MaryEllen Fletcher Swampscott Select Board

Just a reminder that I'm holding an outdoor Office Hour from 9-10 a.m. on Saturday, May 14, at the gazebo on Linscott Park, behind Hadley School. Please visit with any questions or concerns or anything that's on your mind about Swampscott. Hope to see you!

Celebrating the Win with Cinder McNerney. Thank you, Cinder, for your advice and encouragement!

WOW!!!! I don’t even know what to say! What an exciting adventure this has been. I am humbled and grateful for all the support of so many people: people from all over town, people I didn’t even know, people of all political backgrounds, values, and beliefs. The support and enthusiasm I have felt over the last seven weeks has been amazing. And I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I want to extend congratulations to Katie Phelan, whose courage, enthusiasm, and love for our community I admire. I look forward to working with her on the Select Board. One of my favorite parts about yesterday was watching her little ones hold signs on top of the box at the corner.

My encouragement to Kim Martin Epstein, who ran a smart and thoughtful campaign. Please run again!

Congratulations to Mr. Reagan and Mr. Patsios for running a clean race. Their dignity and friendliness toward each other was obvious and appreciated.

As I have said during the campaign, it's not about Yes or No answers, but about listening to and respecting each other. It's about proper governance and integrity.

I appreciate everyone’s hard work, and I promise to do my best for our beautiful community.

Can't thank you enough for coming out to vote!

Look who has been holding signs sInce 8 am! Douglas and Duncan Maitland, thank you so much. Your stamina and loyalty are phenomenal!!

Sue Duplin arrives!

Thank you for the ongoing support, Amy!!

Today’s the day!
Please get out and vote.

I’m running for town meeting and unopposed for school committee, but MaryEllen Fletcher needs your vote.

To say I’m disappointed by the active way the current selectboard is working to keep MaryEllen Fletcher from getting elected would be an understatement. A testament to exactly why she is running. There appears to be little diversity of opinion on that Board and that isn’t good for leadership. MaryEllen will help bring much needed open dialogue. Have you watched a meeting recently?

MaryEllen and I often disagree, but I can count on her to listen. Actively. I can count on her to be aware of details that have long term impact. I know she will always be direct with me, so if we are opposite sides, I won’t find out during a surprising vote. I can count on her integrity. I learn from her all the time.

We all want the same thing for Swampscott which is to thrive. How we get there can take different paths. But I know MaryEllen will help get us there with integrity.

Why do I, as a long-time school committee member, support someone who did not vote for the school? It’s pretty simple. In her capacity as a finance committee member, she voted to send it to a public vote. Because she knew that’s what the community wanted. As a private citizen she voted against it. I’m not happy about that, and I’m disappointed that I couldn’t convince her of the project’s merits. But when it passed, she didn’t try to thwart it. She got on board and as a finance committee member she worked to get it bonded quickly to save us money. She didn’t stew about it and obstruct the voter decision. That’s a public servant!

I’m tired of how black and white we’ve all become. It’s time to attempt dialogue. Especially when there’s disagreement. That coming to compromise is what makes decisions better.

Please get out and vote today.
With appreciation,
Amy

Thank you, Tom!

Here is why I am voting for Mary Ellen Fletcher and why her sign is on my lawn!

I have proudly called Swampscott home for fifty-seven years. In all those years there have been few candidates for the Select Board who have Mary Ellen's experience within our town"s government, nor posses her understanding of its management. Her civic and community involvement are also unparalleled.

Mary Ellen is one of those "go to" people that every community depends on. A person who is willing step up, give an enormous amount of her time and effort, as well as lead when called upon.
Sadly, Swampscott seems to have become as hateful and divisive as our Federal government and our society in general. Unfortunately, I have never witnessed such an organized slanderous misinformation campaign as I have against Mary Ellen.

Just an FYI, I am fairly well known as a progressive Democrat. My endorsement of Mary Ellen Fletcher should hopefully pour some water on the anti-Mary Ellen campaign.

When you vote for Mary Ellen Fletcher you will be voting for openness, transparency and healthy debate without visceral distain. You will be voting for a candidate who will listen to all points of view and make her votes based on her knowledge, understanding and experience.

