GREENFIELD — After approximately three years representing Precinct 3 on City Council, Michael Mastrototaro, 69, resigned Monday afternoon.
In an interview Tuesday, Mastrototaro cited perceived ideological differences with the council’s majority as his primary reason for resigning, adding that he does not believe their social or political priorities are representative of their constituency.
The former councilor explained that this political divide became clear to him at the council’s reorganizational meeting and swearing-in ceremony last week.
“At that reorganization meeting, I looked around the room and I said, ‘I can’t do this,'” Mastrototaro said. “We have a vast majority — at least two thirds, if not more — of the City Council who have a very narrow agenda, which does not include the vast majority of the citizenry in this city. I feel that we’re going down the wrong path and they’re not keeping in mind the people that actually pay the taxes that finance this business we call the city of Greenfield.”
He wished the council well, adding in his resignation letter that he regrets he wasn’t able to better assist residents in the neighborhood of Chapman and Pond streets.
Mastrototaro, an avid bass player with a passion for composing, said he wants to continue working on his music, but he plans to remain an active member of the community and share his views on City Council matters, as they arise, during public comment.
City Council President Lora Wondolowski, who began serving on the council only a few months prior to Mastrototaro, recalled their first year together, when they both served on the city’s Ways and Means Committee and learned the intricacies of municipal budgeting.
“There was a lot of synergy and asking questions, making sure that we were doing our due diligence on the budget to ensure responsible spending,” Wondolowski said. “I’m appreciative of his service and was disappointed he was leaving. He was an important voice on the council — someone who looked out for local business owners, worked on zoning to help make sure that we maintained strong commercial businesses on Main Street, but also revitalized Main Street. He’s also someone who’s always looking out for the taxpayer’s dollar and making sure it’s spent responsibly.”
In the weeks ahead, the city is expected to issue a call for candidates to apply for Mastrototaro’s position. After interested applicants submit their resumes and letters of interest to the city, Committee Chairs will begin interviewing candidates.
At noon on Tuesday, City Clerk Kathy Scott said the city had not yet set specific deadlines for applicants’ next steps. Wondolowski said she hopes to give the public plenty of time to apply prior to the interviews so that Committee Chairs will have a broad pool of applicants.
At-Large City Councilor Wahab Minhas, discussing Mastrototaro’s resignation in an interview Tuesday, described it as a “huge loss” for City Council and Greenfield.
Minhas, who was elected to serve on the council in 2023, said Mastrototaro served as a guide and mentor to him both during his campaign and after he took his seat on the council. He said Mastrototaro gave a voice to business owners and working-class families — a legacy the at-large councilor hopes to carry on in his absence. He said the resigned councilor also stood as “voice of reason” for the council, especially amid tense moments between City Council and other municipal departments.
“[Mastrototaro] showed that it is possible to disagree with someone and still appreciate that that person is still genuine, bringing an honest and sincere approach,” Minhas said. “I feel like I’m losing a mentor on the City Council. … Mike appreciated and served the working families, small businesses, and he stood as a voice for the average, working-class Greenfield resident. This is a huge loss.”
Mastrototaro, in addition to his role as a city councilor, served on the Ways and Means Committee, as well as the Economic Development Committee.
“It was a pleasure working with my fellow councilors and for my constituents,” Mastrototaro wrote in his resignation letter.