Retiree Supports Override

My story is as follows: As a resident of Melrose for a half century, I am deeply concerned about the future of Melrose. At the time I was considering purchasing a home, I looked at many communities before settling on Melrose. There were many reasons for choosing Melrose. None was more important than the fact that it was a safe, suburban community in close proximity to where I was employed as an educator. However, there were many other reasons such as affordability, open space (Pine Banks, The Common and Mount Hood), desirable schools, excellent public safety agencies (Police and Fire Departments), ease of commuting into Boston as well as Route 1. In other words, Melrose offered everything in which one would want to raise a family.

Over the years, I have witnessed many changes taking place in Melrose, most of which I wholeheartedly agreed with, some obviously I didn’t. However, most of these changes improved the quality of life for the citizens of Melrose. One of the many changes is the responsiveness of city government from the Mayor, Board of Alderman to the DPW. You can rest assured that if you have a concern, you can readily address that issue with any member of the above mentioned departments and have the issue given thoughtful and reasonable consideration. City government in Melrose gives thoughtful consideration to all issues no matter how insignificant they may appear to others. I want this Melrose that I know today to continue to grow and be a community that people desire to reside in.

This can only be achieved with the support and ultimately the passage, of the override. I realize that this is going to place a hardship on many in the community; especially those with a fixed income with little or no change of income growth. Full transparency, I fall into this category. That being said, I have to consider and evaluate what kind of community I want to live in. I certainly want a properly staffed Mayor’s Office, excellent schools, a responsive police, fire and ambulance service with equipment that is not just serviceable but in excellent condition, safe streets, well maintained parks and open spaces, elderly services, veteran services and a fully functional DPW with the proper equipment to deliver the necessary constituent services, a clean environment and much more. All of this and much more is in jeopardy without the passage of he override. Again, full transparency, I have not always been a supporter of an override. However, today after much thought, study, reading and questioning, I am cognizant and well aware of the need. City Government from the Mayor’s Office, DPW, School Department and all of our Public Safety Agencies accomplish much with so little. The citizens of this community should be proud with how careful the administrations of the various departments in the city make do with so little. The citizens of Melrose need to realize that Melrose needs help at this juncture to maintain its excellent services and continue in an upward trajectory. Melrosians need to broaden their horizons and not close the door on the future. We need to step up and sacrifice in order to live in a community as desirable as Melrose.

Richard J. Plati
Melrose Resident