Melrose Candidate Profile: Ryan Williams For City Councilor At Large

MELROSE, MA — The municipal election is fast approaching in Melrose, and At-large City Council is one 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.

Ryan Williams is running for reelection in Melrose.

Age

46

Position sought

City Councilor At-Large

Party affiliation

Democrat

Family

Married with two children in Melrose Public Schools (elementary and middle school).

Education

BA in Journalism

Occupation

Nonprofit Fundraiser

Previous or Current Elected Office

City Councilor, At-Large. Previously, City Councilor, Ward 7

Campaign Website

RyanForMelrose.com

Why are you seeking elected office?

I'm seeking re-election for the position of councilor at-large because our city needs experienced leadership, and regardless of the outcome, I'll bring experienced oversight and a proven track record of working together across political boundaries to continue fighting for schools, city services, and programs that support all residents and uphold dignity and respect for everyone in Melrose.

For nearly a decade, I’ve worked to make Melrose safer and more sustainable, from fixing sidewalks and calming traffic to supporting zero-emission fleet vehicles and renewable energy in schools. I've been immensely proud of the continued progress we've made together, but there's much more work still to be done. With my experience as a ward and at-large councilor, signature transparency, and bias for action, I'm ready to help guide our city and our city council forward.
The single most-pressing issue, and what I intend to do about it.

Our city’s most urgent challenge is the budget crisis. That's why I'm proud to support the grassroots effort to pass the first override in 6 years, with words and also with actions. Many residents understand that inflation and an unsteady economy are hitting their own finances, but the effect of rising costs on our city's budget is less straightforward. Rising costs, from contracts and utilities to materials and fuel, are straining our budget in unpredictable ways. Weekly tariff announcements don't help. We also face an annual pension cost increase, reaching $4.5 million per year by 2035. As a city councilor, I've approved years of budget cuts and put resident priorities on hold to try and stall for lower interest rates, lower inflation, or a more stable economy, but we are simply out of time and ignoring the problem is no longer an option.

I’ll keep supporting override efforts, pursue grant funding like our participation in a $10 million street safety program I introduced in 2024, and make hard, transparent choices to prioritize essential needs, just as I argued to redirect $250,000 to close the last teacher’s contract gap. I hope Melrose votes yes on the override so we can fully fund priorities like housing, schools, safety, green space, and public health. If you’re undecided, please reach out to City Councilors to learn more: https://www.cityofmelrose.org/513/City-Council.

One councilor alone cannot fix our city's budget problems. We need a council that is ready to work together, leading with kindness and compassion. No amount of pressure, questioning, or criticism will materialize the millions of dollars we need to stabilize our finances. The time for factions is over. I urge every resident to look at every name on their ballot, ward councilor or at-large, and ask themselves who's ready to make the most out of the next two years.

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

I bring nearly a decade of experience working with residents across four mayoral administrations. I’m known for candor, transparency, and action that produces visible results for residents, because none of it matters if we aren't making positive changes people can see in their everyday lives. In the four years I've served on the city council, I've talked a lot about the safety, health, and economic benefits of making Melrose a truly safe and walkable city. But talk is cheap - I lead bike buses to school, meet with residents, and fight for practical fixes. I prioritize safety and resident needs as a member of the Traffic Commission, the Boston Region's Vision Zero task force, and a local leader on the issue at the City Council. I work across divides and without regard to politics, discarding assumptions and breaking through divisions to find common goals we can agree on to move our city forward. I apply this approach to every issue and aim to serve on a collaborative, independent council that puts residents first.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Beyond safe, walkable streets and sound budgets, I want to expand citizen participation through active committees and resident working groups like the Public Safety Building Committee and Financial Task Force, and the long-promised Vision Zero Commission that can take on the work of better managing traffic problems and boosting street safety to maximum benefit for residents. I'm a strong supporter of our public spaces, like parks and conservation lands, and I would support a ballot initiative to join the Community Preservation Act, which adds a very small tax surcharge (with low-income households and seniors exempt) to unlock 30% state matching funds, protect against 40B developments, and could provide over $1 million in state and local funding for local projects.

The best advice ever shared with me was

Don't measure success only by what you finish, but also by what you start for others to continue.

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

City Councilors are part-time volunteers who meet year-round to serve our city. With 11 members, most Council actions need six to eight votes to pass, with spending and ordinance changes needing the higher threshold. Getting 8 people to agree on anything is challenging enough, and it's even harder when political pressure comes into play. When candidates and councilors resort to disparagement and insults, it creates divisions that undermine their goals. If re-elected, I’ll focus on collaboration, mentorship, and maintaining a respectful, productive council that puts residents first.

See Also:

Melrose Candidate Profile: Camarie Clark For School Committee

Melrose Candidate Profile: Melissa Holleran For School Committee