Melrose Board Effectively Names Gail Infurna Next Mayor: Watch

MELROSE, MA — Alderman Gail Infurna will be the next mayor of Melrose, the Board of Aldermen effectively decided by breaking a tie with Alderman Mike Zwirko to elevate her to president. The tie-breaking vote came on the third round of voting by Alderman John Tramontozzi, and Infurna received a majority on the fourth ballot when Aldermen Monica Medeiros and Robert Boiselle voted for her.

Infurna was unanimously approved following Zwirko's motion for a fifth ballot "in hopes it would be unanimous."

Subscribe to Melrose Patch to be the first to know about local news and real-time alerts.

Zwirko and Infurna each received four votes in the first two rounds of voting, while Medeiros received two votes and Tramontozzi received one. Tramontozzi voted for Infurna in the third round of voting, bringing an audible reaction from the packed room and a slight smile from Tramontozzi to Infurna. (See the video of the tie-breaking vote above.)

Infurna is in position to become the first female mayor of Melrose, though she insisted it would be in an interim capacity. City sources have told Patch an interim tag will not be attached. Infurna was the only candidate who stated she would not seek mayoral election in 2019.

Infurna would serve as a "good steward" of the city, Alderman Jennifer Lemmerman said.

Zwirko pushed for a fifth vote in the spirit of unity. Earlier in the evening he said, "this board cannot go forward tonight as a headless horseman."

When the Board faced the deadlock, City Solicitor Robert Van Campen said the board could adopt a petition to ask the state legislature to allow a special election. If the legislature had not acted by the time Mayor Robert Dolan leaves office, which is believed to be Feb. 5, he would interpret the charter as written.

Van Campen expressed doubt the legislature would make a decision by Feb. 5.

In accordance to a recently debated City Charter clause, Infurna, the Ward 5 Alderman who has spent two decades on the board, would assume office when Dolan steps down to assume his role as Lynnfield Town Administrator.

The Board last month unanimously approved Zwirko as president in a non-binding caucus, but things were thrown into a blender when it was revealed shortly after that Dolan would be leaving office.

Zwirko acknowledged at Monday's meeting it was "different environment" than when he was nominated on Dec. 4. "Stability is very important. Melrose cannot afford to be put on pause," he said.

Members of the board who supported Zwirko pointed to the fact that he was the only one to run for president of the board before the prospect of becoming mayor was such a reality. Alderman Peter Mortimer said the board should have been aware of the contested charter clause since the charter was recently brought up for review.

Zwirko told Patch after the meeting: "The BoA made their selection for President tonight which will ultimately elevate to Mayor when Rob Dolan resigns. While I am disappointed personally, it is important to understand that the Board chose a highly capable and experienced President in Gail Infurna. She is personally a great friend to me and a zealous advocate for our quality of life. Residents of Melrose should sleep easy knowing she will be at the helm. The Board stands ready to aide her at every opportunity. I look forward to continuing the work that lies ahead and our collective progress that will inevitably ensue."

After Dolan was voted into the Lynnfield position, the focus turned to just when he would resign. Section 3-10 of the City Charter states if a vacancy occurs within the first two years of a mayoral term, then a special election will be held within 90 days of the vacancy. If the office becomes vacant after the beginning of the mayor's third year, the president of the Board of Aldermen would assume the role of mayor.

Monday, Jan. 8, was the beginning of Dolan's third year.

Melrose Patch was first to publish this story. Subscribe to Melrose Patch to be the first to know about local news and real-time alerts.

Ballot 1: Infurna (Lemmerman, Lipper-Garabedian, Wright, Infurna;) Zwirko (Bewtra, Forbes, Mortimer, Zwirko;) Medeiros (Boiselle, Medeiros;) Tramontozzi (Tramontozzi.)

Ballot 2 was the same as Ballot 1.

Ballot 3 was the same as Ballot 1 except Tramontozzi switched his vote from Tramontozzi to Infurna.

Ballot 4 was same as ballot 3 except Medeiros and Boiselle switched their vote from Medeiros to Infurna.

Ballot 5 saw everyone vote for Infurna.

Photo, videos by Mike Carraggi