Select Board Winners Pledge To Work For A Better Swampscott

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — While the Swampscott Select Board race was generally a highly cordial and positive campaign on all sides there were subtle priority differences that separated the three candidates for two open spots.

With 40 percent of the Board turning over after Tuesday's election, MaryEllen Fletcher and Katie Phelan will now have a chance to make their priorities part of the town's focus for the future.

According to unofficial results, Fletcher was the top vote-getter with 1,212 ballots cast in her favor on Tuesday, while Phelan was second at 1,013. Kimberly Martin-Epstein finished third with 880 votes.

Fletcher, a veteran of several boards and commissions in town, made clear during the campaign that her priorities will be fiscal responsibility and restoring "trust and transparency" to a Select Board that she said at least had the perception of making major decisions without much resident knowledge or feedback in recent years.

During the recent candidates forum, Fletcher often came across as the pragmatic nuts-and-bolts candidate compared to the more aspirational ideals of Phelan and Martin-Epstein.

"As I have said during the campaign, it's not about 'Yes' or 'No' answers," Fletcher said in a message to her supporters on Wednesday, "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."

Phelan and Martin-Epstein shared a similar background as lawyers and first-time candidates for public office, and appeared to agree on many of the issues facing the town, but one difference that stood out during the candidate forum was Phelan's focus on preserving and finding ways to increase public space, compared to Martin-Epstein's focus on affordable housing — which almost by definition indicated the need for further development in the densely packed 3-square-mile town.

"I went into this campaign wanting to make a difference, wanting to better the community that we love so much," Phelan said in a message to Patch on Wednesday. "What I didn't realize is how invested I became in all the wonderful families and residents I met. I look forward to serving you and to continue to listen to you.

"Now, onto work and making the Swampscott the best it can be."

Fletcher said throughout the campaign she admired Phelan's "courage, enthusiasm and love for the community," while she encouraged Martin-Epstein to consider another run in the future after her "smart and thoughful campaign."

"What an exciting adventure this has been," Fletcher said. "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."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at [email protected]. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)