MELROSE —Mayor Jen Grigoraitis convened the first meeting of her administration’s Financial Task Force on Friday, March 7.
The task force was created by Mayor Grigoraitis to advise her administration on options for a November 2025 Proposition 2 1⁄2 Override referendum. The group will formulate one or more override questions to address the city’s revenue needs in the years ahead. In its first meeting last week, members formulated plans for meetings with important budget stakeholders and members of the public in the weeks ahead.
The Financial Task Force has invited the leaders of various city and school employee unions (teachers, public safety, laborers, clerical) to attend its next meeting for a discussion on budget pressures and the priorities of the city’s workforce. Because employee salaries and benefits account for over 80 percent of the Melrose annual operating budget, it is critical that labor and management maintain open lines of communication and collaboration, particularly during challenging budget cycles.
Later this month, City Hall will share the details for a Public Budget Forum with the Financial Task Force, tentatively scheduled for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26. Check on the calendar section of www.cityofmelrose.org or call the Mayor’s office at (781) 979-4500 for confirmation and more details.
The City regularly adds materials, information and resources on the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget to the FY26 Budget landing page, which can be accessed at www.cityofmelrose.org/fy26.
Any Melrose community member wishing to share budget feedback or input with the Financial Task Force and the Grigoraitis Administration should email budget@cityofmelrose.org.
The Financial Task Force is co-chaired by City of Melrose CFO/Auditor Kerri Golden and Melrose Public Schools Business Manager Ken Kelley. Last month, Mayor Grigoraitis appointed Superintendent of Schools Adam Deleidi, City Council President Leila Migliorelli, City Council Appropriations Chair Mark Garipay, School Committee Chair Dorie Withey, and School Committee Vice-Chair Jen McAndrew to serve on the task force.