Council Supports Street Dedication for Former Mayor

insidemedford | February 12, 2008 | City Council, City Hall | No Comments

Marilyn Porreca – Allison Goldsberry

Medford’s first female mayor and city councilor won’t soon be forgotten.

The Medford City Council voted Tuesday night to dedicate the corner of Maverick Street in honor of Marilyn Porreca, who passed away last week.

Several of the councilors recalled the popular elected official as a friend as well as a colleague.

“Everybody had a welcome place at her table…Everyone had access to Marilyn and she took care of everyone,” said City Councilor Frederick Dello Russo, Jr.

Porreca served as a secretary to Dello Russo’s father while he was mayor, and Dello Russo said Porreca inspired him to enter public service.

Both City Councilors Robert Penta and Robert Maiocco served with Porreca on the Council for several years and both had fond words for their former friend and colleague.

“She was a special person in my life,” said Councilor Penta.

Councilor Penta first got to know Porreca when her cousin, Mayor Michael McGlynn, ran against Penta in a state representative race. Councilor Penta said Porreca always “injected humor into her politics.”

Councilor Maiocco, who offered the resolution to dedicate the street corner in her name, said Porreca’s personality and sense of fairness often led to her phone ringing off the hook.

“If you went to her house, the phone would never stop ringing,” said Councilor Maiocco.

Porreca’s popularity, while recalled fondly by the councilors, could have potentially posed a threat, joked one councilor who got to know her through his aunt’s friendship with Porreca.

“We’re the luckiest people in the world she moved down to Marshfield…if she were still here she’d still be topping the ticket,” said City Councilor Paul Camuso.

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