In a 4-1 vote the Select Board named Jason Silva as their top choice for Swampscott’s next town administrator. Select Board Member Danielle Leonard was the sole nay vote.

Silva and Nicholas Connors were invited to a second interview with the Select Board on Tuesday, following initial screenings and prior interviews with the Town Administrator Search Committee. The search began after former Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald resigned in late 2024. Though Fitzgerald’s contract ran through June, he opted for a paid leave of absence in his final months. Department of Public Works Director Gino Cresta has been filling in as interim town administrator since but he did not apply for the full-time position.

“I think they were both terrific. We have two great candidates. For me tonight it got harder, not easier,” said Select Board Vice Chair Doug Thompson. “I think we would be in good shape with both of them.”

Silva, currently Dunstable’s town administrator, was asked about his decision to leave Marblehead, where he held the same role from June 2018 to February 2022.

“I was cooked,” Silva said. “I realized I needed a break from municipal government. In the back of my mind, I always felt like I would come back to it at some point but at that moment, it was time for me to step away for my physical health, my mental health, for my family.”

During the Select Board discussion, Fletcher said Silva’s experience in Marblehead gave him broader exposure. She had talked with Marblehead residents and Select Board members as well as other officials Silva has worked with and “got a great review on him.”

“For me they’re both great candidates, but I’m leaning more toward Jason because of Jason’s experience, and I think that’s what the town needs right now,” Fletcher said. 

Leonard asked what makes Silva then “think Swampscott’s going to be any different.” Silva said the discussions he’s had with people in town as well as the meetings he has watched have led to his opinion of Swampscott and that he is in “a much different place.”

“I wouldn’t have applied unless I thought it was a good fit, that it was a place where I can make a meaningful impact,” Silva said. “This is a great opportunity that’s presented itself to me.”

Leonard later indicated in the meeting that Silva’s “jumping around” from position to position concerned her. 

“I can’t get it out of my head: Why is this going to be his last permanent stop?” Leonard said. “I can only judge from past experiences, and if I look at that it’s a three year stint in Marblehead, a two year in Dunstable that was an early renewal with an increase only done three or four months ago…What does that say when you come here?”

Thompson said he does not hold moving against anybody and that the Marblehead situation was difficult due to the pandemic. 

Silva said he would not only set his own priorities as town administrator but also ensure his staff had clear goals and understood the impact of their work.

“I have an open door policy…staff and public,” Silva said.

Silva said he “sees the role of town administrator as the day-to-day of what (the Select Board) is trying to accomplish and trying to do that in the parameters that you set.”

“Public service is what it says. You work with the public. You work with boards and committees to get things done,” Silva said. “If that wasn’t part of the work, I wouldn’t want to be part of it because that’s the part I really enjoy.”

Thompson said later in the Select Board meeting that he appreciated Silva’s “great place to work answer.” He also added that he liked Silva’s communication style of going to coffee shops and having conversations with residents to ensure they know the ins and outs of town information. 

He also spoke about his budgeting experience and balancing town needs during his tenure in Dunstable.

“Clearly he has the financial chops, and he has the experience, so I kind of give him some edge in those categories as well,” Thompson said. 

Prior to Silva’s interview, Connors spoke with the board and answered their questions. Leonard asked him about why he wanted to make the job switch at this point and what about Swampscott appealed to him.

“This is a really unique opportunity I see,” Connors said. “I want to be in this role. I want to be a town administrator. That’s what I’ve focused on career-wise.”

Connors went on to explain that he has not just applied to positions because they are a town administrator role. He said Swampscott, instead, provides unique, “generational opportunities” and that his background in public engagement and communication would help within the role.

He added that communication is also important when engaging with the Select Board as well as staff to make sure everyone is on the same page. 

“It’s my position to be as transparent as possible,” Connors said.

Leonard had originally shared after the interviews that she was leaning toward Connors as the new town administrator. 

“I was pretty impressed with Mr. Connors’ due diligence with the town of Swampscott and really digging into what’s going on here right now, what our priorities are, what our pressing issues are and really taking the time to understand where we’re at,” Leonard said, adding that she also spoke with references in Lynnfield for Connors and Marblehead for Silva. “I feel like Mr. Connors is very eager to become a TA.”

Select Board Chair Katie Phelan called Connors’ style as “fresh.” She said that Connors may be stronger in communication, which town residents prioritized, but that Silva might be better with the financial aspects that were also high on Swampscott’s list. 

“They truly are neck-and-neck,” Phelan said. 

Phelan went on to vote for Silva “with great regret,” as she said in the meeting. When the Swampscott Tides followed up, she said she would not make additional comments and that the “context is all there.”

”I hoped it would be Nick, but both were great choices,” Phelan told the Swampscott Tides.

Select Board Member David Grishman said that he believed both candidates “could be successful in our great town.” 

“I think we saw the level of preparation from these candidates. I think that Mr. Connors was extremely well prepared both last week and this week, definitely making this decision up here for the five of us difficult. He answered all of our questions. He provided thorough follow up and was anticipatory of the questions we were going to ask him,” Grishman said. “When I look at Jason, he has proven that he can tackle the role. He has worked in Marblehead. He is currently working in Dunstanble…It comes down to experience.”

Following the decision to make Silva the first choice for town administrator, the Select Board entered into an executive session, where they said they would discuss salary and other negotiations.