City councilors thank departing colleagues for a combined 75 years of service

The City Council spent much of its Monday meeting recognizing the years departing at-large councilors Kathy McMenimen and Tom Stanley have dedicated to public service — and affectionately ribbing them with stories about their time on the council.

Stanley announced in April that he was planning to leave City Council to focus on his role in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. McMenimen did not win re-election in the fall, when councilors-elect Emma Tzioumis and Tim King were elected to join the 2026 City Council.

McMenimen is the longest-serving sitting councilor on Waltham’s City Council. Affectionately called the “Dean” of the council by her colleagues, she was first elected 50 years ago as the city’s first woman councilor. She served alongside four different Waltham mayors.

Colleagues on the City Council spoke appreciatively of McMenimen’s leadership, dedication to public service and willingness to mentor new councilors. “As a young councilor… there was never a moment that we couldn’t ask the Dean for advice,” said Ward 1 Councilor Anthony LaFauci.

Many also praised her knowledge of the city, which, they said, meant she had a lot to say in any discussion.

“You embodied the belief of ‘When people stop talking, that’s when [conflict happens].’ And you wouldn’t stop talking,” said Ward 7 Councilor Paul S. Katz. He said that although they were sometimes at odds on specific issues, McMenimen had always shown him the “care and respect” to learn where he was coming from on the council.

“I rise to make the motion that we officially strike the term ‘breezer’ from Councilor McMenimen’s permanent record. I’ve never been fond of the term,” said Ward 3 Councilor Bill Hanley, referring to the term for someone who who isn’t a Waltham native and just “breezed” in from elsewhere, whose ward McMenimen represented in 1976. “Thank you for the indelible mark you made on Waltham’s history.”

McMeniman said that the people of the city have given her a lot and she hopes she has been able to give back as a councilor. She added that the council hadn’t yet seen the last of her.

Stanley, who has also served as a state representative for nearly 25 years, has sat on Waltham City Council since 1997. His family is known in Waltham for their history in politics. — Stanley’s father served as City Councilor before him and as Waltham’s mayor for a decade and a half, as well as a brief stint as a state representative in 1977.

Other city councilors also appreciated Stanley’s willingness to offer help, guidance and institutional knowledge, as well as support on the state level. “You’ve been a strong voice in leadership on Beacon Hill and a good advocate for the City of Waltham,” said Councilor-at-Large Randall J. LeBlanc.

Ward 8 Councilor Cathyann Harris said Stanley was one of the first to welcome her to the council and that he’d consulted on many South Side projects. “The future is bright in the City of Waltham, and you helped contribute to it,” she said.

Councilor-at-Large Paul J. Brasco said that despite their occasional disagreements, Stanley was a “true friend.” 

“You’ve been my favorite punching bag for many years,” he joked. “I wish you the best in everything you do.”

Stanley thanked his family, who came out to support him, and lauded his colleagues for taking the plunge and doing the work to get into city politics.

Ward 9 Councilor Robert G. Logan emphasized that between them, the two departing councilors have spent more than 75 years on City Council. “I just can’t put into words what the City Council is losing in terms of institutional knowledge.”

The council presented both departing councilors with commemorative plaques.

Tzioumis and King will be sworn in as Waltham City Councilors on Inauguration Day, Sunday, Jan. 4, at Waltham High School.