Vote Medford 2005

Stephanie Muccini Burke

Candidate for Medford City Council

candidate email: mailto:mail@councillorburke.com

website: www.mucciniburke.com

View the complete City Council questionnaire.

Burke: Q1 - Medford Square Revitalization

I would envision a walkway/bikeway with shops and small restaurants culminating with a public space where artwork from local artists could be displayed. I would also welcome a farmers market to the area. The city council has taken the first step by endorsing the concepts in the Master Plan and are eagerly awaiting responses to the Request for Information (RFI) to determine what interests the private sector have in leveraging this revitalization.

Burke: Q2 - Social, Cultural and Historical Assets

Medford's squares are thriving! However, they lack a nighttime vibrancy and diversity to them. We took a first step when I brought the public debate on beer/wine licenses in our small restaurants to the council floor. However, to blossom further, we require our community Development office and Chamber of Commerce to recruit diverse businesses to our squares. We need a City Council that is willing to work with the businesses in a positive fashion. The zoning is in place for this diversity.

Burke: Q3 - Encouraging Small Businesses

Medford's squares are thriving! However, they lack a nighttime vibrancy and diversity to them. We took a first step when I brought the public debate on beer/wine licenses in our small restaurants to the council floor. However, to blossom further, we require our community Development office and Chamber of Commerce to recruit diverse businesses to our squares. We need a City Council that is willing to work with the businesses in a positive fashion. The zoning is in place for this diversity.

Burke: Q4 - On Low- and Moderate-income Families

I have offered an amendment to our zoning to allow for "In Law" type apartments in our single family zone. Not only does this provide an opportunity for blood relatives to have affordable quarters, but also, to bring current illegal units up to building code and thus, safer neighborhoods. Also, as a commissioner of the Mystic Valley Development Corporation, overseers of the Rivers Edge project, we have mandated an affordability component to the project.

Burke: Q5 - Environmental Issues

One of the most pressing environmental issue is the clean-up of the Malden River in the Wellington area. This long ignored waterway is finally being investigated by the Army Corp. of Engineers for remediation and responsible parties are being pursued. This study will ultimately lead to the river's clean up, future use and connectivity to the Mystic River pathways.

Of like importance is protecting the Middlesex Fells from the over developing of the former New England Medical Center in Stoneham. The impact of this project, as it stands, is far reaching not only on the environment but the quality of a peaceful lifestyle in North Medford. The City of Medford must continue to pursue this (presently being appealed) and urge the Town of Stoneham to look outside its borders and do the right thing!

Burke: Q6 - Open Spaces, Sidewalks, and Trees

I believe that we have made a great effort to rehabilitate our parks and open spaces. I led the charge, with neighbors, to redo Victory Park. However, funds need to be set aside for maintenance. We, like many communities, have to determine where to allocate our resources in the most beneficial manner. As a councillor, I have always advocated for more manpower out on the streets, periodic safety checks at our parks and fields and more funds for maintenance. I will continue to do so. Beyond what the city can do in the care and maintenance of these assets, we, as a community must take an active role in the upkeep of our parks and fields. Also, in regards to tree plantings, I have advocated for an Adopt A Tree program to the administration. This has been taken under advisement.

Burke: Q7 - Street Safety

In many cases, it is frustrating to see how much time it takes to correct dangerous situations that seem so straightforward. It appears bureaucracy and red tape take the place of common sense. Every Tuesday evening, the council offers many resolves, some of which directly at the request of citizens of Medford, affecting the public safety of our community. We forward these on to the administration/department heads for review. The dialog must be strengthened from that point forward so all parties are aware of the status of these requests. A Capital Budget Plan would go a long way in improving this dialog so that all the citizens know where their tax dollars will be spent and what items are a priority to city government. We understand that there has to be a systematic approach to repairs of sidewalks and streets. That is why the council has approved appropriations and bonding for this purpose.

Burke: Q8 - Green Line

It has always been my premise to speak and vote on behalf of the citizens of our city once all the facts are known and understood. It is premature to make a decision on the Green Line's extension when neither the state nor the "T" has provided detailed information. We need to know the following: the environmental effects; the social benefit/detriment; the physical logistics and economic impact this project will have on our community. Once these are answered, I will be prepared to make an educated and informed decision! I can assure my neighbors, that I will do what is right for our neighborhoods.

Burke: Q9 - Rising Energy Costs

Clearly, in this day of reduced state funding, the government is relying more and more on the Real Estate tax to support the city operations. Therefore, when one line item, such as energy costs or employee health care costs skyrockets, it places a huge burden on the allocation of our resources. We need to ensure that our public buildings are running efficiently and that we continue to investigate solar/wind alternatives on an ongoing basis.