Melrose Candidate Profile: Devin Romanul For City Council

MELROSE, MA — The municipal election is fast approaching in Melrose, and City Council has some of the most contested races.

Melrose Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles leading up to November.

Devin Romanul is running for reelection as Ward 7 City Councilor in Melrose.

Age

41

Position Sought

Melrose City Council, Ward 7

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

Devin lives in Ward 7 with his wife, Abbie, their three children — Jack, Ellie, and Charlie — and their dog, Bruce.

Education

Master’s Degree in Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School; Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, Trinity College.

Occupation

Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships at FUSE Corps, a national nonprofit that helps large city governments design and launch new programs. I also co-own a cocktail subscription business, Raising the Bar, with my wife.

Previous or Current Elected Office

Melrose City Councilor, Ward 7 (since 2024).

Campaign Website

DevinFor7.com

Why are you seeking elected office?

My vision is to make Ward 7 and Melrose the best place in America to raise a family. I’m running for re-election because I believe city government works best when it’s transparent, accessible, and focused on solving real problems. Over the past two years, I’ve built a track record of listening, delivering tangible results, and communicating clearly about how our city works. I want to continue that work and keep building a Melrose that works for families.

The single most-pressing issue facing our city is ________, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Melrose's most pressing challenge is our budget. Our city's costs, from health insurance premiums to road materials to special education, are rising far faster than our revenues. Melrose, and Ward 7 in particular, faces an enormous challenge maintaining essential services. I want to see a city that provides a world class education to all students, paves roads within their actual lifespan, and provides high quality and responsive emergency services.

In addition to supporting additional override revenue, I'm determined to ensure that our Ward's priorities are front and center during the budgeting process. That’s why I’ve focused on community-driven budgeting, conducting the first ever universal budget survey to highlight residents’ priorities. I used that input to advocate for funding that reflects what matters most: safe streets, quality schools, and strong neighborhoods. FInally, I believe that radical transparency is required to engender deeper trust with Ward 7's residents. That's why I document video summaries of every dollar our city spends in real time, so residents can track where our dollars are going as the budget cycle unfolds.

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

My multiple decades of local government experience is enormously helpful in doing this job well. In my two years as a Councilor, I have also proven that going above and beyond on both community engagement and radical transparency, Ward 7 has seen concrete investments from the city. I believe that now more than ever, city leadership is about respect, facts, and results. I don’t engage in name-calling or spreading misinformation; I focus on listening and solving problems.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Roads & Infrastructure: I’ve worked to secure funding for new sidewalks, flood mitigation, and street upgrades across Ward 7, including planning dollars for a full rebuild of Lebanon Street and matching funds for a $1M FEMA grant to tackle flooding at Sylvan & Lebanon.

Public Safety: I support investments in our fire, police, and emergency services to ensure response times remain fast and facilities stay modern.

Potholes: I ran every step of every street in Ward 7 (20 miles total) in one day, documenting and repairing dozens of potholes across our neighborhood.

Transparency & Civic Education: Through my budget recap videos and public updates, I’ve made it easier for Ward 7 residents to understand how city government spends their money.

Family-Friendly Melrose: As a father of three, I’m focused on maintaining great schools, parks, and playgrounds: the things that make Melrose special for families.

The best advice ever shared with me was ________.

Decisions are made by those who show up.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I grew up in Massachusetts and I’ve spent my entire career in public service: from advocating for stronger child welfare and behavioral health funding at the State House, to helping cities across the country build programs that create real opportunity. I've had the privilege of raising and deploying over $55 million in resources to help large American cities build additional capacity to better serve their residents.

Here in Melrose, I have volunteered in my kids' schools, coached youth sports, volunteered on the energy commission, and launched a small business with my wife, Abbie. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made, from new sidewalks and playgrounds to flood mitigation and street repairs. Making local government work is the cause of my life; having that professional experience be of service to the residents of Ward 7 is a privilege, and I’d be honored to earn your vote. Please learn more about my plans for Melrose at DevinFor7.com.

See Also:

Melrose Candidate Profile: Camarie Clark For School Committee

Melrose Candidate Profile: Melissa Holleran For School Committee

Melrose Candidate Profile: Ryan Williams For City Councilor At Large