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Framingham Democratic Town Committee Framingham Green, 136 Maynard Road, Framingham, MA 01701
MINUTES — Sunday, November 3, 2013 at 7:40 p.m. Special Meeting |
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1. Call to Order: Chair Tom Mahoney called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m. [This special meeting was called by Tom Mahoney, on advice of the Executive Committee, with the requisite advanced notice given to the Members and Associate Members, for the purpose of informing members of an important matter that had come up, and about which some members had indicated an interest in a report prior to the next regular meeting scheduled for 11/17/2013.]
2. Attendance: Members: Carmen Chico, Jeff Cox, Jerry Desilets, Jack Duffy, Pat Dunne, Jeanne Eversley, Adam Freudberg, Beverly Hugo, Michael Hugo, Lloyd Kaye, Chris Lorant, Tom Mahoney, Kathie McCarthy, Sarah Micciche, Betty Muto, Ramuel Raagas, Joan Rastani, Norma Shulman, Cheryl Tully Stoll, P. Nandi Varris, Parwez Wahid, and Mel Warshaw. Lifetime Members: None. Associate Members: Jeanne I. Bullock, Linda Fields, and Barbara LeDuc.
3. Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Mel Warshaw Approved unanimously with 5 abstentions
Treasurer Mel Warshaw began his report by reminding the members that the FDTC had raised over $5,000 in funds this past summer, for use for appropriate purposes, by creating and selling a political cookbook (featuring recipes from members and state and local Democratic office holders, officials, and activists) to interested individuals. Many of these sales were made at a rapid rate in circumstances (mostly at the Democratic State Convention in July) that did not allow time to capture certain information, such as the buyer’s name and address.
While filing normal financial forms with the state Office of Campaign & Political Finance (OCPF), Mel was informed that state law requires that buyer’s information, and that failure to do so can lead to a penalty requiring an organization that fails to do so to contribute all of the proceeds not meeting the requirement to be donated to acceptable charities. Mel told them the truth concerning how it happened, that the penalty mentioned would be extremely difficult for the organization to handle (more than the current balance), and asked if there were something that could be done to mitigate the penalty. An OCPF investigation was opened.
Mel did not provide a report at the 10/20/13 FDTC regular meeting, because a delicate and important negotiation meeting with OCPF was scheduled for 10/22/13, at which they discussed a possible settlement, which would include: (1) We are to make donations to charities totaling $700, either by check or in-kind contributions, totaling $700, and provide them with proof of such donations by May 1, 2014, including the contributor names, addresses, and approximate value of each donation. After the $700 in donations are distributed, we can return to our previous method of collection without noting names, addresses, and values. (2) We must file our financial statements on a timely basis. (3) We must organize an educational seminar [in January] for the treasurers of all local party committees in our State Senatorial District.
Mel and other members of the Executive Committee (EC) were concerned that premature publicity might endanger a settlement until OCPF issued its decision, which Mel expected to receive by letter during the week of 11/4/13, right after this special meeting, which made him concerned about requests from members asking for information about rumors and possible financial liability.
A spirited discussion ensued, principally on the issue of adequate and timely communications with members vs. perceived need for confidentiality, the possible need for a second list serve limited to members and associate members for delicate matters, and the need for civility.
Finally, a motion was made to move the question, and the motion to accept the treasurer’s report was approved unanimously, with 5 abstentions.
4. Adjourn: The FDTC meeting duly adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
—Respectfully submitted by Jack Duffy, Secretary, FDTC
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