Framingham Democratic Town Committee

Framingham Green 136 Maynard Road, Framingham, MA 01701

Minutes – Sunday, May 18, 2014 at 7 PM

Call to Order: Chairman Jerry Desilets called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM, and requested that we observe a moment of silence in memory of David Eldridge, the father of State Senator Jamie Eldridge.

1. Candidate/Guest Forum: The following candidates and officials offered comments (limited to two minutes), followed by questions from FDTC members / attendees:

·         Michael Sullivan, candidate for Middlesex County District Attorney

·         Adam Sisitsky on behalf of Maura Healey, Candidate for Attorney General

2. Informational Sessions:

·         State Senator Jamie Eldridge spoke on Restorative Justice.  Sen. Eldridge is the lead sponsor on SB 52: An Act Promoting Restorative Justice Practices.  Restorative justice programs are a type of rehabilitative program; elsewhere, they have been shown to reduce recidivism, improve victim and community satisfaction, and reduce costs.  Massachusetts is behind other states in adopting this approach; Framingham signed on to the program earlier.  Marion Ryan, current Middlesex District Attorney and candidate for re-election, and Michael Sullivan, candidate for Middlesex District Attorney, spoke in favor of this program.  Marion Ryan detailed progress to date.

·         Governor’s Councillor Bob Jubinville announced there will be a confirmation hearing on Governor Patrick’s nomination of Ralph Gants to become the Chief Justice of the Superior Court of Massachusetts.  The hearing will be at the State House in the Gardner Auditorium on Wednesday, May 21.

·         Terra Friedrichs spoke on the Pass Mass Amendment to the Massachusetts Constitution.  PassMass objects to the corrupting influence of money in our political process, and believes that “corporations are not people; money is not speech”.  They are seeking to pass a ballot initiative to amend (clarify) the Constitution of Massachusetts as described in Article VII.  The ballot initiative has been submitted to the Attorney General’s office, and PassMass is presently recruiting volunteers to assist in the collection of 68,911 certified signatures to be gathered between September and November, 2014.

3.  Attendance:  Members: Elsa Aviza, Jeanne Bullock, Carmen Chico, Jeffrey Cox, Jerry Desilets, Jack Duffy, Jeanne Eversley, Linda Fields, Adam Freudberg, Beverly Hugo, Michael Hugo, Steve Joyce, Lloyd Kaye, Barbara LeDuc, Brian LeFort, Christopher Lorant, Tom Mahoney, Stephanie Mercandetti, Sarah Micciche, Betty Muto, Ilma Paixao, Joan Rastani, Norma Shulman, Parwez Wahid, Chris Walsh, Mel Warshaw. Lifetime Members: Ruth Litter. Associate Members: Troy Dunlap. Guests: Tammy Avery, Jamie Eldridge, Michael Foley, Terra Friedrichs, Philip Giffler, Steve Grossman (Framingham), Robert Jubinville, Marion Ryan, Adam Sisitsky, Michael Sullivan, Sheri Thomas.

4.  4/13/2014 Minutes: Secretary Barbara LeDuc                            Approved unanimously

5.  Treasurer’s Report:  Treasurer Mel Warshaw                            Approved unanimously

A total income of $300.31, less total expenses of $ 0.00, increased the 4-13-2014 balance of $3,513.64 to $3,813.95.

In addition, Treasurer Warshaw announced that the Office of Campaign & Political Finance has informed the FDTC that the detailed accountings of both the first quarter of 2014 and our monthly charitable donations have been accepted and officially approved.  Our obligation to make a charitable contribution in the amount of $700 has been satisfied in full; we are now allowed to handle the monthly charitable contributions in the same manner as we did previously, i.e. we no longer need to keep records of donors and amounts donated.

Lastly, member dues become payable in April of each year.  If members have not paid their current dues, they are urged to do so this evening.  If a member lacks funds, please speak to Mel directly.  Mel further requested that new members be made aware that membership involves some commitment to work for candidates and/or the Democratic Party.

