PEABODY — Former City Treasurer Julie Daigle has announced her candidacy for Ward 4 city councilor, a seat currently held by Ed Charest, who is seeking a fourth term.
“I am running for City Council to help improve the quality of life of the residents of Ward 4,” Daigle said. “I believe my experience in city government and in the private sector will help make me an effective city councilor and a strong voice for the ward.”
A lifelong Peabody resident, Daigle is a graduate of Peabody Veterans Memorial High School and Merrimack College, where she earned a degree in business administration and accounting. She has served three Peabody mayors during her 20-year career in public service and has been actively involved in the community as a volunteer, serving as a member of the Peabody Main Streets Board of Directors, the Torigian Family YMCA Advisory Board, the Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce (PACC) Board of Directors, Friends of the Black Box Theater, and Peabody Cultural Collaborative, among others.
Charest said this isn’t the first time he has had competition.
“I had tough races through my School Committee years, but I let my record speak for me,” he said. “I answer my phone and always get back to my constituents within 24 hours and I have increased my base every year, which indicates the hard work I have put in.”
“As executive director of the Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce (PACC), Julie worked tirelessly to help dozens of Peabody businesses hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said current Executive Director Beth Amico. “She also stabilized the chamber’s finances by recruiting new members and aggressively pursuing state and federal grants. Julie was just great for the chamber at all of those things.”
Daigle also coordinated last year’s COVID-challenged move of the chamber’s home base to Mills 58 on Pulaski Street.
Daigle left the chamber in November 2020 to become general manager at Mills 58, a historic mill building that now is home to 75 tenants, a group that includes a brewery, fitness studios, antique shops, shared workspace, beauty salons and the Eatery 58 Marketplace, among other small businesses. Simply put, the Mills 58 may be the hottest and most upscale place to be in Peabody.
“The Mills 58 has breathed new life into an historic section of downtown Peabody,” Daigle said. “There are so many different types of businesses here and each one of them has something unique to offer.”
Daigle began her career as an intern in the office of former Mayor Peter Torigian. After graduating college, she accepted a full-time position as senior treasury clerk under former Mayor Mike Bonfanti. She was later promoted to grants manager in the city’s Department of Planning and Community Development.
In 2014, Mayor Ted Bettencourt appointed Daigle as the city’s first business liaison. In that role, she worked to attract new businesses to Peabody and led efforts to expand the city’s tax base.
In 2017, Bettencourt appointed Daigle as city treasurer. She oversaw receipt and disbursement of a $180 million annual operating budget, as well as managing nearly $40 million in investments from trusts, scholarships, and other sources. She resigned as treasurer in 2019 to accept the position at the chamber.
“Even after leaving City Hall, I still found myself watching City Council and School Committee meetings and keeping up with the other boards and commissions,” Daigle said. “I like to keep track of the issues which affect our community and I believe in public service.”
As a candidate, Daigle said her priority will be launching an active campaign to initiate dialogue with Ward 4 residents to get a feel for their concerns. Although COVID-19 presents certain obstacles to face-to-face campaigning, Daigle says she will adapt and do what is necessary.
“Campaigns are about meeting people and listening to people,” Daigle said. “My preference is always to shake hands and introduce myself in person, but right now we need to look out for one another and help keep our community safe.”