Ignore all the noise! A vote for Mary Ellen will be a vote for us, the people of Swampscott! She will be a voice in the room we can all depend on!

I hope you will join me on Tuesday and cast your vote for Mary Ellen Fletcher!

Tom Driscoll
Town Meeting Member
Chairperson, Swampscott Contributory Retirement Board
Former Member, Swampscott Select Board

Another little voter for MaryEllen---today's Nicole's due date!

Wonder who Deb Newman's voting for . . .

Thanks, Sue, and I'll see you at the high school today!

To the Editor:

The word “transparent” is frequently pitched at the audience of Swampscott’s Select Board meetings. Overused, and meaningless in that context, I interpret it for its true meaning and can’t help but see right through some of our officials. I prefer honesty, both as a word and a human attribute. That’s why I’ll be voting for MaryEllen Fletcher.

Candid and credible can seem threatening to those of us who aren’t. MaryEllen says what she means and does what she promises. Long before she even considered running for Select Board, MaryEllen’s ideas for the people of our town were numerous. In casual conversations, I learned of her great concern for the treatment of town employees, her desire to provide nutritious meals in a community setting to our senior citizens, her regard for open space and coastal resilience, and her hope for a colorblind citizenry. So many years on Swampscott’s Finance Committee have helped her to understand what’s truly valuable: all of us.

For MaryEllen, it’s not about power. It’s not about buzzwords or placating people. It’s about respect and cooperation. Her website invites us to tell her what we want, what we expect. I believe she’ll listen, and then work hard to make Swampscott the best it can be.

Sincerely,

Deb Newman
Swampscott, MA

OPINION: Mary Ellen Fletcher says what she means, does what she promises The Swampscott resident writes in support of Mary Ellen Fletcher for Select Board

To the editor:

Weeks ago, when I heard that MaryEllen Fletcher was running for Select Board I was thrilled.

I thought to myself, here is an intelligent, informed person with grassroot ties to our community, years of experience on the Finance Committee, an independent businesswoman who makes time to volunteer for the betterment of the Town and stands up and speaks to the issues she believes in with a flat-out frank honesty that is refreshing.

MaryEllen is a thinker. A researcher. A digger. That doesn’t always sit well with some people who would rather hear their own opinion repeated back to them. But healthy disagreement is just that — it’s healthy. This is MaryEllen’s strength.

MaryEllen is congenial, fair, and a team player who doesn’t need to rely upon pack mentality. She’ll ask all the questions you never even thought of. She listens, and she participates.
We all love our beautiful town and I’m grateful for all the people who are dedicated to making it a better place for all of us. I think MaryEllen is one of those people. Please vote for her on April 26.

Angela Ippolito
Swampscott Planning Board chair

Letter: Why I’m voting for MaryEllen Fletcher - Itemlive To the editor: Weeks ago, when I heard that MaryEllen Fletcher was running for Select Board I was thrilled. I thought to myself, here is an intelligent, informed person with

Another pleasant meeting while I held a sign: John McGlaughlin, who is the epitome of volunteerism. You'll see his floral arrangements everywhere in town, and he does them all on his own time. Thanks for your support, John, and everything you do!

Thank you, Sylvia!

Swampscott's Select Board is our town's policy making agency. The depth, breadth and objectivity of each Select Board member's understanding of what our town should be—the values and culture it reflects—is hugely important to the quality of life experienced by each and every one of us. This is why your vote for Mary Ellen Fletcher for Select Board is so important, especially at this moment in our town's governance.

Mary Ellen Fletcher has a deep knowledge and experience of our town's needs by serving as a long-term member of the Finance Committee and current vice-chair. She has also served on the Recreation Commission, which she chaired, and she was a member of the Harbor and Waterfront Committee. She is a 34-year Swampscott resident and a successful business owner. Among Mary Ellen's leadership priorities: to reduce and preserve reasonable property taxes; retain a skilled workforce; improve our town's infrastructure; and prevent unreasonable, overarching development while facilitating access to affordable housing.

