Lobbyists tout benefits to Swampscott selectmen

SWAMPSCOTT – Selectmen and audience members had many questions – and selectmen said more questions would come – at an informational conference call with federal lobbyists at the board’s Wednesday night meeting.”I want to continue to get more information from the lobbyists, continue the discussion, and I’d have no problem if Congressman (John) Tierney came in for a ?Q & A,’ ” Selectman Chairman Matt Strauss said.Selectman Barry Greenfield presented the idea of hiring a federal and/or state lobbyist in September. Wednesday night, Jim Davenport and former Florida Congressman L.A. “Skip” Bafalis of the Arlington, Va. lobbying firm Alcalde & Fay explained via conference call what services their firm could provide.Davenport said the firm would “act as your Washington office,” representing the town before members of Congress and to Congressional committees and federal agencies. The firm also would write, review and edit federal grants, and track and support or oppose legislation according to the town’s interests, he said. Davenport estimated the cost at between $60,000 and $72,000 a year. He said the firm represents “90 public bodies” including municipalities, counties and agencies.But there were several questions for the lobbyists and selectmen.Selectman Jill Sullivan requested more information on the firm’s work with communities similar in size to Swampscott, wondering if the town even had a “critical mass” of projects that could benefit from a lobbyist.Resident Mike Greenstein wondered why the town was not focused on a lobbying at the state level or with firms familiar with Massachusetts. Resident Ellen Erlich asked if other towns in the area had hired lobbyists.Bafalis anticipated a question Greenfield said caused concern among the board.”We have a congressman, what do we need a lobbyist for?” Bafalis asked rhetorically. But he replied that members of Congress have large districts and cannot be on every committee that determines legislation that may affect a community.Selectman Rich Malagrifa also noted a risk in hiring a lobbyist.”It could bring in a lot of money into town,” Malagrifa said. “It might not, but it could.”Cyrus Moulton can be reached at [email protected].