WORCESTER— Robert Pezzella has spent more than four decades in public service, most prominently as Worcester Public Schools’ school safety director. Now, he hopes to take that experience to City Hall as he runs for Worcester City Council in District 3, a seat being vacated by longtime Councilor George Russell. Pezzella faces former state representative John Fresolo in the race.
“I’ve been a public servant in this city for over 40 years, and throughout that time—whether as the Worcester Public Schools School Safety Director or a community advocate—I’ve always found meaning in helping people move forward,” Pezzella told the Worcester Guardian.
That sense of service, he said, grew from personal experience. Pezzella is open about his own past struggles, including mistakes as a young man that led him down what he calls a dangerous path. Through recovery and community support, he turned his life around and made helping others his mission. “I didn’t just enforce rules—I built relationships,” he said of his approach in the schools.
Pezzella’s campaign centers on three main priorities: affordability, infrastructure, and public safety. He points to rising housing costs and property taxes as the city’s most pressing challenges, and says he would push for more affordable housing options—particularly along corridors such as Grafton Street—while protecting neighborhood character. “Development without equity is just gentrification—and I won’t stand for that,” he said.
Beyond housing, he emphasizes the basics: repairing roads, sidewalks, and infrastructure in District 3. He also says he would work to expand community-based public safety measures, from recovery services to youth violence prevention programs.
Pezzella has co-founded or supported several local organizations, including the Hector Reyes House, Yes to Recovery, the East Side Crime Watch, and the North High Alumni Association. He believes collaboration is the key to progress. “Community partnerships are how things get done,” he said.
He also points to his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he co-coordinated the Worcester Public Schools’ response, as an example of his crisis management skills. “I didn’t panic—I went to work,” he said.
If elected, Pezzella says he plans to stay closely connected with constituents through community meetings and neighborhood associations. He also notes that his lifelong ties to District 3 run deep. “District 3 is home,” he said. “I grew up on the East Side and have raised my family here. I know these neighborhoods.”
For Pezzella, this campaign is about building on a lifetime of service and recovery: “It taught me to never give up on someone. It shaped how I lead and how I live.”
This article is part of the Worcester Guardian’s 2025 election coverage. As part of our ongoing series, we are publishing individual candidate profiles and stories related to key issues facing the city ahead of the Nov. 4 municipal election. We have reached out—or are in the process of reaching out—to every candidate running for Worcester City Council and School Committee. If you are a certified candidate and would like to ensure you are included, please contact us at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org.
