About Dean
Mayor Dean J. Mazzarella was first elected Mayor in 1993. Prior to his run for Mayor, he was a ten-year veteran of the Leominster Police Department and has been a small business owner in the City for more than 40 years. The son of the late Joseph Mazzarella and Ida (Lanza), Dean was born and raised in the City of Leominster alongside his two brothers Marco and Frank. Dean has two grown children, Stephanie and Dean who also reside in Leominster.
Since 1993 Leominster has made remarkable progress in every corner of the City and every aspect of management. Upon taking office, Dean immediately set up a strong financial team. Over three decades, the City has seen a record of success unparalleled to other cities and towns in Massachusetts. Leominster was the first community in Massachusetts to fully fund their pension system – saving the taxpayers millions. A community’s bond rating, the most important factor in determining the City’s financial strength, was turned into a strong Aa2 rating – the second highest in Worcester County. While other communities are struggling with budget shortfalls and growing lists of capital projects that need to be done, Leominster’s moto has been to not kick the can down the road to future generations. From water/sewer improvements, to roads, to schools, to parks and more, the list of accomplishments is many. All while keeping taxes low and paying cash for projects instead of financing with interest.
Dean’s philosophy on building a strong community is based on a total quality of life for the people who live and work in Leominster. Leominster was one of the first communities in Massachusetts to create an Open Space & Recreation Plan, allowing the City to access millions in grant dollars to preserve over 2000 acres of vital open space including Sholan Farms. That same plan has allowed the City to build or rebuild nearly every park and playground in Leominster. At the same time, the team organizes more than 40 annual events for lots of free family fun for Leominsterites and visitors. It’s an important part of building a strong economy and community pride.
As a small business owner, Dean understands the challenges all our businesses face and how important small businesses are to Leominster. Through the creation of both an economic development and small business coordinator position, the City is able to provide direct support to existing businesses and drive a coordinated effort to attract new companies. For the first time in the City’s history, he established a Customer Service Office in Leominster City Hall to make sure questions are answered and problems are resolved quickly and efficiently.
Dean has demonstrated his commitment to the importance of a strong school system. Since taking office, he has worked with school officials to build two new schools, upgrade existing schools, and to create a by-school and system wide curriculum and capital improvement priority plan to ensure our children have access to the best education possible. Full day kindergarten, two new innovation schools, and a strong system of accountability have been put in place under his tenure. Currently in the works, is the exciting replacement of Fall Brook Elementary School.
Feeling safe is key to the success of any community. Under Dean’s direction increased directed police patrols, the establishment of the anti-drug taskforce, the work of the distressed properties committee, and the extra effort from the department of public works have led to our streets being safe and clean. Whether walking to church, waiting at the bus stop, or welcoming relatives and visitors to your home, a safe and beautiful community makes all the difference.
In September of 2023, the City was hit with a 1000-year rain storm that caused substantial damage in the city in just four hours. The Mayor and his team immediately stepped up to the challenge of first making sure people were safe and second, worked to rebuild through galvanizing support on the local, state and federal level. When FEMA said no to helping private residents and businesses, his Administration fought hard to appeal that decision which lead to $4.4 million in federal funds for local residents and businesses. When FEMA said no to fixing city property damage, the team worked and continues to work to secure alternative funds to make the repairs. It was an unprecedented storm and with an unprecedented response by the Mazzarella Administration.
The City continues to bring in new businesses. Young families, older workers involved in traditional manufacturing, and new graduates of Leominster’s Center for Technical Education make up a workforce with a strong skill set destined for success in building our economy. The City is capitalizing on this strong base with the development of business parks that are continuing to attract new companies to our City. Under the Mazzarella Administration, the City stands ready to expand our growth opportunities with over 1,000,000 acres of infrastructure-ready commercial, business and industrial land.
The Mazzarella Administration has and continues to move Leominster forward in every way. It’s a lot to be proud of and to celebrate.
Together, let’s continue to Move Forward and Keep Leominster Strong!