ELECTION 2025: Medford City Council candidates have their say

To rezone or not to rezone, or to slow the rezoning but not stop it – that, along with the cost of living in Medford, was the dominant issue during Wednesday’s City Council candidate’s meet-and-greet sponsored by the Medford Democratic City Committee.

Sixteen of the 17 candidates were on hand or, in one case, had a spokesman. Incumbents George Scarpelli and Justin Tseng both reportedly had previous engagements and could not attend the event, but Tseng asked his friend Jessica Taddeo to pinch hit for him.

During the event, which as emceed by the committee’s co-chairs Bruce Kulik and Phyllis Morrison, each candidate, chosen at random, was given three minutes to speak. Questions were saved for post-speech mingling time.

Rose Missick said she liked the set up.

“I got a good sense of what the candidates stand for,” she said. “They were all well spoken … the only fault I’d say is they should have had a bigger hall, but they all did a good job.”

It was standing room only after nearly 90 people squeezed into Bonsignore Hall at the Medford Public Library, and many stayed to mix and mingle with the candidates right up until closing time.

For those that didn’t see the event first-hand – here's a chance to meet the candidates.

Patrick Clerkin

Clerkin is a mechanical engineer, has been a contractor, and is a handyman. He’s also volunteered with a number of civic organizations and he hopes to bring all those perspectives to the job of councilor at large. He aims to focus on “robust community” and better communication.

“If you want a practical example as to how lack of communications negatively affects the city, look at the current zoning issue, how a lot of the people feel that this information has been dropped on them last minute,” he said. “They feel like things have already been decided. They feel basically that the neighborhoods aren’t getting a say in this city wide process.”

Clerkin said he also wants to focus on unity, independent thinking, practical solutions, and Medford in its entirety. 

Nate Merritt

“I’m running because I think we can get the city on a much better path,” he said. “I’m an engineer. I fix things.” 

The former EMT and firefighter also helps people and he promises to stay laser focused on Medford, not state or national issues. He said he wants to capitalize on the things the city already has “and stop the nonsense of saying single-family homes are a thing of the past. They’re not … let’s take a smart look at zoning.”

He suggested the city take its time with zoning. Merritt said the city needs to strike a balance between mixed use/residential and industrial/commercial and he thinks he can help with the balancing act. 

Matt Leming (Incumbent)

The scientist/naval officer said he ran for council in 2023 after lobbying the body to pass an affordable housing trust, which he is currently working to fund. Among his achievements in the last two years, Leming noted:

• He and his colleagues successfully passed a Proposition 2 1/2 override.
• Approved new public housing for seniors, and along with the community, worked on developing plans to rezone the city.
• He also made the council a more transparent body by instituting a newsletter, live streaming meetings, holding office hours at the Senior Center, and writing about all of it non stop on his website, he said. 

“I instituted a first of its kind program to house low income veterans, and I passed a law that will allow Medford residents to voluntarily donate to an in-need veterans fund on their tax bills,” he said, adding he “spearheaded a campaign to inform non-English speaking residents of their constitutional rights in these very dire times.”

He said he’s been putting in the work and taking action and will continue to do so if reelected.

Justin Tseng (Incumbent) via Jessica Taddeo

The son of immigrants, Tseng crafted a message that spoke of accomplishments but also of work that needs doing.

• He said the city has protected the freedom of neighbors with gender affirming and reproduction healthcare ordinances, which he worked on along with codifying the city’s police of noncooperation with ICE in non criminal cases. 
• The council has secured millions in funding to modernize and revitalize parks, increasing accessibility for disabled residents. 
• Tseng said sidewalk and street work is underway, and bus routes that families rely on are coming back.
• He said he is working to make City Hall more transparent and accessible.
• Tseng also said the council passed once-in-a-generation reforms to make housing more affordable, increasing local business growth and leading the fight against climate change right at home. 

Tseng said if they can sift through the noise, the city could work together on shared goals.

Liz Mullane

Liz Mullane is an assistant vice president of advancement at Northeastern University and adjunct faculty member of Northeastern Graduate Nonprofit Management Program. She is also a fundraiser and has an MBA.

