To the editor:
As we embark on a new year, I want to reflect on my 8 years as Swampscott’s Town Administrator and my difficult decision to step down.
A little more than eight years ago, I got a call from the Select Board offering me the Town Administrator position. I pledged my commitment to help the Select Board improve the quality of life for all of Swampscott’s residents. They shared with me their hope and vision for improving the Town’s finances, reducing the tax burden, improving the schools, making investments in open space, and building a more inclusive community.
This ambitious civic agenda would require an enormous amount of teamwork, we would face stiff opposition from the start, but we stood together with a bold vision for progress! Swampscott not only survived an unprecedented pandemic, but we also thrived by coming together as a community to support one another. We coalesced around the tough choices needed to achieve an AAA bond rating for the first time making Swampscott more affordable for everyone. We overwhelmingly approved a consolidated elementary school for all of Swampscott’s children and we completed it on time and budget. We have made the largest acquisition of open space in over 50 years. We brought to life many new community events – from concerts to Pride Day celebrations, beer gardens, and many no-cost/low-cost events. We welcome new employees that better reflect our increasingly diverse community. These accomplishments were not easy – but we did this together, by collaborating, by giving of ourselves, and by focusing on the greater community good.
As hard as it was to get here, unfortunately, it was very easy to go backward. It’s undeniable that the current climate of misinformation, incivility, partisan rancor, and old-fashioned hate, particularly on social media, presents significant challenges.
Swampscott, I hope you stay the course and continue to do the hard work – it is worth it, and it will result in a better community for everyone. Nothing worth having ever comes easy and you must resist the politics of grievances and resist making decisions based on the loudest voice in the room. I regret not being better at countering all the misinformation and unfair attacks made on our accomplishments, town employees, and volunteers.
In the past 6 months, it became clear to me that with a new Select Board moving in a different direction with an increasing number of decisions and actions that I did not agree with, it was the right time for me to step away. This was also a good time for me to spend more time with my 3 boys and focus on what matters most – family. Time is fleeting.
My love of Swampscott started as a child, visiting my great-grandparents, grandparents, and family in Swampscott. Serving this community has been a great honor, and I am eternally grateful for the dedication of our town employees and elected and appointed officials who worked so hard to collaborate and lead Swampscott through some worthy changes.
Keep being bold and brave, Swampscott!
Sincerely,
Sean Fitzgerald
Swampscott Town Administrator
