MaryEllen Fletcher: Swampscott Select Board Candidate Profile

SWAMPSCOTT, MA —MaryEllen Fletcher is running for one of two open seats on the Swampscott Select Board.

The 62-year-old entrepreneur and veteran of many municipal boards and committees in Swampscott is a graduate of the University of Arizona.

She has served as Vice-Chair of the Swampscott Finance Committee, is an Association of Town Finance Committees board member, a town meeting member, Chair of the Recreation Department, Article 6 Committee and a member of the Harbor and Waterfront Committee.

She told Patch that instilling transparency and renewing residents' trust in the Select Board will be her priorities if elected.

The annual Swampscott town election is on April 26.

Campaign website

www.maryellenfletcher.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I love this town. I'm passionate about community service, and I like to get things done. With my experience serving as the Vice-Chair of the Finance Committee, Capital Improvements Committee Liaison, Recreation Commission, Article 6 and Harbor and Waterfront Advisory Committee, I can add a different perspective to the board and facilitate an improved dialogue on every issue we face as a town.

The single most pressing issue facing our Board is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

We have a few pressing issues but I think the single most pressing is transparency and trust. Over the years, we have lost many excellent people from our town staff. Union members have made it known that they don't trust management, and tangentially, the Select Board. Select Board meetings are disorganized and sometimes unruly.

I would immediately recommend that we form a Human Resource Committee comprised of top Swampscott HR people. Perhaps we could hire an outside consultant to evaluate our management problems, and from there set goals for resolution and stick to that plan.

As far as transparency, I would ask fellow Select Board members to take a pledge to honor open meeting laws and discuss town issues at the table, not behind closed doors except during scheduled executive sessions. I would also ask for a commitment to be truthful and as exact as possible when addressing the community.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

There are several critical differences. Experience is the first and most obvious. I have been attending Finance Committee meetings for 11 years, with the last six as a voting member and five as vice-chair. I am the liaison to the Capital Improvements Committee. I have been a member of several other communities, and have been a town meeting member for over 20 years. I'm not a lawyer; I'm an entrepreneur who understands how to collaborate and negotiate. Most of all, I am an independent thinker who is adept at listening to all sides, then sorting and blending them to a reasonable conclusion.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Property Taxes — As Vice-Chair of the Finance Committee and a board member of the Association of Town Finance Committees, my primary focus has been on fiscal responsibility. While we've made significant improvements on budget and spending, the is room for continued vigilance, as Swampscott has one of the highest tax rates in the commonwealth. Wise and responsible spending needs to be a top priority for Swampscott's future.

Retained and Skilled Workforce- — Swampscott is a great place to work and live. We have the ability to attract highly skilled work staff, yet we currently have opportunities to improve how we manage and support the people who work in our town. Open communication and respect with town employees and representative unions is key to our town's success in retaining a skilled workforce.

Infrastructure — Like many communities on the North Shore, we're faced with climate changes and aging infrastructure. Plus, we are stewards of a historic waterfront. We have an opportunity and an obligation to set forth a solid plan on how to address these issues. To facilitate access to funding, we need to work collaboratively with surrounding communities and the state. Additionally, local universities may offer creative input on maintaining and preserving a resilient coastline.

Affordable Housing — Historically, this has been a challenge for Swampscott, given our density, but with more state support, as well as creative opportunities that respect open space and public safety, we can prudently and fairly improve accessibility for all.

Overreaching Development- — One of the biggest concerns I've heard from residents is that Swampscott is losing its small-town appeal in favor of big development projects. We need to move Swampscott forward in a way that permits reasonable growth while protecting our natural resources as well as the look and feel of our town. Community involvement is key!

Resources for Seniors — According to a 2019 Swampscott for All Ages survey conducted by the UMass Boston McCormack School, 35 percent of Swampscott's residents will be over 60 years old by the year 2030. The number one concern expressed by survey respondents was the high cost of housing and housing maintenance. The Swampscott senior population deserves equitable financing, public services, and housing that supports aging in place. Over the past few years. I've made it my mission to discuss issues with Swampscott's seniors and I want to continue to represent their voices on the Select Board.

Maintenance of School Structures — As a community, we have invested great resources into our school system: bolstering curriculum; increasing teaching staff, technology, and school services; and most recently, voting to fund a new elementary school. However, we have existing school buildings that have not received the attention and maintenance they need and deserve. We have a responsibility to create and maintain the existing schools in order to best serve generations of students to come.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

As I mentioned, I have lots of experience on many town committees. I've worked with all kinds of people, in many capacities, as a regional sales representative for Trek Bicycle; manager of the 1988 Olympic Luge Team; vice-chair of an AKC Retriever Club; Girl Scout Leader; coach for field hockey and softball. Also, I'm a single parent!

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Very Simple: treat others the way you want to be treated.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I study and weigh the facts of any issue. I'm not afraid to have a different opinion. I like to think outside the box and come up with ideas on how to solve a problem. I know how to listen to people and solve problems. I'm a hard worker and very dedicated. And as I write this memo there are about 122 shopping days left until my birthday.