Framingham Democratic Committee
Framingham Green Community Room
136 Maynard Rd., Framingham, MA 01701
Meeting Minutes – October 20, 2019
Call to Order: Chair Beverly Hugo called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM
Welcome, Announcements & Updates:
- Chair reviewed Agenda, discussed the layout of the evening
Charity Presentation:
- David Blais, Daniel’s Table, discussed the workings and philosophy of Daniel’s Table. We will be raising funds and seeking volunteers for this charity at the next meeting in October. Discussed food insecurity vs. hunger; mental function when nutritionally impaired; Expansive issues of trailers, food bags @ Wilson school make these unsustainable, need larger scale so they now position freezers throughout town for people to go to, to get ready-to-eat food, goal is 35 freezers through Framingham. Introduced weallvolunteer.org, a clearinghouse for those who would like to volunteer for a variety of causes, not just Daniel’s Table.
Candidate Forum:
- Presentations by District, 2-year terms in alphabetical order, and then At-Large, 4-year terms in alphabetical order. Each candidate introduced themselves and set out their basic platform, their reason for running and what they would like to leave as their legacy after their term, should they be elected. We heard from the following candidates:
- District 1
- Christine Long
- Joseph Norton was not in attendance
- District 2.
- Cesar Stewart-Morales
- Richard Finlay was not in attendance
- District 3
- Adam Steiner (Unopposed)
- District 4
- Michael Cannon (Unenrolled candidate, unopposed) sent a statement, as he was unable to join us for the evening. The statement was read on his behalf.
- District 5.
- Robert Case was called away on a family emergency. His statement was read on his behalf.
- Noval Alexander (Unenrolled Candidate)
- District 6
- Phil Ottaviani (unopposed) was unable to attend as he had a family issue with his father
- District 7
- Margareth Shepard
- William Lynch
- District 8
- Mario Alvarez
- John Stefanini
- District 9
- Tracy Bryant, arrived late but spoke before the business meeting, she was not recorded on the Facebook Live feed
- Neidy Cuellar (Unenrolled candidate) was unable to attend but sent a statement. The statement was read on her behalf.
- At-Large
- George King
- Gloria Pascual
- Janet Leombruno (Republican candidate) was unable to attend but sent a statement. The statement was read on her behalf.
- District 1
Reports:
- State House
- Lewis responded to comments made by Mr. Lynch during his campaign speech during the evening’s candidate forum, assuring Mr. Lynch that, as our State Representative, he is always eager to work collaboratively for the improvement of the City, and affirming that he is always “eager to engage in collaborative efforts, so long as the other person talks with respect,” when discussing a point. In response to Mr. Stefanini’s statement pertaining to crosswalk placement, Mr. Lewis responded that he is, “not interested in ‘gotcha politics’,” and that there has been a lot of activity on the particular crosswalk which was raised by Mr. Stefanini, between his legislative office and MassDOT. Mr. Stefanini left the meeting prior to Rep. Lewis’ responses to the issue raised in Mr. Stefanini’s political campaign speech.
- Robinson discussed the successful movement of the Student Opportunity Act from the Senate to the House, congratulating Senate President Spilka for her hard work, and the end result would mean up to an additional $14 Million annually in education funding to Framingham.
- City Council
- Councilor Adam Steiner reported that Pat Dunne has brought the issue of the Community Preservation Act to the City Council, and that there is a study group in formation and an opportunity for people to request being named to that group.
Attendance:
- Members: Christopher Broyles, Jeanne Bullock, Robert Case, Carmen Chico, Jack Duffy, Patrick Dunne, Adam Freudberg, Rosamond Hooper-Hamersley, Beverly Hugo, Michael Hugo, Gwendolyn Holbrow, Barbara LeDuc, Rep. Jack P. Lewis, Christopher Lorant, Kathleen McCarthy, Farooq Mirza, Amanda Northrop, Joan Rastani, Rep. Maria D. Robinson, Cindy Rubin, Margareth Shepherd, Norma Shulman, Larry Stoodt, Parwez Wahid, Mel Warshaw.
- Life Members: Linda Fields, Bettie Muto, John Stefanini.
- Associate Members: Mario Alvarez, Tracey Bryant, Mary Kate Feeney, Cheryl Gordon, Jim Hansen, Doug Lawrence, Adam Steiner, Cesar Stewart-Morales.
Secretary’s Report:
- Submitted by Barbara Fontes, in absentia
- Motion by Mr. Broyles, “To Waive Reading:”
- Passed, 21 for, 4 against, 0 abstaining
- Motion “To Approve Minutes:”
- Passed 26 for, 0 against, 0 abstaining
Treasurer’s Report: – Larry Stoodt
As of October 20, 2019
Balance as on May 19, 2019 $4427.64
Income
CU Dividend 9/30/19 .37
Dues 9/13/19 130.00
Dues 10/16/19 20.00
Income $ 150.37
Previous Balance & Income $4578.01
Expenses
Total Expenses $ 0.00
Balance as of 10/30/19 $4578.01
Treasurer’s Report: approved unanimously
Subcommittee Reports:
- By-laws – Mel
- Legislative – K. Fusaris/B. LeDuc.
- Vote on “Resolution to Support a Ban on Single-Use Plastic Bags:”
- Passed on Motion 25 for, 1 opposed, 0 abstaining
- Vote on “Resolution to Create an Environmental Task Force:”
- Passed on Motion 25 for, 1 opposed, 0 abstaining
- Vote on “A Resolution in Support of H.R. 312, The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation Reaffirmation Act:”
- Passed on Motion 26 for, 0 opposed, 0 abstaining
- Vote on “Resolution to Support a Ban on Single-Use Plastic Bags:”
Organizing Corps 2020 – Michael Hugo spoke briefly giving an update of the month’s activities for MWOC2020. This is a program designed to raise money to pay minority, primarily female college graduates to canvas in 7 battleground states that they live in; Metrowest committed to rising $70,000.
Thanks for all who donated refreshments. Thanks for all that you do.
Motion to adjourn – Unanimously Voted
FDC meeting adjourned at 9:17 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Michael R. Hugo, Acting Secretary