PEABODY — Ward 2’s Pete McGinn is the third councilor to announce he won’t seek reelection to the City Council this fall.
McGinn made the announcement at Thursday’s City Council meeting. With 12 years on the council under his belt, he told The Salem News this week it’s simply time for him to move on.
“It was just a good decision for my wife and I,” McGinn said. “I thought long and hard about it and I’m comfortable with it.”
McGinn will finish out his sixth-term before stepping down. He joins current Councilors at-Large Ryan Melville and Tom Gould in announcing this would be their final term, leaving three open seats on the council this election season.
“You and I have had a lot of experiences together, whether it be Peabody Pride Pickup Day and July 4th in the morning getting ready,” Melville said at Thursday’s meeting. “I know how much work you’ve put into the ward and your job here and what your family sacrifices in that. Thank you very much for your time in serving our community.”
Councilor at-Large Ann Manning-Martin said there will be a void created by McGinn’s departure.
“You really keep things moving along (on the council) and we knew you were going to really dig down into finances and always do what you think is right,” she said Thursday.
McGinn said he is proud of his public service and noted there’s “been a lot of good work done” during his time on the council.
His advice to whoever takes his spot: “go in with your eyes open.”
“It’s more than a couple of meetings a month. It’s a fair amount of work,” he said.
McGinn thanked his wife Jeannette for her support, his fellow councilors and the residents of Ward 2.
“I look forward to carrying out the balance of my term with the same dedication I’ve always had,” he said.
Nomination papers are available from the City Clerk’s office at Peabody City Hall through July 11. Papers must be filed by July 15.
Contact Caroline Enos at CEnos@northofboston.com.