City-wide issues need city-wide solutions. As a Councillor At Large, I focus on plans, policies and practices to address shared problems and pursue big ideas. We want a city where:

  • People can afford to raise a family, buy a house, and grow old in place
  • A healthy environment and energy-efficient buildings protect us from the climate crisis
  • Anyone can get a great education, start a career or launch a business
  • Parks, libraries and community events bring people together
  • Everyone, no matter who they are, can be safe and get help when they’re in crisis
Aerial view of Malden, facing south with the Boston skyline in the background

Climate Action/Sustainability

As chair of our Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Commission, climate and environmental issues are a top priority. We are creating Climate Action Plan to make sure our community is ready for rising temperatures and worsening storms, that we’re doing our part to protect our planet by lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and we’re focused on environmental justice for our most vulnerable neighbors.

  • Led the process and received city approval for Malden Community Electricity Plan (waiting on state approval
  • Leading the charge to crate a city-wide Climate Action Plan, supported with grant-funded consultants
  • Helped write a grant for $60,000 per year for Mass Save’s Community First Partnerships to do outreach to help homes and business get energy efficiency projects funded through Mass Save
  • Supported new city compost program through Black Earth, working with Clr. Amanda Linehan
  • On the planning team for Green Malden Fair 2023
  • Advocated for increased tree planting and maintenece through a city-wide tree strategy working with Tree Warden, and for Malden to qualify for the Greening the Gateway Cities program
  • Work closely with city staff, including the new Sustainability & Grants Manager, and the Green Malden initiative
  • Voted for Conservation Commission bylaws, essential for protecting the Malden River
  • Serves as Malden’s appointee to the Mystic River Watershed Association EPA Air Quality Project
  • Support the Malden River Works climate resilience project
Workers use a paver machine to pave a street

Infrastructure

When it comes to city leadership, it really matters that we get the basics right for our infrastructure. It’s important for safety, accessibility, and quality of life. We need to work on the backlog of essential city services – repairing streets, improving sidewalks, addressing concerns about trash and recycling, removing lead pipes, and improving bikeways.

  • Voted for $6 million more for road paving
  • Voted for $2 million more to remove harmful lead pipes
  • Advocated for city-wide approach to street paving and prioritization, including new pavement condition assessment survey
  • On core planning team for the Spot Pond Brook Greenway multiuse path, started by Clr. Ryan O’Malley
A small park in the city with plans, a mural, people sitting on benches, and small colorful play equipment.

Language Access

Maldonians speak seven major languages (Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish, Haitian Creole, Vietnamese, Arabic, English), and we need to engage people from every neighborhood and every background in our decisions. This means welcoming diverse voices to the table to imagine and work together:

  • Worked with Rep. Steve Ultrino to get a $75,000 earmark for translation and interpretation
  • Sponsored first Chinese-language town hall meeting
Black Lives Matter banner, attached to the Malden Unitarian Universalist Church sign

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

I’m committed to fighting racism and oppression to create a fully inclusive community.

Looking down the street on the sidewalk in front of city hall, multistory buildings across the street

Fiscal Leadership

As chair of the Finance Committee in 2023, I am committed to transparent financial decisions and responsible stewardship that sets the stage for a sustainable financial future.

  • Leading transparent annual budgeting process, with option for residents to watch online
  • Member of the Long Term Financial Strategy & Planning Committee
  • Held Finance Committee hearing on how the City is spending $47 million in one-time Federal stimulus funds (ARPA site)
  • Working closely with Sen. Jason Lewis and city staff to address concerns about Malden’s required local contributions for education funding, identifying ways in which Chapter 70 funding could better account for Malden’s tax base and ability to pay
Row of houses on a small street, van parked out front

Affordable, Attainable Housing

With housing prices going up so fast, we need more options that maintain the neighborhoods we love. That means more solutions for actually affordable housing in the lower and mid-levels of the market, to make it easier to create the housing we need. Renters need support and protection from absentee landlords who don’t play fair.

A Malden fire truck with the door open is in a parking lot

Health & Safety

Everyone deserves to be safe. Our community needs partnerships for more mental health, addition services, and public health resources. We need more options for emergency response when you dial 911, like mental health professionals and crisis workers, and transparent accountability for law enforcement.

Mural of an open hand in the sky with clouds, a rainbow ribbon with music notes rises up from it

Community Events & Culture

Our public spaces and events bring the community together. Investing in cultural events and public art celebrates what makes Malden beautiful and unique. The Malden Library is a great resource, and we should expand library access across the city.

  • Helped plan first ever May-plewood Fest to as a member of the Future of Maplewood Square Committee.
  • Provided sponsorship at community events, including Malden PorchFest, Malden Pride, and Forestdale PTO events
  • Advocated for increase library funding; now, the Malden Public Library no longer needs a waiver to meet state-required minimum funding

Photo credits Sunish Oturkar