Mullane said she was compelled to join the City Council race after seeing areas that suffered numerous accidents due to a “lack of pedestrian signage, poorly kept streets, and sidewalks that have become hard to navigate.”

Mullane called budgetary issues a top concern and said she felt her professional background, coupled with her education, would bring a different skill set to the city. 

If elected she plans to:

• Champion for a continued transparent budgeting process.
• Help find new and creative ways to generate revenue.  
• Incentivize and streamline the process for small businesses to start up. 
• Proactively work on the 2026 Medford open space and recreation plan.
• Continue to support the Affordable Housing Trust to make housing more affordable through linkage fees and fundraising initiatives.
• Complete a pedestrian safety audit across the city to ensure a more walkable Medford.
• And continue support of the public school system, “which is imperative for entire communities.” 

“And I remain a listening ear to anyone who wants to discuss these issues or any other concerns,” she said. 

Anna Callahan (Incumbent)

Anna Callahan said she is proud of things accomplished during her first term but what she wanted to highlight was what makes her unique as a city councilor.

“And that really is in the question of democracy and engaging people in the political process,” she said. “I take it very seriously that 90 or 95% of the people who live in Medford will never come to a City Council meeting, and they will never reach out to their city councilors.”

So she takes it upon herself to go into the community and listen so those people have a voice, she said. 

Callahan has five teams of volunteers who help her with different parts of her “councilship,” a legislative team, a democracy team, and three policy teams. One policy team is focused on trees, “because we plant less than half as many trees each year as we lose.” Another is aimed at housing and housing affordability and the last is home sharing, which is about enabling people to age in place. 

“So if anyone's interested in working with me, please let me know, and I really appreciate you all being here,” she said.

Nicholas Giurleo

Nicholas Giurleo has lived in Medford his entire life, graduating first in his Medford High School class, going to Tufts University, and later going to law school at Boston College. 

Giurleo said he decided to run because civic involvement is important to him as is stepping up to help address problems rather than simply complaining about them. 

The number one issue for Giurleo is making Medford more affordable. He talked about shifting some of the residential tax burden to the commercial side while preserving the commercial tax base.

The second issue is transparency. 

“For me, that primarily means council accessibility, allowing the City Council to be a resource that everybody can use,” he said. 

He said something needs to be done about late night City Council meetings, last minute agenda changes, veering off topic, and the reduction in public speaking time.

“I think we can do simple things like change the rules of our City Council to make it more accessible,” he said.  

Voters should be informed, they have a right to be informed, he said, “So these are two issues central to my campaign.” 

Miranda Briseno

“I’m running for City Council to make sure that City Hall delivers better for residents of all ages, wages, and backgrounds,” Briseno said. 

Briseno said she’d fight annually for a budget that met that goal. She said she’d also fight for safer neighborhoods through unarmed mental health crisis response teams, continued non-compliance with ICE, and better social services. 

For Briseno, safety also means roads and sidewalks, and as a transportation planner for that state’s Department of Transportation, road safety is her bread and butter, she said.

“In the last five years, Medford has seen at least 84 crashes which resulted in serious injuries or fatalities. We need to treat traffic violence like the emergency it is,” she said. 

As a City Council counselor, she said she would make sure to strategically leverage  transportation funding to make streets safer and ADA compliant. 

But before she worked for the state, Briseno worked right in City Hall spearheading the COVID-19 business relief grant program.

“I love being a part of our diverse, multi-generational, vibrant community,” she said. “My neighbors have always been there for me, and now I’m running for City Council to make sure the city is there for you.” 

Page Buldini

Page Buldini is a mom and married to a Medford native, and she is a business owner who managed to keep her business going throughout the pandemic by adapting and problem solving.

“That’s not easy as a solo business owner, but I did it,” she said. “I also helped others in the skincare industry push through because I believe in lifting people up. That’s who I am … and that’s what I'll bring to City Hall.”

Buldini believes that leadership has to rise above groups or sides, which is why she is running unaffiliated, willing to take the harder path to bridge divides and represent everyone. 

She called the present a critical moment, saying decisions on zoning and growth would shape the city’s future for decades. 

