WNDTC Minutes • October 18, 2023

The West Newbury Democratic Town Committee met at the Town Offices Annex at 381 Main Street on October 18, 2023.  The secretary was down with Covid:  these minutes are constructed from notes taken by David Belsky, Chair, and Barry Fogel, Treasurer.

• Sixteen members and three guests attended. The guests were Matt Chillak from Congressional Representative Seth Moulton’s office, Alex Bausch of Mass Dems representing the Biden presidential campaign, and Eunice Ziegler from Methuen, running for Governor’s Council. 
  
• Eunice Ziegler introduced herself. She is presently a city councilor in Methuen and the director of services for the Y of eastern MA. She is running to replace Eileen Duff, who in turn is running for Register of Deeds. 
  
• Matt Chillak caught attendees up to date on various matters: state convention delegates voting to support the inclusion of special categories for veterans,  that Serve America made seven political endorsements so far in this election cycle; confirmed Moulton’s support for Israel in the current Hamas conflict but cautioned Israel to pursue a wise course; pleased to see MA AG Andrea Campbell supporting Rep. Moulton’s Restoration Act along with other AGs nationwide (this act would provide for retroactive benefits for descendants of color who were denied GI benefits after World War II, such as VA mortgage support) Explained that funding to aide Ukraine is a top priority. 
  
• Alex Bausch started working in politics in 2017, has worked on a number of campaigns, focused now on building capacity in about 50 municipalities in MA that don’t have Democratic committees, and on establishing a coordinated campaign in 2024 to help down-ballot candidates benefit from the Biden vote. 
  
• The Chair proceeded through the meeting’s agenda: It was moved, seconded and unanimously approved to omit the reading of the minutes for the June 21, 2023, meeting. He presented the revised by-laws and gave a brief summary of the changes. Approval of the new by-laws was moved, seconded and unanimously voted with no discussion. 
  
• Barry Fogel, Treasurer, reported that the WNDTC has received the proceeds check from the summer event; possible campaign donations were discussed. 
  
• Becc O’Brien discussed passage by the state legislature of the gun bill, citing Representative Ramos’s speech to the full House of Representatives. 
  
• David summarized State Convention actions. 
  
• A general discussion followed, with particular mention of Indivisible Rise and opportunity for postcarding.  Also discussed was the question of how to build excitement for President Biden’s re-election campaign, especially with younger voters since Gen Z is a rapidly growing voter bloc. One idea is that we should brainstorm a quick list of Biden’s successes/initiatives so that we have that resource at hand when talking to voters. 

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Patricia L. Skibbee, Secretary

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