Minutes of June 24, 2018

Framingham Democratic Town Committee

136 Maynard Rd.

Framingham, MA 01701

Meeting Minutes – Sunday, June 24, 2018 at 7:00 PM

Call to Order:  Beverly Hugo, chair, called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM

Attendance:  Members:  Lori Bornstein, Jeanne Bullock, Robert Case, Carmen Chico, Jack Duffy, Patrick Dunne, Barbara Fontes, Adam Freudberg, Kurt Fusaris, Gwendolyn Holbrow, Rosamond Hooper-Hamersley, Beverly Hugo, Michael Hugo, Barbara LeDuc, Rep. Jack P. Lewis, Thomas Mahoney, Marie Duaime Robinson, Cindy Rubin, Norma Shulman, Larry Stoodt, Mel Warshaw.  Associate Members:  Michael Gatlin, James Hansen, Douglas Lawrence, Amanda Northrup, Joel Winett.  Life Members:  Jerry Desilets, Linda Fields, Bettie Muto, Phil Ottaviani, John Stefanini.

Guest Sign In:  Ally Connolly-Pelletier, Marlene Fine(Holliston), Charlie Sisitsky, Gus Bradford, Mary Kate Feeney, Mark Tilden, Leslie Smart, Jose Ivan Roman, Dhruba Sev, Isabella Petroni, Susan Petroni, Vanessa Gatlin, Herb Chasan, Joan Chasan,  Irwin Tsh, Andrea Haynes, Ruth Winett, Joel Winett, Adrian K. Haugabrook, Anne Krauss, Beth Greeley, Audrey Hall, Richard Baritz, Judy Margulies, Sheri Slerb, Zane Razzaq.

Announcements:  Sen. David Magnani – Stephanie Mercandetti Memorial next meeting, July 8, 2018, Bob Berman- Cushing Park – tree, stone bench; Civic Leadership Scholarship.  Go Fund Me page.  Resolution from Senate, House and Governor – September 22, 2018 2pm.  Room in City Hall with her name – Mayor and City Council need to vote.

Candidates’ Debate – August, 2018

Annual BBQ – July, 2018, informal

A Day with the History and Culture of Puerto Rico (flyer), Saturday, July 7, 2018 12-5pm

State House Report:  Rep. Jack P. Lewis – Senate and House – ballot – paid family leave; sales tax deduction; minimum wage $15 over 5 years; raise up unions; millionaire’s tax; permanent sales tax holiday?  5 weeks until end of Legislative calendar.

City of Framingham:  Adam Steiner, Margareth Shepard – Resolution Condemning Federal Immigration Policy – vote:  2 No, 1 Abstention.  School Committee – Adam Freudberg – Continuity and Standardization of Curriculum.  Superintendent – proficiency.

Treasurer’s Report:  Larry Stoodt – -$3,459.18        $3,899.50;  income – $350 dues; dividends $2.

  1. Dunne – motion to accept; R. Case – second; Accepted.

Candidate Forum – Sixth Middlesex House of Representatives Seat – Mary Kate Feeney(MKF). Mike Gatlin(MG), Maria Robinson(MR), Mark Tilden(MT).  Recorded for Cable; rebroadcast  on Framingham Access. Opening statements:  MKF open space, education, Deval Patrick admin.  MG strive to be better, “a calling”.  MR diversity; education, MWRA, past decade clean energy across the country, will be a full day legislator.  MT atty. local district courts – Framingham/Natick, through the courts – opioid abuse, against ICE agents, urge Gov. Baker to take a hard stand on ICE.

Questions/Remarks:  Blight:  MG investment in economic development downtown.  MR environmental protection, areas used for public benefit.  MT Nobscott Plaza “blight” tax, Waverley St. make it a destination.  MKF “creative thinking”, innovative, work w/Mayor, grants.  Climate change:  MR work for renewable energy.  MT promote info, complicated issue.  MKF consumer driven legislation.  MG address environment issues now.  Immigration: MT allow driver’s license, courts should be safe, remove ICE from courts, connect w/Brazilian community.  MKF support secure community act.  MG immigrants enhance community, policies to protect immigrants.  MR “safe community act.”  Rank Choice Voting:  MKF up to the community, look into it more.  MG encourages voter participation.  MR proponent of it, everyone’s vote matters, “scientific.”  MT if it interferes with 2-party system, I’m against it.

