Swampscott town planner accepts new post in Salem

SWAMPSCOTT – The talk of possible layoffs in January may have some town employees looking elsewhere for jobs.Town Administrator Andrew Maylor and School Business Manager Ed Cronin said layoffs could become a reality in January in anticipation of the fiscal year 2010, which starts on July 1, 2009.Town Planner/Conservation Agent Danielle McKnight said she recently accepted a position with the city of Salem and her last day in Swampscott would be Nov. 4.”It was all the discussion about layoffs and budget cuts in town,” she said. “I wasn’t sure if my position would be sustained going forward so when a position opened up in Salem I accepted it. I’m leaving for purely economic reasons and job security.”This is the second time in less than two years the town planner/conservation agent has resigned.The position was authorized at the annual Town Meeting in 2006 and the town’s first town planner Andrzej Schreyer started work on Dec. 4, 2006.Schreyer resigned a year after he started and the Board of Selectmen debated at length whether to fill the $40,000-plus per year position or leave it vacant.The selectmen decided to go ahead and fill the position in January 2008 at the urging of Town Administrator Andrew Maylor and several Planning Board members. McKnight was hired to replace Schreyer and she started work in May 2008.McKnight said she has enjoyed her brief tenure in town.”It’s been a great experience,” she said. “Everyone has been very welcoming.”