Ward 9 Councilor candidate Robert G. Logan

Robert G. Logan always knew he would run for something. When he was growing up, politics and current affairs were a common topic of dinner table conversation. He earned his bachelor’s in political science at the University of Massachusetts Boston and his master’s in public administration at Northeastern University. Logan lives with his wife on the South Side at the intersection of Stearns and Taylor streets, an area that his family has lived in since the 1800s. He has four children and a grandchild on the way.

An aspect about Waltham that Logan particularly enjoys is the community’s willingness to come together to help those in need. He gives back to the community through his position as president of The Waltham Friends of Scouting, a nonprofit organization that sponsors all Scouting America troops in the city. He is also a member of the Sons of Italy, the French American Victory Club, the 1018 Moose Lodge, The Friends of the Waltham Public Library and the Waltham Historical Society.

Alongside Ward 8 Councilor Cathyann Harris, Logan has been working with the Traffic Commission to modernize traffic signals. This includes synchronizing cycles and using an adaptive traffic control strategy, where signals are adjusted based on traffic volume. If reelected, he will continue to do this work.

Additionally, Logan believes that zoning could be improved in his district. He is advocating for multiuse zoning in the area of his district that is closest to the river, which would allow for both residential and commercial properties to be placed there. “[The goal is to] try to encourage more housing, especially along the river. A lot of it is close to the train station and buses,” said Logan. If reelected, he will continue to voice his support for multiuse zoning in Waltham’s new rezoning effort.

The turnover in superintendents in Waltham is something that Logan would like to address. “I think we’ve got an awesome superintendent right now,” he said of the current superintendent Dr. Marisa Mendonsa. Logan wants to give her time to implement her long-term plan for Waltham Public Schools instead of drawing hasty conclusions about her performance. “You’re not going to see improvement in one or two years. It’s going to be a long process,” said Logan.

Something Logan is proud of is the construction of the Moody Street fire station, which he and previous Ward 9 councilors had been pushing for. He feels that the City Council has been “at the forefront for pushing for public safety and first responders.” 

Logan is also proud of the Bigbelly Solar Compactor trash bins that have been installed in his ward. Another bin will be installed at the entrance to the Charles River Path on Newton Street in the coming months. “It reduces food sources for rats,” said Logan. If reelected, he would advocate for more municipal spending on road paving, but said he believes Waltham has great municipal services otherwise.

Logan sends out a monthly newsletter to Ward 9 residents and would like to implement a similar newsletter citywide. “I think it helps our constituents get the kind of information that they want and builds good will,” he said. Additionally, he wants to work with the city to implement a mobile 311-style app where citizens could report potholes, improperly stored trash and other problems the city can fix.

As a former president of an ecology club at Waltham High School, Logan identifies as a “lifelong environmental activist.” He supports renewable energy and electric car charging stations, and he is also advocating for the Traffic Commission to install more bike racks in the city.

Logan said he supports the Waltham Police Department’s refusal to assist ICE. “We are not required to actively assist [ICE]. I think that’s very important because we have quite a large and diverse population, and we want to make sure that everyone in the community feels that they’re valued and cared for,” he said.

Logan is running unopposed for the Ward 9 council seat.