Alderman Scott Forbes Not Running For Reelection

MELROSE, MA — Ward 7 Alderman Scott Forbes will not run for reelection this fall, meaning another vacancy for what could potentially be a very different looking then-City Council. Forbes made the announcement at Monday night's Board of Aldermen meeting. He reiterated in a Tuesday morning Facebook post he is announcing his intentions early as to give ample time for Ward 7 residents to start their own process of getting on the ballot.

"It has been an honor and a privilege to represent the neighborhood and community I love so much for the past 5+ years," Forbes said. "It truly is a rewarding experience to be a part of something that is so much bigger than yourself; to be a part of the decision making process that helps move our community in a positive direction."

Read Scott Forbes's 2013 letter announcing his candidacy on Patch.

Forbes, a U.S. Air Force veteran, is a 1992 graduate of Melrose High who served more than five years on the board. He told Patch he is not running for reelection in part to spend more time working at the Veterans Northeast Outreach Center, which works with homeless and at-risk veterans by providing them with housing, education, benefits and peer support.

Forbes is a second-generation alderman; his father, Bill Forbes, served five terms.