City Leadership
Mayor’s Office
The Mayor
Gary Christenson
Gary Christenson is the elected mayor of Malden, a lifelong resident of the city and a Democrat. He took office on January 2, 2012, after serving as a Malden city councillor for Ward 1 and as City Council President. A triple alumnus of Suffolk University, with degrees from its undergraduate college, business school, and law school, he previously worked as budget director for the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office. As mayor he oversees a roughly $179 million budget and about 1,300 city employees across every municipal department, and under Malden’s charter he also serves as chairperson of the School Committee.
| In office | Since January 2, 2012 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 781-397-7000 |
| Address | Malden City Hall, 215 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA 02148 |
| Website | cityofmalden.org |
What the Mayor Does
As the executive branch of Malden’s government, the mayor is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the city and for setting its overall direction.
- Proposes the budget: the mayor drafts the annual city budget and submits it to the City Council for review and approval.
- Appoints department heads: the mayor names the leaders of city departments, subject to council confirmation where required.
- Signs or vetoes ordinances: measures passed by the council take effect with the mayor’s signature; a veto can be overridden by the council.
- Chairs the School Committee: the mayor presides over the nine-member committee that governs the public schools.
The Administration
The Mayor’s Office at City Hall is the headquarters for the administration of city government and for responding to resident questions and concerns.
- Constituent services: the office fields inquiries and helps residents resolve issues across every part of city government.
- Strategy and development: it coordinates business strategy, economic development, and communications for the city.
- Youth employment: the office administers the Mayor’s Youth Employment Program for Malden young people.
Contact & Engage
- Phone: 781-397-7000
- In person: Malden City Hall, 215 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA 02148
- Online: the City of Malden website hosts the State of the City address, news, and service requests.
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