Regarding the controversy over Cambridge City Manager Robert W. Healy Jr. that has been highlighted in the City Council race, Mello says he is “one of most who wish to see a new City Manager.”

The position of City Manager, which is chosen by the City Council, has been filled by Healy for 30 years. But Mello added that it is “very important that [Healy] be a part of the transition.”

Mello, who is licensed as a real estate broker, also says he advocates more affordable housing in Cambridge. He notes that “the middle class is gone from Cambridge, and it’s not likely to return,” since rent control policies were abolished in the 1990s.

Mello emphasizes that affordable housing does not mean subsidized housing.

In his campaign video, he does not set a concrete proposal for creating more affordable housing, but says, “When the city adopts a plan—overall master plan, city-wide—that is cohesive and fair ... I’ll hop right on board.”

Born and raised in Cambridge, Mello attended Cambridge Latin High School, which has since been folded into Cambridge Rindge and Latin School. He received B.E. and M.E. degrees from Stevens Insitute of Technology, and is the father of two children, Andrew and Ian, who are third and eighth graders in the Cambridge public school system.

He still maintains an interest in the sailing team’s performance, and often stops by to talk with the staff. Bern Noack, assistant coach for Harvard sailing, says he has known Mello for at least five years.

“I think he cares about Cambridge a lot. He’s a long, long time Cambridge resident,” Noack says.