MEMBERS ATTENDING: Susan Abrams, Steve Blesovsky, Debby Blumer, Pat Dunne, Linda Fields, Bill Haberman, Jerry Desilets, Esther Hopkins, Barbara Magovsky, Rene Mandel, Laura Medrano, Stephanie Mercandetti, Betty Muto, Chris Ross, Marilyn Safian, Joan Seariac, Norma Shulman, Alan Silver.
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS (and Others) ATTENDING: Randy Black, Maureen Dunne, Barbara Gray, Mathew Helman, Caroline Ray, Nancy Coville Wallace, Karen Spilka.
MINUTES: Accepted minutes of 5/19/02.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
Cash on hand 3/10 $2,043.48
Deposits (dues) $75.00
Interest $15.39
Subtotal $2133.87
Caucus expenses $591.40
Cash on hand 9/22 $1542.47
Eight or nine still owe dues for last year. The secretary will send notes reminding people of dues owed. Dues are $15 for members and $10 for associate members. Report accepted.
OLD BUSINESS:
Establishing a Framingham Town Committee website – Matt Helman
Matt passed out a sample page and cost information. Would be a one-source place for anyone to find us. Would have minutes, agendas, meeting information, links to other relevant sites. We have to choose between free, low cost, and moderate costs options. Do we want to have a free site with ads? And then just see how many hits we get. Matt received applause for his efforts. Jerry moved we buy our own domain name. Approved.
Take a look at https://framinghamdems.org
NEW BUSINESS:
Coordinated campaign headquarters is at 860 Worcester Road, access via Granite Street. Open House next Sunday, 2 PM, 9/29.
Monday night 9/23 at 5:15, Coordinated Committee meeting at Richard’s café. Looking for help at the headquarters every night. Bring your calendars. In general, will be trying to keep office open from 10 AM to 9 PM. As of Wednesday, 9/25, office phone is 508-872-4376 (backup number is Debby’s cell phone 508-878-3060).
Planning an O’Brien fundraiser for October in Framingham.
Bill Clinton is coming to Boston on 10/10. Hillary is also going to be in the area sometime soon.
Metrowest Alliance meeting at Union House, 7:30, 9/30.
Susan Abrams moved to give the Coordinated Campaign $500. Approved.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Dues are due. ($15 for members; $10 for associate members.)
2002 meetings – Oct. 20, Nov. 17, Dec. holiday season, no meeting
1/12, Feb – caucus, 3/9, 4/6, 5/18, no meeting in June.
Links to the campaign websites are on Massdems and on our own website.
Decided to send letters congratulating all the candidates and inviting all to join in the coordinated campaign.
Stephanie introduced the speaker:
John Buonomo, Middlesex Register of Probate and Family Court
He was elected in a special election 2 years ago. The family court has an important responsibility to help with matters that effect families (wills, divorce, adoption, change of name, guardianship, protection in abuse situations). Many of the people coming to the court are in difficult situations, so the court needs to be responsive. The Register administers the court and the 128 staff. There have been 8 Registers in 11 years, leaving a situation of “benign neglect.” This administration started with having staff rotate as a greeter for the building. They held an orientation for all staff, and added signs for the courtrooms, bathrooms, etc., to make the court more user-friendly. He reported to us the many changes that have taken place since he took over the operations. You can also go to their new website to learn all you need to know about the probate and family court and get forms online: www.mcpfc.com.
Middlesex County has money that was approved for a building. Because of the changing demographics in the county, Waltham is a central location, and is looking for a site.
Courts in Concord, Marlboro, Lowell, have sessions; the main office is currently in East Cambridge.
He encouraged all to take an active role in supporting the Democratic ticket.
Norma Shulman, [email protected]