Personal Experience with Non-Car Travel
Please share your recent experiences walking, biking, using public transit, or traveling with someone who has mobility challenges around Melrose. How safe and accessible did you find those experiences outside of a car?
I frequently walk to local meetings, community events, and small businesses across Melrose. I also use the commuter rail and occasionally travel with family members and neighbors who have mobility challenges. These experiences have given me firsthand understanding of both the progress we’ve made — like expanded crosswalk visibility and improved signage — and the continued need for better sidewalk maintenance, lighting, and accessible crossings, particularly in areas like Lebanon Street and Main Street.
While many areas in Melrose feel safe and welcoming for pedestrians, there are still several high-traffic intersections and uneven sidewalks that can feel unsafe, especially at night or during winter. For individuals with mobility challenges, narrow walkways and missing curb cuts remain barriers to accessibility. We must treat these as priority issues for both safety and equity, ensuring that every resident — regardless of age or ability — can move around our city safely and comfortably. And hopefully if we are able to pass the override and have a more balanced budget I would be advocating to approving fund for these projects.
Near-Term Municipal Actions
Please name one concrete step the City of Melrose should take within the next two years to make streets and sidewalks safer for people walking, biking, or using mobility devices. How will you ensure this step will serve people of all ages, abilities, and neighborhoods equitably?
The City should lead by example. That means investing in infrastructure that prioritizes safety, collaborating with schools and businesses to create walkable and bike-friendly environments, and ensuring our city’s planning and zoning policies align with climate and mobility goals. Education and community engagement are also key — helping residents see how small changes in travel habits contribute to a safer, more sustainable Melrose.
City’s Role in Advancing Active Transportation & Climate Goals
Transportation is the largest source of carbon emissions in Massachusetts. What role should the City of Melrose play in encouraging people to travel by foot, bike, or transit? Please share one specific action you would take as a councilor, and explain how it supports Melrose’s sustainability and climate goals.
I would advocate for implementing a “Complete Streets” plan that integrates safe sidewalks, protected bike lanes, and improved crosswalks into all major infrastructure projects. This approach not only improves safety but also aligns with our sustainability goals by reducing emissions, encouraging active transportation, and creating a more connected, resilient community.
School Travel & Family Transportation
Melrose does not provide school buses and students are not assigned to their neighborhood elementary school by default, contributing to significant car traffic at drop-off and pick-up. Name one specific thing you would do to help families who want safe, reliable options to get children to and from school without relying on cars?
I would work with the School Committee and local law enforcement to expand Safe Routes to School programs, including clearly marked walking routes, designated crossing guards, and community walking groups. These initiatives not only increase safety but also build a sense of community and teach children early about sustainable travel.
Regional Connectivity
Many nearby communities are investing in interconnected trails and paths that support both recreation and commuting. How would you work with neighboring communities and state/regional agencies to expand safe walking and biking connections to and from Melrose?
Collaboration is essential. I would strengthen partnerships with neighboring municipalities, the MBTA, and MassDOT to advocate for regional bike and pedestrian pathways, including better connections to the Northern Strand Trail and the commuter rail stations. I would also explore shared grant opportunities that promote inter-municipal projects to ensure continuity and safety across city borders.
Street Design & Business Districts
How can street design improve safety and foot traffic in Melrose’s business districts? Name one specific thing you would do to encourage the city and business community to make these areas more inviting for people walking, biking, or arriving by transit?
Safer street design attracts more visitors and boosts local business. I support traffic-calming measures, such as raised crosswalks, sidewalk bump-outs, and pedestrian lighting, particularly in our downtown and neighborhood commercial areas. These enhancements encourage walking and outdoor dining, making our business districts more vibrant and economically resilient.
I would advocate for a “Walk & Dine” partnership program between the City and the Melrose Chamber of Commerce to provide incentives for businesses that install bike racks, pedestrian-friendly seating, and enhanced lighting. This type of collaboration promotes a welcoming, accessible, and community-oriented environment.
Budget and Staffing Priorities
Budget cuts impact the City’s ability to implement street projects, pursue state transportation grants, and enforce safety laws. What specific actions would you take (e.g., prioritizing budget, accessing other funding sources) to improve the City’s ability to respond to resident requests (e.g., traffic calming, speed enforcement, street design, etc.)?
Due to the challenges that we are facing my top priority is the safety of our residents by providing safe streets and sidewalks- I would support any initiative that would help in fixing our infrastructure and installing traffic calming tools and would continue collaborating with our police department to ensure that the city speed limit policy is enforced.
Most Pressing Street Safety Issue
What do you see as the single most pressing street safety issue in your ward (for ward council candidates) or in the city as a whole (for at-large candidates)? As a City Councilor, how would you address it?
Speeding on residential streets continues to be one of the most frequently raised concerns by residents citywide, particularly in areas near schools and playgrounds.
I would advocate for data-driven traffic calming measures, such as speed feedback signs, strategic stop sign placement, and street narrowing through paint and planters. I would also continue to support community engagement around safety, ensuring residents are part of identifying problem areas and shaping practical, equitable solutions. Ultimately, safety must remain a shared commitment — between city government, residents, and community partners.
As a City Councilor-at-Large, I remain deeply committed to ensuring that every Melrose resident — regardless of how they travel — feels safe, valued, and supported. Street safety is not just about infrastructure; it’s about community trust, inclusion, and shared responsibility.