Melrose Year In Review: 2019's Defining Moments

Excuse the dramatics, but 2019 might have been the most impactful year in recent Melrose history. Here's a look at some of the top stories that made it so:

'Yes' Movement Carries Melrose Override Special Election

Melrose finally passed its override, more than three years after one asking for less than half the money was voted down by a 2-to-1 margin.

Melrose Elects Paul Brodeur, 8 New City Councilors In Shake-Up

Melrose elected only its second new mayor this century. Meanwhile, a major storyline in 2020 will be how an almost entirely new City Council works with Brodeur's administration — the relationship between the outgoing Council and the last administration had soured by the end.

Melrose Retires 'Aldermen' For Gender-Neutral Titles

The last Board of Aldermen in Massachusetts in Melrose voted to strip itself of the title in favor of the more gender-neutral City Council.

Cleanup On Brazil Street: Mess For Melrose Just Beginning

If there's one thing Melrose officials would like to forget, it's what happened on Brazil Street. But if there's one thing they shouldn't forget, it's what happened on Brazil Street. The fallout from this story will be felt for years as Melrose seeks an answer for its ancient, sprawling sewage infrastructure — and how to make whole the residents who have been on the wrong side of a backup.

Also:

• Inside The Fractured Relationship At Core Of Brazil Street Impasse
• Melrose 'Irresponsible' After Sewage Disaster, Residents Say
• Melrose Admits 'Glitches In Our System' After Brazil Street Crisis
• Melrose Emergency Fund Flush, But Barely Tapped For Brazil Street
• Inspections Of Brazil Street Homes Show E. Coli, Coliform
• Brazil Street Residents Upset With City Over Sewage Disaster
• Melrose Mayoral Candidates Comment On Brazil Street Situation
• MacMaster Applies Pressure In Melrose's Brazil Street Response
• First Board Meeting Since Brazil Street Revelations Is Quiet One

Melrose's Rising Eagle Raises Eyebrows With Extra Fee

It's just 5 percent, you say? This generated perhaps more discussion than any other single Melrose Patch story this year.

Melrose's Caruso Building Finally Got New Lease On Life

The dirty little secret of Melrose's charming little downtown is how many empty storefronts have popped up and how long they stay dormant. Nothing exemplifies the problem more than this old pizza shop, and even a For Lease sign hasn't changed anything.

School Committee On The Clock With Beebe School Decision

December was initially set to be a resolution to the Beebe situation. Instead it appeared to be the beginning of another long process, one that will be a defining issue in 2020.

Superintendent Cyndy Taymore Announces Retirement

"The beginning of an end of an era," School Committee Chairman Ed O'Connell said.

Cafe Nero Gives Jolt To Old Moynihan Plaza

This, along with a new person working to get the Coffee, Tea & Me spot back up and running, was some measure of progress.

Major Development Proposed At MMTV Building

Think the other projects were big? This one would take the cake.

D'Amici's Owners Blame 'Hidden' Issues After Abrupt Closure

The previous owners said the business was "thriving," leaving many to ask how the popular bakery went downhill so fast under new ownership.

Ice Cream In, Donuts Out

Some weren't happy with the way Honey Dew abruptly closed, but we've seen many smiling faces at the ice cream parlor that replaced it.

New-Look Buckalew's Rebounds Quickly

One of the most popular stores in town didn't need to long to start thriving in a new home.

Plastic Straws Become Request-Only As Melrose Cracks Down

Plastic straws aren't banned in Melrose, but restaurant and coffee shop patrons now need to specifically request them.

Former Melrose Principal Killed In Hit-And-Run

Allison Donovan, 40, was struck and killed in a Somerville crosswalk in February.

Crime

• Melrose Man Kills His Dog With Rock, Buries It: Police
• Footprints In Snow Lead Melrose Police To Suspect
• Undelivered Amazon Packages Found Trashed In Melrose
• Melrose Level 3 Sex Offender Arrested After Watching Female: Police
• A Melrose Mom OD'd 1 Day Out Of Rehab. Her Dealer Pleaded Guilty
• Man Arrested After Firing Gun In Drug Deal With Juveniles: Police