Framingham Democratic Town Committee
Community Room, The Green
136 Maynard Rd. , Framingham, MA 01701
Meeting Minutes – Sunday, April 22, 2018 at 7:00 PM
Call to Order: Chair Beverly Hugo called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM
Announcements/Welcome: Beverly – welcome back to Kathie McCarthy. Fees due for State Convention, DCU, Worcester; late fee $25.
April 28, 2018 DSC meeting North Shore CC, 10AM- 2PM
Congratulations to Margareth Shepard – President of Inter-New England Council of Brazilian Americans.
Maureen Dunne – Metro West Economic Research Ctr. – economic profile – Friday, May 11, 2018, 7:30 AM at Framingham State University; flyer circulated.
Norma Shulman – erroneous email sent – one campaign announced the date of April 20 as the final date for paying Convention fee or you could not attend. However, if you did not pay on time, you will likely have to pay a $25 late fee but, you still can attend the Convention.
Attendance: Members: Lori B. Bornstein, Craig(Chris)Broyles, Jeanne Bullock, Robert Case, Carmen Chico, Jack Duffy, Maureen Dunne, Patrick Dunne, Barbara Fontes, Adam Freudberg, Kurt Fusaris, Gwendolyn Holbrow, Rosamond Hooper-Hamersley, Beverly Hugo, Michael Hugo, Barbara LeDuc, Christopher Lorant, Tom Mahoney, Kathie McCarthy, Joan Rastani, Maria Duaime Robinson, Cindy Rubin, Margareth Basillo Shepard, Norma Shulman, Cheryl Tully-Stoll, Larry Stoodt, Parwez Wahid, Mel Warshaw. Lifetime Members: Linda Fields. Associate Members: James DeSimone, Cheryl Gordon, Jim Hansen, Amanda Northrop, Vanessa R. Pendexter, Adam Steiner. Youth Members: Ohad Klopman. Candidate: Jimmy Tingle (for Lt. Gov.) Guests: Natalie Tassy, John Riordan.
City of Framingham Updates: City Council
Councilor Adam Steiner – Mass Dept. of Environmental Protection – update on status of 3 major areas of concern – General Chemical, Mary Dennison Park (potential to be an amazing community resource) and 350 Irving St. Council Grove instrumental in moving these issues forward.
1st reading of a budget request from the Mayor and DPW for funding for a supplemental brush clean up; has since been approved and to be implemented beginning May 7.
Councilor Tully-Stoll mentioned that Clear Channel had recently declared bankruptcy; could be an opportunity for the city to regain control/ultimately remove some Comcast-owned billboards.
Fuller Building Project – status update presentation (4/17) – building designs represent excellent improvement to existing failing building. However,Council expressed concerns about rising price tag and requested more details.
Council approved 8-3 recommendation of the Marijuana Task Force to refer a temporary moratorium to the Planning Bd. for public hearings.
Council approved four citizen members of the traffic commission with responsibility over traffic issues in Framingham, roadway rules, signage, etc.
Upcoming meeting. City of Framingham South District Joint Mtg., Districts 6,7,8 and 9, Mayor Spicer and Councilor Tully Stoll. Framingham Public Library Main, May 7, 2018, 7PM.
School Committee: Beverly Hugo, Zero-based operating budget – $133 million.
Working with Mayor Spicer; working with Fuller Project.
Candidates/Campaigns: Jimmy Tingle, Dem for Lt. Gov., commented on opioid crisis; world-class treatments centers; issues that connect with democratic values.
Mid-term Elections/State Convention Update: Sen. Elizabeth Warren – opening/coordinating local campaign office.
Delegate training. Parwez Wahid – Newton, May 16; Worcester, May 12.
Norma Shulman – Democratic Dispatch – week prior to Convention – comprehensive details. June 1, Friday night, uncontested candidates will speak – tentative. Priority seating. Volunteers (not delegates): for Democratic Party or favorite campaign.
