City Council
Regular MeetingSalem, MA · May 1, 2023
Minutes
MAY 1, 2023 1
JOINT CONVENTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL & SCHOOL COMMITTEE
A Joint Convention of the City Council and School Committee was held in person in the
City Council Chambers on Monday, May 1, 2023, at 6:00 P.M. for the purpose of electing
a School Committee member to fill a vacancy in the School Committee caused by the
resignation of James Fleming and other matters pertaining to this election. Notice of this
meeting was posted on April 24, 2023, at 1:40 P.M.
All Councillors and School Committee Members were present.
Also in attendance were the seven (7) candidates.
Attending Remotely: Councillor Watson-Felt
Council President Stott presiding.
Councillor Dominguez moved that the nominations be opened to fill the vacancy in the
School Committee with a term to expire on the first Monday in January 2024.
Motion seconded by Councillor Prosniewski.
The Motion was adopted by 16 Yeas 0 Nays and 0 Absent.
School Committee Member Manny Cruz asked for a point of personal privilege and read
the School Committee Statement (statement on file in the City Clerk’s Office).
School Committee Member Manny Cruz declared the following (7) candidates be
nominated: (candidates listed in order received)
#1 Candidate Erin Truex
#2 Candidate Alicia DePena
#3 Candidate Jeremy Mele
#4 Candidate Veronica Miranda
#5 Candidate Gary Torres Holguin
#6 Candidate Henry Mehmet Gulergun
#7 Candidate Joyce Harrington
MAY 1, 2023 2
JOINT CONVENTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL & SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Councillor Hapworth moved that each candidate be given 3 minutes to speak.
Motion seconded by Councillor Merkl.
The Motion was adopted by 16 Yeas 0 Nays and 0 Absent.
Councillor McClain moved that the nominations be closed and proceed with the election
by Roll Call Vote.
Motion seconded by School Committee Amanda Campbell.
The Motion was adopted by 16 Yeas 0 Nays and 0 Absent.
Council President Stott calls each candidate to the podium to speak (in order nominated).
#1 Candidate Erin Truex
#2 Candidate Alicia DePena
#3 Candidate Jeremy Mele
#4 Candidate Veronica Miranda
#5 Candidate Gary Torres Holguin
#6 Candidate Henry Mehmet Gulergun
#7 Candidate Joyce Harrington
Each candidate spoke about their qualifications, background, why they wanted to serve,
and their goal and focus for the students.
Councillor Cohen moved to elect by Roll Call Vote by stating name of choice of candidate.
Motion Seconded by School Committee Member Beth Anne Cornell.
The Motion was adopted by 16 Yeas 0 Nays and 0 Absent.
MAY 1, 2023 3
JOINT CONVENTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL & SCHOOL COMMITTEE
# of Votes for Erin Truex: ___________2_____________
# of Votes for Alicia DePena: ________2_____________
# of Votes for Jeremy Mele: _______________________
# of Votes for Veronica Miranda: _____12____________
# of Votes for Gary Torres Holguin: __________________
# of Votes for Henry Mehmet Gulergun: ______________
# of Votes for Joyce Harrington: ____________________
President Stott declared Veronica Miranda as the elected member of the School
Committee.
Councillor Morsillo moved immediate reconsideration in the hopes it would not
prevail. The motion failed by a roll call vote of 0 yeas, 16 nays, and 0 absent.
The newly elected member of School the Committee, Veronica Miranda, was sworn in by
Mayor McCarthy.
Councillor Varela requested and received suspension of the rules to allow Veronica
Miranda to speak.
Veronica Miranda thanked the School Committee and Councillors for electing her.
Councillor Dominguez moved that meeting be adjourned at 6:55 P.M.
The motion was carried by a roll call vote of 17 yeas, 0 nays and 0 absent.
ATTEST: ILENE SIMONS
CITY CLERK
Agenda
City of Salem, Massachusetts
Office of the City Clerk
Ilene Simons Room 1
City Clerk City Hall
April 24, 2023
JOINT CONVENTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AND THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
MEETING NOTICE
A Joint Convention of the Salem City Council and School Committee will be held in person on
Monday, May 1, 2023, at 6:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers, 93 Washington Street, 2nd floor for
the purpose of electing a School Committee Member to fill the vacancy on the School
Committee due to the resignation of James Fleming and other matters pertaining to this
election.
Individuals may also listen or view the meeting remotely via a remote participation platform
called Zoom through either of the following ways:
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87344505480?pwd=Vis3aDIxeVMremk4NkI2K1hrYUkzdz09
Password: 632945
Go to the website link https://zoom.us/join. Enter Webinar ID: 873 4450 5480
followed by the meeting password noted above if necessary.
Or by Telephone: Participants can dial a toll free number at 877-853-5257 (Toll Free) or 888-
475-4499 (Toll Free). When prompted, enter meeting/webinar ID#: 873 4450 5480
and follow the instructions to join the meeting.
The public may also watch the meeting live on SATV on Channel 22.
Very truly yours,
ATTEST: ILENE SIMONS
CITY CLERK
“When in person, individuals requiring auxiliary aids and services for effective communication
such as sign language interpreter, an assistive listening device, or print material in digital format or a
reasonable modification in programs, services, policies, or activities, may contact the City of Salem ADA
Coordinator at (978-619-5630) as soon as possible and no less than 2 business days before the meeting,
program, or event.” Assistive Listening System is available for City Council Meetings. Those interested
in utilizing these devices for meetings at 93 Washington Street may contact the City Clerk’s Office at
978-745-9595 ext. 41200 or isimons@salem.com.
“Know Your Rights Under the Open Meeting Law, M.G.L. c. 30A ss. 18-25, and
City Ordinance Sections 2-2028 through 2-2033.”
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