Wayne Spritz hopes to add the job of Select Board Member to his almost twenty years of community-building volunteer efforts in town.
“With thirty years of hands-on mechanical engineering experience, my focus is on innovation, reliable processes, and fiscal responsibility. My track record solving hard problems in the industrial world will translate as a fresh asset to the current challenges faced by the Select Board. I’m not a stranger to managing competing ideas, needs, and financial constraints.”
Twenty-six years ago, Spritz and his wife, Joie, bought their house in Swampscott’s Olmsted District, where they settled in and raised two children. “We decided on Swampscott not just because we love the beach, but because of the town’s warmth and character. Our neighbors
quickly became more than friends – they’re extended family.”
Spritz started his town volunteer journey in 2007 as a member of the Renewable Energy Committee. He served for twelve years and was integral in securing Swampscott’s Green Community status. That brought the town over a million dollars in state grant money which was invested in energy upgrades and repairs to most of the town’s buildings. He was also a key advocate to create the town’s first facilities director position to manage the complex mechanical systems in these buildings.
Since 2021, Spritz has chaired the town’s first Solid Waste Advisory Committee and has been an effective public advocate for fixing sewage contamination at King’s Beach. This past year he led a team to rethink how Swampscott approaches its trash and recycling contract. He has also contributed to the Climate Action and Resilience Committee and to the Water and Sewer Infrastructure Advisory Committee. Last year he started Swampscott’s first Environmental Roundtable, where eight committees met to informally discuss common issues. Spritz also served for five years as chair for the Essex Tech High School program advisory committee which helped develop its very first engineering program.
Spritz is committed to preserving Swampscott’s S&P AAA rating, which keeps borrowing costs low. With a deep understanding of the hidden expenditures for trash, water delivery, and sewer services, he wants to ensure any problems are timely addressed. Keeping the taxpayer in
mind, Spritz supports regionalization sharing of resources among departments. Spritz believes coastal resiliency must rely on protection, not just climate change prevention.
“Like every coastal community, Swampscott does not have the option to simply retreat from rising tides and harsher storms. We must continue to shield ourselves by committing to seawall repairs, prevention of flooding and erosion, and safeguarding infrastructure, including our sewer system.”
Spritz is concerned about the appointment process of Swampscott’s Finance and Capital Improvement Committees. Currently, Swampscott’s Charter provides the Town Moderator concentrated power to appoint all 12 combined members.
“These committees are strategically positioned to serve as subject matter experts. They advise Town Meeting on nearly all financial matters of the community. In the spirit of good governance, it’s time to rethink that appointment structure. The selection process should be transparent and competitive.”
Spritz is excited to expand his role in the community and hopes that voters find him deserving.
“Swampscott has an incredible density of talent. I love to engage with important policy specialists who help this town daily. I thrive on understanding how the proverbial sausage is made. No one person can be an expert in everything. We need to build trust that’s based upon facts, data, and accountability. That comes through active listening, learning, vision, and asking the right questions. However, the biggest messages are delivered at the ballot box. I encourage everyone to vote on April 28th.”
For additional information you can reach Spritz at [email protected] , at his website Spritz4Swampscott.com, or on Facebook at Wayne Spritz for Swampscott.
