Letter: Reelect Glenn Kessler to Swampscott Board of Selectmen

The following was submitted.

Glenn Kessler is running for reelection to the Swampscott Board of Selectmen, and there are many reasons to support his candidacy. Glenn has been a strong advocate for the town in all areas, but as chair of the Harbor and Waterfront Advisory Committee (HWAC), I can affirm that he has been a truly outstanding supporter of one of our town’s most precious resources: the waterfront.

One of the things I admire most about Glenn Kessler is that he is a “doer.” So many in public office talk a good game but don’t get much done. Not Glenn. His list of accomplishments for this community’s waterfront is unprecedented. Glenn serves on the HWAC committee as the Board of Selectmen liaison, one of seven such committees for which he is the liaison. Recently, people have commented on how much the HWAC has accomplished in the past three years and I am here to tell you that Glenn Kessler is the reason. HWAC is an advisory board to the town and we can only recommend policy and actions. It is up to the Board of Selectmen to make it happen. Glenn makes it happen.

Glenn worked very closely with the Town Administrator, DPW and the Building Inspector in the project to replace the railings on the town pier. Glenn personally met with the contractor, Duncan Galvanizing, on several occasions. He kept HWAC very much in the loop, seeking our advice, showing us color samples for our committee’s review and overseeing the project to its successful completion.

Glenn championed other HWAC agendas such as the capping of the vertical pilings supporting the pier to protect them from rotting away. He saw to it that the security light at the end of the pier was repaired and put back in operation as well as the lighting in the Fish House parking lot.

My favorite Glenn Kessler story was the time he went to use the men’s room at the Fish House. He saw what deplorable condition the public bathrooms were in. He described them as an embarrassment for the town. They were consequently renovated within the next two weeks.

Glenn also championed the renovations to the Puritan Road seawall. Our seawalls take quite a beating from the sea during storms and it is imperative that they be maintained for public safety. The workers doing the repair commented that there was this one guy who kept coming by telling them what a great job they were doing and how good the wall looked. Guess who that was? The focus will now be on the future repairs to the other seawalls and outfalls. Other initiatives Glenn supports are the upcoming renovations to the Fish House, 90K budgeted, as well as the purchase of the Beach Rake which will allow us to finally be able to clean the beaches of debris.

Glenn believes in collaborative government and open communication. To that end, Glenn has brought together the Chairs of various committees whose charters intersect to meet, share ideas and work together. That is why the Open Space Committee and HWAC now each have liaisons to each other. He has worked closely with Harbormaster’s office to help strengthen the working relationship with the boating community.

What can we look forward to with Glenn’s re-election? More of the same. Glenn has proven that he is the spark needed to move town initiatives forward. He has boundless energy and enthusiasm for the job. He has worked with the HWAC over the last three years to ensure that the town has a vibrant waterfront. Please join me in support of Glenn Kessler’s bid for reelection. Thank you.

Jackson Schultz
Hampden St.