Mayor Michael McGlynn’s Inaugural Address

“Over the past twenty-two years, I can still say ‘I love my job!'”

Today we join together at a time when the world’s economy, challenges our local way of life. Unemployment and home foreclosures are up, employee health care costs are rising, salary accounts challenged, while employee ranks are reduced, and revenues have been slashed by millions. As public servants, we are still called to deliver services in the midst of universal economic chaos from which there seems no timely escape.

As we begin the new decade, we know that we are blessed by the strength of our citizenry. We live in a community boasting a proud and important history. The Medford traditions of community service, neighborhood pride, moral consciousness and civic involvement will continue.

To ensure an appropriate level of services for our citizens, I accept responsibility to maximize resources, control costs, and provide innovative leadership. I accept these responsibilities and pledge to having renewed energy to manage the challenges that we face.

Public Safety

My commitment to our public safety sector has never waivered. The recent purchases of five new police cruisers, new radios and in-vehicle laptop computers, demonstrates the city’s commitment to provide the latest in technology for our officers. Additionally, a new 2010 Ford Explorer will be utilized for patrol supervisors. It will serve as a mini command post to respond to critical incidents.

The fire department will purchase two pieces of apparatus. A brush fire truck secured from a federal grant will be able to manuever into more remote locations. A state-of-the-art ladder truck encompassing the latest technology available to the fire service will be purchased soon. Firefighters will be provided the tools they need to do their jobs and offer protection of life and property.

Public Health

Maximizing revenues, our Board of Health continues to provide regional leadership. Medford is the host community for a $200,000 preparedness grant for the multi-city Mystic Valley Public Health Coalition. Medford is also the lead city, for H1N1 immunization for the Mystic Valley Health Coalition managing an additional grant of $250,158.

Energy and the Environment

The installation of the state’s first community scale wind turbine at a municipal school took place at the John J. McGlynn school. The wind turbine has produced over 72,000 kilowatt hours of emission-free wind power, offsetting over 90,000 pounds of carbon dioxide. It is a highly visible symbol of Medford’s commitment to renewable energy. The school children of Medford now talk about anemometers, nacelles, carbon footprints, kilowatt hours and greenhouse gas emissions as part of their curriculum.

Medford has received kudos for this project from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Mass Energy Consumers Alliance and by the Massachusetts Municipal Association.

Our Energy and Environment office will utilize $504,000 in stimulus funding to invest in a municipal energy plan. The funding will be leveraged with $377,565 of utility rebates, and $45,000 from the state totaling $926,565. The city anticipates to realize annual energy savings of $230,000, representing a decrease of 971,690 kilowatt hours of electricity usage, and a reduction of 690 metric tons of carbon emissions yearly.

The city has partnered with National Grid, to initiate “A Power to Save Program” at the Madeline Dugger Andrews School and we will start the program this month.

Department of Public Works

It is clear and unfortunate, that the Department of Public Works must do more with less. We must introduce the use of working smarter techniques and increased use of available technologies. For instance, we are prepared to place cameras in strategic areas of the city to fight illegal dumping and vandalism.

Our geographic information system will be expanded to provide Medford with a cutting edge approach to record and rely upon critical infrastructure information. We will continue our efforts to provide residents of our city direct access to meter readings via internet. This will provide real time water usage information and identify potential problem areas. Finally, this year, our second meter installation process will be fully available.

Six DPW vehicles were purchased, to meet operational requirements and provide snow plowing capabilities. The total cost of these vehicles was $224,670.00, creatively paid for by linkage funds. In addition, a new Toro Ground Master lawn mower was purchased which reduces the normal cutting time by 40%. DPW personnel installed 22 new bicycle racks citywide, to afford our residents the opportunity to “park” and secure their bicycles while reducing vehicular emissions.

In 2010, a plan to design and build a new DPW yard will be implemented, which will be both resident and environmentally “friendly”. This facility will address our residential needs such as accelerated composting, recycling, a paint shed and “drop off” capabilities.

