| Framingham Democratic Town Committee
Framingham Green, 136 Maynard Road, Framingham, MA 01701 MINUTES — Sunday, March 16, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. |
| 1. Call to Order: After a delicious breakfast prepared by FDTC members, Chair Tom Mahoney called the annual breakfast meeting to order at 10:45 a.m.
2. 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 [* indicates FDTC member]:
3. Democrat of the Year Award—presented to Karen Spilka: State Sen. Karen Spilka was introduced by Beverly Hugo, and presented the FDTC 2014 Democrat of the Year Award by Cong. Katherine Clark. Additional remarks and citations were made on behalf of Governor Deval Patrick (by Adam Freudberg), the Massachusetts House of Representative (by Rep. Chris Walsh), and the Framingham Board of Selectmen (by Dennis Giombetti)—and finally Karen Spilka thanked everybody for the award and citations and for helping her. 4. Attendance: Members: Elsa Aviza, Jeanne Bullock, Carmen Chico, Jeff Cox, Jerry Desilets, Jack Duffy, Pat Dunne, Jeanne Eversley, Adam Freudberg, Beverly Hugo, Michael Hugo, Barbara LeDuc, Brian LeFort, Chris Lorant, Tom Mahoney, Stephanie Mercandetti, Farooq Mirza, Ilma Paixao, Ramuel Raagas, Joan Rastani, Norma Shulman, John Stefanini, Cheryl Tully Stoll, Parwez Wahid, Chris Walsh, and Mel Warshaw. Lifetime Members: None. Associate Members: Linda Fields and Pam Richardson. Guests: James Arena-DeRosa, Don Berwick, Irwin Blumer, Michelle Brosnahan, Leland Cheung, Katherine Clark, Bill Galvin, Carmine Gentile, Sandy Greenwald, Steve Grossman (Framingham), Andrea Haynes, Bob Jubinville, Debbie Lindsay, Christine Long, Janice Rogers, Mike Rossi, Elizabeth Roy, Cindy Rubin, Dhruba Sen, Ed Stoll, Michael Sullivan, Karen Spilka, Sheri L. Thomas, JoAnne Thompson, Bart Timilty, Joel Winett, and Ruth Winett. 5. 1/12/2014 Minutes: Secretary Jack Duffy Approved unanimously 6. Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Mel Warshaw Approved unanimously Total income of $145.00, less total expenses of $270.00, decreased the 1/12/14 balance of $3,426.33 to $3,301.90. 7. Framingham Democratic Town Committee Reorganization: To meet requirements that officers be elected every two years, the recommendations of the Nominating Committee were presented by Parwez Wahid, a motion by Joan Rastani to nominate those recommended was seconded and approved unanimously, no additional nominations were offered, and a motion by Parwez to elect the slate by acclamation was seconded, and approved unanimously. The new officers are: Jerry Desilets, Chair; Beverly Hugo, Vice Chair; Barbara LeDuc, Secretary; Mel Warshaw, Treasurer; and Jeff Cox, Affirmative Action & Outreach Officer.. 8. March 2nd Framingham Democratic Caucus: The Committee discussed the situation in which a person had registered as a Democrat in the Town Clerk’s office on 1/30/2014, a day before the 1/31 deadline for Democratic State Convention delegate or alternate candidates (changed this year from the previous 12/31), but had no reason to know he should inform the Town Clerk official that he intends to run for delegate or alternate. As a result, the Town Clerk official did not expedite the registration process, so the computer listing did not note his registration as effective by 1/31, and since he did not bring documentation supporting his applying on time, the Caucus Chair (FDTC Chair Tom Mahoney) was not authorized (under Party rules) to allow him to register for the Caucus. The discussion included comments that steps should be taken to avoid a recurrence of this unfortunate situation. A complaint had been filed with the Massachusetts Democratic Party. After the discussion, the following motion was offered by John Stefanini, seconded, discussed, and approved unanimously: “I move that the Chair be authorized to send a letter on this matter to the Massachusetts Democratic Party expressing the Framingham Democratic Town Committee’s unanimous confidence in the Chair and his administration of the recent Framingham Democratic Caucus, consistent with the Committee’s discussion, including the comments of Norma Shulman.”; 9. Moment of personal privilege: Outgoing Chair Tom Mahoney, and Outgoing Secretary, Jack Duffy, each thanked FDTC members and associate members for their support and for the privilege of serving them in the respective office. 10. Announcements: Chair Tom Mahoney announced that member Caraline Levy has resigned from the FDTC, and that an election to fill her seat will be held at the next meeting. We are invited to a breakfast meeting in Holliston on 4/12/14 (more information will be available on the list serve). Treasurer Mel Warshaw reminded us that the dues are due by the next meeting. 11. Charity: Donations of non-perishable food and personal toiletries will be collected at our next meeting, to be donated to the new Pearl Street Family Shelter. 12. Next regular meeting: The next FDTC meeting will include a candidates forum, and was set for Sunday, 4/13/2014 at 7:00 p.m. at the customary location (Framingham Green, 136 Maynard Road). 13. Adjourn: The FDTC meeting duly adjourned at 12:00 noon. —Respectfully submitted by Jack Duffy, outgoing Secretary, FDTC |