Combine these objectives with her ability to respect, listen to, and cooperate with colleagues and our hard-working town employees and you have an ideal candidate for Select Board. Mary Ellen will serve the Select Board with outstanding skill and leadership. She's smart and fair minded. She believes that her fellow residents have a right to be heard and a right to contribute their views. Your vote for Mary Ellen is a vote for integrity, experience and candor. Mary Ellen is a community role model.

Sylvia B. Belkin
Swampscott

OPINION: Mary Ellen Fletcher is a community role model A voter writes in support of Mary Ellen Fletcher for Select Board.

This is to Mr. Burke, who has maligned me on Swampscott Times:

With all due respect, you don't know me. I don’t appreciate your unfounded accusation.

You failed to inform people that my vote as a Finance Committee Vice Chair was YES for the school. I'm sure this information is in your minutes, and I would hope you add the video coverage of that as well.

I did not take all the credit for the bonding; I'm taking credit for pushing to get the bonding done, for getting the discussion going. As you know from doing your homework, the town planned to bond in July/August, but with the push, it got done in March.

You and I are in total agreement about Cinder McNearney. Cinder is the most knowledgeable person in this town when it comes to finances. Second to NONE.

I have been attending FinCom meetings for 11 years, and Cinder knows that I ask questions and offer my opinion. Let's ask Cinder who she’s voting for on Tuesday.

As a Page, I'm unable to post directly to Swampscott Times, but I have asked someone to share it:

Steve, while I can appreciate your position as moderator of your page, I’m disheartened to read your recent posts about my candidacy. As you know from our many conversations by email and phone, I have shared information on this topic with you. Here it is, again, for you and for all on Swampscott Times to see.
I was a financial supporter of the rail trail in the early 90’s when I worked as the New England Sales Rep for Trek Bicycles. That said, as both a member of the Finance Committee and Town Meeting, I did not vote to support the Rail Trail at the 2017 town meeting. I believed it would be imprudent to do so, and here’s why. At the time of the vote, there were serious infrastructure needs that took precedence. Water leaks at the middle school were so severe, we needed 35-gallon drums around the gym floor to collect runoff. Students had to wear raincoats in class during certain storm conditions. I thought the money should be put to use on that disturbing problem, which is being addressed only now.
There were also concerns about who owned portions of the land that would be used for the trail.
Although there was a lack of consensus by the Finance Committee and the Capital Improvements Committee on the trail during that Town Meeting, the vote was 2,741 to 2,152 in support of it. The bottom line is that implementation of the Rail Trail has been approved by the voters, and that’s the law. I respect the town’s vote, and I am not inclined to go against that decision.

Sign holding is very social! I got a chance to meet one of Swampscott Football's pride and joy: two-time Super Bowl champion, QB Cam O'Brien. Thanks to you, Cam, and to the whole team and cheering squad for bringing home the title. Your hard work and devotion to the sport make us proud!

Thank you, Neal!

To the editor:

I am writing to provide my unqualified endorsement for MaryEllen Fletcher for a seat on the Swampscott Select Board.

Our family has lived in Swampscott for 27 years and have always known MaryEllen to be an exceptionally caring, thoughtful and engaged member of our community.

She has been a Swampscott resident for almost 35 years and has always been willing to serve as needed to make our town a better place. She has been a member of the Finance Committee for six years, the Recreation Commission, the Harbor & Waterfront Advisory Committee, the Encore Food Assistance Program, a Girl Scout leader, and a longtime Town Meeting Member.

MaryEllen takes each of these responsibilities seriously and brings her acute intellect and sensitivity to the task at hand. An example of her thoroughness, prior to running for a seat on the Finance Committee she attended years of meetings and educated herself in the intricacies of municipal finance ― no easy thing.

MaryEllen works hard, is diligent and not afraid to ask the hard questions. She cares deeply about Swampscott and all its residents.
I can think of no one more suited in terms of knowledge, experience and temperament than MaryEllen Fletcher to serve on the Swampscott Select Board.

Neal DeChillo
Swampscott

Letter: Fletcher cares about Swampscott - Itemlive To the editor: I am writing to provide my unqualified endorsement for MaryEllen Fletcher for a seat on the Swampscott Select Board. Our family has lived in Swampscott for 27

We had a 5th generation Cassidy holding a sign! Here's Annabelle and her Nan. Thank you for the help!!

