Melrose Candidate Profile: Christopher Sullivan For City Council

MELROSE, MA — With the Melrose Municipal Election scheduled for Nov. 7, Patch is profiling the candidates.

Here, we learn more about Christopher Sullivan, who is running for one of the four councilor-at-large seats on the Melrose City Council.

Sullivan has never held public office. He is an attorney who has been practicing for 37 years.

Candidates were sent questionnaires and filled out the answers.

Name

Christopher J. Sullivan

How old will you be as of Election Day?

I am a youthful 62!

Campaign website

https://sullivanformelrose.com

What city or town do you live in?

Melrose

What office are you seeking?

Melrose City Council At-Large

Please give us your party affiliation

Democrat

Education

Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, Washington, DC, J.D. (1986); Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut, B.A. (1983).

What is your occupation?

Attorney. I have been practicing for 37 years.

Family

I am a proud father of three children; Rowan, Molly and Christopher who are in their 20's.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

N/A.

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

No. I have not held office before. One of the reasons I am running is to bring new blood and new perspective to the Melrose City Council.

Why are you seeking this office?

It's time for a change in city leadership in Melrose and I would like to be part of that change. I have run a small business for the past 15 years and understand how difficult it can be to make hard financial decisions. I believe I can bring that insight to the City Council. Serving on the Saint Mary's Parish Council also allowed me to work with a larger constituency inside and outside of Melrose. Whether it's working with community groups concerned with development, historic preservation or simply coaching a baseball team, I have grown to know the Melrose community and believe it is worth fighting for.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is _____, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ensuring appropriate development in the city of Melrose. (i.e., size, height, design, sufficient parking and green space). I firmly believe that to maintain the unique characteristics of Melrose, we need to keep strong zoning ordinances in place.

Many families invest in Melrose through purchasing their first home — a significant investment — and commit to a community. Inappropriate large-scale development can negatively impact our quality of life and diminish that investment. The increase in traffic, pollution, density, congestion and the stress such development can put on our police and fire capabilities as well as our infrastructure is well documented.

I would like to work to lessen this impact with any development project. I have experience in this area making projects smaller and more livable and negotiating concessions from developers for municipal and nonprofit groups such as the Melrose Public Library, Melrose High School Permanent Scholarship Fund, Tri-City Community Action Program, Inc. (Homeless Outreach), Melrose Recreation Department, Melrose Arts Council, affordable housing and other mitigation factors on behalf of Melrose, Stoneham and Malden residents with development projects such as Pembroke Estates (Melrose/Malden), and Stoneham Executive Center (Melrose/Stoneham). This is what I can bring to the table with future development projects in Melrose.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I bring a fresh voice and perspective not having served on the City Council previously, which separates me from the incumbents. I also want to open up city government and make City Hall and the City Council more approachable. I am advocating for a public meeting once a month where residents can come to the City Council and voice any of their concerns regardless of any agenda or order. The current opportunity for public participation is limited. Some incumbents are opposed to this idea, and I wholeheartedly support it. I am also an ardent supporter of the Community Preservation Act (CPA), which I with other residents attempted to get passed on the old Board of Aldermen years ago but did not have the support. The CPA creates a mechanism for the funding of historic preservation, affordable housing, open space and outdoor recreational activities. Some of the other candidates are not in support of this initiative. Further, I support the Debt Exclusion for the repair and reconstruction, if necessary, of the Melrose Police and Fire Department stations. The police and fire departments deserve our respect and support. Finally, I am for responsible development as referenced in my prior answers, whereas many of the other candidates are for unchecked development.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

Please see my prior answer. Thank you.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Fiscal Responsibility
Melrose homeowners carry a heavy burden with rising property taxes. Many long-term older residents who have retired are on fixed incomes and struggle to keep up with the cost of living. The City of Melrose should do everything possible, including working with Melrose's state legislative team, to expand the senior tax exemption, for our seniors to lessen this burden.

Supporting Open Space
Melrose is fortunate to have the Fells Reservation a great natural resource at our doorstep. I have worked with the Friends of the Fells to limit development in the Stoneman/Melrose area and would continue to do so with the help of the mayor as well as the City Council in the future. The Community Preservation Act would provide funds for the purchase of other smaller open spaces when they become available in Melrose to increase the livability of our community.

Maintaining Over-Burdened Infrastructure
Our city’s infrastructure is overburdened and needs improvement. Whether it is catastrophic sewer failures, flooding, or poorly maintained roads. I would work with our state representatives on Beacon Hill to get the maximum amount of grants and financial support to find a long-term solution to the city’s needs.

Supporting Affordable Housing
I am an ardent supporter of the Community Preservation Act, which is a practical way in which real estate transactions can provide funds for the acquisition of open space, historic preservation as well as to provide for affordable housing. Melrose has a housing crisis. This is a concrete way to assist in creating affordable housing stock.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have run a small business for the past 15 years and understand how difficult it can be to make hard financial decisions. I believe I can bring that insight to the City Council. Serving on the Saint Mary's Parish Council also allowed me to work with a larger constituency inside and outside of Melrose. Whether it's working with community groups concerned with development, historic preservation or simply coaching a baseball team, I have grown to know the Melrose community and believe it is worth fighting for. I am an experienced civil litigation attorney who has tried more than 150 civil jury cases to conclusion. My insurance defense practice has led me to defend policy holders in state, federal and arbitration forums in a variety of negligence, breach of contract, and intentional tort civil actions. I have defended municipalities, town officials and school departments. My litigation practice includes construction contract, mechanics liens and other real estate matters. I have represented condominium associations, subcontractors and homeowners in zoning, design and construction disputes. I believe this unique mix of legal, community activism and running a small business has led me to develop skills that would be a benefit to the City Council.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Walk through life with a sense of humor, never forget your friends and keep it short!

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I love Melrose and am happy to call it my hometown! Please see my website sullivanformelrose.com.