Politics & Government

Melrose Redistricting Map Approved by Aldermen, Sent Back to State

The new ward and precinct boundaries approved by the aldermen keep the Lincoln School in Ward 5.

The Melrose Board of Aldermen approved Monday night a revised redistricting map for the city's wards and precincts that will now go back to the state for further approval.

Alderman at-Large Mary Beth McAteer Margolis told the board that the city engineers wrote up the legal description of the ward and precinct boundaries two weeks ago. The Finance Committee revised the state's initial proposal in order to keep the Lincoln School, long used as a Ward 5 polling station, in Ward 5.

Each of the aldermen had to physically sign off on the revised map, which now goes back to the state to continue the process set in motion by the results of the 2010 U.S. Census.

Find out what's happening in Melrosewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The redistricting plans have relatively minor impacts on Wards 1,3 and 5, and no impact on Wards 2, 4, 6 and 7, meaning that some residents could have a different ward alderman beginning next year—the redistricting doesn't take effect until Jan. 1, 2012—although no effect on the two state Senate districts in Melrose. Sen. Katherine Clark, D-Melrose, represents Wards 1-5, while Sen. Tom McGee, D-Lynn, represents Ward 6 and 7.

Melrose Election Administrator Linda-Lee Angiolillo previously told Melrose Patch that this is only the beginning of the process. With the aldermen's approval on Monday night, the revised map will be submitted to the Secretary of Commonwealth's office; then reviewed and approved by the LEDRC (Local Election District Review Commission); and then returned to the city for final approval.

Find out what's happening in Melrosewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A humorous moment came towards the end of the meeting, when McAteer Margolis moved for a reconsideration vote on the map. If a motion for reconsideration fails, the matter cannot come back before the aldermen again, and is occasionally used by the board to finalize votes taken moments earlier.

McAteer Margolis made the motion for reconsideration, she said, "in the hope that this fails so we can formally notify the Secretary of State tomorrow that there won’t be any further changes."

Board President Don Conn, Jr. explained to the board that a "no" vote on the reconsideration would put the matter to rest and send the map back to the state, and on the vote, Ward 2 Alderman Monica Medeiros said, "Aye ... oh, nay! Sorry," and put her face in her palm as her colleagues chuckled.


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