“When zoning reform came forward, I asked to slow it down, not to stop it, so we can get it right,” she said. “I champion separating business districts with mixed use from residential, and I would use that time to ask questions and push for input from fire, police and educators.”

She said she’d take the same approach with the budget and work to attract businesses shaped but community feedback. And what sets her apart from other candidates is that, as a business owner, she’s already lived this, she said.

“Experience makes me the candidate best prepared to strengthen Medford’s future,” said Buldini.  “I believe Medford’s best days are ahead, and I will keep showing up, asking questions and moving forward together.”

Rick Caraviello

Rick Caraviello previously served 12 years on the council and three terms as City Council president. 

“We need a City Council that reflects our values and fights for our future,” he said. 

Caraviello called the current rezoning effort, which includes allowing 2-6 housing units per lot, an attack on the city’s character. He said the council should be focused on the potential of the city’s commercial base. 

“Medford has a business district with untapped potential for smart growth, not overgrowth,” he said. “I will seek out common sense proposals for our business districts that will increase tax revenue and promote job opportunities.”

He said he would also

• Advocate for responsible development that will protect neighbors.
• Expand affordable housing options.
• Settle long overdue municipal contracts.
• Address long neglected streets.

“This campaign is about us,” he said. “It’s about building a Medford where everyone feels heard, respected and empowered … My priority, we will restore trust in City Hall by making sure that the City Council serves the public, not politicians.”  

Paul Donato Jr. 

Paul Donato Jr. said Medford, a city he loves, needs leaders with vision to shape the community for the future, which it is currently lacking. He pointed to the city’s recent rezoning efforts as an example of what’s lacking.

“The problem is the community didn’t ask for a complete overhaul of every neighborhood,” he said. “I believe we should take a smarter, more focused approach, starting with key areas like Mystic Ave. Right now it’s just a busy road, but it could be so much more with thoughtful planning.”

But the changes, he said, come from real conversations with the community and not from the top down. He also pointed to Medford Square as an area ripe for change but said the city also needs to focus on infrastructure, city services, and roads.

“We must ask, ‘Do we have enough police, firefighters and DPW workers and staff and equipment to support these changes,’” he said. “Smart rezoning and solid infrastructure planning are two key areas that I’ll focus on as your new city councilor, but I’ll also work with the new effective council to tackle other challenges and build a bright future for Medford.” 

Melanie Tringali

Melanie Tringali has deep Medford roots and 20 years experience in business. She has also served the town in various volunteer capacities over the years and is running to make a positive impact and ensure that Medford it the best it can be. 

“I believe in common sense change, the kind that strengthens neighborhoods, improves city services, and respects the history and character of our community,” she said. 

Tringali said she has four priorities:

• I will always protect our neighborhoods in historic squares. We should focus on thoughtful commercial development that grows our tax base and revitalizes our squares, she said.   
• Our streets and sidewalks continue to be in disrepair. Recent staffing changes and overrides have not made significant improvements. Safe, walkable sidewalks and well maintained streets are basic services that meet the needs of every citizen, she said. 
• Fire and police departments deserve to be fully staffed and have safe and clean facilities and the equipment to do their jobs well, she said, adding that public safety should come first in the city budget. 
• She will push for a line item budget breakdown and responsible planning so taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.

“As an independent candidate, I will bring balance, common sense, and accountability to City Hall,” she said.

Emily Lazzaro (Incumbent)

Emily Lazzaro, writer, mom and cyclist, said she first ran for office because she was living out the effects of failed policy and she wanted to be part of the solution.

Lazzaro said she’s worked diligently on legislation to shore up residents' rights, such as the Welcoming City ordinance, the gender affirming care and reproductive health care ordinance, and protecting residents from federal overreach.

She said she also worked to secure funding and make improvements to the rotaries where two Medford residents were killed crossing the street in crosswalks and she’d like to keep up that good work.

She said she is also:

• Advocating for the mayor to use free cash to fund a full dive team for the Fire Department. 
• Working closely with the business community to ensure that Medford is a beautiful and friendly place to operate with vibrant and bustling squares and business districts. 
• Working closely with parents and elementary schools across Medford to ensure that money raised is shared equitably based on the diverse needs and populations of the district.
• Working collaboratively to deliver a new high school.

