Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the City Council topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City council hopefuls stress climate programs, housing and a looming budget gap
Summary
Four Malden at-large council candidates—Carrie McDonald, Muhammad Abutaha, Solomon Davidoff and Karen Colon Hayes—outlined plans on clean-energy programs, affordable housing, pedestrian safety and budgeting, with Davidoff warning of a potential $2 million shortfall tied to a new trash contract.
Four candidates for Malden City Council at-large used a candidate forum to present competing priorities on climate, housing and the city budget ahead of the Nov. 4 election.
Incumbent Councilor Carrie McDonald, running for a third term, described sustainability, affordability and inclusivity as her top priorities and promoted the city’s Malden Community Electricity program and an adopted Climate Action Plan. "Malden Community Electricity has saved our residents millions on their utility bills," she said, adding that the finance committee—which she chairs—must confront fiscal challenges while investing in schools, libraries, parks and lead-pipe replacement.
Muhammad Abutaha, an information-technology professional who said he came to Malden as a refugee, emphasized affordable housing, rent stabilization, traffic and pedestrian safety, and expanded youth programs. He highlighted Malden’s diversity: "Over 60 languages are spoken here, and nearly half of us were born outside the U.S.," he said.
Solomon Davidoff focused on communication and fiscal responsibility and warned of an impending trash-contract expense he described as "going to cost us over $2,000,000 that we don't currently have." He urged prioritizing essential services and completing lead-remediation plans in Roosevelt Park.
Councilor Karen Colon Hayes, seeking reelection, described a long record of community service and work on affordable-housing projects—citing ARPA-backed efforts and 14 units completed at an affordable-housing site—and promoted the Malden River Works project and youth engagement efforts such as a new youth council.
Candidates offered competing emphases—some stressing clean-energy and climate mitigation, others focused on short-term budget constraints and immediate infrastructure needs. The forum featured statements of intent and did not include formal council actions. Voters will decide among the candidates on Nov. 4, 2025.
