Melrose's Deputy Mayor, City Solicitor Moving On From Post

MELROSE, MA — Robert Van Campen, the longtime city solicitor and deputy mayor, will soon leave Mayor Paul Brodeur's administration for another job.

Van Campen said he was taking a position as general counsel for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Council 93 in an internal email obtained by Patch.

“Working on behalf of the residents of Melrose has been the professional honor of a lifetime," Van Campen told Patch in an email. "These past fourteen years have been rewarding on so many levels, and I will miss my Melrose family dearly. Although I am enthusiastic for this new opportunity, I am grateful to Mayor Brodeur and his team for allowing me the opportunity to work alongside them each day. I am excited for all the great initiatives this Administration will be achieving in the coming years.”

Van Campen is the city's highest-ranking non-elected official. His legal acumen and knowledge of the City Charter have been an invaluable resource for several iterations of city officials and lawmakers.

"Rob Van Campen has served this city well for almost 14 years," Brodeur said in an email to Patch."I am grateful for his legal skill, his wise counsel, and his friendship during his time in my administration, and I appreciate his willingness to help the city choose a new person for the critical role of city solicitor. The men and women of ASCFME are getting an outstanding lawyer and advocate, and on behalf of the grateful city, I wish Rob much success in his new role."

Van Campen's last day will be May 28.

It's the latest departure for Brodeur's administration. Health Director Ruth Clay is retiring at the end of the month and Chief of Staff Patrick Prendergast has taken a job elsewhere.

Mike Carraggi can be reached at mike.carraggi@patch.com. Follow him on Twitter @PatchCarraggi. Subscribe to Melrose Patch for free local news and alerts and like us on Facebook.