Swampscott board appointees are enthusiastic

SWAMPSCOTT – Enthusiasm is running high among the new appointees to various town boards and committees.There have been numerous new appointments to fill vacancies on the Cultural Council, Harbor Advisory Committee, Andrews Chapel restoration Committee and Senior Center Board of Directors.Selectman Jill Sullivan said she is pleased folks, many of whom have not served on boards and committees in town before, are stepping up and volunteering to serve the town.?When I first ran for office I tried to advocate for new volunteers to step up,” she said. “There are so many ways you get involved. It’s very exciting to see a whole new group of people get involved. It’s a great thing.”Marianne McDermott, Laura Smith, Patricia Colone and Jer Jurma were all appoin-ted to the Swampscott Cultural Council last week. This is the first time each of them have volunteered to serve on the town committee.Colone, who moved to town in 2001, said she wasn’t even aware the town had a Cultural Council until last year.?I wanted to join this committee because I want to make sure our local artists are aware of it,” Colone said. “I want to make sure they know about the money and grants the state provides to various towns. Swampscott is very eclectic and we have artists here from all over the world. I hope Swampscott can be like Rockport someday.”Smith said when she was asked to join the Cultural Council, she jumped at the opportunity because she believes the arts are important.?I have three sons and they are all interested in music,” she said. “I just think it is really important to bring arts programming to the community.”McDermott, who is active with the arts program at Stanley School, also said she is excited about serving the town in this capacity.?The arts are a very important part of culture,” she said.Jurma, who moved to town six years ago and is a former Town Meeting member, said he is a designer by profession and has a background in the fine arts and music.?I highly value the role of arts and culture in making a community more vibrant,” Jurma said. “I see the arts as something that can support and express what the community is and what the community is capable of.”The selectmen also recently appointed John Sherman and Toni Dilisio to the Andrew’s Chapel Restoration Committee. The committee was formed in July 2009 to find ways to help preserve Andrews Chapel, which is located in Swampscott Cemetery and was built in 1923.Dilisio, who was appointed to the committee officially last week, has been working with the Andrews Chapel restoration committee since its inception a couple of years ago.?The appointment was a surprise to me,” she said. “But I have been working with them all along and been at every meeting. I am very enthusiastic about this project. The chapel is beautifully built. The workmanship and materials that were used are exceptional.”Other recent appointments include Hampden Street resident Marilyn Cassidy to the Swampscott Senior Center Board of Directors and Robert Begin to the Harbor Advisory Committee.Town Administrator Andrew Maylor said prospective volunteers CAN indicate their interest in serving the town by filling out the volunteer form, which can be found online at www.town.swampscott.ma.us.Town Moderator Joseph Markarian, who makes appointments to some committees, added residents interested in serving could e-mail him directly at [email protected].