Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
Mayors from across Massachusetts gathered at the MMA office on Dec. 15 for a reception honoring the dean of the state’s mayoral delegation, Michael McGlynn, who is stepping down this month after leading the city of Medford for 28 years.
The longest-serving mayor in the Commonwealth decided last spring not to seek a 15th term. A former president of the MMA and the Massachusetts Mayors’ Association, McGlynn was active in the organization for many years and was seen as a mentor by many other city leaders.
“Mayor McGlynn taught all of us about the importance of establishing relationships,” Boston Mayor Martin Walsh said at the reception. “He emphasized the importance of having a unified voice from the mayors in conjunction with the Massachusetts Municipal Association. He will be sorely missed.”
Most recently, McGlynn served as co-chair of the MMA’s Opioid Addiction and Overdose Prevention Task Force, which will be releasing its report at the MMA Annual Meeting on Jan. 23.
On a national level, McGlynn has served on the National League of Cities Board of Directors as well as the NLC’s First Tier Suburbs Committee and its Finance Committee, and he is a member of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. He also served as a member of the FCC’s Intergovernmental Advisory Committee.
McGlynn, who previously served Medford as a state representative for six terms, is credited with dramatic improvements to the city’s schools and educational achievement as well as the local economy. He rebuilt all of the city’s parks, fire stations and infrastructure, and built all new elementary and middle schools. One of the eight new schools was named for his father, John J. McGlynn, 93, a former councillor and mayor.
McGlynn is chair of the Mystic Valley Development Commission, which is in the process of developing a mixed-use development of residential, office and open space areas called Rivers Edge.
Under his leadership, Medford has been selected a “Tree City USA” annually since 1999. He also led Medford to three consecutive wins of the MMA’s Kenneth Pickard Municipal Innovation Award.
“We created jobs, housing opportunities, and increased tax revenues dramatically,” McGlynn said in his final State of the City address on Nov. 29.
His address also expressed his appreciation to his staff, city employees and residents.
“My experience has been earned because of the commitment and support you have shown toward my tenure in public office. For this, [my wife] Sheila and I are truly grateful. Your friendship and guidance shall never be forgotten.”
McGlynn said he now plans to spend more time with his three grown daughters and five grandchildren.
Stephanie Burke, the city’s budget director and a former 16-year councillor, was elected on Nov. 3 to succeed McGlynn.