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ABOUT
MELISSA LEWANDOWSKI
WARD 4 HAVERHILL
Growing up In Ward 4 Haverhill /Riverside area, Melissa learned the value of community and honest hard work. Her father, a teacher and her mother a stay at home caretaker, instilled the middle class values of work ethic, helping others, and making a difference in Melissa.
Melissa worked her way through college and law school and started her public service before graduation, serving on various local boards. Service to others is a natural and consistent part of her upbringing that has carried into her personal and professional life. Melissa dedicated her law career to public service law to make a difference. She started her legal career as a prosecutor, speaking up for victims of domestic violence and crimes. She later opened a law practice specializing in child neglect cases, being the voice for children and families going through crisis. Before her election to City Council, she has always been involved and made it a priority to step up for her community. Whether that be helping people register to vote as a member of the Haverhill Board ofRegistrars, Zoning Board of Appeals, or making time for volunteer service at Sweet Paws rescue, or lending a hand to local nonprofit ventures to help others.
“I saw my father commit himself to using his skills to make the world and Haverhill a better place, as an educator and later as a valued member of the Haverhill School Committee. My parents always told me that when faced with a decision, be guided by your integrity and character, and that will lead you to the right thing, which is always the right decision. That principle guides me in elected office. I maintain my integrity and justice for the community I serve and will never ignore a plea from a constituent nor waver from my commitment to doing the right thing and standing in that truth, even in the face of opposition, for YOU. Balancing the needs of a city with individual needs is never an easy task but one I take seriously and with compassion and commitment. I won’t sell you false promises. My legal career has prepared me to withstand the most difficult of circumstances that befall people and I am unafraid to speak out on another’s behalf.”
DOING MORE IN WARD 4
Some of the boards I serve on, recognition awards, and highlights I was proud to advocate for and secure since being elected in 2021 include:
* Voted Best Politician in Eagle Tribune Best of Edition, 2025
* Voted "Best Lawyer" in Haverhill Gazette Best of Edition, 2023
* Chairperson of Natural Resources and Public Property subcommittee
*Increased dog waste fines
*Increased conditions on local development
* Lobbied for senior tax credit increase
*Led charge for adding lifeguards at Plug Pond
*Added limits for elimination of door to door solicitation
* Lobbied for truck exclusions in residential neighborhoods
* Active member of Zins playground redesign in Ward 4 for kids
*Lobbied for increased staff at fire stations for citizen and fire department safety
*Consistent vote for environmental protection and open space
* Haverhill Exchange Club Member
* Adopt a Park Sponsor
* Haverhill Garden Club member
*Haverhill Girls Softball sponsor
* HP3 mentor for youth career program
* Member of Youth Mental Health and Activities Grant Committee
*Member of Stadium Commission
*Collaborator with Riverside Trail/Edible Avenue design team
*Reintroducing Agricultural Commission
* Collaborated with Conservation Department and constituents to enhance Trail Stewards program
* Advocated for traffic improvements at dangerous intersections in collaboration with Engineering Department and Haverhill Police
​ These are just a few examples of how leadership, tenacity, and teamwork can result in a stronger Haverhill.
Sometimes politicians don't like to suggest a course of action that isn't popular, but I believe that when the choice comes down to doing the right thing or the political thing, I always strive to do the right thing. I bring an independent voice to the issues of city governance. I am a "positive disrupter" working to champion personal, economic and environmental resiliency for this city, for you. I do not hesitate to take bold action or have uncomfortable conversations. I do and will collaborate with everyone, not just those with whom I agree. When I commit to an action or a goal, I commit. I am not swayed by political pressure, rather only by doing the right thing. I have shown this during my short tenure on the council. I stood firm in fighting for increased staffing for the local fire department, increased funding for Youth Mental health and citywide mental health services, in balancing smart development with ongoing preservation of ecology, and in demanding transparency from the corner office in matters large and small that affect our city finance and future.
The path before us has tremendous challenges but also tremendous opportunity. Let's embrace that and undertake the journey together to reimagine the Haverhill we want. This requires affirmative plans, strategy, planning and execution: Attracting and retaining businesses with thoughtful and controlled development, staunchly protecting our neighborhoods and greenways, and addressing landscape and traffic frustration. These are only some of the many policy goals I have for Haverhill. I believe that profits matter, but so do people, policy, and the planet. After learning the ropes in my first two years on council, I believe I am an even better councilor for you, and continue to bring the understanding of this city I have lived in my entire life, and with the same deep rooted commitment to serve that propelled me to run in 2021.
What are the challenges you believe Haverhill faces? Let me know. Let's get honest about our problems and get to work on solving them. Together we can ensure that Haverhill's brightest days are ahead of us.
Thank you for your support.
Best,
Melissa Lewandowski
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