Carpool announcement?? Signature drive continues; deadline
Non-statewide; non-federal – May 1; statewide; federal – May 8
Beverly Hugo met with Treasurer Deb Goldberg.
Secretary’s Report – Barbara LeDuc – corrections/typos recognized. Michael Hugo motion to approve minutes of March 18, 2018; Chris Lorant – second. No further discussion; Approved, with three abstentions – Kathie McCarthy, Lori Bornstein, MaureenDunne.
Next FDTC mtg. – reception for former leaders and legislators for the past year.
Treasurer’s Report. Last month $3, 594.18; increase of $105 – new fees.
Treasury $3,699.18. Membership fees – $20 voting members; $15 associate members.
Please pay membership fees.
Beverly Hugo – approves to accept Treasurer’s report. Approved unanimously.
New Treasurer – transition period.
Committee Reports:
- Affirmative Action/Outreach- Maria Duaime Robinson. Not at this time.
- Civics Education – Pat Dunne. March – partial meeting. Refocus with other organizations; liaison with civic groups/churches; Demographics – voter interest; voter registration. Community Preservation Act (incl. approx. 177 communities)– land use: recreation, affordable housing; coalition needed; comment – Kathie McCarthy tailor to meet the needs of Framingham – “who we are.”
- Communication – Michael Hugo. Email Projects: Full subscription to Mail Chimp, all members are registered. Pulling away from Yahoo Group – security concerns. Going to a Google Group – in the fall (due to many changes at this time).
Facebook: Members are encouraged to go to our Facebook Group “Framingham Democrats (DTC)” and fill out three questions and our moderators will allow access.
Three questions: 1. Are you a Registered Dem? 2.Where do you live? 3. Why do you want to subscribe to our Facebook Group?
If 1 and 2 are “Yes, Framingham” They get in. If not, we look at # 3 and decide whether to allow access on a case-by-case basis. Moderators are Beverly Hugo, Norma Shulman and one more TBD. Bylaw Sub-com update: 30 day notice that in May we will begin discussing. Name of Committee. Youth membership category. Voting rights for Associate Members.
- Hospitality – Roz Hooper-Hamersley. Requests for food donations for FDTC meetings.
- Legislative and Advocacy – Kurt Fusaris. Met with Jack lewis. Team up with progressive groups MASS Alliance, AFLCIO; focus on electing progressives. Baker signed Right Choice Voting.
- Stephanie Mercandetti Memorial – Sen. Dave Magnani. Not in attendance.
- Final Audit – Maria Duaime Robinson. Not at this time. Audit after Treasurer is elected; awaiting election of 2018-2020 Treasurer.
- Nominating – Mel Warshaw. Committee: Mel Warshaw, Lori Bornstein, Craig(Chris) Broyles and Jack Duffy. Among criteria considered – 1. Amount of work in volunteering to FDTC and/or Democratic candidates 2. Attendance record for past year 3. Capacity to do the job. 4. Likelihood to work harmoniously as a team within the Executive Committee.
Parwez Wahid – Motion to close nominations; Chris Lorant second
Motion to accept nominations – Lori Bornstein; Kurt Fusaris second; 1 abstention, Joan Rastani.
Election of Officers for 2018-2020
Chair Beverly Hugo
Co-Vice Chairs Roz Hooper-Hamersley
Adam Freudberg
Secretary Barbara Fontes
Treasurer Larry Stoodt
Outreach Margareth Shepard
FDTC/Civics education booth at Framingham Earth Day Festival – cost $50 – contingent on member support. Norma Shulman – motion to approve up to $50; Lori Bornstein second; Unanimous. See Pat Dunne if interested; flyer circulated.
New Business: Public hearing on cable; HD channel for access.
Ohad Klopman – fundraiser for Framingham High School Model Congress Conference.
Thanks to those who donated books for Hoops and Homework. Our charity for May will be the collection of new/gently used books for the King School currently lacking classroom libraries.
Larry Stoodt – motion to adjourn; Kurt Fusaris – second.
All business being concluded, we adjourned at 9:15 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Fontes, Secretary