Mayor Looks to Councilor for New Budget Director

| January 11, 2011 | City Council, City Hall | No Comments

Story Updated 10:03PM Tuesday, January 11, 2011

– Allison Goldsberry

Mayor Michael McGlynn today announced his intention to appoint City Councilor Stephanie Muccini Burke as Director of Budget and Personnel. Councilor Muccini Burke would replace long-time mayoral aide Richard Lee, who recently passed away.

“Stephanie Muccini Burke is very well respected in the financial arena. She has been a leader in Medford government and Councillor Muccini Burke has mastered the City budget. She would be a tremendous asset as the Budget Director,” said Mayor McGlynn.

“I am eager to jump in. It certainly will be challenging, but I am familiar with how things go on in municipal finance, as well as the finances of private corporations,” Councilor Muccini Burke told Boston.com.

Councilor Muccini Burke is a 1980 graduate of Medford High School and received her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Suffolk University. She also received her Masters in Taxation from Bentley University and has been a practicing Certified Public Accountant since 1987. She currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer for a local event rental company and previously worked as a Tax Manager for a “Big 8” accounting firm.

According to Mayor McGlynn, in order for Councilor Muccini Burke to accept the position, it is necessary for the Medford City Council to first pass a home rule petition to be approved by the General Court and then signed by the Governor. She would have to resign as a City Councilor.

According to City Clerk Ed Finn, if Councilor Muccini Burke resigns from the City Council, the candidate from the November 2009 election who basically came in eighth for the seven-seat Council will fill in for the remainder of the term. That candidate was Mark Arena.

“I am honored at the prospect of serving as a Medford City Councilor. I am ready to serve and look forward to working with my colleagues on the Council on behalf of the citizens of Medford,” said Arena.

The next municipal election is November 2011.