Equity Agenda for Melrose

Draft as of August 16, 2023 with live updates

As Melrosians, we should continuously strive to be a place where every individual can thrive and contribute to the growth and well-being of our community. This Equity Agenda prioritizes addressing social, economic, and environmental disparities that may disproportionately affect specific groups within our community.

“Equity is the condition of fair and just inclusion into a society. Equity will exist when those who have been most marginalized have equal access to opportunities, power, participation and resources and all have avenues to safe, healthy, productive, and fulfilling lives. It requires restructuring deeply entrenched systems of privilege and oppression that have led to the uneven distribution of benefits and burdens over multiple generations. Society will be stronger when the promise in all of us is actualized.” 

- Metropolitan Area Planning Council

The work we will do to advance equity will look different for everyone and we understand that achieving equity is an ongoing and collective effort. By working together, we can continue to commit to Melrose’s principle as One Community Open to All, as a community that values and is strengthened by its diversity, and ensures that everyone has the opportunity to thrive and contribute meaningfully to our shared future. As your Mayor, I will be responsible and accountable for integrating our equity framework throughout city government as well as its outcomes.

This is a working document and not fully-formed as it requires much more input and feedback. If you would like to make a comment, add a contribution, or more, please email me at info@samformelrose.com.

Thank you.