Medford Election Profile: Mayor Stephanie M. Burke

MEDFORD, MA — Stephanie Muccini Burke is running for her third term as mayor of Medford in the municipal election Nov. 5. She faces a challenger in City Councilor Breanna Lungo-Koehn.

Burke, 57, was elected mayor in 2015 after 15 years as a city councilor. She and her husband, Brian, have three grown children, a daughter-in-law, puppy-son and puppy-grandson. Her mother is a resident of Medford.

Burke has been a certified public accountant for more than 25 years and owned a small business in Medford Square for 10 years. She was the director of budget and personnel for the city of Medford for five years.

Burke serves on the board of directors of the Massachusetts Municipal Association and as vice chair of the Metro Mayors Association. She holds a master's degree in taxation from Bentley University and a bachelor's degree in accounting from Suffolk University.

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The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Climate Change:
I am committed to working on regional solutions for climate change through the Metro Mayors Climate Mitigation Commitment and, in 2016, I was a signatory to the region-wide net-zero agreement. Medford is a founding member of the Resilient Mystic Collaborative, a Mystic River Watershed coalition, to work on regional adaptation measures and, in its first year, received over $1M in grants to support its work. I am also a member of the Global Covenant of Mayors and Climate Mayors, international and national organizations of communities to support municipality-based work to move forward the 2015 Paris climate agreement.

Medford was in the first group of communities to be designated an “MVP Community” under the state’s Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program. Through this program, the City has received $250,000 in grants, dedicated to understanding the City’s vulnerability to rain events, to begin designing infrastructure to mitigate flooding in South Medford, and to incorporate climate resiliency into the City’s Open Space and Recreation Plan.

In partnership with Go Green Medford, I have held several public meetings as well as meetings with community groups and staffed tables at public events to engage the community about climate change impacts in Medford. I am proud to say that under my administration we have published Medford’s Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment. Staff are now working on Medford’s Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Plan.

Parks and Paths:
On December 9, 2017, Medford opened its first Dog Park, consisting of separate gated areas for large and small dogs. Additionally, we partnered with the state on the Clippership Connector path, completing the design, permitting and obtaining a $100,000 Cummings Foundation grant to support the City’s work. The City has also received $280,000 from the Mass Gaming Commission for the study and design of a shared-use path on the other side of the river, along with a planning grant to design a path under the Route 28 bridge, which will connect MacDonald Park to Station Landing.

Community Gardens:
The City established public community gardens at Winthrop St, Tufts Park and McNally Park, and the Commission supported the Medford Housing Authority in establishing a community garden at one of their developments under my administration.

Building Projects:
Medford’s new Police Headquarters and Library will both be fossil-fuel free, very low energy buildings and will both have solar panels. The library will be net-zero on site. 235KW of Solar has been installed on Medford’s Department of Public Works Building offsetting it’s electricity use and a building scale battery that has been purchased to allow the building’s electricity to operate during power outages.

There’s an ongoing project to add solar and battery storage to the Andrews School. The system will allow the building’s electricity to operate during power outages. The City has received over $1M in grants to fund the battery systems at these two buildings.

Since becoming Mayor four years ago, Medford has received $435,000 in Green Communities Grants to update lighting throughout the school system to LED. Medford received over $900,000 in incentives and grants to offset the cost of updating the City’s 4500 outdoor street lights to LED, saving the City $250,000 annually in electricity costs.

Vehicles:
Most recently, the City Installed Electric Vehicle charging stations at Medford High School and City Hall. Additionally, I have advocated for electrification of the bus system, including co-authoring an op-ed on this important subject.

Plastic Bag Ordinance:
The Plastic Bag ordinance was passed and signed in 2019, and we’re about to kick off a Zero Waste Assessment for the Medford School System.

