WNDTC Minutes • July 18, 2024

Eighteen members of the West Newbury Democratic Town Committee and six guests met in the Annex, 381 Main Street, West Newbury at 7 pm. 

• Chair David Belsky called the meeting to order at 7:04 pm. The focus of the meeting was on the upcoming November elections. 
• The first speaker was Matt Chilliak from the office of our Congressional Representative, Seth Moulton. He reported that Seth has no opponents as of now, though there is still time for someone to run. He said he has links to phone banks. The Chair will send those links out to the membership. Matt stated that the only local race that could be a real race is in our neighboring State Rep District for the seat now held by Kristin Kassner, D, who won that seat by one (1) vote. Matt went on to state that Seth has publicly called for President Biden to step aside and not continue his bid for re-election as President. 
• Our State Rep, Adrianne Ramos, spoke next stressing that now that she is well into her first term she has gotten very busy dealing with constituent services and various bills, including the gun bill which just passed both the House and Senate, housing bills and parentage bills. Because she is by profession a family law attorney she has gotten to actually write some of the wording in the parentage bill. She reported that the Middle Street Bridge project (connecting West Newbury to Newburyport) is moving along, albeit slowly. She will be running for re-election, has hired a political consultant, and will have yard signs, etc., starting in September. Member Jim Sperelakis asked about State Auditor Diana DiZoglio’s idea of auditing the state legislature. Adrianne explained that Diana’s audit plan is not just financial (those audits are already done) but rather broader, delving into meeting mechanics and internal discussions. Adrianne thinks this is neither practical nor a good idea. 
• Alex Bausch, guest, spoke next. He is the Organizing Director working for MassDems. He let us know this is a very busy year, including reorgs of town and city committees, local caucuses to elect delegates to the state convention, the caucuses to elect delegates to the national convention, coordinated campaigns and the upcoming establishment of field offices. Alex also coordinates recruiting MA campaign volunteers for efforts in Portsmouth, Manchester, Keen and Nashua, NH. About 20% of those volunteers are from MA.
• David Seaton, WNDTC  Outreach Coordinator and elected delegate to the national convention,spoke about the ongoing issues with the candidacy of President Biden for re-election. In addition to his advanced age and very poor debate performance is his apparent lack of appeal to young voters.  David stated that he thinks this could be the most consequential national convention ever. He has a GO FUND ME page in place to raise the funds he needs to attend the convention. The cost is normally between $3,000 and $5,000. 
• Next up was Eileen Duff, presently a member of the Governor’s Council and candidate for Essex South Registry of Deeds Register. As she said, “I have no intention of losing.” She does have two opponents. Eileen is a long-time very active Democrat. She provided her mobile number and she encouraged calls/questions. (Please contact David Belsky for her number if needed). She has yard signs (call to get) and a digital postcard we can send to our circle list. 
• Jim Sperelakis and Pat Skibbee spoke in praise of Eileen.
• State Representative Adrianne Ramos discussed a proposed voter registration effort at Pentucket High School. The effort earlier this year petered out due to the Town Clerks in Groveland and Merrimac refusing to cooperate. The West Newbury Clerk was very willing to help. The regional school superintendent Dr. Bartholomew is very enthusiastic about a voter registration drive for upper grade level students. It was suggested that there could be a mailing to recent grads. Another idea was that if there are Republican and Democratic clubs in the high school those students could run the voter registration drive.
• Chair David Belsky reported that our committee’s share of the proceeds from the 3T & 2C Breakfast is $885.00. The annual Brews for Blues event will take place in August but a date has not been chosen yet. 
• Treasurer Barry Fogel reported that our treasury holds $4,022.76. 
• Member Kevin Bowe moved and Becc O’Brien seconded that we donate $500 toward David Seaton’s expenses for his travel and attendance at the national convention. The motion was overwhelmingly approved. 
• A poll will be sent out to choose a date for an early September meeting. 
• Margaret Mahoney urged us to find more members. We have four empty slots at present. 

The meeting adjourned at 9:02 pm.

Respectfully submitted, 
Patricia L. Skibbee, Secretary