SWAMPSCOTT — Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald received praise from his colleagues on the Select Board as part of his fiscal year 2022 performance review at the board’s regular meeting Wednesday.
As Town Administrator, Fitzgerald manages Swampscott’s government and affairs. In Swampscott, the Town Administrator is the chief administrative and financial officer, as well as the primary official responsible for the implementation of Select Board policy and town by-laws.
Since being offered the job in 2016, Fitzgerald has tackled important issues in town, despite several being “politically fraught,” according to Select Board members. In the last fiscal year, he led efforts to create a new elementary school, acquire properties to invest in public space, and diversify the town’s public safety departments.
Select Board Vice Chair David Grishman said while he knows Fitzgerald is constantly looking forward to determine how to make Swampscott a better place, it’s important to reflect on what he and the town have accomplished.
“When we do look backward and we see all the accomplishments that happened over the last 12 months, it is incredible,” Grishman said. “It’s probably been the busiest, most accomplished year maybe ever in the history of Swampscott.”
Town Treasurer Patrick Luddy said outside evaluators recently gave Swampscott high marks for its strong economy, management, financial policies, and practices. Select Board member Peter Spellios praised Fitzgerald for his efforts to level taxes and balance the town’s budget.
“You were willing to point out to us where our costs were disproportionate to other communities,” Spellios said. “The pie didn’t get bigger.”
Spellios continued, saying that Fitzgerald has earned the board’s respect for his commitment to addressing critical issues even when they are bound to spark debate.
“You have gotten the support of our elected town government behind you even if the things you suggest are politically fraught,” Spellios said. “You are incredibly respectful. You stay in the debate and listen. That is a strong quality and incredibly unique.”
Board members pointed to Fitzgerald’s communication skills, responsiveness, and collaboration as areas for improvement. Fitzgerald welcomed the feedback and said he recognizes some past situations he would now handle differently.
“There is not a day that goes by where I don’t leave the office and there are just 100 more things to do,” Fitzgerald said.
Select Board member Neal Duffy also applauded Fitzgerald’s support for and attendance at community events. Fitzgerald thanked Duffy and said the reason he took the position in the first place was that he had an interest in building community.
“It is clearly a labor of love,” Duffy said.
