WNDTC Meeting Minutes • June 21, 2023

Following the annual caucus, Chair David Belsky called the regular meeting to
order.

• Membership: Jessica Azenaro submitted her resignation, explaining that she is moving to Haverhill in July.
• Secretary Pat Skibbee reported the deaths of two members, R. Michael Fosburg and Mary “Dot” Cavanagh.
• The 10 attendees voted unanimously to install two new members, Jessica Schlather and Martin “Lark” Madden.
• Reading of the minutes of the previous meeting was waived.
• Jim Sperelakis moved and Pat Skibbee seconded. The majority voted to subsidize the convention attendance fee in the amount of $25 for each attendee if that attendee requested such. (Barry Fogel’s amendment stated that the subsidy is for attendees for whom the fee is $75.00, so it does not pertain to any
• attendee for whom the fee is $50.)
• Treasurer Barry Fogel gave his report: current balance $1,620.91 as of May 31,2023.
• David Belsky reported West Newbury’s share of proceeds from the 3T&2C breakfast of $790.94. (This will be added to the May 31 balance.) David encouraged all to contribute to the WNDTC.
• Jim Sperelakis passed the checkbook to David Belsky.
• Adrianne Ramos, our new 14th Essex State Representative, spoke, updating us on  her office location (basement but nice) and her legislative actions – bills filed, bill co-sponsored, and the four committees she is serving on. She explained there is progress on the reconstruction of the Middle Street Bridge. She said she is mostly working on building solid relationships with her peers in the State House. She will have local office hours. The schedule will be announced.
• Matthew Chilliak, aide to Congressional Representative Seth Moulton, was not available due to a flight delay. David and Democratic State Committee member Matt Murray reported that the representative is seeking to add veterans as another add-on group for delegates to the annual Mass convention.
• Jim Sperelakis reported on the upcoming Sunday, August 20 3T&2C brewery event, complimenting David Belsky and Rob Phillips for their work on the organizing committee. The entry fee gets attendees one beer and a snack. The location is the Newburyport Brewing Company at 4 New Pasture Road in Newburyport.
• Vice-Chair Becc O’Brien presented about MA gun law legislation in progress, explaining progress is challenging even in MA. She urged all to write in support of better gun laws to our State Senator Bruce Tarr.
• The Chair initiated the first discussion on the proposed by-law changes. The subcommittee of Carol Ganz, Pat Skibbee and Paula Breger developed the changes in late 2019/very early 2020, in the “before times” (pre-Covid), but they were never acted upon due to the Covid years precluding in-person meetings. All members had been sent the proposed new by-law prior to this meeting. Annie Madden had several suggestions. It was decided that all changes would be sent to Barry Fogel who volunteered to consolidate. Then that product will be sent to all members prior to the next regular meeting in October.

The meeting adjourned at 8:36 pm.

​Respectfully submitted,
Patricia Lang Skibbee, Secretary