recently formed group of people who want to drive progress towards a welcoming, engaging, and fun children's room here in Melrose. And also want to think more broadly about the experience in Melrose at playgrounds and other spaces. The children's room survey was concluded nearly five months ago. We're happy to see a snack table, three wall art hangings, and a couple of play items added to the space since then. But there's still so much room for improvement. We would really appreciate the City Council and the mayor's support to urge the library to create an environment that the community is truly

▶ 1:05:31 excited about. This isn't just a couple eager parents urging change. An actual library consultant came and did a report. It's on their website if you'd like to see what the report was, but basically, it actually was a lot of what we had been saying in our report that we did when we visited the 15 libraries, and we handed that to council with photos overviewing the Noble Network. So an example of how easy these upgrades can be comes from our neighbors over at the Stoneham Library. They also had a recent renovation, and they reopened their children's room in mid-January this year. Their children's room opened with just a dollhouse and a Lego table. Within one month of hearing feedback from their community, they added the following to their

▶ 1:06:22 space: bin of crayons and paper to their new tables, six bins of play items such as dinos, fake food, figures, vehicles, a puppet stand, and wooden puzzles. This happened without a survey, and it happened without an official library consultant coming. It happened without parents nagging and a parent committee putting a presentation in front of the director's table. This happened just from patrons coming to the checkout and saying, "Hey, we kind of expected more from you guys." And the librarian, I talked to her, she's always asking, like, "Feedback. Do you have any feedback?" That is not, like, in our librarians' vocabulary, the word feedback. And we've been working really hard to try and work with the

▶ 1:07:14 librarians and doing whatever we can. I think I've called a couple of you just to be like, "What else can I do?" And I really don't want to come off as a negative person. We just want the best from our library. We want our kids to grow up enjoying our library andWanting to go there. We want them to be 10 years old and prefer to go there than Dunkin' Donuts because their friends will be there, and they have puzzles and... Yeah, this is very near and dear to me. So anyways, I would really appreciate anyone's support to help urge the library staff to work on this. In my last correspondence with the library, I asked what the timeline was for future editions, and I was told that there is no timeline.

▶ 1:08:01 And that's really unfortunate because no timeline essentially means there is no plan. I asked if anything else was on order, and there is a delayed farm stand for the last two months, but besides that, there's nothing else on order. We had 500 people take this survey in our community, so clearly a lot of people care and want to see more from our library. But anyways, they've been open a year now. So I think a full year worth of having the renovation and being open is more than enough time, where now we have all these additional elements that have came in that it's like we're ready. We're ready for our library to just make some moves. So I handed out this Melrose Parents Committee chart that-

▶ 1:08:56 You have about 30 seconds left ... we will-- Okay. That we're going to continue to work on and push and hope to see more from our library. Thanks. Thank you very much. My name is Nancy Wu. I live at Richardson Road in the Highlands. I'm also part of the committee with Billy, and I'm actually relatively new to Melrose. I've been here for two years and moved here because I heard it's a great community, it's a great city to raise my children. And obviously, I've left Boston, and since then I've had two kids here. So I have a one-year-old and a two-year-old, and I absolutely love Melrose. And I was very excited when the library finally finished to bring my children to the library, but I was actually very disappointed in the amount of toys there were and amount of

▶ 1:09:38 a safe place where the kids can play and be stimulated with visual toys, or puzzles or pictures. And it was not until I have met more parents in the city, because I'm still new and I work full-time, so it has been really hard to meet people. But I have discovered there are other libraries in the kind of North Shore, Metro West. So because of the lack of programs that are available for the toddlers or even the slightly older children, like after-school programs, I actually have to take my children to Woburn and Reading and Medford and Cambridge and even Boston, where I used to live, just so that they can attend this music event. Or that they can do a open play area where the library just set a one hour or

▶ 1:10:31 even 45 minutes where they bring out mats with different types of toys for different age groups. And some of these toys are donated by the residents of the community, and some of them, I think the library has a certain funding to kind of purchase these toys. And I thought that maybe after a few months that it's open, there will be some new programs or improvements to the Melrose Library, but there has not been any. Or there will be a newborn or toddler event, but it would be literally during nap time. So I'm not sure how the programs are being organized or who's doing it, but I just wish there was more programs where I didn't have to leave the city. And it's making me question, did I do the right thing by moving

▶ 1:11:25 to Melrose? Am I constantly going to Woburn or I'm constantly going to Reading so that now my kids are playing with the kids from this city, and they're never going to see them in kindergarten, right? They're never going to grow up with them in elementary school. And like what Billy said, we have kids that are also getting older every day, and we want them to be able to go to the library and get excited to go there and meet with their friends and play with something or join a music event. Or just even have more things that can stimulate them. Because oftentimes they just want to play with Lego, or they just want to have a play kitchen where they can pretend to cook, because not everybody has the money to have that set in their own

