Newton Inaugurates Its Newest Leader

NEWTON, MA — Marc Laredo was inaugurated as Newton’s newest mayor on Thursday.

The lifelong Newton resident and 40-year practicing attorney defeated opponent Albert Cecchinelli Jr. last November in a race that was not particularly close, with Laredo receiving more than 75 percent of the vote. Before becoming the 32nd mayor, Laredo served on the city’s City Council and School Committee. He succeeds Ruthanne Fuller, who chose not to run for reelection after an eight-year tenure.
Both local and state leaders were in attendance for Laredo’s swearing ceremony at City Hall on Commonwealth Ave., including Gov. Maura Healey and Chief Justice Kimberly S. Budd. Laredo’s inauguration speech centered around three main goals he and his administration are hoping to achieve.

The first goal, which has to do with education, is about improving the public school district by working with educators and using financial resources available to maximize Newton students’ success.

“Our responsibility is to prepare our children for success as adults: a mastery of basic and more complex skills; resiliency to face life’s challenges; and the ability to be life-long learners,” Laredo said. To do that, we must promote academic excellence and challenging coursework, offer outstanding extracurricular activities, and ensure that every child feels welcome, safe, and secure in an inclusive school environment.”

The second goal of Laredo is to ensure that all city services are operating with as much efficiency as possible such as emergency services, roadway improvements, and trash and recycling.

“We will constantly be finding ways to do even better. It means listening to and working with existing and new businesses to make Newton a welcoming and inviting place. It means using technology to make us more efficient, and data to drive decision-making, “Laredo said. “It means being transparent with every decision we make and engaging with and listening to our residents before we make decisions. It means prioritizing sustainability and resiliency in everything we do.”

Laredo named the final goal as forging an inclusive and supportive community among leadership and citizens. He expressed his desire for every resident to have a “real voice and real stake” in the city’s direction if they wish to have one.

“At a time of great turmoil in other parts of our country, with loud, angry voices and a fundamental lack of respect for the rule of law, disregard for democratic values, and intolerance of others, Newton must be different,” Laredo said. “We will ensure that regardless of your race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, socio-economic status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, or whom you love, you will feel safe, supported, and welcome here.”

The immediate plans in Laredo’s first days as Newton’s leader features meeting with residents from each of the eight wards and the city’s departments.

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