Inaugural Address by Mayor Michael McGlynn

The following is the speech delivered by Medford Mayor Michael McGlynn during the inauguration ceremony on Monday, January 2, 2012. Headlines were added by the editor and were not originally part of McGlynn speech.

Citizens of Medford, honored guests, friends and family, we gather together having been challenged by world-wide economic conditions, rising costs and fewer revenues. Yet, in Medford we are inspired by optimism and defined by accomplishment.

I firmly believe that Medford has turned the corner. We have stemmed the tide of the greatest economic recession since the great depression. Together, we have created a vibrant economic base that has enabled Medford to be in its strongest financial position in many years. When we honestly reflect upon our accomplishments, we arrive at an unmistakeable conclusion; Medford is a great place in which to live.

Medford’s bond rating is A1. We refinanced our bonds, saving $3.2 million. We have accrued millions of dollars in reserves. A new health insurance plan will save the taxpayers $25 million.

Medford received a $270,000 grant and was designated a green community. Medford received The award for outstanding performance in recycling and sustainable practices, and we reduced our trash tonnage by 6,300 tons this year, saving the taxpayers $531,000.

We renegotiated our utilities contracts that will save $1.7 million over the next three years.

The Field of Dreams has provided tremendous opportunities for our athletes and has generated almost $600,000 in revenue to pay down the bond. We now operate the LoConte Rink and received $500,000 in grants for its rehabilitation.

Upcoming Capital Improvements

This community along the Mystic must now demonstrate leadership to rebuild our infrastructure, expand our tax base and provide the best in educational opportunities.

Today, I offer both an ambitious agenda for the term ahead and a challenge to the citizens to continue to help meet the demanding goals necessary for better government. While visionary leadership is a prerequisite to change … the people must actively participate for those changes to take root.

The plan for a capital improvement bond issue known as “chart the course,” is an investment program for the city’s future. The underlying framework for the plan emphasizes the strategic use of infrastructure to promote economic development, education, public safety, environmental initiatives and quality of life issues. It is expensive, yet affordable.

I have requested the City Council to hold three Committee of the Whole meetings, January 10th, 21st and 24th, to present and define each project. Many of these projects have been discussed in public meetings and I hope they will pass forthwith, for the betterment of this community.

It is important that everyone understand that the costs associated with the bond will result in tighter budgets with little room for expansion. The following will be recommended to the Council for approval:

Upgrading Technology in Medford’s Schools

This year, our schools will begin a major upgrade of its technological capacity. This initiative addresses all the key components recommended by the technology advisory committee and sets a foundation for an ongoing commitment to effective teaching and learning, including:

A wireless network throughout the district allowing for state of the art work stations for all teachers.

Wireless mobile computer carts allowing interactive classroom instruction and projection capabilities linked to the internet.

Libraries with additional workstations to accommodate group research along with additional computer labs to enable differentiated instruction.

Additional devices at all schools enabling universal access to all learners and administrative workstations upgraded to handle data management and reporting.

This 3.3 million dollar investment will allow our students to become familiar with the online course requirements, and facilitate their access to the expanding digital world.

Improvements to the Caron Theater at Medford High

We are rehabilitating the Marsha Caron theater at the high school. The improvements total $160,000, including the sound and lighting systems, reupholstered seats, new flooring, carpeting, theater curtains, and electrical updates.

Repairing the High School Pool

In recent years, $6 million dollars in expenditures have improved the buildings and grounds at Medford High School. We are now prepared to rebuild the pool. I will be requesting that $2.5 million be appropriated for the pool facility.

Turf Field at Hormel

Recently, we received a $500,000 grant to construct a turf field at Hormel Stadium and refurbish the rubberized track. To complete this project, we will use $50,000 from the billboard agreement and a bond appropriation of $350,000. The stadium will become a multi-use field for our athletes and be available for rentals to assist in paying down the bond.

New DPW Building

The Department of Public Works facility is a priority that will be funded partially with reserves and a bond. We are projecting the cost of construction to be $8 million. The sustainable design of this building will accommodate changes in operational needs leading to a more efficient operation of the department.

Tree Stump Removal and Sidewalk Repair

A period of harsh weather conditions in recent years has toppled trees, some were partially removed, leaving stumps throughout our city. When these stumps are removed, sidewalk replacement will be necessary. In order to aesthetically eradicate this situation, I will recommend a $500,000 appropriation.

Consideration of Police Station Improvements

Our police station’s functionality has been called into question. Is the building safe? To answer this question, I will request an appropriation of $250,000 for an assessment of the building to determine whether rehabilitation, expansion or new construction is necessary.

Fire Station Improvements

Recently, an analysis of our fire stations was completed. The report recommends action items to improve the functionality of our fire stations. I will propose approximately $2 million in improvements staggered over the next two years.

Our fire alarm system is inefficient and diverts resources from our electrical and fire departments on a daily basis. We intend to replace the master boxes at each of our stations and provide for solar street boxes in appropriate locations. This project will ensure an elevated level of safety and cost savings. I will ask for a bond appropriation of $200,000 for the new system.

Governors Avenue Parking Garage

The proposed Governors Avenue garage will include over 200 public parking spaces plus a dedicated moped and bicycle parking area. The design features traditional brick to complement the historic architecture of Medford square. Glass-enclosed stairs will anchor the two corners closest to High Street, with an elevator.

