Melrose Election 2019: 2 Choices, 1 Big Issue In Ward 3

MELROSE, MA — As Frank Wright prepares to step away from the City Council after nearly 15 years, two political newcomers are jostling for position to succeed him. Jim Bennett and Robb Stewart are both looking to take what they say are the next step in their lives of public service by joining what will be a new-look City Council

Ward 3, which covers the smallest geographic area of any of Melrose's seven wards, has one big city-sized issue: What do to with the Beebe School.

That fact doesn't escape either candidate, and they know it's not a simple solution.

"The Beebe School is definitely a great opportunity for us from the standpoint of helping a lot of the increased number of kids that are entering the school system," Stewart said. "I think the goal is to make it easier for parents, not more difficult."

Thus, he would like to see it become a neighborhood school. But Stewart, an analytical mind who works in finance and ran a chess program at the Lincoln School, knows that there are variables involved.

"The big three pieces," he said, "are going to be: How do you pay for it? How do you control the traffic and safety around the school? And how do you channel the different people who are already in a school system and redistrict them into the Beebe School?"

Bennett isn't ready to commit to how the school should be used, but that's because he says the choice isn't his — it belongs to the residents. He wants a focus group consisting of Ward 3 residents, parents and Beebe School abutters, and he'll "stand with how the residents of the ward will stand on it."

"Should it become a neighborhood school it'll require a specific investment from the people in Melrose, but particularly Ward 3," Bennett, who attended the Beebe, said.

Then, of course, there's traffic. It doesn't take a City Councilor to know road congestion is a significant neighborhood issue.

"Every street is a different story. Everyone is always concerned about the quality of roads," Bennett said. "And also in Ward 3 there are a number of streets that are cut-throughs to get to Lynn Fells Parkway and West Wyoming. I'm not traffic engineer and can't look at each street and say this is the best solution to the problem, but I'm a good listener."

Indeed he is. Bennett inputs resident concerns into a database after he speaks with them on the campaign trail.

Stewart agrees that whoever is elected will have to "come up with creative solutions" to address neighborhood traffic; he often hears concerns about sidewalks.

"Traffic safety — not necessarily road conditions, but traffic safety — comes up time and time again with families I speak to as well as the elderly," he said. "The rate and density of traffic is an ongoing issue."

Both candidates are deeply entrenched in the city.

Read Patch letters from each candidate announcing candidacy: Jim Bennett | Robb Stewart

Stewart said he has been an active member in the community, with a daughter in the school system and having volunteered at the Lincoln. He said his involvement has forged connections with parents and community members over three decades.

"My background adds valuable tools to the Council," he said.

Bennett has been the Chairman of the Melrose Historical Commission the last four years and has been on the Library Building Committee since 2016.

Bennett and Stewart touch on a lot of issues: affordability, seniors, development. They both contend that what ties them together are people.

"If we a have a view in the city that is inclusive of everyone out there we can create a really harmonious place," Bennett said.

The election is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Subscribe to Patch for free for more previews and live updates.

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