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.