City Government
Gloucester City Council
About the Council
Nine people hold the power of the purse in Gloucester, and four of them answer to you no matter which street you live on. The city charter spells it out: four councilors at-large, nominated and elected by the voters of the whole city, and five ward councilors, one elected from each of Gloucester’s five wards. The Mayor writes the budget, but the Council is the body that votes it, and the Council confirms the Mayor’s appointments to city offices, including department heads and the members of city boards and commissions. Terms run two years, with municipal elections held in odd-numbered years, so no councilor is ever more than two years from facing you on a ballot.
- Sets policy and law by enacting the ordinances collected in the Code of Ordinances and the Gloucester Zoning Ordinance.
- Votes the budget the Mayor proposes, and can vote it down.
- Checks the Mayor by confirming appointments to city offices, including department heads.
- Holds public hearings on proposed changes to city law and on zoning permits, where any resident can speak.
Council Members
Four councilors are elected at-large by every Gloucester voter. The other five each represent a single ward. The Council chooses one of its own members as President to run its meetings: that is Tony M. Gross, councilor at-large, with Sean Nolan of Ward 5 as Vice President.
Tony M. Gross
Jason M. Grow
Hannah Kimberley
Patti-Ann Page
R. Scott Memhard
Dylan C. Benson
Marjorie J. Grace
Francesco Margiotta
Sean Nolan
Councilors are reached through the City Clerk’s office, which keeps the Council’s agendas and minutes: (978) 325-5120. The current roster with individual contact details is on the city’s City Council page.
Meetings & How to Participate
- When: the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 9 Dale Avenue.
- Agendas & minutes: posted in advance on the city website at gloucester-ma.gov.
- Public hearings: the Council holds public hearings on proposed ordinances, zoning changes, and zoning permits. Check the posted agenda for the procedure.
- Committees: much of the detailed work happens in the Council’s three standing committees, each made up of three councilors, which hold their own public meetings.
Public hearings and meetings are where residents shape city decisions.