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

Experience! Through my various positions in City government and the private sector, I have myriad of experiences lending to my ability to lead as a knowledgeable and informed Mayor/Chief Executive Officer. As CEO of the City I have used sound judgement, my financial expertise, and understanding of personnel law and Civil Service rules and regulations. Further, as Mayor, I have fostered partnerships at every level of government with various stakeholders that support a healthy City.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

Due to potential conflicts of interest, the challenger has had to abstain from key discussions/deliberations on the City Council. The challenger lacks experience in managing projects, personnel, and finances.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

My campaign addresses issues such as Public Safety, Education, Arts, Culture, Financial Security, Diversity, and Inclusion within our City. More information can be found on my website at www.StephanieMucciniBurke.com

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

1. Finance/Economic Development: Under my leadership, the City of Medford has received two consecutive bond rating increases to AA+ status, which allows the City to borrow at low competitive interest rates. The City Budget has remained within Proposition 2 ½ while adding many new positions to enhance the quality of life in the City. Additionally, my administration has revived the Senior Abatement program. This program allows Senior Citizens to work throughout the City and earn up to a $1500 real estate tax abatement.

2. Infrastructure: The construction of a new state-of-the-art Medford Police Headquarters and a new Medford Public Library are underway. Both buildings will be fossil fuel free when complete, as part of the City’s sustainability goals. A new Medford Fire HQ is on the horizon. Recently, we appropriated $1.5 Million for the planning and design of this new building. I am working diligently to repave the streets and sidewalks in the community with a focus on main thoroughfares using the Complete Street methodology. As of today, we have finished 6 Complete Streets projects.

3. Environmental Advancements: The City has been fully updated with over 4500 new LED streetlights. This saves the City over $240,00 in electrical costs annually. As Mayor, I published Medford’s first Climate Vulnerability Assessment which helps the City make planning decisions in a responsible manner. Additionally, I have committed to the City being carbon neutral by the year 2050.
As Mayor, I made it a priority to install the City’s first building solar system on the DPW roof offsetting 100% of building’s electricity use. The City also installed 2 electric automotive charging stations at City Hall and Medford High School with more to come.

4. Arts/Culture: As Mayor, my Administration formed a Public Private partnership with a professional theater management company, which has brought new life to Chevalier Theatre AND Medford Square. There have been over 100 shows and almost 200,000 tickets sold, with $1 per ticket going to the City for historic preservation. This has promoted our local restaurants, boosting the meal receipts by 40%. Additionally, the theater is currently being equipped with Air Conditioning to allow for year-round shows.
I doubled the Medford Art Council’s Budget from $30k to $60k and I’m actively supporting a feasibility study for an arts center at the former Hegner Center in Medford. This will give the Medford community a place to gather and support the Arts community. Lastly, my administration launched a lunchtime and evening concert series at the newly renovated Riverside Plaza. This has brought local artists and the community together, again promoting our restaurants and the creative talent in our community.

5. Creating a Recreation Department and Medford Recreation Center – When I became Mayor, the City of Medford desperately needed a year-round Recreation Department. As your Mayor, working with a dedicated task force, we created a full time Recreation Department that is building its programming suitable for all ages and abilities.
I am proud to say that the Department was formed and funded through my first budget. The Department has grown to incorporate 85 programs year-round, servicing over a thousand residents; including youth, adults and seniors. By having the department in place, the City was able to operate the Medford Recreation Center out of 30 Forest Street, home of the Gene Mack Gym. This is in partnership with the YMCA.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

“It takes a village” – Every single day the women and men that work for the City of Medford give their very best to help and support residents, keep the community safe and clean, and make Medford a great place for all. In addition, the many volunteers that work on our boards and commissions, task forces and community groups work every day to foster inclusive values that support the rich, diverse community we call home.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

The City of Medford is strong, sturdy and stable! We have hired/promoted some amazing individuals to lead our Departments, increasing the number of leadership positions for women and people of color by 50%. We are a thriving community for all, recently named the 3rd best place to live in Massachusetts by MoneyInc.com

I love this City, enjoy meeting with the amazing children of our diverse school system, and visiting with the Seniors on a regular basis at the Council on Aging.

I would be grateful and humbled to remain your Mayor to continue to move Medford forward!