The facility will include four and a half parking levels, designed with generous openings for light, views and natural ventilation. The building also features energy-efficient LED lighting and has been designed to support future installation of solar panels. Site improvements include new sidewalks, planting areas and benches.

Although we will bond for the garage, the cost of the garage will be borne by the user and not the taxpayer. All estimates indicate the parking fees and the enforcement program will cover the bond payment, plus provide an additional surplus. In order to continue to expand our economic base, the garage is paramount to our success. Small businesses cannot survive without parking. Chevalier auditorium cannot be profitable without additional parking. The implementation of the Medford Square master plan cannot happen without parking. The long-term parkers will be removed from the streets, generating greater parking turnover for the consumers of Medford Square and produce additional revenues!

Brooks Estate

The Brooks Estate is a wonderful asset representing three hundred years of Medford’s history. This unique “jewel” offers Medford residents walking, birding, fishing and skating at the estate. M-belt’s master plan calls for the restoration of the Brooks Estate to maintain the estate’s natural and historic values. It provides a financial blueprint for self-sufficiency, based on capital investment by the city and amortization through function facility income. The same model on which the garage will be built. I will recommend bond funding, in the amount of $2.5 million dollars to rebuild the Carriage House and finish the manor.

Infrastructure Improvements Following the Bridge Replacement Project

I have finalized an agreement with the Department of transportation and JF White Corporation that recognizes their partnership with the city of Medford. In addition, to receiving (14) newly constructed bridge decks and soon a $5 million sound barrier, we have recently received nearly $200,000 in extra road work, h[andicapped] accessibility, crosswalks and striping. Medford will also receive an additional $250,000 worth of road reconstruction.

JF White will also resurface the parking lot at Hormel Stadium and contribute the balance of a $200,000. Commitment to build a dog park and a storage area for our Medford High crew team’s skulls while also providing beautification at the Salem Street rotary and the Webster Street bridge. Thank you Peter White and Governor Deval Patrick.

Verizon FIOS Hearing January 26

It is my pleasure to announce that we have an agreement in concept that can bring Verizon FIOS to Medford subject to a successful hearing that I will conduct at City Hall on January 26th. At this hearing, Verizon will lay out their qualifications to provide service. It must be clear that Verizon has only wired 71% of Medford and I will not sign a franchise unless there is a clause allowing for further negotiations to wire the remaining 29%.

Honoring Our Veterans

Medford will receive a check from the billboard agreement for $50,000 to honor Medford veterans who served during operation Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom. Plaques bearing the Medford veterans’ names will be added to our existing monuments at Honor Roll Park.

Mitigating Flooding in Certain Neighborhoods

The proposed improvements at Wrights Pond to alleviate major flooding in the adjacent neighborhood will feature both physical and operational improvements at the dam. The proposed improvements call for rehabilitation work to the dam itself, installing a new berm to divert water away from the homes, new debris racks, and an extensive modeling of the watershed.

For Meetinghouse Brook, which begins in the Fells and traverses through Medford toward the Mystic River, the improvements involve installation of a parallel drainage system that will carry the excess flows during heavy rain storms. This work includes replacing a 12 inch drain pipe with a 30 inch drain pipe and replacing the old culverts at the entrance to the Mystic River with larger culverts or a bridge. The city is also working with the town of Winchester to develop a system that will mitigate overflows from the town’s south reservoir. The total cost of these projects are nearly $2 million that I recommend be appropriated from the Water and Sewer Enterprise account.

Oak Grove Cemetery

We recognize clearly our duty and obligation to properly maintain Oak Grove Cemetery … the place of rest for those who have gone before us. We are seeking proposals to stabilize the cemetery maintenance building through the use of energy efficient measures compatible with the historical character of the building. We will also upgrade the public facilities in accordance with all accessibility standards. We shall upgrade the existing storage facility and consider replacing the existing garage for appropriate storage of maintenance equipment.

Parking Enforcement

With the goal of entering into a multi-year parking management program, we have reviewed proposals from private firms who are interested in providing services for the city that will also increase enforcement. A partial description of these services include:

Installation of wireless compatible multi-space meter hardware and software and operation of a multi-space and single system;

Operation and maintenance of parking management equipment for the planned garage and provisions for the distribution of parking permits;

Automated license plate recognition handheld hardware and software and sign design, installation, maintenance and outreach efforts;

Coin, bill, credit, debit, and smart card payment collection systems;

An enforcement program for parking violations and monthly permit parking system with online purchase capabilities.

Amidst the complexities of such a system, the city’s goal is simple, to ensure that our parking management system is fair and efficient. This system will amortize the costs and generate significant revenue to the city.

Looking Forward to the Future

I look forward with true optimism. I feel energized by all that lies ahead and invite everyone to enlist in our journey for a better Medford because this is the place we call home.

Let us each play a role in seeing that the essence of what we value here is preserved for our children and grandchildren. Let us bring to our private lives a sense of public duty … to be more than from this community … but to be a part of this community.

Moreover, let us not fear the future, but instead try to mold it to our liking; not indulge in pessimism, but invest in the opportunities which surround us. Let us create a coalition for progress to usher in a new era of accomplishment … characterized by hard work, common purpose and civility. Working together, we will not simply survive as a city; but we will prevail as a community. Thank you.