Politics & Government
Melrose Election 2019: For A Change, Ward 1 Will Decide On Change
Alanna Nelson is the second challenger to John Tramontozzi in his 14 years representing Ward 1. He says he still has things to accomplish.
MELROSE, MA — The City Council will see anywhere from one to four returning members next year. An incumbent faces a challenger in only two ward races — including Ward 1, where longtime Alderman-turned-City Councilor John Tramontozzi has an opponent in spunky newcomer Alanna Nelson.
It's only the second time Tramontozzi has been challenged since beating incumbent George Doyle in 2005; Tramontozzi got 62 percent of the vote in defeating Joseph Musto in 2015.
With Peter Mortimer leaving the Council, Tramontozzi would be the second-longest serving member if he and Ward 4 Councilor Bob Boisselle are re-elected, something he thinks is important to consider.
Find out what's happening in Melrosefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"I think we'll need some leadership in the new Council and I think somebody with my experience and knowledge and my presence — a senior statesperson — to at least guide the City Council with its new members," Tramontozzi told Patch. "But believe me, I'm enthused about the energy of all the candidates that are running."
One of the most energetic is the woman eyeing his seat. Nelson sees the change coming in Melrose — there will be a new mayor to go along with an almost entirely new City Council — and she thinks it's time Ward 1 residents have a viable option other than Tramontozzi.
Find out what's happening in Melrosefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"I certainly thank John on the work that he's done, but in this time that we've got a lot of change going on it makes sense that Ward 1 has a choice," Nelson told Patch. "I've been an advocate and volunteer a lot around town and I'd like to be part of that change."
Nelson has indeed been active over the last decade and a half. She is the Melrose Energy Commission co-chair and sat on the Melrose Cultural Council and High School Site Council.
Not that Tramontozzi hasn't been busy over that time. He's sat on the Council for as long as Nelson's lived in Melrose (the Wisconsin native came from Italy in 2005,) having a hand in much of the legislation passed since then.
"I think I'm an effective leader and I accomplish things," Tramontozzi said.
Like many of the new candidates, Nelson is running on a platform heavily promotes on accessibility and responsiveness. Her campaign site promises to "Respond promptly to your emails and letters. Hold 20 listening sessions during 2020. Send a bimonthly email newsletter to interested residents."
Nelson also hopes to push for a cultural district designation for part of Melrose, highlighting areas like the Upham House, Follow Your Art Community Studios, Memorial Hall, Beebe Estate and more. Being designated as a cultural district — there are nearly four dozen in Massachusetts, as nearby as Arlington Center — opens the city up for technical assistance from the Mass Cultural Council, including making sure Melrose would be in a good position to receive state funding.
"It's a way to brand the city," Nelson said. "A low cost way for the city to show that it values its historic and cultural resources."
Tramontozzi is also committed to the arts, he said. His four daughters went through music training — his youngest is at the Manhattan School of Music — and he sings bass in the Polymnia Choral Society.
But the reality is many voters choose ward representatives to tackle much less exotic day-to-day topics — like traffic. In Ward 1, which has Franklin Street as well as some of Main Street and the Lynn Fells Parkway, it's always on residents' minds.
Tramontozzi said his relationships with the department heads, including Police Chief Mike Lyle, have helped bolster safety in an increasingly busy area. He knows more needs to be done.
"I love this city," Tramontozzi said. "This is my city for life. I have my own [law] office here. And I think that makes a difference."
One thing Tramontozzi would like to accomplish is increase the number of crossing guards — and increasing their pay. He said he would push for crossing guards to be moved from the school jurisdiction to the police jurisdiction, where he believes they could get more funding.
Nelson also lives through the traffic issue: Crossing the road in some places is just too difficult.
"No matter how you're getting around town, we have to make it as safe as possible," she said, while saying the city should try for small Department of Transportation grants for things like crosswalks on major roads.
The election is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Subscribe to Patch for free for more previews and live updates.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
