Meeting Attendees:  All FDC members listed, those in BOLD were present

Members: Lori Bornstein, Christopher Broyles, Tracey Bryant, Jeanne Bullock, Jerry Desilets,  Patrick Dunne,  Mary Kate Feeney,  Barbara Fontes,  Adam Freudberg,  Kurt Fusaris, Linda Fields , Ruth Litter, Audrey Hall, Jim Hansen, Leslie White Harvey,  Rosamond Hooper-Hamersley, Beverly Hugo,  Mike Hugo, Shahid Khan,  Ohad Klopman, Doug Lawrence, Barbara LeDuc,  Caraline Levy, Chris Lorant, Jack Patrick Lewis, David Magnani, Thom Mahoney, Betty Muto, Kathie McCarthy, Amanda Northrup, Phil Ottaviani, Isabella Petroni, Cindy Rubin, Margareth Shepard,  Norma Shulman,  Ravi Simon, Priscila Sousa, Yvonne Spicer,  Adam Steiner, John Stephanini, Cesar Stewart-Morales, Jim Stockless,  Larry Stoodt, Cheryl Tully-Stoll,  Parwez Wahid,  Mel Warshaw 

 

Associate Members: Maureen Dunne, Ricky Finlay, Karen Garafolo, David Gordon, Tilia Klebenov Jacobs, Andrew Machkasov, Joan Rastani, Pamela Roberts, Brandon Ward, Joel Winett

 

Guests: Andrea Campbell, Quentin Palfrey, Shannon Liss-Riordan, Kate Donoghue, Ben Grousta, Jordan Meehan, Richard Shibley, Carmine Gentile, Shari Van Hook, David Rosenberg , Nanette Magnani

• Call to Order, Welcome, Announcements and Updates – Chair Mike Hugo

• The chair reviewed the agenda and called the meeting to order at 7:03 pm.

• Meet the Candidates: Focus on Attorney General

• • • Andrea Campbell
      • Spoke for 16.5 minutes 
    • Quentin Palfrey
      • Spoke for 16 minutes
    • Shannon Liss-Riordan
      • Spoke 16 Minutes

• Treasurer’s Report – Larry Stoodt, Treasurer  

• • • As of today we had a balance of $4,030.11, all members are current on dues. $0.17 interest last month, no bills were paid.
    • Motion to accept the report by Kathie McCarthy, Second by Chris Lorant
      • Motion approved unanimously.
    • New dues cycle begins April 2022.  $20 Member /$15 Associate can pay by Act Blue, but check is preferred, please mail to Larry Stoodt at 615 Belknap Road, 01701.
  • Acceptance of Minutes of March Meeting – Doug Lawrence, Acting Secretary

• Correction to note that library canvassers were asked to move from parking lot sidewalk to off library property( the City sidewalk on Water Street ) The canvassers were not in the  doorway.

• • • Motion to accept the March 20, 2022 minutes by Mike Hugo; seconded by Norma Shulman
      • There was no discussion; motion approved unanimously.

• Report from City Council – Phil Ottaviani

• • • Council is going well, both mayor and council are more open with each other than in the past and conflict is reduced.
    • Framingham Auxiliary police will disband due to changes at the State level in training requirements.  There was considerable discussion about other communities that have found a way forward, options for Framingham, etc.
    • Need to help identify diverse candidates for City positions, hundreds of open roles coming up, not seeing enough diverse candidates.  Democrats should help step up with candidates.

• Report from City Council – Adam Steiner

• • Budget is mixed picture, reduced local receipts, improved City and federal receipts.
  • Full 2.5% tax increase proposed
  • SIFOC presentation at recent meeting was very helpful
  • Issue with diversity of candidates coming before Council (which Phil then commented on, see above).

• Report from Council-  C. Stewart-Morales

• • Planning Committee will revisit Saxonville Zoning – reach out now if interested

• Report from School Committee – Priscila Sousa, Chair

• Thanks for Beverly Hugo, for over  100 hours negotiation on new Unit A union contract

• Public budget hearing was held and proposed budget unanimously passed

• Field trips and COVID policy is in development to allow resumption of field trips

• SubCommittees established and goals are being set by each subcommittee

• State funding submission for new South Side school has been completed

• Report from School Committee – Beverly Hugo

• Actively bargaining with other Union units as well

• • • School improvement plans are complete
    • Public hearing on school budget was held
    • Climate Plan for schools is complete will hear more about this!
  • Report from our House Delegation – Jack Patrick Lewis
    • House budget will be out of Ways & Means Wednesday morning, good opportunity for advocacy
    • Thanks for attending my campaign kickoff last month in Ashland
    • Auxiliary police – there are minimum training requirements, Framingham Aux Police did dissolve, but not Natick’s.   Chief Hicks is willing to help, we should look to other community examples to find a way forward. 
    • Same Day Voter  registration- Senate passed, not yet in house version, headed to conference committee
  • Report from our House Delegation – Carmen Gentile
    • Presence in Framingham since 1984, I’m not leaving, but my district is.
    • Appropriated funds for Commission to restrict glysophate, Baker Admin found additional funds
    • Home health care worker shortage, seeking to raise wages to entice more workers
    • Question on Anti SLAP laws in Massachusetts?  –  Ch 231, Sec 59h is on books.
    • Norma mentioned that many Framingham voters are expressing sorrow that Carmen will no longer represent them.    Thank you!

