Malden city council candidates outline priorities at youth-led forum

Malden city council candidates spoke to a packed youth-led forum about how they would address a shrinking budget, economic development, public safety and youth engagement, saying the city needs both short-term measures and long-term planning.

The forum, moderated by Beatrice Oliveira and Kian Morris, brought together at-large and ward candidates including Carrie McDonald, Craig Spadafore, Karen Colon Hayes, Solomon Davidoff, Michelle Luong, Peg Crowe, Brynn (Brynn/Brynn) Garrity, Brian Garrity, and Ward 6 candidate Steven Winslow. Moderators said the event would skip opening statements and move straight to five questions for each candidate.

The candidates broadly agreed the city faces a budget gap and outlined overlapping approaches: asking voters to consider a tax override as a short-term bridge, pursuing commercial and mixed‑use development to expand the tax base, and looking for new revenue sources such as taxing short‑term rentals. "We do have budget challenges in Malden like many cities and towns," said Carrie McDonald, who identified herself during the forum as the finance committee chair. "One of those may be going to the voters and asking to approve an increase in the tax rate that's called an override."

Candidates also stressed preserving core services while pursuing economic development. Craig Spadafore pointed to the importance of diversifying the tax base — commercial and industrial properties generate different revenues and jobs — and suggested short‑term savings, including cutting some event spending. Karen Colon Hayes focused on filling empty storefronts and taxing short‑term rentals, saying there are "over 300" Airbnbs in the city that "we're not collecting anything on." Several candidates called for a stronger business development office and closer ties to the Malden Chamber of Commerce to help small businesses.

On public safety and transportation, candidates discussed traffic calming, slower speed limits and changes to MBTA bus routing. Steven Winslow said he is working to consolidate bus stops in Maplewood Square to open curb space for restaurants and increase meals tax revenue. Multiple candidates pointed to the Malden River and the Malden River Works plan as a long‑term community asset that could spur redevelopment.

Youth engagement and constituency responsiveness featured repeatedly: several candidates described past efforts with youth groups and urged young voters to participate. Multiple speakers also described community service or nonprofit experience they said prepared them for public office.

The forum closed with reminders about voting: early voting opens Oct. 20 and Election Day is Nov. 4. Moderators thanked Malden Access TV and the young moderators for hosting.

The event underscored areas of consensus — that Malden needs both immediate fiscal triage and a long-term strategy to grow the commercial tax base — while leaving specifics, including whether and when to seek an override, to be decided if elected.