Minutes for September 19th, 2021

7:00 pm – Zoom Conference

 

Meeting Attendees

Members: Mike Hugo, Beverly Hugo, Barbara LeDuc, Parwez Wahid, Larry Stoodt, Cesar Stewart-Morales, Adam Steiner, Mel Warshaw, Norma Shulman, Chris Lorant, Rosamond Hooper-Hamersley, Kurt Fusaris, Kathie McCarthy, Jack Patrick Lewis, Christopher Broyles, Mary Kate Feeney, Adam Freudberg, Doug Lawrence, Patrick Dunne, Thom Mahoney, Cheryl Tully Stoll, David Magnani, Phil Ottaviani, Tracey Bryant

 

Associate Members: Cheryl Gordon, Mayor Dr. Yvonne Spicer, Priscilla Sousa, Audrey Hall, Tilia Jacobs, Andrew Machkasov, Ricky Finlay, Isabella Petroni, Ohad Klopman

 

Guests: James Thrasher, Suze Craighead

 

  • Welcome, Announcements and Updates – Chair Mike Hugo
    • The chair reviewed the agenda and called the meeting to order at 7:02pm.
  • Treasurer’s Report – Larry Stoodt
    • Starting balance of $4,064.46, added $0.34 interest; donation of $24.06; ending balance of $4,088.81
  • Reports from City Council, School Committee and Mayor
    • Mayor Dr. Yvonne Spicer:
      • The City received a grant to address the flooding on Walnut Street.
      • Home rule petition to increase the board of health to five member is at the State House and Rep. Robinson is shepherding this process.
      • Since Aug 5th there is a mask mandate to conduct business inside the Memorial Building. There is no city-wide mask mandate at this time.
      • Spoke to the Governor’s office regarding National Guard members assisting our schools as needed.
      • We are still able to give grants up to $10k for businesses that have been affected by COVID as well as financial assistance for rent.
      • We updated the licensing regulations, and we hope to continue things such as outdoor dining for restaurants.
      • Fiscally we are in good health in Framingham; 99.5% of residents have paid their taxes for FY21; and we have a $16.5M in our stabilization fund, and we maintain a AA2 bond rating.

    • City Council:
      • Adam Steiner – Council meeting coming up on Thursday which has been changed due to the upcoming Jewish holiday. Wanted to draw attention to three items: the resolution to support legislation on how to fund PEG programming, a potential change to make the Council the Special Permit Granting authority instead of the ZBA, and Sherborn is looking at developments and will be bringing a proposal to tie into Framingham’s water system.
      • Cesar Stewart-Morales – Wanted to stress the importance of Council discussions regarding the Special Permit Granting Authority and reducing the size of the Central Business District. The Finance Subcommittee meeting will give residents the opportunity to discuss the use of ARPA funds the city is receiving. We need to keep on eye on this process because if we delay accepting the funding, and the water and sewer fund is still not balanced, it will delay everyone’s tax bills again and make the city look bad.
    • School Committee:
      • Adam Freudberg – the Mass National Guard will help for 6-8 weeks on small vans and that will give the district bus vendor the time to train the additional drivers that are needed. The School Committee adopted the ARPA spending proposal and some of those funded projects have begun and will continue to roll out over the year to three years. The School Committee will be voting on a proposed capital budget next week. Congrats to Jack Patrick Lewis and Rob Case for their involvement in the cast of Bystander 9/11 at ATAC. If you were not able to see it in person that video can be watched online. The Grand Opening for the new Fuller Middle School will be on Sunday, Sept 26th at 1pm, if you have any questions please reach out. The renaming of the school theatre in the new Fuller Middle School will be in honor of Rep. Chris Walsh and that event will happen sometime in October.
      • Beverly Hugo – the School Committee has 15 minutes of Public Comment at the beginning of every meeting and your voice can be heard on issues involving the district. Bargaining with Unit A continues, and our next session is this coming Wednesday. We are doing a complete review of our policy manual to make sure it agrees with state law and the values of our district.
      • Ricky Finlay – thanks the committee for all of the support for the new Fuller Middle School and everyone who worked so hard to get this project off the ground.
      • Priscila Sousa – October is LGBTQ+ History month and pride flags will be flying at our schools. She has been participating in a morning Brazilian radio program in Somerville, and as a result, has come into contact with other parents in Framingham who are listeners and want to help recruit bus drivers for the district.

