SWAMPSCOTT — The Current chair of the Select Board, MaryEllen Fletcher, hosted a meet and greet on Monday evening to share her goals for re-election and hear from the community about the town’s most pressing concerns.
Community members gathered at 20 Nason Road to hear Fletcher’s goals for the town’s future as the election looms just around the corner on April 29.
Fletcher has deep roots in the town and decades of experience serving different town boards. These include seven years on the Finance Committee, as well as the Capital Improvement Committee, Recreation Commission and Harbor and Waterfront Committee.
Some of Fletcher’s most notable achievements include reallocating $1.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds for critical sewer pipe rehabilitation, the Land Disposition Agreement for the Hadley and Pine Street projects, balancing the 2023 budget between the school and the town, and securing public parking at St. John’s parking lot.
Resident Tom Cesarz said he hopes to see Fletcher continue another term on the Select Board. “I support MaryEllen Fletcher, and I hope she wins. I think we need more women in administrative posts,” Cesarz said.
“I think MaryEllen (Fletcher) is the kind of person that you want in town government,” Martha Cesarz said. “She listens to people, she responds to people… She’s got so much experience on different committees in town. She is one of the most dedicated and committed townsperson that I know.”
She continued, “I think she needs to continue on the Select Board because, suddenly, we have a Select Board that we can trust… And we have not always been able to trust the board. I would trust MaryEllen with anything.”
Another resident, Steve Williams, talked about Fletcher’s work ethic and her commitment to serving the town.
“She’s done a great job — she’s a hard worker, very well-versed on all the important topics in town, and she has a good following in the community that will strongly support her,” Williams said.
Jeannie Patz, the homeowner of the residence where the meet and greet took place, also commented on her perspective of the election.
“I’m happy to have my neighbors and fellow Swampscott residents at my house — I think it’s important for everyone to have an opportunity to speak with candidates… Fletcher has always been very responsive to any issue I’ve called her with,” Patz said.
Patz continued, “I definitely want what’s best for our kids, students and teachers, and I feel that MaryEllen does, too.”
Swampscott Housing Authority member Glenn Kessler said, among other things, that Fletcher has a keen understanding of finances.
“I support MaryEllen for re-election for a number of reasons. Most of which, she has some of the most knowledgeable background in Finances of anyone on the boards that we have in our town,” he said. “She’s been great in the last few years, very approachable by everyone, and never turns down a phone call. She makes herself available, and she wants the best for the entire town – which includes everyone from the elderly to the veterans and the schools and the people that live in our neighborhoods.”