Medford Public Schools

The Medford Public Schools continues to focus its efforts on providing all students with teaching and learning experiences, methodologies and strategies that will enable them to acquire skills for the twenty-first century. Our schools offer comprehensive programs that address the needs of the “whole child” by providing both strong academic coursework and a full complement of extra-curricular support services and activities. We have partnered with area institutions, negotiated beneficial contracts, and consolidated administrative services to achieve our goals. This year, Medford will acquire over $6 million in grants in support of education…again maximizing resources.

We have achieved record numbers of qualifying Advanced Placement test scores and AP scholar honor awards, obtained $1.6 million federal grant to support the teaching of American History, acquired a $900,000 federal grant to encourage physical fitness, developed online learning options for students and teachers. We have continued to provide an early childhood program drawing upon the Family Network, and the parent child home program, and we offer affordable after school programs. The Medford Public Schools are prepared to meet future needs and challenges.

Medford Square

Spring of 2010, will see the beginning of two major revitalization projects in Medford Square…the first phase is the Condon Shell revitalization plan and Phase I of the realignment of Clippership Drive.

Federal funds have been used for planning and permitting at Condon Shell park. A master plan for the area is complete, including a conceptual plan for a new shell. Work will include reconfiguration of the parking area, a new pathway, landscaping, benches, interpretive signage and a canoe launch. Construction will begin in April. Phase I activities will be funded by a federal grant of $550,000.00 and a signage grant of $40,000.00, from the Mass Environmental Trust.

The realignment of Clippership Drive in Medford Square is being bid on January 16h and we intend to begin construction this spring. The realignment of Clippership Drive from Main St to Riverside Ave includes safety improvements adjacent to the senior housing by reducing the curve in the roadway and increasing open space along the river.

Our new “Clippership” will feature a single lane of traffic, on-street parking, a new sidewalk, tree plantings, crosswalks and decorative lighting. The cost for construction is $2 million dollars, $1 million federal earmark, and $1 million in federal stimulus funds.

The construction of a garage in Medford Square is a necessary component for any meaningful revitalization efforts. To this end we have secured $800,000 in “more” funds for the design of a new parking facility and another $1.6 million in federal funds for construction. A feasibility and design study will begin by the end of this month.

Jobs and Businesses

We will continue to work with new and existing businesses to create job growth. Recently, Hoff’s Bakery worked with the city on tax incentives for its expansion which created (8) new jobs.

Salvatore’s Restaurant will expand their business to Medford Square, a venture that will create up to (60) new jobs. Biocell, a tissue bank and research facility, expanded its operations from Italy to Medford and now serves as the firm’s headquarters for the entire United States. They hope to triple their workforce in one year.

Station Landing continues to expand. “75 station landing”, a 168 unit “green” design building was recently completed and includes affordable units. In the spring, Margaritaville Mexican restaurant will open, creating an additional (50) jobs.

Harrows Chicken Pies expanded their operation to Medford. a kidney dialysis center is filing an application for site plan review for a facility on Mystic Avenue. An assisted living facilty plans to file building permits this spring to build a facility that provides care for seniors and will also create jobs.

River’s Edge

In government, it’s all about vision. The former site of what is now River’s Edge was a 90% stained brownsfields, truly an environmental nightmare. It provided a haven for illegal dumpers and with a collection of dilapidated buildings caused blight upon the Wellington neighborhood.

After a decade of hard work by many, River’s Edge has become an economic and environmental reformation. The reconstruction of River’s Edge Drive was accomplished with a $10 million state grant. The comprehensive development also provided for the replacement of eight acres of land on which the McGlynn and Andrews schools were built … these eight acres came at no cost to the city, and now a park exists at rivers edge.

This project has allowed for the expansion of the city’s tax base, created 400 construction jobs, provides us an athletic field, and provided for the birth of our high school crew team. $15 million was acquired to clean the property from the state and federal governments.

