On the upcoming November 4 Municipal General Election ballot, voters will be asked ‘Shall the City adopt an act passed by the general court in the year 2025 entitled: An Act establishing a charter for the City of Medford?’
The City’s Charter Study Committee, in collaboration with the The Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center for Public Management, developed an updated City Charter that was passed by the legislature and recently signed by Governor Healy. It now will appear on the Municipal General Election ballot to be decided by voters. If approved, most provisions in the Charter would go into effect in 2027.
Some changes to the Charter include: ➡ Hybrid ward representation for City Council ➡ Hybrid district representation for School Committee ➡ Four year term for the Mayor ➡ Regular charter review
You can learn more about the charter and how it compares to the older version at medfordma.org/charter
Ignored the Community Development Board (CDB) recommendations on the Salem Street rezoning plan, which was based on community input.
Ignored the Fire Department Union’s professional input not supporting the fire station override plan by the City Council.
Medford residents need to take back control of the city and vote for the Independent candidates. Each will bring their own ideas, each will represent the city of Medford and its residents. On November 4th, please vote for the candidates listed below.
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On this episode of the Friends of the Medford Public Library podcast, we landed a pretty big fish, Grady Hendrix joined us to talk about growing up with our President Julia Hendrix who just happens to be his sister and how another sister schooled them by playing the long game! Grady also took some time to give us the importance that public libraries in general are so vital for every town or city that is lucky enough to have one.
Did we mention that he will be at the Medford Public Library for our Annual Meeting on November 1st???
WITCHCRAFT FOR WAYWARD GIRLS – LIVE! Are witches old ladies who live in candy houses and eat children? Or are they naked maidens dancing in a circle and celebrating the moon? Are they riding broomsticks to a black mass where they’ll worship Satan, or being dragged to a gallows where they’ll be hung after false accusations? Join New York Times bestselling author Grady Hendrix to take a wild flight into the blackest night as we investigate the world of witchcraft in books and movies and witness an army of broomstick-brandishing, curse-hurling, baby-eating, world-destroying, unkillable, unstoppable, unbeatable witches!
Doors open at 6:15pm. Meeting begins at 7:15 followed by the presentation and book signing (limit 1 book per person) by Grady.
Hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be served. 21 +. You must be a member of the Friends to attend. Registration is required.
Looking for something to do? The events page is full, check out all the upcoming events which can be found here – https://medfordlibrary.org/events/ What? Don’t have time to go to the site, then subscribe to the newsletter and this information comes to you – https://medfordlibrary.org/newsletter/
While you are there please look into becoming a member of the Friends of the Medford Public Library. Among the perks are access to pre-book sale events, the yearly annual event and this year we’ll have a special guest – Author Grady Hendrix in attendance! For much more information check out the Friends of the Medford Public Library site – https://friendsofmedfordlibrary.org/
Taking steps to new heights can prove who we are, determined warriors till the end to wage the good fight nestled in the sinew of our very being.
The reason why I have these two pictures together is about that very theme. The current Medford elections are crucial at this period of time. I have been canvassing with my friend, Judy, for the Independent Candidates. The house which you see is in my neighborhood. I’m eighty-one years old. The task of climbing those stairs seemed insurmountable to me. I started taking the steps thinking of the group goals: zoning that protects neighborhoods, infrastructure concerns, police, fire, teachers, DPW concerns, Medford High School, local issues with public input.
I paused midway to rest. These “Magnificent Seven” as I call them are business people, engineers, educators and even a lawyer! Wow!
I took a breath and climbed all the way to the top!
I didn’t applaud myself! I was doing what needed to be done.
So too, do YOU need to do what NEEDS to be done. Take steps like I did and go to the polls to VOTE!
New horizons are waiting for you ahead: civic pride, responsibility, leading by example, and a feeling of accomplishment.
Please consider ALL SEVEN of the Independent Candidates when you vote. You, too, can find a sense of accomplishment by voicing your rightful choice. See you there! Thank you.
Electing a slate-backed city council like Our Revolution Medford risks undermining the democratic values it claims to uphold, replacing genuine representation with ideological conformity and insider politics.
Our Revolution has positioned itself as a progressive force for change. Yet beneath the surface of its inclusive rhetoric lies a troubling consolidation of power. By endorsing a slate of candidates who now dominate the city council, Our Revolution has created a bloc that often votes in lockstep, marginalizing independent voices and stifling dissent. The group’s branding as democratic and diverse rings hollow when opponents are labeled as “racist” or “MAGA-leaning”—a tactic that shuts down dialogue rather than fosters it. True progressivism requires engaging with differing perspectives, not vilifying them.