 

  • Report from our House Delegation, – Rep. Jack P. Lewis, Rep. Maria Robinson, Rep. Carmine Gentile, Sen. Pres. Karen Spilka
    • Jack P. Lewis – thank you to Adam Freudberg for the kudos, it was an honor to be part of the show at ATAC. Discussed ARPA and the infrastructure money that will hopefully come through soon. Leadership on Beacon Hill has worked aggressively to find out the priorities of house reps and if anyone has other ideas for projects, please let Jack know soon. This additional money will be distributed and spent at the State level instead of coming to communities directly like other funding. Shoutout to Adam Freudberg for working with Jack to make sure the Governor knew Framingham needed the assistance provided by the Mass National Guard. Jack and Maria filed the home rule petition to expand the Board of Health and it has had a first committee hearing. Jack is working on a NIPS deposit bill and that had a hearing last week, and along with Rep. Natalie Higgins he has filed a bill to offer more environmentally friendly burial options.

 

  • State Committee Report & Convention Update – Parwez Wahid & Norma Shulman
    • Parwez Wahid – it is a virtual convention and the first time we have done this. There will be some virtual parties as well. Make sure your internet connection is working and join us at the convention.
    • Norma Shulman – added a link to the chat to respond to the amendments to the state party platform. If you would like to read the profile you can also use the same link. There will be a link for non-delegates who are interested in watching the convention, and there should also be a broadcast of the convention on YouTube most likely.
    • Guest Introductions – James Thrasher introduced himself and expressed interest in joining the FDC. If he is interested in becoming an associate member at the next meeting, we can take a vote if necessary.
  • FDC Anti-racism discussion: Next Steps – Our Subcommittee involvement – Rozzy Hooper-Hamersley & Cesar Stewart-Morales.
    • Rozzy Hooper-Hamersley – Continuing to move forward with the information we learned in our anti-racism workshops. We are giving it teeth by putting it into action. We proposed four tasks for several of our subcommittees to take up including developing a mission statement and engaging the community. It is important for us to demonstrate that we have learned something and want to be a more diverse and inclusive community. And next month is all campaigning, all the time, for important municipal elections that are coming up.
    • Cesar Stewart-Morales – Encouraged everyone to stay engaged and we have made some major changes to our committee this year, and he is looking forward to the work by the subcommittees.

 

  • Subcommittee Reports, discussions, actions and votes:
    • Bylaws – Mel Warshaw – No report.

 

  • Communications – Gwen Holbrow/Jim Hansen – No report.

 

  • Civics Education – Beverly Hugo – usually meet the Friday before a full FDC meeting but they will be rescheduling for a different day. The next meeting will be a workshop and we will be working on the anti-racism projects and a survey to try and learn more about why we think diverse communities are not getting involved with the FDC. There will be a candidates’ forum in October, and we are continuing to work on this as well.

 

  • Environmental/Climate Change – Larry Stoodt – Did not meet, but there is an environmental forum for municipal candidates on Sept 22 and hopes everyone will attend. We will be putting more focus on the area of environmental justice. Would like to schedule time at a future meeting to have another environmental presentation to the FDC.

 

  • Legislative – Doug Lawrence –
    • Dignity at Work (Jack Lewis Bill) Discussion and Vote to Endorse – the subcommittee reviewed H3843 proposed by Rep. Jack P Lewis, and it establishes law to address workplace bullying and sets up penalties against the employer. Another similar bill establishing workplace bullying only when there is intent, but this bill is stronger and does not require intent. Our subcommittee listened to a presentation by Carol Osler, and she strongly advocates the FDC support this bill.
      • Jack Patrick Lewis – the bill has had a hearing a few weeks back, and the FDC support will be important to help push this bill forward.
      • The legislative subcommittee discussed and voted unanimously to support H3843.
      • Chair of the subcommittee, Doug Lawrence, made a motion for the FDC to endorse this bill; seconded by Beverly Hugo. No further discussion. Motion passed unanimously.

 

  • Outreach – Parwez Wahid – No report.

 

  • Programming – Rosamond Hooper-Hamersley & Cesar Stewart-Morales – Get out the VOTE!

