Swampscott selectmen candidates air campaign goals at forum

SWAMPSCOTT – The tax rate, parking and a new police station were hot topics at a League of Women Voters candidates forum on Tuesday evening.Five candidates are jockeying for two seats on the Board of Selectmen in the April 27 town elections.Selectman Eric Walker, who is finishing his first three-year term on the board, has lived in town 15 years with his wife and three children. He attended Swampscott schools and is a Town Meeting member. Walker, who is a dentist in private practice, said he has enjoyed his tenure and the board and would like to continue serving the town.Walker said one of the things he is most proud of while serving is municipal unions joining the state insurance plan.”It’s been a good three years,” he said. “The town is in much better shape than some people think. We have entered the GIC and saved the town more than $1 million. We have paid down debt. The town is moving forward and we are doing a good job.”Walker added one of the greatest assets in Swampscott is its people, the good schools and waterfront. He said he believes one of the most pressing issues facing the town is the need for a police station.Reid Cassidy, who is a former selectman and a native of Swampscott, said if elected he would serve the entire town.”I am one of the few people who can say I have lived in every precinct in town,” he said. “I think of it as one community not six precincts.”Cassidy said the sense of community is what makes Swampscott such a great place to live. He said one of the greatest needs in town is a new police station and he said if elected he would help facilitate the building of a police station “at the right price and in the right location.”Susan Raiche, who was employed in the nursing field for 35 years, said she moved to town last year from Saugus where she served one term as selectman.”The issues in town are no different than any other community,” she said. “My experience as a selectman in Saugus taught me to be an independent thinker.”She said the harbor and beaches are the greatest assets in town. When asked what she would have done differently from the current selectmen, Raiche said she would not have moved the bus stop on Humphrey Street.Richard Malagrifa, who is a Lynn native and has lived in town for five years, said his 10 years as an officer in the United States Air Force and his 18 years experience in the airline industry gives him the skill sets necessary to serve as selectman.Malagrifa said the people in town, the educational system and proximity to Boston make Swampscott a desirable place to live. He said some of the problems that need to be addressed are the police station and the town needs to be more business friendly.David S. Van Dam, who has been a Town Meeting member for 10 years, also serves on the Personnel Board,There are two other contested races on the ballot. Jorge Briones Jr., Sylvia Belkin and Dana Swanstrom are vying for one three-year term on the Planning Board. For the Housing Authority, newcomer Gerald Sneirson is hoping to win incumbent Barbara Eldridge’s seat.