Framingham Democratic Committee
136 Maynard Rd.
Framingham, MA 01701
Sunday, October 21, 2018
Pot Luck Social 6:00 PM – Enjoyed by all present!
Diana Goswami – Field Director for Elizabeth Warren for Senate. From Sudbury, worked in Washington, D.C. GOTV/Coordinated Campaign. Office 1071 Worcester Rd., Framingham, 01701.
Guest Speaker – Quentin Palfrey, Democratic Nominee for Lt. Governor. L. Bornstein hosted a party for Quentin Palfrey. Invest in youth, communities of color, first-time voters; “Diversity is our strength.” Jay has a vision – investing in transportation and early childhood education; gov’t that leads; make a difference at local level.
Watch Party – Massachusetts U.S. Senate Candidates’ Debate, Sen. Elizabeth Warren vs. Geoff Diehl.
Enthusiastic viewing.
Call to Order: Beverly Hugo, Chair, called the meeting to order at 8:00 PM (approx.)
Charitable Donation – Joe Mina, Dir. Pearl St. Cupboard & Café. Food program est. 2010, staff of 3; 8,000 people after 1st yr., currently 72,000. Regional – Metro-West, hub for Boston Food Bank. Connected with “Meals on Wheels”; “Call to Talk” (suicide prevention program); Natick Service Council; Place to Turn. Hunger Network Program est. 2012. Provides fresh produce & gluten free;
“Feed a Family through December” 2,500 turkeys, 450,000 lbs. of food.
Attendance: Members: Lori Bornstein, Craig(Chris) Broyles, Jeanne Bullock, Carmen Chico, Jack Duffy, Patrick Dunne, Barbara Fontes, Adam Freudberg, Kurt Fusaris, Gwendolyn Holbrow, Rosamond Hooper-Hamersley, Beverly Hugo, Michael Hugo, Barbara LeDuc, Christopher Lorant, Kathie Mc Carthy, Amanda Northrop, Cindy Rubin, Margareth B. Shepard, Norma Shulman, Larry Stoodt, Parwez Wahid, Mel Warshaw. Lifetime Members: Linda Fields, Bettie Muto. Associate Members: Jim Hansen, Vanessa Pendexter, Adam Steiner. Candidate Sign In: Quentin Palfrey.
Guest Sign In: Noureen Sultana.
State House and Capitol Hill Reports – Legislators in attendance: No
City of Framingham Reports:
Mayor Spicer – No
City Councilors – Adam Steiner – Fuller Resolution; Police Dept. – 10/23/18 police chief approving Mayor Spicer’s choice. Fuller Discussion – 10/24/18.
School Committee – Adam Freudberg – Fuller Middle School Building Project. Support from state legislature will help Framingham schools. FY’20 budget project.
Secretary’s Report (April 22, 2018, June 24, 2018) Approval of Minutes – Barbara Fontes.
Motion to approve – M. Hugo; Second – C. Lorant. No discussion; Approval – unanimous.
Treasurer’s Report – October 21, 2018 – Larry Stoodt.
Balance as of 9/30/2018 $3, 891.61.
Income: Dues $60.00
CU Dividends as of 9/30/2018 0.32
Total Income: $60.32
Previous Balance + Income: $3,951.93
Expenses:
Reimbursement (various supplies) $14.34
Total Expenses: $14.34
Balance as of 9/30/2018 $3, 966.27
Motion to approve – K. McCarthy; Second – R. Hooper-Hamersley. No discussion; Approval – unanimous.
Fuller Middle School Project – Resolution & Vote
Resolution (paper copy) distributed. Motion to endorse – J. Duffy; Second – L. Stoodt
Discussion: A. Freudberg – yes for Fuller.com. Cost $98.3 million, $39.5 from MA School Building Authority (MSBA). Cost to city $58. 8 million.
C. Rubin –“What was the criticism?” J. Bullock – design? curb walls vs. straight walls; balconies; “we should get 56% of cost.” K. McCarthy – exit in emergency? Mobility around building? “universal design”; every staff, student & visitor – right to safety & accessibility.”
L. Bornstein – “we have a failing school, we do nothing – we have a failing school.” J. Duffy – Resolution – beautifully written document, tremendous wisdom, education is key. K. Fusaris – employee of Framingham public schools – need a facility to match the greatness of staff & kids; STEAM. N. Shulman – absentee ballot also for December 11, 2018, property tax relief – send $1,5,10.
Calling the question – non-debatable; unanimous. Vote Yes – 24; objection – 1; abstention – 1.
Thanks to Pat Dunne for his work promoting the Fuller Middle School Building Project.
Committee Reports
Civics Education – P. Dunne – Fuller Project. Education equity; Fuller meeting – 11/1/18.
Education important to the lifeblood of a community. Investment. People look at schools, losing population to Sudbury because of schools.. “Yes Costs Less” December 11, 2018 Fuller Vote;
Defining the city of Framingham; good staff, administration; facility – failing. No vote – $ goes.
Focus – STEAM; open space; democratic values; solar ready.
Communications – M. Hugo – Complete Questionaire (distributed), change and how. Twitter account and Facebook – thriving; purpose & value. Yahoo vs. Google. Respond to Framingham Facebook.
Legislative/Advocacy – K. Fusaris/B. LeDuc –No
Outreach – M. Shepard – No
Programming – R. Hooper-Hamersley/A. Freudberg -Pathways, December donation.
November 18, 2018 meeting – Pearl St. Cupboard & Café – tangible goods. Opioid crisis –Nancy Star
Vote on Associate Members – Aligns with State Charter. Motion to accept – M. Hugo. Vote Yes; abstentions – 2. Motion for Dhruba Sen – yes.
Hospitality – A. Northrup/C. Broyles – Thank you.
Announcements: N. Shulman – GOTV, lawn signs available at the meeting. B. Hugo – pay dues tonight, if “a burden” talk to L. Stoodt. Thank you for attending.
Motion to adjourn – K. McCarthy; Second – L. Stoodt.
FDC Meeting adjourned at 9:08 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara J. Fontes, Secretary
“Corrected and Approved”