Framingham Democratic Town Committee
Community  Room, The Green
136 Maynard Rd., Framingham, MA 01701
 
Meeting Minutes – Sunday, May 20, 2018 at 7:00 PM

Call to Order:  Beverly Hugo, chair, called the meeting to order at 7:20 PM
 
Attendance:  Members:  Lori Bornstein, Craig(Chris)Broyles, 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, Steve Joyce, Barbara LeDuc, Rep. Jack P. Lewis, Christopher Lorant, Kathie McCarthy, Joan Rastani, Maria Duaime Robinson, Cindy Rubin, Norma Shulman, James Stockless, Cheryl Tully Stoll, Larry Stoodt, Parwez Wahid, Mel Warshaw.  Associate Members:  Jim Hanson, Ann Jeffris, Sen. David Magnani, Amanda Northrop, Vanessa Pendexter, Amanda Shephard, Priscila Sousa, Adam Steiner.  Life Members:  Jerry Desilets, Linda Fields, Bettie Muto, Phil Ottaviani, John Stefanini.  Youth Members:  Ohad Klopman.
 
Filling of the Sixth Middlesex State Representative Democratic Seat:  Overview, Discussion, Vote
Secretary of State Bill Galvin’s Designee – Atty. Michelle Tasinari – Elections Division – filling vacancy overview;  MGL – town committee can select delegate to fill vacancy.  Only DTC members can vote. 
May 29, 2018 – vacancy declared.  Delegate – a registered Democrat in the district.
Caucus deadline – May 25, 2018, 5:00 PM (no opportunity to get signatures).
 
No Caucus – write-in campaign.
Primary ballot, September 4, 2018 blank line _________________ for write-in.
Democrat________________________
Republican ______________________
Libertarian_______________________
Democratic State Party Chair, Gus Bickford – name on ballot – an advantage.
 
Discussion/Comments:  Caucus / No Caucus
Cheryl Tully Stoll – “What are we voting for?”  Number of delegates and a forum. Only DTC members?”
Sen. Karen Spilka – “We are inclusive.  We want citizen participation; grassroots participatory democracy; equal playing field; urge you to go that process!”
Rep. Jack P. Lewis – “put the process out there, pubic served best; rather than a small group.”
John Stefanini – “work collaboratively; caucus – not democratic.”
Chris Lorant – “with caucus, see a name on the ballot.”
Barbara LeDuc – caucus – “ensures that a person on the Democratic ballot will be a Democrat.”
Jack Duffy – caucus process “best reflects democratic values and principles and those of Chris Walsh.”
Jerry Desilets – “open our doors to diversity; reach out to community at large; engage community.”
 Motion – No action on caucus – Jerry Desilets; Second – John Stefanini.  More discussion – Lori Bornstein.
Joan Rastani “open”; Jeanne Bullock “small group decides – advantage.”  Michael Hugo “optics issue, bunch of Dems deciding.”
Take vote now:  Yes 23     No 14     need 2/3
Roll call vote:  move no action    Yes 20    No 12
Ohad Klopman – (youth) “write-in encourages people to be involved; we trust our community.”
Cheryl Tully Stoll- (whether) write-in or caucus “…remember we are “blue”…in Nov, support Democratic ticket, or we’ve done Chris Walsh a disservice.”
Motion– To take no action – John Stefanini; Second– Bettie Muto
 
Vote yes – no action; no caucus; Vote no – meeting continues
YES – 27                                        NO – 5
NO CAUCUS                                                
Beverly Hugo – Request names “in the running” for Sixth Middlesex District Seat
Mark Tilden– ran for Framingham mayor; “bring honor and dignity to Chris Walsh’s seat”; focus- tax reform; funding for schools.
Maria Robinson– FDTC hospitality subcommittee-head; focus- education; the environment–clean energy; state and federal government experience.
Mary Kate Feeney- lifelong resident of Framingham; member of Gov. Deval Patrick’s administration.
Mike Gatlin- lifelong resident of Framingham; lawyer; children-Framingham public schools; focus- early childhood ed; Framingham receiving fair share of reimbursements.
 
Request FCTC members to sign-up for subcommittees.
 
Stephanie Mercandetti Memorial: Sen. David Magnani, next committee mtg. June 3, 2018, 5:30-7:30.
Sept 22, 2018, 2PM, Cushing Park, Dedication; tree, bench, civic education scholarship; Resolution – outline her accomplishments; “GO FUND ME”
 
New FDTC Associate Member: Natalie Tassy.
 
Legislative update– continue to reach out to Chris Walsh’s office or Rep. Jack P. Lewis; Chris Walsh’s office –
“on duty”(Norma Shulman).
 
Motion to adjourn – Jack Duffy; Second – Craig(Chris)Broyles.
 
FDTC adjourned at 9:00 PM
 
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara J. Fontes, Secretary