Meet Peabody City Council Candidate Michael Higgins

PEABODY, MA — Michael Higgins, a professional engineer and longtime youth sports and civic volunteer in Peabody, is seeking to represent Ward 6 on the Peabody City Council.

Higgins is one of two candidates running for the open seat in Tuesday's general election.

Higgins told Patch that among his priorities if elected would be improving city roads and sidewalks, building a new high school and repairing existing schools, and maintaining a 10 percent affordable housing inventory in order for the city to maintain controls over zoning and future development.

Patch sent candidate profile questions to candidates in contested races in the upcoming election with these Higgins' responses:

Share some details about yourself, your ties to the city, your career in public office and/or professional life.

My wife, Sheila, and I got married in 1994 and decided that Peabody was the place where we wanted to live and start our family. Our children, Jessica, Andrea, and Eric, have made lifelong friends they met through the Peabody schools and various youth activities available in Peabody.

I graduated from Northeastern University with a BS in Electrical Engineering and furthered my education at Boston University, where I earned my MBA. My 35-year career in the electronics industry has afforded me the opportunity hold many different roles, ranging from Senior Engineer to managing teams across the country. I have also enjoyed volunteering my time coaching for the Peabody Youth Soccer Association, Peabody West Little League, member of the Peabody West Little League Board of Directors, and the annual Ward 6 July 4th Celebration for the past 6 years.

Why are you seeking this elected office?

My family and I have a deep affection for Ward 6. Over the years, we've formed lasting friendships and enjoyed the many amenities that Peabody has to offer. It's this love for our community that drives me to seek the position of Ward 6 City Councilor. I am wholeheartedly committed to serving our neighborhood and leaving a positive imprint.

Now that my children have successfully graduated from college, I find myself with the time and energy to dedicate to being a passionate advocate for the residents of Ward 6. I am eager to work tirelessly on behalf of our community and ensure that our voices are heard and our concerns addressed.

What are the key issues facing Peabody and how would you address them, if elected?

While campaigning the last few months, I have had the pleasure of meeting many residents and they passionately voiced their concerns. Peabody must continue to improve its infrastructure. This includes roads, sidewalks, public buildings, utilities, and schools. I am committed to seeking federal and state funding opportunities to support our infrastructure projects, which will reduce the burden on our taxpayers. I will advocate for a long-term plan that identifies our critical needs and provides a roadmap for addressing them. The city has been utilizing Chapter 90 program funds for road and sidewalk repair and I will propose that we provide additional funding in order to resurface more roads per year.

I will also promote the prioritization of regular maintenance and repair of our existing public buildings and schools. Implementing preventative measures can significantly extend the lifespan of these assets and reduce long-term costs. We must continue to invest in the education of our children and provide them with the facilities that foster their growth and development. I firmly believe that the construction of a new high school is imperative.

Citizens have voiced their concerns about development projects that have emerged in various parts of the city. The city has experienced a number of 40B projects over the past few years as we fell below the state-mandated affordable housing requirement. Peabody is now above the 10% affordable housing requirement and I am committed to keeping this level to prevent further 40B developments.

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

I believe that my 35-year business career along with my analytical background, extensive management experience and strong negotiation skills equip me with the essential tools to be an effective advocate for the citizens of Ward 6.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

The COVID years strained all communities and we are still recovering financially. The coming years will be difficult to navigate and our resources will be tested. If elected, I will be a "fiscal hawk" when it comes to spending and I will focus tax dollars on the proper projects in the aftermath of the pandemic. I am also dedicated to supporting our senior citizens, who made Peabody the great community that it is today, and I will advocate for the services they require.

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

I am an open and honest individual. I will maintain an open line of communication with the residents, respond promptly to questions, and make sure they have a voice at City Hall.