Looking to make a real difference in Medford? If you’re like Emily Lazzaro, you know that local politics isn't just about passing laws—it’s about making meaningful connections, driving change, and ensuring that every voice is heard. Whether improving schools, supporting small businesses, or revitalizing neighborhoods, Emily is committed to shaping a Medford that works for everyone. Let’s dive into what makes Emily’s work so impactful—and how you can get involved, too!
What roads led you to Medford?
Many people in my age group and similar circumstances ended up in Medford in a roundabout way. I grew up in Connecticut, but my family is from Worcester, so Massachusetts was always in the picture—holidays, visits, all of that. When it came time for college, I went to BU, and from there, I just never left the Boston area.
I started at BU in 2003, lived on campus, and then moved around—to Allston, Brookline, and Roslindale. But once I crossed the river, I never went back. I joke that I still have friends there, but getting across the river now feels like an actual trek.
My husband and I rented in Cambridge for a few years—the longest we had stayed anywhere at that point. We even got married while we were living there. Then, one year, our landlord raised the rent by $300 overnight. At first, we were shocked, but in hindsight, we realized we’d been paying way below market for a three-bedroom (even though it was small). They rented it out for $2,000 after we left, which is Cambridge rent, right? And this was 2012. It’s only gotten more expensive since then.
So, we got priced out of Cambridge and moved to Somerville. We bought a little fixer-upper condo in Spring Hill—800 square feet, nothing fancy but affordable. At that time, you could still find something without breaking the bank. Then, when our son was born, we needed more space, but by then, Somerville had become just as expensive.
That’s when we found Medford. We got really lucky with timing—we bought right before the housing prices went entirely off the rails. And honestly, we fell in love with the community. My husband has always worked in the city, and I’ve had a mix of university jobs and creative gigs, so staying close to Boston made sense. But the longer we were here, the more we wanted to be involved. Now? We’re fully entrenched.
What’s your Medford neighborhood, and what do you enjoy most about it?
We’re in West Medford—if you go by the crow flies, we’re close to the high school, but more specifically, we’re right near Hastings Park. We call it "Tower Park" because of the little sledding hill. It’s a great spot, especially for kids.
Our street has great neighbors, which I’ve come to appreciate even more since moving here. I grew up in Connecticut, where neighborhoods weren’t as walkable—fewer sidewalks, less of that "send the kids out to play" vibe. Everything had to be carefully coordinated. But here? It’s different. We’ll sometimes forget exactly where the kids are in the summer because they’re bouncing between houses, running down the street, playing at a neighbor’s. It feels kind of old-fashioned in the best way. Maybe it’s this specific neighborhood, perhaps Medford as a whole, but this outstanding balance of semi-urban, semi-suburban living just works. There’s real trust among neighbors, and I love that.
I also think the people who choose to live in Medford value certain things—being close to public transit and having a real sense of community. You’d probably pick a town like Winchester or Lexington if you wanted more space and separation. I grew up in a place like that, and I think my parents wanted more space because they grew up in Worcester, where everyone was packed into triple-deckers. But I love looking out my window and seeing four different houses, knowing the families in each one. There’s something special about that closeness: sharing community spaces like playgrounds and parks, going to the Rec Center to play basketball instead of just shooting hoops in your driveway. It creates a different kind of energy, and I love it.
What inspired you to run for office?
The first Trump presidency is what got me more involved in politics. I had always followed politics to some extent—I mean, I was in high school when 9/11 happened, and that was the first time I started paying attention. But back then, I also found politics frustrating, and I didn’t see a clear path to getting involved.
When Trump was elected, though, that was a turning point for me. It pushed me to go back to school and study public policy. I had always approached my work with a social justice lens—my background is in theater and writing—but I realized that change through the arts happens slowly. With legislation, you can make an impact a lot faster. At first, I thought I’d stay behind the scenes in a support role. I worked at the State House and later became the executive assistant to the Superintendent in Medford, working closely with the school committee and taking minutes at all the meetings.
After a while, it became clear to me that if we wanted to make real progress in the schools—especially when it came to funding—we needed a bigger budget. And to make that happen, we needed a majority on the City Council. That’s what ultimately made me decide to run.
Now, one of my biggest priorities is making Medford a better place for small businesses. I want to figure out how we can make it easier for businesses to open here because thriving storefronts help revitalize neighborhoods—especially in places like West Medford, where these empty, run-down storefronts are just sitting there. The issue is usually that landlords don’t want to put in the work, and the cost of fixing up these spaces falls on the businesses, which makes it challenging to get new places to open. There’s also this perception that Medford isn’t business-friendly, and I want to change that. Even small things, like ensuring businesses don’t have to wait hours at a City Council meeting just to get a quick liquor license approved, can help. I also want to work more closely with the Chamber of Commerce to see what they need from us and how we can make the process smoother.
Another big priority of mine is making our streets safer and more walkable. That’s a huge part of improving the quality of life here.
So, that’s how I got here—it started with national politics, but what kept me going was seeing the direct impact I could have right here in Medford.
What do you consider the hidden gems of Medford?
One hidden gem in Medford that I think has the potential to spark new energy in the city is Deep Cuts in Medford Square—especially alongside Chevalier Theatre. I feel like we're sleeping on their potential to turn Medford Square into a real destination for nightlife and live music.
My husband and I are passionate about live music. He plays music, and we both love going to concerts. Back in college, we’d go to places like The Paradise, Great Scott, or TT the Bears—small clubs with amazing shows. Many of those spots have closed, but Deep Cuts is returning that vibe.
It’s a small venue, but they book a great mix of local and regional bands and some unique acts. They even hosted the 30th-anniversary show for a huge band from the early 2000s emo/punk scene. The show sold out so fast that they had to add a second show on Sunday and Monday nights—pretty impressive for a smaller venue!
Beyond the music, Deep Cuts is just a cool spot. They serve great food, have this weirdly fun pinball setup, and even sell records. It’s got such an interesting vibe. With Chevalier Theatre right there, I think there’s real potential for Medford Square to become a go-to place for live entertainment.
Chevalier Theatre is great for both small and big acts. I’ve seen incredible performances there, including the Indigo Girls, Colin Hay from Men at Work, and even Ringo Starr. Although they bring in some big names, it’s still such a great, intimate venue for those kinds of shows.
If your best friend was considering a move to Medford, what would you tell them?
If my best friend were thinking about moving to Medford, I’d tell them, honestly, to save up because housing prices here are tough. It's definitely one of the hardest things about the town. I have a friend who lives in Richmond, Virginia, and she has this beautiful, huge house that cost her the same amount as my smaller place here. The issue is that it’s all about the land value and our proximity to Boston. Plus, we don’t have enough housing to meet the demand, which makes it even harder.
That said, the city council is focused on that issue. We're working on building more housing and making progress. There’s room to grow, but it takes time and political will to make it happen. I love that so many people want to live here, and we want to make sure everyone who wants to call Medford home has a chance to do so.
The community here is amazing, though. It’s one of the things that keeps me here. People support each other, and there’s this sense of mutual care. I’ve made many great friends and feel really lucky to live here. So, while the housing thing is tricky, Medford is definitely a place I’d recommend for the community and everything it offers. We're just working to make it more accessible for everyone.
Inspired by Emily Lazzaro’s commitment to improving Medford and her drive to make the city a better place for everyone? Reach out to Emily to learn more about her work on the City Council, share your thoughts, or explore ways to get involved in shaping the future of Medford.
Connect with Emily at elazzaro@medford-ma.gov or follow her on Instagram at @emilyformedford to stay updated on her initiatives and her ongoing efforts to make Medford a place where everyone thrives.
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