“I talked to residents at the Senior Center, Wegmans, the disability fair, soccer practice, Carr Park, Elegant Nails, and everywhere in between,” she said. “I see you, I hear you, and I take action for you. Whoever you are, you deserve an elected official who believes wholeheartedly in the inherent worth of every human being and who will stand up boldly for that policy."

"Above all else, this campaign is about taking care of each other,” she said. 

Isaac ’Zac’ Bears (Incumbent)

Six years ago, Isaac “Zac” Bears ran for City Council because, he said, he saw that a shrinking government and reactive decision had made Medford a city of “no.” 

But over the years, the council has accomplished much, making hard decisions that has set the city on a path to saying yes to things like more transparent, open government with clear goals, processes and principles for decision making and to creating a comprehensive rezoning plan. It also said yes to a Proposition 2 ½ override, to a plan for real growth and new revenue, he said.  

He said it’s only been possible due to the commitment of city leaders and residents working together to make the city one that leads with shared values, clear principles and delivers real results and by listening to the “unheard, not just the loudest voices” and telling the hard truths.

Bears said he’d like to keep moving forward and if r-eelected to a fourth term, “I guarantee that I will keep fighting for Medford where our city government lifts everyone up and solves big problems together.”

Trish Schiapelli

Trish Schiapelli, a 20+ year resident of Medford, said she became politically active when she led the battle to stop a methadone dispensary from coming to her Salem Street neighborhood and again with what she called the radical rezoning of Salem Street. She said while some listened to the residents and rolled back the zoning the City Council denied the citizens.

“We must stop radical rezoning, which is now being proposed across the city,” she said. “Our job on the City Council is to protect our neighborhoods, not exploit them.”

She agreed that upgrades are a good thing, but not to the detriment of the neighborhoods.

Schiapelli said she would also request a forensic audit. She said taxpayers deserve better financial reporting than that provided by a yearly audit. 

“Once our finances are in order, we can make a sound decision and plan to fix our roads, fix our sidewalks and get the lead out of our drinking water,” she said.

Like others before her, Schiapelli is also in favor of increasing the commercial tax rate and faulted the mayor for losing $600,000 in tax revenue by allowing the defunct Budweiser property to be sold to the MBTA. She also called on the city to support the police and fire departments, the latter, which she said is understaffed.

“Remember, a vote for me is a vote for you,” she said. 

Milva McDonald

Milva McDonald grew up with a working class immigrant mom who passed her work ethic onto her daughter. 

“Whether working at the Boston Globe while raising my four kids, sitting on the board of nonprofits, or helping launch the Mystic LGBTQ+ Youth Support Network, I have always put in the hard work required to get things done,” McDonald said.

In 2021, McDonald said she convened a group of residents to pursue options for a charter review and in late 2022, the mayor appointed her chair of the review committee. She led an 11 member committee that has resulted in, for the first time in 40 years, a new charter, which will be on the November ballot. That experience, she said, inspired her to run for office.

Her priorities include:

• Growing the city's tax base through zoning.
• Reviewing fee structures and fighting for a better pilot agreement with Tufts. 
• Addressing the affordable housing crisis. 
• Exploring a residential tax exemption for owner occupied homes and look further at the good landlord tax credit.
• Ensure that the city is meeting climate action goals. 
• Making the arts an anchor at City Hall with the installation of a city arts coordinator.
• Creating a commission commission to promote visibility equality and empowerment of the city’s LGBTQ+ community. 

“I think it's also the job of municipal officials to support our dedicated city staff and those in need, like seniors on fixed incomes and immigrant communities,” she added. I’m excited to get to work to make our beloved city an even better place to live.” 

For more information on all the candidates, the Medford Democratic City Committee has links to website along with contacts for each candidate.

The preliminary election, which will knock the number of City Council candidates from 17 to 14, will be held Sept. 16. The city’s general election is set for Nov. 4.

The last day to register to vote for the preliminary election is Sept. 5. The last day to register to vote for the general election is Oct. 24. 

To see the full calendar of election dates, including those for early voting and vote-by-mail, visit the Medford Elections Commission page.