SWAMPSCOTT — The Board of Selectmen bid farewell to Patrick Jones during his last meeting Wednesday night.
With his two children by his side, Nathaniel and Lizzie, Jones was celebrated by his peers. With the upcoming Swampscott Town Election on Tuesday, Jones opted out of running for re-election, meaning his seat will be filled by at least one challenger. His fellow selectmen, and Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald, honored Jones with kind words and a handcrafted wooden chair imprinted with the town seal, his name and his years of service as a selectman.
“He challenged us, asked the right questions, and caused me to rethink things a number of times, so his seat is going to be a hard one to fill,” said Selectmen Chair Peter Spellios. “This is not a eulogy, Pat is not dying,” Spellios said with a laugh. “But I’m sure he is going to find another way to serve the town of Swampscott. It’s in his blood.”
Spellios also acknowledged Jones’ two kids and thanked them for the years they shared their father with the excruciating volunteer hours of being a selectman.
“You should be proud,” Spellios said to Lizzie and Nathaniel. “We owe you a thank you as well, you gave us your dad.”
Before becoming a selectman in 2016, Jones served five years on the Planning Board, chaired the Police Station Building Committee, and worked as a founding member of the AllBlue foundation, which brought the turf field project to fruition.
“I have been honored to serve in this position,” Jones said. “This is the hardest working board that I’ve ever worked with. This town is very lucky to have this board of people here. You’re all in good hands.”
His commitment to the town, his ability to keep things into perspective, and his talent for showing the selectmen how to “be a little lighter” were qualities that were highlighted by Jones’ colleagues.
“To sit next to you for three years was truly a pleasure,” said Selectwoman Laura Spathanas. “I learned a lot from you.”
Selectwoman Naomi Dreeben admired Jones’ balance of sharing his viewpoint while keeping things in perspective and using his humor to add a light touch. Selectman Don Hause, who joined the board in 2016 with Jones, said he is saddened by the leaving of his colleague and anyone who takes his seat will have some big shoes to fill.
“On behalf of the town and your colleagues, I am proud of you and everything you have helped to accomplish,” said Fitzgerald.
