Weymouth Appoints Carrie Palazzo as New District 6 Councilor
Town Council votes 7-1 to fill vacant seat; Palazzo brings 15 years of community involvement to role
WEYMOUTH - December 2 - The Weymouth Town Council has appointed Carrie Palazzo as the new District 6 councilor, filling a vacancy left by the resignation of John Abbott in August. The council voted 7-1 to select Palazzo during its Dec. 2 meeting, choosing her over fellow candidate Stephen McCloskey.
Palazzo, a 15-year resident of District 6, brings extensive community involvement to the role. She has volunteered in local schools, worked on parent councils, and served a four-year term on the school committee.
"We moved to South Weymouth 15 years ago and knew no one. We built community in our neighborhood, at the library, on the fields, and at the schools," Palazzo said during her interview with the council.
Her experience includes working in the State Representative's office for four years and currently working at the State Treasurer's Office of Economic Empowerment.
Palazzo emphasized her focus on infrastructure and budget concerns related to new development in the district. "I think everything is about budget," she said. "When we talk about traffic and we talk about development and bringing more people into Weymouth, I think new growth is great. I think we obviously as a state have recognized we need more housing, but I am keenly focused on the support that we are going to need to have to support that new growth."
The appointment process included interviews with a search committee and presentations to the full council.
In other business, the council recognized Olden's Pharmacy for its 70 years of service to the community. The family-owned business, which closed recently, had been a fixture in South Weymouth since 1952.
Council President Michael Molisse presented citations to members of the Hackett and McArthur families, who have owned and operated the pharmacy since 1972.
"For decades the pharmacy has been family owned and operated business with Paul, Joan and Bill McArthur as well as a third generation pharmacist, Kyle Hackett, continuing the legacy of exceptional service," Molisse read from the citation.
The council acknowledged the pharmacy's impact on the community, with Molisse noting, "Your compassion, professionalism, knowledge of health care, the love of customers that made an enduring impact and we are incredibly grateful for the service to the town of Weymouth and surrounding communities."
State Sen. Patrick O'Connor also recognized Olden's Pharmacy, stating it had been entered into the Senate Journal. "We named Olden's Pharmacy in the record, so you're forever part of the Senate Journal for today," O'Connor said.
In other actions, the council:
- Approved a $2.95 million borrowing measure for the construction and installation of six permanent modular classrooms at three elementary schools.
- Voted to maintain the current tax classification rate shift of 1.47 for commercial, industrial, and personal property taxes for fiscal year 2025.
- Amended parking regulations in Columbian Square to allow for longer-term parking for merchants and employees.
The next regularly scheduled Town Council meeting will be held on Dec. 16 in the Council Chambers.