Thanks for the endorsement, Kim.

It is time for Swampscott to elect leadership that is collaborative, transparent, respectful, and understands how to inspire employees and volunteer organizations. Mary Ellen Fletcher embodies each of these characteristics. She has experience running successful businesses with employees that rely on her strong leadership, and as vice chair of the Swampscott Finance Committee, she has a track record of asking tough questions, as well as being fair and open-minded.

Contrast these qualities to the lack of decorum exhibited at several Swampscott Select Board meetings. Recently, during discussions regarding Swampscott’s U.S. military veterans, town employee turnover, and the hearing process related to the failed compliance of alcoholic beverage sales to minors, board members struggled to exhibit each of these qualities. (Select Board meetings are recorded and may be viewed at http://tv.swampscottma.gov/CablecastPublicSite?/channel+4).

Successful leaders acknowledge their blind spots and continually seek ways to improve. However, when discussing, at the March 2nd and 15th meetings, the disturbing problem of town employee turnover, the Select Board decided to forgo expert help from a professional organization to determine the real cause of low morale and lack of retention. Instead, they had the town administrator conduct his own investigation.

The Harvard Business Review and other professional publications advise that employees do not leave their jobs; employees leave their management. The town's decision to allow its administrator to investigate ignores the obvious conflict of interest, as well as that employees may not feel comfortable speaking out if leadership is the problem. So, the blind spot remains.

Several residents with substantial human resources experience have offered to assist, at no cost to the taxpayers, in determining the root cause of the problems, yet their offers have not even been acknowledged.

It is time for a change. On April 26th, I hope you join me in voting for Mary Ellen Fletcher as a refreshing asset to the Swampscott Select Board.

Kim Nassar
Swampscott

https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/swampscott-reporter/2022/04/12/opinion-mary-ellen-fletcher-will-ask-the-tough-questions-as-member-of-select-board/7279111001/

OPINION: Mary Ellen Fletcher will ask the tough questions A Swampscott resident writes in support of Mary Ellen Fletcher.

Here we are! Come and chat, or at least honk!!

I heard through a few grapevines that someone is calling voters to spread disinformation and bring partisanship to our local non-partisan election. That's too bad, as we need everyone in the community to keep Swampscott's future bright. If it matters, I've been registered as undeclared for most, if not all, of my voting life. I like to consider all the options before I make decisions!

Thanks to all of you for making sign holding so much fun!

In case you missed it!

1. Why are you seeking election?

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, Capitol Improvements Committee Liaison, Recreation Commission, Article 6 and Harbor and Waterfront Advisory Committee, I can add a different prespective to the board and facilitate an improved dialogue on every issue we face as a town.

2. Single Most Pressing issue facing our community and this is what I will 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. Recently, 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 the 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 close 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.

3. 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 eleven years, with the last six as a voting member and five as vice chair. I am liason to the Capitol Improvements Committee, have been a member of several other committees, and have been a Town Meeting member for I-don’t-know-how-long. I'm not a lawyer; I'm an entrepreneur who understands how to collaborate and negotiate. Most of all, I'm an independent thinker who is adept at listening to all sides, then sorting and blending them to a reasonable conclusion.

4. Describe the issues that define your campaign platform.

a. 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 improvement on budget and spending, there is room for continued vigilance, as Swampscott has one of the highest tax rates in the Commonwealth. Wise and responsible spending need to be a top priority for Swampscott's future.

b. 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.

c. 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.

d. Affordable Housing
As a highly desirable seaside community, we have an acknowledged need for an increase in 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.

e. 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!

f. Resources for Seniors
According to a 2019 Swamscott for All Ages survey conducted by the UMassBoston McCormack School, 35% of Swampscott's residents will be over sixty years old by the year 2030. The number one concern expressed by survey respondents was the high cost of housing and housing maintainance. 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.

g. 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.

h. Revitalize Small Businesses
The COVID pandemic hit our small business community hard. We need to find opportunities to help them recover and thrive, while simultaneously creating opportunities for new small businesses to launch, so we will increase our commercial tax base.