• Update on State Committee & Convention – Parwez Wahid

• • • State Committee meeting on 20th April
    • Delegate briefing/training
  • Update on State Committee & Convention – Norma Shulman
    • Deadline for Add-on delegates was yesterday, will learn on April 20th about approvals
    • On April 19th, womens outreach subcommittee will host the  NH out of state committee (to eg. help Maggie Hassan) 
  • Update on State Committee & Convention –Kate Donoghue
    • Rules Committee  will establish mask policy for the Convention

• Environment Subcommittee – Larry Stoodt

• • • Earth day is on the 23rd, and it would be great to see many Democrats attend! 

• Legislative Committee –  Doug Lawrence

• • • Legislative Committee has not met between 20 March and today.    The Legislative Committee will meet this Thursday 14th April at 7PM.   Please forward any agenda items to me.

• Outreach –Parwez Wahid

• • • Has not met since 20th

• Anti Racism – Rozzy Hooper Hamersley

• • • 17 responses are in on the survey so far, only 2 more in the last 20 days.
    • Would really like 100% responses  PLEASE complete the survey, EVERYONE!

•  Nominating Committee –  Mel Warshaw

• • • Nominating Committee Members:  Mel Warshaw, Yvonne Spicer (recused herself), Chris Broyles, Barbara Fontes
  • • All existing officers are eligible for a 2nd term and are interested in serving and have been renominated
    • Suggesting Yvonne Spicer selected as co-chair of outreach, replacing Carmen Chico who has moved out of state
    • The Nominating Committee suggested a full slate, and made motion to accept, seconded by Kathy McCarthy
    • Tom Mahoney took over as temporary chair of the meeting to hold the vote which impacts the Chair 

• Vote: was unanimous to accept the proposed slate of officers

• • M. Hugo resumed presiding over the meeting

Nominations for new Members: One open seat

• Jack Patrick Lewis nominated Ravi Simon, which was seconded by Dave Magnani
  • Ravi is a strong legislative staffer, we would be lucky to have him on the FDC and aiding with our Legislative Committee
• Motion to Close Nominations – Kathy  McCarthy
• With a single nominee, new member was approved by acclamation

Other Business – M. Hugo

• David Rosenberg (Norfolk) attended tonight to learn how we run our committee.

 

How can we help our Democratic Candidates?

 

Kate Donoghue – encourage people to speak with her, attend kickoff Tues May 3rd, Neighborhood Café Northborough, also help knock on doors, has done 54 days canvassing.  No declared opponents, some have drawn papers.

 

Margareth Shepard – Campaign Kickoff 16 May 6:30 at Tropical Cafe located at 85 Hollis Street.    Please text 508 922 7358 to help,  need more canvassing volunteers.

 

Priscila Sousa – Kickoff past Monday at Daniels Table, very well attended.  Knocking doors every day.   Looking for volunteers to help with canvassing and other roles.

 

Carmine Gentile – Signatures certified, on ballot, no opponent as yet.

 

Jack Lewis – Turnout at kickoff was great, fundraising, collecting signatures.

• Metrowest Blue and Beyond – D. Magnani

• • • Thanks to M. Hugo for his efforts to support us
    • If we lose either House or Senate, the Biden Administration will become  much less effective. We are on a knife edge.
    • Key decisions are in Swing States
    • So, similar to Organizing Corps 2020, we are seeking to drive minority turnout in swing states
    • But Republicans are combating voter turnout
    • Working with on-the-ground organizations in 3 key states – NC, PA, AZ
      • OC2020 volunteers
      • Direct door knocking
    • Metrowest contributed $7000 for NC campaign raised from our group out of $65K total.

• Need volunteers:  Meet Every Wed night for about 1 hour 

• Ballot Signatures-  Norma Shulman 
  • 2000-10,000 signatures needed for statewide offices, a big task
  • Candidates are concerned and pushing for signatures up to last day.
  • We will be at OCP Stop&Shop tomorrow, Main Library Thu 4-6pm, more dates at grocery stores
  • Watch for emails from Norma
• Discussion of municipal officials resisting signature gathering – C. Gentile
  • He has been challenged at transfer station
  • If you have trouble, reach out and he will coach you through how to push back on restrictions
  • Norma certainly in right at Framingham Library, we should persist!
• Ballot Question on Uber/Lift Employee A. Machchasov – topic for next month
• Volunteering – Rozzy  
  • State Campaigns are very flexible, call for virtual call links and volunteer 1-2 hours. 
  •  Do 60-100 post cards per month.   Reach out and volunteer!

 

• Adjourn at 9:20, moved by Kathy McCarthy, seconded by L Stoodt, passed by acclamation.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Doug Lawrence
Acting Secretary, FDC

 

Special Note: If you or a loved one are experiencing any issues that we can help with during this extraordinary time please contact the Chair or any Officer and we will do all we can to get services or meet any needs that we can for that person, we would be honored to render discreet aid to anyone in need, to the best of our abilities.