The Medford People’s Platform, shaped by this slate-backed council, has enacted changes that further distance residents from their government. Council meetings were cut from four to two per month, limiting opportunities for public oversight. Key issues have been buried in subcommittees with poor communication and inconvenient scheduling, making it harder for citizens to stay informed or participate. Speaking time for residents has been reduced to just three minutes, and preferential treatment is often given to those who echo Our Revolution’s positions. These moves don’t reflect a city council committed to transparency or equity—they reflect a political machine more interested in control than collaboration. In the coming weeks, independent candidates will highlight these differences, offering Medford voters a chance to choose genuine representation over ideological entrenchment. It’s time to reclaim the council for the people—not the party.
On November 4th – Patrick Clerkin, Nick Giurleo, Melanie Tringali, Paul Donato Jr., Nate Merritt, George Scarpelli and Rick Caraviello need your vote. Medford needs a real inclusive, collaborative city council who are working on Medford issue.
Our Revolution CLAIM – Created a forward looking and inclusive vision for the city.
Must be referring to the Comprehensive Master Plan.
A plan that was controlled by the OCD head and consultant to create the case to move forward on their pre-determined plan. The major one, a complete city-wide rezoning plan. The citizens never requested a city-wide rezoning. The expectation was to rezone targeted areas such as Medford Square, Mystic Ave, Rt 16, and others.
Removed budget and time in the master planning consultant contract to support real community input outreach in the actual neighborhoods.
When genuine citizen input was provided, disregarded it at a subsequent city council meeting.
Medford residents need to take back control of the city and vote for the Independent candidates. Each will bring their own ideas, each will represent the city of Medford and its residents. On November 4th, please vote for the candidates listed below.
This group reduced council meetings from four to two a month.
Buried key subjects of importance to citizens in sub-committees that are poorly communicated and scheduled at inconvenient times.
Reduced citizen speaking time to 3 minutes.
Show preferential treatment to citizens speaking that are championing positions embraced by OR.
You can make a change at the polls by voting for the independent candidates on November 4th. The folks below are not a slate and they will provide a voice for the residents of Medford.
Please come to the Taste of Italy being held at the Great American Beer hall. This is a great place to meet people and grab a pint. They’ll be music, food and beer. As a friend once said “What more do you want?” The cost is $45/person and the proceeds go to charity.
While her show hasn’t sold out just yet, this is a show you have to see. Since you’re here, you can also check out one of her many books from our own Medford Public library and also see what this week’s events look like at the same time. A “twofer” as they say!
Please check out the following sites to see who will be playing locally. See why Medford is the new cultural center of MA!
Deep Cuts Featuring Maximum Rock n Roll – open tue-thurs 12pm-9pm, fri & sat 12pm-11pm HOURS MAY CHANGE FOR EVENTS 21 MAIN ST MEDFORD, MA 02155 (781) 219-3815 – https://www.deepcuts.rocks/events
Medford Brewing Company – The best community bar in Medford! You will not see a more civically engaged business. If there is a major event in Medford, chances are they are there, serving their outstanding array of craft beers! They feature different events and that info can be found below. OPEN MON – THURS 3PM TO 10PM, FRI/SAT 12PM TO 10PM AND SUN 12PM TO 8PM https://medfordbrew.com/events/ 30 HARVARD AVE. MEDFORD MA 781-874-0406
Mrs Murphys Live Irish music every day! 25 SALEM ST. MEDFORD MA 781-874-0527 – https://www.mrsmurphs.com/
The Ford Tavern – Live Irish music. The Ford also features Trivia night every Wednesday from 7pm – 9pm. 61 LOCUST ST. MEDFORD MA 781-874-0406 https://www.thefordtavern.com/
ART
Arts Collaborative Medford – OPEN Tuesday – Thursday: 12-3pm https://artscollabmedford.org/ – This weeks events are on the main page of the website. 162 MYSTIC AVE Medford, MA 02155
The Medford Public Library – featuring Arts, Crafts, Book events, they literally host all events. https://medfordlibrary.org/events/ Summer hours end August 31st. They are OPEN MON – THUR 9AM to 9PM, FRI 9AM to 6PM and SAT 9AM to 1PM. 111 HIGH STREET MEDFORD 781-395-7950
Rick Caraviello joins John to discuss zoning and the Medford High project. Among the discussion were around smart zones in Reading. Also discussed were the costs surrounding the High School project, where is the money coming from? Can the residents absorb an additional $2000 on their taxes? Remember early voting began last Saturday.
Medford Happenings are urging Medford residents to vote for the independent candidates, and remember vote for all 7 as the OR slate is not the answer for Medford’s future.
Medford Happenings 