5. What accomplishments in the past would you cite as evidence you can do this job.

As I mentioned, I have lots of experience on many town committees and I run a successful business. I’ve worked with all kinds of people, in many capacities, as: regional manager for Trek Bicycles during their hayday; the manager of the 1988 Olympic Luge Team; vice chair of an AKC Retriever Club; Girl Scout leader; and coach for girls’ softball and field hockey. Also, I’m a single parent!

6. Best Advice: Very simple: treat others the way you want to be treated.

7. What else would you like voters to know about you.

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. As I write this email, there are only 130 shopping days until my birthday.

MaryEllen Fletcher: Swampscott Select Board Candidate Profile Fletcher is seeking election to one of the two open Select Board seats in Swampscott in the annual spring vote.

Thank you, Ken!

Fletcher will bring integrity, wisdom, and finance experience to the Select Board.
Generally, most candidates running for public office have a very positive and transformative platform, but inevitably most of their priorities seem remarkably similar. Promises are easily made, but the follow through sometimes becomes more complicated.

That said, I believe that MaryEllen Fletcher's platform goals are laudable; the qualities and characteristics most important to this writer are far less to do with the goals that are set but the individual who sets them. I feel compelled to write this letter, because integrity, experience, candor, and transparency are qualities that seem to get lost in the politics of the minute.

I often wonder, when watching meetings of the Select Board, why the constant unanimity in their approach to subjects, with little or no debate. One can only wonder if all five board members share the same thoughts, backgrounds and goals, or whether their seeming cooperation leads to results actually sought by their constituents.

I treasure the spirit of debate that I anticipate or, more importantly, expect from the board's dialogue, rather than capitulating to an accepted position endorsed by the town administrator and seconded by the board. I feel that MaryEllen will ask the right questions, because ultimately she believes that it is in her best interest and in the best interest of Swampscott’s community members.

I admire individuality and I applaud those who are willing to stand up and be heard. The most effective leadership is from those attentive and responsive to their constituents. I believe MaryEllen, as a long-term member of the Finance Committee and a community role model, is that individual and the best candidate for the office.

Kenneth B. Shutzer
Salem Street

OPINION: Letter-writers endorse Mary Ellen Fletcher for Swampscott Select Board A letter-writer endorses MaryEllen Fletcher for Swampscott Select Board.

Thank you, Anne!

https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/swampscott-reporter/2022/03/24/opinion-letter-writers-endorse-maryellen-fletcher-for-swampscott-select-board/9453449002/

The candidacy of Mary Ellen Fletcher presents Swampscott a singular opportunity to elect a Select Board member with notable integrity, wisdom and municipal finance experience.
A straightforward and honest leader, Mary Ellen has proven herself to be independent, practical and sensible. She is the kind of steward for Swampscott who will serve today’s residents as well as the many generations to come.
She is interested in what voters think and I have every confidence she will work with determination and grit to address our concerns. She is committed to using her laudable skills and considerable experience to enhance our special seaside community.
I hope you will consider her worthy of your endorsement as well as your vote on April 26th. Thank you.

Anne Driscoll
Swampscott

OPINION: Letter-writers endorse Mary Ellen Fletcher for Swampscott Select Board A letter-writer endorses MaryEllen Fletcher for Swampscott Select Board.

I enjoyed another wonderful Seder with my second family, the Palys. Thirty-four years ago, Dr. Sidney Paly and his wife, Beth, first welcomed me into their home to celebrate the holiday. I've been to every Seder since. I know Spring is here when I share Passover with the Palys.

Mr. Glauberman, an immigrant from Ukraine and longtime Swampscott resident, has a nonprofit that deserves our support, morally and financially. If you can, let's help.

From Swampscott to Ukraine with love - Itemlive SWAMPSCOTT — A longtime town resident who immigrated from Ukraine is raising funds to send medications and protective gear to his hometown, as the war with Russia continues. “The main

I really enjoyed meeting with members of the VFW this past Saturday! Thank you, Jeff Blonder, for the invitation. We, as a town, have work to do to give more support to our veterans. I was deeply concerned to hear about some of the issues ignored by the current Select Board. As a community, we owe them a lot, and I plan to honor them with more than words.

Putting the campaign on hold today. Wishing everyone meaningful and safe observance of Easter, Ramadan, and Passover.