6. Charitable donations: Tonight, donations for Advocates, Inc. are being collected by Joan Rastani, who will deliver them.  For next month’s charity, there were several suggestions.  It was decided to collect food and supplies for Framingham’s two family shelters, and to consider the other charities for future meetings.  Bev Hugo will contact the shelters for a list of needed items, and will report within 48 hours so members can be notified*.

7.  Meeting schedule 2014-15:  Discussion ensued regarding the dates / days for next year’s meetings.  The secretary was instructed to send to members 1) the results of the survey just completed on members’ preferences for days of the week for meetings, and 2) the list of possible dates (Sundays with some possible Monday evenings). The final schedule will be voted on at next month’s meeting on June 8.

8.  Comments by members:

·         This committee should spend more time on discussing political concepts & legislation.

·         Young people need to become more involved in governmental ideas, given that schools do not teach civics any longer.

·         The Massachusetts Young Democrats could help with this type of project, e.g. working with the disabled.

·         The FDTC “Executive Committee” or a larger group may need to meet more often. Chairman Desilets suggested that several standing committees of the FDTC already exist; some may need reactivation, some could be abolished, or some new standing committees (or ad hoc committees) may need to be formed.  A review of our standing committees is in order.

9.  Announcements:

·         Parwez Wahid announced there will be a delegate training session from 6-7 PM on June 8, prior to the FDTC meeting starting at 7 PM.

·         Norma Shulman announced that delegates should receive the Call to Convention this week.  If you do not receive it, contact Norma Shulman.  Also, there will be an 8 PM birthday party for Mike Lake (Candidate for Lt. Governor) at the Citizen Wine Bar on Friday evening June 13, before the convention.  Everyone is invited!

The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 PM.

Respectfully submitted by Barbara LeDuc, Secretary

*As reported by Bev Hugo, the needed items are: canned & boxed foods, baby wipes, diapers sized 3,4,5, and 6, coffee pots, toasters, twin bed sheets, comforters and quilts, new pillows, and new toys for birthdays (newborn to 7 years).  Also, new families will be arriving next month with children up to the age of 14.  

Framingham Democratic Town Committee

Framingham Green, 136 Maynard Road, Framingham, MA 01701

MINUTES — Sunday, April 13, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. 

Call to Order:  The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jerry Desilets at 7:05 PM.

1.  Candidates/Guest Forum: The following political candidates and officials offered comments (limited to two minutes), followed in some cases by questions from FDTC members and associate members.

• Michael Sullivan (candidate for District Attorney for Middlesex County)
• Leland Cheung (candidate for Lt. Governor)
• Warren Tolman (candidate for Attorney General)

2.  Attendance:  Members: Elsa Aviza, Jeanne Bullock, Carmen Chico, Jeff Cox, Jerry Desilets, Jack Duffy, Jeanne Eversley, Linda Fields, Adam Freudberg, Beverly Hugo, Michael Hugo, Barbara LeDuc, Brian LeFort, Chris Lorant, Kathie McCarthy, Stephanie Mercandetti, Sarah Micciche, Betty Muto, Ramuel Raagas, Joan Rastani, Norma Shulman, Cheryl Tully Stoll, P. Nandi Varris, Parwez Wahid, Chris Walsh, and Mel Warshaw.  Lifetime Members: None.  Associate Members: Chris Broyles and Pam Richardson.  Guests: Leland Cheung, Calvin Feliciano, Sue Kennedy, Ilton Lisboa, Pablo Maia, Alan and Nadia Riley, Michael Sullivan, Tom Sannicandro, Sheri L. Thomas, and Warren Tolman.

3.   Chairman Desilets asked that the Committee observe a moment of silence to acknowledge the recent deaths of former Representative Barbara Gray and Bernadette Manning Reilly, mother of Anne Manning.

4.  Mr. Calvin Feliciano of the Raise Up Massachusetts coalition and a member of the Service Employees International Union, Local 509, presented an informational session on the status of the Minimum Wage bills now before the Massachusetts legislature. The Senate bill requires $11 / hr over 3 years and is indexed to inflation. It includes a provision for tipped workers.  The House version of the bill increases the minimum wage to $10.50 in 2 yrs, but is not indexed to inflation.  The date for a Conference Committee is not yet determined.