 

  • Municipal Elections Discussion and Vote on Scope of Candidate Forum
    • Our next meeting in October is a candidate’s forum for Mayor and Council.
    • The format will allow each Council candidate to introduce themselves and they will receive own individual question in order to be fair.
    • Mayoral candidates will be a more in-depth Q&A.
    • Discussion was held on the logistics of the event.
    • This FDC event is not a forum or debate, but instead an invitation to all Democrats running for local office to address our committee and answer questions. This is the way it has always been done in the past.
    • A motion was made by Norma Shulman to proceed with the planning of a Democratic Candidate’s Night at our next meeting; seconded by Larry Stoodt.
      • Further discussion was held on the format of asking questions.
      • The motion passed with 22-1-0

 

  • Announcement of Vacancies on FDC, nominations to fill positions from our Associate Member Pool
    • There are two vacancies currently that need to be filled.
    • The chair recommended we continue to keep a balance between male and female members to assist the committee in the future when it is time to reorganize for the next election. The chair opened the floor for nominations.
    • Kathie McCarthy nominated Ohad Klopman to fill the male seat as a full member; seconded by Beverly
    • No further nominations or discussion being heard, the chair closed nominations and Ohad Klopman was elected by acclamation to be a full member of the FDC.
    • Rozzy Hooper-Hamersley nominated Audrey Hall to fill the female seat as a full member; seconded by Mel Warshaw.
    • Mary Kate Feeney nominated Priscila Sousa to fill the female seat as a full member; seconded by Cheryl Tully Stoll.
    • Discussion was held that the FDC is required to give 30 days’ notice of a seat vacancy and that a vote will be held. Also, there is a good chance there will be an additional seat open by our next meeting.
    • A motion was made by Beverly Hugo to table the vote; seconded by Patrick Dunne.
      • The motion passed 14-5-1

    • New Business, member announcements, general announcements for the good of the order
    • Veteran Memorial Donation by Framingham Democrats, C. Patrick Dunne
      • There are several opportunities to help fund the revitalization of the Veteran’s Park on Concord Street. People can either make a personal donation of any amount or purchase a brick for $150. If you would like to donate through the FDC, please let the Treasurer know. The Treasurer will send out an email with details.
    • Combatting voter suppression, Sen. David Magnani
      • Members are invited to participate in a group similar to OC 2020.
      • We will be revitalizing a Metrowest organizing group to work on voter suppression in the swing states.
      • The fight is largely a legal fight as states pass laws to disenfranchise voters.
      • Currently there are moves to limit voter access, strict voter ID laws, reducing the number of polling places, cutting early voting and mail in voting periods, and support of gerrymandering across the country.
      • Our efforts would most likely work best alongside the ACLU and the Voter Suppression department of the Democratic National Committee.
      • An intial meeting will be setup for those who are interested and collectively they will decide the level of effort, schedule, and the group’s strategy.
      • Contact Sen. Magnani for anyone who would like to join the group. His email is in the chat window.
    • Blueprint to ’22, Mike Hugo
      • Project of the Mass Dem Party.
      • Framingham was a member of the pilot group for the project, and it did not go well.
      • The program has been revamped and should be very doable.
      • Need three volunteer captains from Framingham who will have 30 days to find 5 volunteers in Framingham. Those volunteers will have 90 days to find 5 volunteers, and that next level will have 90 days to find 5 volunteers.  This is an 18 month long process.
      • Volunteers can also join the Organizing Hub on Saturdays for a couple hours to phonebank and help campaigns and contacting Biden/Harris supporters to help with both efforts that Sen. Magnani and Mike Hugo are discussing.
    • Progressive Framingham/Metrowest – Beverly Hugo
      • Another way to have a voice in issues and in who gets elected.
      • Five dollars a year to be a member and allows you to have a vote.
      • You will be working alongside some of the greatest political minds in the state to help with the work of Progressive MA.
    • Ranked-Choice Voting Presentation – Parwez Wahid
      • A presentation on ranked-choice voting will be held in the Costin Room at the Main Library on Nov 6th at 11am.

 

  • Motion made by Mike Hugo to waive the 30 day notice rule for vacancies as our next meeting in October is only 28 days away ; seconded by Kathie McCarthy.
    • No discussion ; the motion passed unanimously.

 

  • Adjourn
    • Motion to adjourn by Kathie McCarthy; seconded by Mary Kate Feeney
      • No discussion; the motion passed unanimously.
      • The meeting was adjourned at 9:06pm.

 

Special Note: If you or a loved one are experiencing any issues that we can help with during this extraordinary time please contact the Chair or any Officer and we will do all we can to get services or meet any needs that we can for that person. Our Committee has many well-placed members who are always happy to answer the call to action, and we would be honored to render discreet aid to anyone in need, to the best of our abilities.