▶ 1:12:04 Bradley Freeman: home or have a big enough home to actually support big toys. And even little robots or things that-- Like STEM, where they have numbers or puzzles or balls, and we don't really have a lot of that. And I would want my kids to grow up to be exposed to these kind of activities and things, rather than be on the streets doing other things. Yeah. Wonderful. Thank you very much. All right. Thank you. Appreciate you coming in tonight. Madam Clerk, is there anyone online? No one online. If there's no objection, I'd like to close public comment. Seeing none, we are now closed for public comment. Moving on with the agenda, there are no communications tonight. So we'll move on to new business filings by the honorable mayor,

▶ 1:12:53 appointments, and reappointments. ID number 2026-824, reappointment of Peter Bowman, 24 Arlington Road, to the Library Board of Trustees for a three-year term, said term to expire the last day of February 2029. This will go to Boards of Commissions. ID number 2026-1146, appointment of Mark McKinnon, 585 Franklin Street, to the Melrose Housing Authority for a five-year term, said term to expire first Monday of March 2029. Mr. McKinnon is completing the term of Ellen Connolly, who has stepped down. This will go to Boards of Commissions.Appropriations. ID number 2026-1147, appropriation from free cash account 01-324001 in the amount of $170,000 to capital outlay number 931 to purchase a sidewalk plow.

▶ 1:13:45 This will go to Appropriations and Oversight. ID number 2026-1148, appropriation from free cash account 01-324001 in the amount of 880,000 to the capital outlay number 931 to purchase DPW vehicles. This will go to Appropriations and Oversight. ID number 2026-1149, appropriation for free cash account 01-324001 in the amount of 865,000 to DPW Snow, 431, to close the snow and ice deficit for fiscal year '26. This will go to Appropriations and Oversight. ID number 2026-1150, appropriation from free cash account 01-324001 in the amount of $244,944 to the school department, number 1620, for Medicaid reimbursement received in fiscal year '25. This will go to Appropriations and Oversight. ID number 2026-1151,

▶ 1:14:46 Bradley Freeman: appropriation from free cash account 01-324001 in the amount of $10,000 to the DPW Highway, number 422, to purchase bike racks. And this will go to Appropriations and Oversight. Moving on to filings by members of the honorable city council and resolutions. ID number 2026-835, a resolution recognizing and supporting ALS, often known as the Lou Gehrig's disease, in Melrose for the month of May 2026. Councilor Jamaleddine? Mr. President, I would like to request this as immediate consideration. There's a motion for immediate consideration made by Councilor Jamaleddine. Is there a second? Second. Seconded by Councilor Romanul. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? That motion passes and the item is available for immediate

▶ 1:15:42 Devin Romanul: consideration. Thank you. And I would like to turn it back to one of my co-sponsors, Councilor Romanul, to read the resolution. Good evening. Thank you so much. I want to thank my colleagues for your co-sponsorship all. Whereas amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease or ALS, is a progressive fatal neurodegenerative disease in which a person's brain loses connection with their muscles, slowly reducing the person's ability to walk, talk, eat, and eventually breathe. And whereas thousands of new ALS cases are reported every single year, and estimates show that every 90 minutes, someone is diagnosed with ALS and someone passes away from ALS. And whereas on average, patients

▶ 1:16:24 Devin Romanul: diagnosed with ALS survive only two to five years' time after diagnosis. Whereas the exact causes of ALS are unknown, and there is no known cure for ALS. Whereas people who have served in the military are more likely to develop ALS and die from the disease than those with no family history or military service. And whereas securing access to new therapies, durable medical equipment, and communication technologies is of vital importance to those living with ALS. Whereas clinical trials play a pivotal role in evaluating new treatments, enhancing quality of life, and fostering assistive technologies for those living with ALS. And whereas the ALS Association is the largest philanthropic funder of ALS research globally and has committed more than

▶ 1:17:04 Devin Romanul: $154 million to support more than 550 projects across the United States and 18 other countries. And whereas the ALS Association is committed to making ALS livable and a cure for everyone, everywhere. And whereas ALS Awareness Month provides an opportunity to increase public awareness of the dire circumstances of people living with ALS, acknowledge the terrible impact that this disease have on those individuals and their families, and support research to eradicate this disease. And whereas the Melrose City Council do hereby proclaim the month of May 2026 as ALS Awareness Month, we call upon Americans to join in supporting ALS research, advocating for increased funding, and standing in solidarity with those affected by this relentless

▶ 1:17:46 Devin Romanul: disease. And I'll just mention, I won't go on long, I'll just say, I'm grateful for your consideration, for my colleagues' co-sponsorship. This is a very personal issue for me. My mother-in-law died two years ago from ALS, and anyone who has a front row seat to a family member diagnosed with this or a family dealing with this, it changes you forever. And several members of my ward have either ALS or family members who are dealing with this or have dealt with this, and I know that that must be true in other neighborhoods in our city. So, for those who are watching tonight and wondering why we consider this, there is no cure. There are almost no known treatments, and the average family out-of-pocket cost is over a quarter of a million dollars.