        – In order for a ballot initiative to proceed, 66,000 certified signatures will need to be collected between May 10 and June 15. Signature sheets will become available on May 8; volunteers will be needed to assist with signature collection.

        – The mandate for Earned Sick Time for all workers in Massachusetts will go directly on to the November ballot. The legislature has not yet addressed this issue.

        Chairman Desilets thanked Mr. Feliciano for coming to Framingham to present this session.

5.    A motion was made, seconded and approved unanimously that “the FDTC indicate support for the Minimum Wage Senate bill, that the House support it, and that the ballot initiative be supported if the Senate bill is not passed.”

6.   Representative Tom Sannicandro reported that the Domestic Violence bill had passed the House.  This bill mandates that perpetrators be held by the police for a minimum of 6 hours before release, and that victims of domestic violence be  entitled to a 15 day Leave of Absence from their employment.

        In addition, a House budget plan has been released; debate is ongoing regarding resolution for local aid and funding for cities and towns. The House  should complete its version of the budget by the end of April.  Chairman Desilets thanked representative Sannicandro for his report to the Committee.

7.   3/16/2014 Minutes                                                                                                                   Approved unanimously

8.  Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Mel Warshaw                                                                  Approved unanimously

        Total income of $429.29, less total expenses of $217.55, increased the balance from $3,301.90 to $3,513.64 as of 4/13/2014.  Mel encouraged all members to pay their dues this evening, if possible.

9.   Chairman Desilets informed the Committee that our caucus results had been upheld by State Democratic Party.  It has been announced that Mr. Pablo Maia will be an add-on delegate to the June convention. Jerry thanked Sue Kennedy of the state party for her assistance in resolving this matter. In the future, this Committee will work more closely with the Framingham Town Clerk’s office.

·         The due date for payment of the convention fee has been extended by two weeks for add-on delegates.

10. Norma Shulman announced the names of the Framingham add-on delegates for the Massachusetts Democratic Convention.  They are Jeffrey Cox, Troy Dunlap, Vanessa Gatlin, Shahid Khan, Pablo Maia, Farooq Mirza, and Ramuel Raagas.  The Committee sends congratulations to all!

11.  Chairman Desilets called for nominations of candidates to fill the vacancy on the FDTC due to the earlier resignation of Caraline Levy. Linda Fields was nominated, and subsequently elected unanimously.

12.  Announcements: 

        Norma announced that she, Barbara LeDuc, and Cindy Rubin had met to explore any relative advantages of Google groups vs. Yahoo groups for updating our listserve.  They will also meet with Dylan Hayre of the Natick DTC; Dylan designed their listserve and website using Google groups and WordPress.

        Bob Cassidy reported on plans to test electronic voting at the June convention for possible future use. “Shadow tellers” will need to supply their iPads, and training will be available. Official votes will be tallied by the normal method.

        Norma Shulman asked that anyone who has served on the FDTC for 20 years (not necessarily consecutively) please contact her.

      Chairman Desilets recognized Cheryl Tully Stoll and offered the congratulations of the Committee on her recent election as Selectman.

        Jeffrey Cox asked members for suggestions on Outreach Programs. There is a series of programs on local towns.  Jeff will invite a representative to our next meeting. Further, the State Party has hired a new representative to work with communities of color, and it was suggested that Jeff might make contact with him.

13. Discussion: Chairman Desilets began a discussion about scheduling our meetings on days other than Sunday evenings, as that time is difficult for families with children.  However, many of our committee are members of Framingham Town Boards which meet during the week.  After much discussion, it was suggested that some meetings might be held on Monday evenings (except before and during Town Meeting) or over the summer.  Barbara LeDuc will survey Committee members.

14. Charity:  At the suggestion of Joan Rastani, next month’s charity will be Advocates, Inc.  Donations will be made in memory of former Representative Barbara Gray.  Checks can be written directly to Advocates, Inc., and Joan will deliver them.

15. Next regular meeting:  The next FDTC meeting is scheduled for Sunday, 5/18/2014 at 7:00 p.m. at the Framingham Green, 136 Maynard Road.

Adjourn:  The meeting was duly adjourned at 8:35 pm.