As a lifelong Somerville resident, Dennis has always been an active member of the community. He has earned a reputation as a proactive and stand-up leader. He's not afraid to make the tough calls and is a tireless advocate for the City's families, seniors and taxpayers.
Dennis began his career in public service fighting for the City's smallest residents. As a School Committee Member and former Chairman, he championed full-time nurses, low class sizes and the building of three new schools. Somerville continues to be the only school system in the state that offers free full day pre-kindergarten and free kindergarten. The Healey School, the Kennedy School and the Capuano Early Childhood Center were all built with 90% reimbursement from the state, saving Somerville taxpayers millions of dollars.
Elected to the Board of Alderman in November 2003, Dennis is one of four citywide Aldermen. He currently serving as President of the Board. His priorities are restoring and maintaining core city services such as public safety, clean streets and services for our elders.
For the past 20 years he has worked for the Department of Correction, first as a correction officer, and for the past six years in the employee assistance program where he routinely assists officers with stress, personal and medical issues.
Dennis remains deeply committed to community service. His thumbprint is everywhere. He is the Chairman of the Ward One Democratic Scholarship and a member of the Disability Commission, Lincoln Park Advisory Committee, and the SHS Gridiron Club. In the past, he has been active with Somerville Little League, Babe Ruth, Dee Zuccaro Road Race Committee, Michael Capuano School Building Committee, Conwell School Re-use Committee, Municipal Real Estate Advisory Committee and the Community Action Agency of Somerville.
A Halloween baby, Dennis grew up in a working class family in Somerville's tightly-knit East Somerville, long before Boston Magazine hailed it as one of the Baystate's "Hottest Neighborhoods." His mother, Hanoria, emigrated from Ireland at age 17 and met his late father, Joe, an MBTA bus driver and proud member of the Carmen's Union for over 40 years.
For six years, Dennis was a Combat Medic in the Massachusetts National Guard located at the Highland Avenue Armory, and he continues to be a member of American Legion Post #19. Dennis is a graduate of Saint Clement High School and Curry College. Recently he completed a yearlong course at the Kennedy School of Government Rappaport Institute on Municipal Governance and Public Policy Program. The state and local leaders met monthly to discuss topics critical to governance for cities and towns in Massachusetts.
An avid baseball fan, he grew up playing baseball in the City.
Dennis has volunteered for Somerville Little League as a coach and umpire and has umpired high school, Babe Ruth and junior college baseball. An avid golfer, most spring weekends you'll find him hitting the local links - that is if office hours are not in session!
