Mayor Reardon Puts Record Over Rhetoric

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The Newburyport mayor’s race is underway. Mud is flying and campaign promises are cheap. But when I take a clear-eyed look at the record, only Sean Reardon’s actions demonstrate an ability to deliver on the issues that matter: schools, affordability and delivering value for residents.

Let’s start with our schools. Mayor Reardon worked as an educator and served on the School Committee. Today we have a strong partnership between the City and the school district because Reardon understands the school budget and recognizes that communities broadly benefit from good schools.

In contrast, Councillor McCauley said during the June 2024 budget hearing that schools “only benefit 20% of the residents” and that he believed we need to cut $1.5 million from the school budget. McCauley voted against the budget that year, without offering any amendments. 

This year McCauley floated the idea of diverting $300,000 of Chapter 70 funds already baked into the school budget to city expenses instead. Despite campaigning on financial acumen, McCauley never addressed how he expected that $300k loss to the school budget would be addressed. Staff cuts or tax increases to cover the gap?

Turning to affordable housing, under Reardon’s stewardship, Brown School redevelopment is underway with every unit designated affordable to seniors making far less than the average Newburyport income. Reardon also spearheaded the Senior Affordability Task Force to find more ways to target financial relief to seniors in need.

Time and again McCauley has stood in the way of progress. McCauley voted against sending out the Brown School RFI, holding up progress on lower cost housing for some of Newburyport’s longest term residents. He also opposed revised zoning for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). These small units added to existing properties provide “missing middle” housing for seniors and young people who struggle to afford to stay in Newburyport. McCauley voted against it.

And, of course, McCauley led the No for the Rec campaign – part of his long attempt to stymie resources for RYS, a city department that provides affordable community services and covers over half its operating costs through user fees (rather than taxes). Providing a home for one of our most cost-effective city departments is a smart investment in our city’s future.

Ultimately, McCauley is campaigning on the most common campaign promise since elections began: lower taxes. This is also the first promise broken when elected officials are faced with the reality of cutting valuable public services and the employees who deliver them – teachers, DPS, RYS staff, librarians.

McCauley is already talking out of both sides of his mouth. At a recent meet and greet, he said “No cuts!” but also admitted there may need to be “rightsizing.” Which is it? If you commit to nothing, you don’t have to deliver anything.

Finally, it’s about leadership. Reardon has relationships among neighboring communities, state and federal reps, the Governor’s office. We need these allies more than ever to secure funding and policy that benefits our city.

Reardon has shown a willingness to stand up for the overall health of the city. On the Whittier project he led the regional effort to avoid devastating consequences for municipal finances, and to address an outdated regional agreement and dysfunctional building process. 

During the run-up to the Whittier ballot question, McCauley was nowhere to be found. He did not ask a single question of the Whittier Superintendent during her presentation to the City Council and made minimal public comment on the matter.

Whittier is beginning another MSBA process. We need a mayor who will advocate for Newburyport, not someone who’d rather not get involved.

Leadership is executing on a vision. In his first term, Reardon has paved over 60 streets and sidewalks, secured funding for bulkhead repairs, completed Waterfront Park and new parking at Pioneer Park, broken ground on the rec center, progressed Waterfront West negotiations, and so much more. 

He has invested in maintenance and in growth — our city needs both to thrive. All of these initiatives will make Newburyport a more sustainable and livable city for generations to come.

What is McCauley’s vision for Newburyport? It seems simply to be “no” to progress. McCauley’s record shows a pattern of obstruction, delay and misplaced priorities. He votes against things: budgets, redevelopment projects, affordability initiatives. Rarely does he bring people together for something. 

As the editor of The Daily News commented about McCauley on the rec center project, “Folks should ask McCauley, what’s his plan? Simply saying the city needs to look outside the box and get creative…is a hollow and frankly, useless comment.” (Daily News Editorial, 1/5/2023)

Newburyport deserves a mayor who will solve problems, not stall them. A leader who sees opportunities to strengthen our community and takes action, rather than making excuses. On November 4, I’m voting on the candidates’ record. I’m voting for Sean Reardon.

Stacey Macmillan
Newburyport resident

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