At River’s Edge, the first LEED certified office building has been built, while two additional buildings are planned. This week, Marriott, will complete the relocation of its northeastern United States sales office to Medford, bringing with it 150 jobs. A luxury 222 unit residential complex has also been completed at River’s Edge including amenities such as a gym, pool, theater, teaching kitchen, and (34) affordable units.

All of this positive development has been accomplished without one penny of financial strain to Medford’s budget. The only project more financially beneficial than this one was the purchase of 49 acres of land at Hormel Stadium for a dollar and the resulting construction of our two new schools.

Working Together to Make Medford a Better Place to Live

In government, there is always some level of lively debate. That was true in 1630, when early settlers were debating whether to stay here or move on. It happened in 1892, when Medford debated whether it should be split into the village of brooks and the town of Medford or should it become one city. Recently, somewhat contentious debates focused on new schools, River’s Edge, Station Landing or the wind turbine. But the fact remains that input from neighborhoods, elected officials, and the business community were essential for real progress to be achieved. I have always welcomed full disclosure and lively discussion with the ultimate goal of making the city of Medford a better place to live and work.

Our agenda is ambitious and is in concert with my leadership style. This will not change. I am proud to say that working with our employees, citizens and elected officials, true leadership has brought much success to Medford. Over the past 22 years, I can still say, “I love my job!”

Increasing Recycling

Over the course of the next three months, I am motivated by our agenda. I will soon begin negotiations to provide for more solar compacting trash barrels, allowing us to cut trash pick up at many locations by 80%. I will continue to work with the recycling commission to develop a containerized system for recycling. Our goal is to increase the recycling rate from a relatively low 13% by developing a single stream system. The new system will provide economic benefits by reducing trash volume, while increasing recycling opportunities. We aim to implement a system by July 1st.

New Fields, Re-Opened Pool for the High School

I will continue to work with the Medford City Council on the “Field of Dreams” proposal to build artificial turf fields in Medford, to preserve athletic opportunities and provide modern and safe facilities for our student athletes. I intend to sign a contract for the design of a new playing field at Hormel Stadium. And I will continue to meet parents concerned about the condition of the Medford High School pool. Together we must develop a managerial and construction plan for the re-opening of the pool.

Traffic Enforcement

Soon, I will present my recommendations for a new enhanced traffic enforcement program.

City Employees

Working with employees, I will continue my efforts to save jobs and maintain services by reviewing employee contracts and health insurance costs for city and school employees.

Fighting for Local Funding

I will continue to tirelessly lobby Capitol Hill and Beacon Hill for financial relief as we develop our FY2011 budget.

Green Line Extension

I have continually met with state officials and have advised them that i will work with them to implement a workable plan which recognizes the rights of abutters as the Greenline expands to Medford. Tomorrow afternoon, I will release my comments on the draft environmental impact report to Secretary Ian Bowles of the Office of Energy and Enviornmental Affairs concerning all aspects of expansion in Medford.

Concluding Remarks

In conclusion, i wish to thank you, the citizens of Medford for entrusting me to serve as your mayor once again. Thank you also to the employees for the great job you do everyday and to my fellow elected officials, thank you for your service to our city, state and nation.

Make no mistake about it; Medford is a great community. Together we stand ready to face any challenge put in our path. Our bond rating remains at an “A+” with Standard and Poors and an “A3” with Moody’s. We have built on our reserves. We have not suffered the massive layoffs, schools and fire stations closing or high fees that many communities have experienced. While communities have attempted 4,400 times to override prop 2 ½, we have never, and according to a recent survey, we have a much kinder tax rate than most of our neighbors.

We celebrate our diversity. We encourage compassion. We are a city of hope and opportunity. We honor all of our veterans and pray for those currently serving all over the world. Let us not fear the future, not indulge in pessimism, but invest in the opportunities which surround us.

If we continue to work together, we will not simply survive as a city, we will prevail as a community, characterized by hard work, sacrifice and civility.

My commitment to each and every one of you is to provide leadership that works for Medford. I humbly seek your support and understanding. Thank you all very much. Happy New Year and may God continue to bless the USA.