'Peabody Is In Competition': New City Council President

PEABODY, MA — Ryan Melville spoke of the renewed importance of municipal government amid the coronavirus crisis, the need for modernization of city permits and charters, and the understanding that Peabody "is in competition" with surrounding communities to attract business, residents and grant funds to improve services after he was elected to serve as 2022 Peabody City Council president.

The Peabody High alum and Afghanistan War veteran, who has served on the City Council since 2017, was elected in a unanimous vote during the city’s inauguration and city government organization ceremony.

"I hope to look back on 2022 as a productive and consequential year within our city," Melville said.

Among his priorities will be to "plan for the post-COVID world" through reevaluating the city's zoning rules, special permit process, charter and to determine which of the coronavirus exemptions granted should be extended permanently.

"I believe that it is imperative that we all understand Peabody is in competition," he said. "We are in competition with our neighboring cities and towns, and with municipalities that have similar populations or are similar geographically Think the Route 1 corridor or Greater Boston communities of similar size.

"We are competing with these municipalities not only for businesses and residents, but also for federal and state grants, and for the businesses that will continue to support our tax base while having a minimal impact on our residents."

(Also Read: Bettencourt: Peabody Poised To Emerge From 'Dark Days' Strong)

Melville told the council that while he expects "spirited and respectful debates between each other" he asks that there also be compromise and avoidance of the rancor of Washington D.C.

"COVID has revealed just how important municipal government is," he said. "Time and again the past two years, federal and state policymakers have left decisions of getting services and support to residents through municipal government.

"This current COVID wave will pass and I believe the city of Peabody and this council must begin planning for the new future."

He said part of that future includes fully staffed police and fire departments and continued investments in school technology and social services.

"Peabody residents have gone from being fearful to angry to just frustrated," he said."I understand that and empathize with that. Fortunately, for every elected official in this room, we can make a difference, and we should make a difference, and we will make a difference, and we have been making a difference.

"(The year) 2022 is going to be a year of transition. And I know this council will be part of that transition to deliver the results that the people who sent us here demand."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)