Woburn Candidate Profile: Robert Ferullo Jr. For City Council

WOBURN, MA — With the Woburn Municipal Election scheduled for Nov. 7, Patch is profiling the candidates.

Here, we learn more about Robert Ferullo Jr., who is running for reelection as city councilor at large on the Woburn City Council. Ferullo is one of four candidates running for two councilor at large seats.

Ferullo retired after serving seven years as the Woburn police chief and spending 38 years total at the Woburn Police Department. He currently serves as the executive director of the Massachusetts Municipal Police Training Committee within the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.

Candidates were sent questionnaires and filled out the answers.

Name

Robert J. Ferullo, Jr.

How old will you be as of Election Day?

64

What city or town do you live in?

Woburn

What office are you seeking?

City councilor at large

Education

Northeastern University BS BA, Suffolk University Law School, JD, I am an attorney admitted to the Massachusetts Bar.

What is your occupation?

Retired police chief of the City of Woburn where I proudly served for 38 years, seven of those as chief of police. I currently serve the Commonwealth as the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Municipal Police Training Committee within the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security; I have held this role since August 2019.

Family

Mary Elizabeth Mawn-Ferullo, wife
Robert J. Ferullo, III, 26, Son
Thomas Ferullo, 25, Son

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Sister Karen works for the city of Woburn Planning Department

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

I have held the position of councilor at large for about 5 years.

Why are you seeking this office?

I have served the City of Woburn for my entire adult life, being appointed to the Woburn Police Department on May 18, 1980, until my retirement on November 23, 2018. Upon my retirement, I was appointed to fill an open seat on the City Council and have been reelected twice. I know the city, I know the people, I know the issues currently facing the city. It is my desire to continue to serve and make use of my four decades of experience to support the citizens of this great community using my education and experience to continue my service.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is _____ and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is growth within the city and the impact that the growth has on the affordability of living in Woburn. Woburn continues to be faced with proposals for continued development. It is important that we protect the quality of life in Woburn, that we protect the affordability of Woburn and that we continue to allow smart growth as allowed by the zoning. We must consider the growth and change, while respecting the tradition of the community and weighing the overall impact of the proposed growth. During this process, I will listen to residents of Woburn and to the stakeholders of the projects to allow me to make an informed and transparent decision.

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

I will focus on my lifetime of service to Woburn and the people of Woburn. Each of my opponents brings something different to the race, and I welcome the diverse backgrounds and experiences to this race.

I am here to serve the citizens of this city and have done so since I was 22 years old. I have a proven track record, in good times and bad I have been there for Woburn.

I have continually served the people of Woburn and am committed to continue to do so.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Education, public safety, traffic, public works, infrastructure, environment, open space, support of our seniors, support of recreation, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, affordability of our community.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

In part, I would look to my 43 years of experience and successes serving the citizens of Woburn as a police officer, sergeant, lieutenant, and chief of police. I would cite my service to the Woburn Boys and Girls Club as a former member of their Board of Directors, my service to the Woburn Council of Social Concern as a current board member, my service to the Cummings Foundation. I would look to my service to the Commonwealth as a member of Governor Healy's Commission on Human Trafficking, Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, my service to the Commonwealth as a current member of the Governor's Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee. I would continue to draw upon the relationships that I have developed with the department heads for the City of Woburn and my involvement with social service agencies, fraternal organizations, sports organizations, and community organizations, all with the end goal of better serving the residents of the city of Woburn.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Surround yourself with the best people, explain the mission and vision, then get out of their way.