Medford officials say so long, farewell to outgoing colleagues

Some familiar faces were lauded this week when both School Committee and City Council put business on hold to reflect on three outgoing elected officials during the last meetings of 2025.

School Committee members on Dec. 15 took time to thank Nicole Branley and John Intoppa for their service on the board. The pair lost their bids for re-election in November. On Dec. 17, the City Council followed suit when members bid farewell to Kit Collins who decided not to seek re-election this past year.

Council tips hat to Collins

The council praised her work ethic and her work behind the scenes, the effort she put in connecting with residents, elevating the status of renters and low income residents giving them a voice on council, but Councilor Matt Leming said what he admired most about Collins was the grace and respect she always managed to give during meetings and personally.

“It’s a quality that I’ve tried and often failed to emulate,” he said.

Councilor Justin Tseng called Collins his council bestie and said he was stunned by her work ethic and how she managed to do everything with a smile and a dry sense of humor. Councilor Emily Lazzaro said she planned to keep pictures of Collins in her desk to remind her to be more like her, to speak her mind and to thank people often.

“You’ve made us all better, so thank you,” she said.

“Kit has just been an amazing, amazing, amazing colleague and friend and done amazing service to our city, here in Medford, and it won't be the same to be behind this railway,” said Council President Zac Bears. “Thank you, Vice President Collins.”

Councilors weren’t the only ones on hand to wish Collins well, a number of residents also thanked her for her service before she took the mic.

Collins thanked the community for entrusting her with the role of councilor, calling it the honor of a lifetime. She also called it a rare privilege to be able to collaborate in a meaningful way and she never expected to have such an emotional relationship with her colleagues.

“This has been an extremely meaningful and important time of my life,” she said. “I want to thank all of you, and I’ll include George (Scarpelli)  who is sick today, which is really sad, because I was hoping to get one last hug from him as well.”  

School Committee says goodbye

Interim Superintendent Suzanne Galusi got to know Branley when she was a kindergarten aide at Brooks Elementary and Galusi was principal.

“Your advocacy for safety, supportive learning environments has been unwavering and you are constantly centering student wellbeing in your discussions and ensuring that safety remains a foundational priority,” Galsui said. 

She also praised Branley for being a strong champion of Career and Technical education, being a constant presence at school events and for being dedicated to leaving the district stronger, more equitable and more responsive than when she found it. 

Committee member Jenny Graham thanked Branley “for demanding that Medford change in some ways that Medford sorely needed to change … your advocacy made a difference and it still does.”

Committee member Paul Rusea thanked the pair for their perspectives, Aaron Olapade thanked them for their commitment to doing the work that isn’t always seen and Erika Reinfeld said she learned a lot from Intoppa and Branley, particularly that they could respectfully disagree.

Branley also came armed with her own unabashedly long speech and became quite emotional at times while delivering it.

“I have given all of me to the city in the last three years, and especially as a School Committee member,” she said. “The last two years, I have listened, I have trusted, been trusted, and I’ve spoken up, and I've shown up for all of Medford. I am proud of my term in office, and I have brought a perspective no one else has, from the point of view as a parent, as an administrative assistant, as mom, as a former student and as a die hard true to the core lifelong Medford Mustang.” 

She thanked staff, her fellow committee members and Intoppa, saying she was proud to have served with him.

“We did not lose this election,” she said. “Medford did. There is a huge chunk of this city not being represented now and for that, my heart truly breaks.”

Intoppa said since he started his first term late he has always felt like he was on borrowed time. The 24-year-old also said what he lacked in experience he tried to make for with integrity, making sure he heard things from all angles, and representing the little pieces like advocating for allergy awareness and the arts. He said he was optimistic about the future but sad he could not continue his work on the board.

But Graham – invited to pair to continue to work with the board.

“Please join us as you can,” Graham said. “I think that’s really important. This job has such a steep learning curve. It is really impactful when people who have that sort of inside track.”