LYNN — Regional leaders gathered for the fall council meeting of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, emphasizing issues such as climate change, the opioid crisis and more, during a panel led by Mayor Jared Nicholson.
Chelsea City Manager Fidel Maltez, Hull Town Manager Jennifer Constable, Watertown City Manager George Proakis, Braintree Mayor Erin Joyce and Melrose Mayor Jennifer Grigoraitis, who are all relatively new to their positions, shared their journeys to city government and expressed regional concerns.
Nicholson asked the leaders about issues that make the most sense for regional collaboration.
Maltez noted the region needs to work together to improve its climate resilience. He said rising sea levels is an issue that will affect all of the communities in the metropolitan area.
Grigoraitis said Melrose is always looking to collaborate in terms of arts and culture. She said the city is geographically small with a vibrant arts community, which limits its capacity to expand.
Joyce mentioned two issues that Braintree is dealing with — a wrongful conviction lawsuit that resulted in the city being sued for $14.9 million and the construction of a sewage treatment plant.
“I think even the regional partnerships are hopeful we can raise awareness and then try to find a solution,” Joyce said.
Constable said an issue that requires regional attention is the opioid crisis. She said the municipalities are fortunate to have some resources and funds to begin to decrease opioid overdose deaths, but more can be done.
Nicholson also asked how leaders find solutions to issues they might not know how to immediately solve.
“Your biggest challenges are your biggest opportunities,” Maltez said.
He said, for example, gun violence among teenagers has been prevalent in Chelsea, and while it is unfortunate, it has brought about the opportunity to collaborate with groups who would normally not be in the same room together.
Grigorataitis said it is important to admit what you don’t know and to be curious when listening to people who might have different solutions to problems.
“There might be people around the table or people in your community or region who might know,” she said.
