City Councilor-at-Large Ryan Melville announced he will not be running for re-election this spring at last Thursday’s City Council meeting.
Melville held the seat for eight years, serving as president in 2022, but decided to step away from the role after his workload as the deputy executive director for the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission increased.
“My job is getting more demanding over this year, and essentially, I just thought, I don’t want to not be able to give 110% to the council,” Melville said. “I thought it’s in the best interest to give somebody else an opportunity to run and take over.”
Melville is now the second Peabody City Councilor-at-Large to announce he will not be running for re-election, following Tom Gould’s decision not to seek re-election in January.
After his announcement, the other city councilors shared their gratitude for the time and effort that Melville, who is also a veteran of the Afghan War, gave to the city, as well as being a good friend and neighbor to the community.
“I thank you for your service to the city, and I thank you for your service as a veteran to our country, and I know you won’t be going far,” City Councilor-at-Large Anne Manning-Martin said. “You’ve been a pleasure to work with, so I wish you all the best.”
City Councilor-at-Large Jon Turco lauded Melville’s accomplishments during his time as president of the Council, remarking on his work advocating for veterans and on the William Welch Elementary School renovations project.
“You never speak unprepared, and I like that. You always came with the right answers, the right responses, and the information that you needed,” Turco said. “Beyond that, I think that you are one of the most politically astute people that I have ever talked to.”
“We have a really good veteran service program in Peabody. We also have a program for veterans to be able to volunteer to alleviate their tax bills,” Melville said. “Then, the Welsh Elementary School project we just did last year. I’m really proud of that… We took a quarter of what it would take to build a new school and really, with the work of the whole community and help from the state, got a brand new school.”
Melville also spoke of his appreciation for the ability of past and present councilors he’s worked with to always find a middle ground when they have disagreements. “It’s a lot of work to be a city councilor. It takes a lot out of it,” he said. “But that’s even more reason for why it’s a team effort. We’re all there to help each other.”
In the future, Melville hopes to continue being involved in the Peabody community, where he will always be ready to offer support to his neighbors.
“I wanted to make sure I announced it early enough so people that get the political itch can reflect on it and talk to their families,” Melville said at the City Council meeting. “It’s been a real honor to serve with all of you, both past and present councilors, the department heads, and the clerk’s office. We live in a great community.”