▶ 1:18:34 Devin Romanul: Even that's if you have insurance. And so, this just changes the trajectory of your life. And so even little bits of visibility can change this trajectory. See the Ice Bucket Challenge, what a big difference that made, hundreds of millions of dollars of research and assistance. And that, just take it from me as someone who was along for the ride for a couple of years on this, and a family dealing with this, it just makes such a big difference. So I'm so appreciative of your consideration. Thank you for your support. Thank you, Chair Romanul. What is the will of the council? I'd like to make motion to recommend. Second. Motion to recommend to place on file, made by Councilor Jamaleddine, seconded by

▶ 1:19:13 Councilor Finocchiaro. On discussion? All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? That motion is passed and that item is placed on file. Moving on to licenses. ID number 2026-831, renewal of livery licenseRenewal of Liberty license for 2026. This will go to Protection and License. ID number 2026-861, renewal of junk dealer and secondhand dealer license for 2026. This will go to Protection and License. ID number 2026-871, renewal of gasoline and storage licenses for 2026. This will go to Protection and License. Okay, moving on to unfinished business and grants. ID number 2026-773, acceptance of a fiscal year '26 firefighter safety equipment grant in the amount of $12,375.87. Mr. President, this comes to us from the Appropriations and Oversight Committee

▶ 1:20:13 with a recommendation for passage, and at this time I'll make a motion for passage. Motion of passage made by Chair Romanul, seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro. This requires a roll call? Who just made that motion? Wasn't it Devin? It was me. Okay. Is that what you said? Yeah. Oh, I'm sorry. Point of clarification, this requires a roll call? Yes. Yes, it does. Yes. Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Councilor Chen? Yes. Councilor Finocchiaro? Yes. Councilor Jamaleddine? Yes. Councilor Karamcheti? Councilor Kowal? Yes. Councilor Obremski? Yes. Councilor Park? Yes. Councilor Romanul? Yes. Councilor Vander Leest? Yes. Councilor Williams? Yes. President Freeman? Yes. That motion passes. ID number 2026-775, acceptance of a

▶ 1:20:58 Climate Leaders Technical Assistance Grant in the amount of $139,000. Mr. President, this also 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 of passage made by Councilor Romanul, seconded by Councilor Jamaleddine. On discussion. Madam Clerk? 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 Vander Leest? Yes. Councilor Williams? Yes. President Freeman? Yes. That motion passes. Thank you. Moving on to orders. ID number 2026-774, that the City

▶ 1:21:47 Devin Romanul: Council authorize the mayor to enter into an intermunicipal agreement for establishing a regional animal control officer position in partnership with the towns of Wakefield and Stoneham. Mr. President, this comes to us from the Appropriations and Oversight Committee with a recommendation for passage. And at this time, I'd actually like to make a motion to postpone consideration of this item until our next meeting on Monday, May 4th, to allow for additional public testimony. I've gotten some feedback from constituents and had spoken with members of the administration, to confirm they just wanted to make sure that the public got a chance to weigh in with their experiences on animal control. The administration confirmed that it was not pressing for passage in the next

▶ 1:22:28 Devin Romanul: seven days. And the public was looking for just an opportunity to weigh in. So, at this time, I'll make a motion to postpone consideration until Monday, May 4th. Second. Motion to postpone till Monday, May 4th, made by Councilor Romanul, seconded by Councilor Williams. On discussion. All in favor? I. I. I. I. I. I. I. Any opposed? That motion passes. ID number 2026-749, informational order, Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board update. Mr. President, this comes to us from the Appropriations and Oversight Committee with a recommendation to place on file, and at this time I'll make a motion to place on file. Second. Motion to place on file made by Councilor Romanul, seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro. On discussion.

▶ 1:23:11 Bradley Freeman: All in favor? I. I. I. I. I. I. I. Any opposed? That passes. Are there any reports from committees? Seeing none. There are no expiries. Any Rule 36 reports? Seeing none. Just by way of update, just so the public knows, our next meeting will be on Monday, May 4th at 7:45 PM. And then on Monday, May 11th, the mayor has called a joint meeting of the Melrose City Council and the school committee to unveil her FY27 budget at 7:15 PM. That'll be followed by a special meeting of the city council to receive that budget, and initiate the process for the next two months of budget hearings and appropriations and oversight. At this time, I will entertain a motion to adjourn. So moved. Second. Motion to adjourn made by Councilor Williams, seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro.

▶ 1:24:00 Bradley Freeman: All in favor? I. I. I. I. I. I. I. Any opposed? The ayes have it, and we are adjourned at 8:15 PM.

Original documents

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