Unfunded State Mandates:  MG Special Ed. foundation budget – obligation to education all its funds at 100% at all times.  MR ELL, ballot – SJC.  MT comes down to taxes.  MKF support funding 100%, Chap 70 funding, “kids need to thrive.”  Canadian Hydropower & Off Shore Wind Initiatives:  MT we need  fossil fuels.   MG bolster solar, wind.  MKF off shore wind initiatives – jobs-Fall River.  Planned Parenthood:  MT important institution, in favor.  MKF resource for women.  MG support.  MR important for women’s health, “way, safe & form.”  Chap 70: (last update 1993) MKF equitable funding, advocate for increase.  MG Millionaire’s tax rewrite, SJC, tax fantasy sports betting.  MR  Special Ed., ELL, charter school funding – McAuliffe $14,000,  $4.1K Metco.  MT unfair distribution of funding.  Why do you want this job?  MG beyond a job, it’s a calling, “opportunity to serve your community.”  MR full-time legislator, responsibility, privilege, more women, diversity of people you are representing.  MKF full-time legislator, we can do so much better.  Questions you thought would be asked:  MR 135 intersection, MWRTA.  MT Opioid crisis.  MKF preserve open space, bike trails.  MG Elder affairs.

Closing statements:  MT solve immigration situation, “guest worker system”, key to the core of our principles, economic development.  MKF our voice our advocate, direct contact, “ask for your vote in September.”  MG  worthy successor to Chris Walsh, PTO president, Planning Board, Economic Development Corp. Downtown Framingham Inc., your support and consideration.  MR  Diversity, legislator for all, simultaneous translation, accommodations for all, write-in.

Thank you,

The Source, Public Access

Board of Directors

Subcommittee Reports:

Bylaws –Mike Hugo- Name Change -FDC. Motion to approve-M. Warshaw, second-J. Desilets. Passed.

Youth Membership – age 16.  Motion to accept – L. Bornstein, second M. Robinson. Passed.

Rights of Associate Members:  Motion to accept – J. Desilets, second J.Duffy. Passed.

Motion to accept P. Ottaviani, second R. Case. Passed.

Civics Education – Pat Dunne – goals- staffing the Concerts on the Common, local election info poster, handouts, liasons w/other groups, networks around districts, LWV.

Communications: – Mike Hugo – no comment.

Legislative/Advocacy:  K. Fusaris – Environmental legislation – met on May 16, 2018, next meeting Wed, June 28, 2018.

Outreach – M. Shepard – Immigration policies as they affect children – express outrage; return children within 48 hours back to parents; diagnosable as “child abuse”, attorneys seek indictments.

Resolution Condemning  Federal Immigration Policy – Motion to accept -M. Shepard,second C.Chico;

Discussion – monetary issue.

Programming – R. Hooper-Hamersley and A. Freudberg  Select a charity for each month.

Framingham Library Foundation – possible,  Bookmobile – accessibility, numerous stops, serves 7,000 incl. senior center.

Member Reports:

Norma Shulman – local focus, connect people w/state-wide offices; canvassing,

Larry Stoodt – announcement – Sen. Karen Spilka, town hall mtg. on energy and environment, Tuesday, June 26, 2018, Unitarian Church, Framingham.  Robert Dubinville – Impeachment of Judge Feeley, Essex County.  Rep. Jack P. Lewis – Move House towards more progressive candidates; seek to elect/re-elect progressives.

New Member – Jose Ivan Roman.

Motion to adjourn – R. Hooper-Hamersley, second – J. Duffy

FDTC Meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM

 Respectfully submitted,

Barbara J. Fontes, Secretary