Ryan Hale
Tell us about yourself and your background.
After growing up in New Jersey and earning an engineering degree from Cornell, I moved to the Boston area for my first job at a company based on the North Shore. My wife and I settled in Swampscott shortly after getting married, and we are proud parents to two teenage daughters who were born in Boston. Away from work you’ll probably find me outside: biking, birding, skiing, camping, sailing, or grilling.
What makes you qualified for this position?
I’ve served for many years as a Town Meeting member and a volunteer committee member (first for Renewable Energy, then for Capital Improvement). I first felt drawn to the energy and structure of moderated debate ages ago in high school and college with the Model United Nations. I value process, structure and efficiency at work and in life generally.
Why did you choose to live in Swampscott?
My wife is a “beach kid” so we wanted to be near the water. Swampscott had the perfect balance of scenic beauty, convenient access to Boston, vibrant neighboring communities, and affordable homes for a newlywed couple. A few years later when I started commuting downtown for work, the ability to walk to the train (or ferry!) and have “beach pizza” with my family made Swampscott feel even more like home. It’s been rewarding to connect with our community over the past 22 years through volunteering and local traditions such as the Strawberry Festival, 4th of July fireworks, and of course neighbors helping each other dig out from the latest snowstorm!
What made you decide to run for this office now?
I got to know Mr. McClung from our time in Blue Big Band together and when I learned that he was planning to hang up his gavel, it seemed like the right time for me to change the way I serve our community by running for moderator.
What life or professional experiences most shaped your perspective on public service?
It may sound cliche but the slogans “think globally, act locally” and “be the change you want to see in the world” resonate with me.
What are the top three issues facing Swampscott now?
Broadly I would say that we need to take action in the next year or two to shape what Swampscott will become in the next decade or two. As a coastal community we need to accept and act upon the new reality of rising sea levels and stronger, warmer weather patterns. Demography is shifting both as a nation and as a local community, so we need to decide what housing and infrastructure investments are going to serve Swampscott from 2026 to 2046 and beyond. Besides those structural issues we still need to meet the public safety, educational, recreational, financial and community engagement needs so striking a balance will require some compromises and tough decisions.
If elected, what will be your top priorities for the first year?
To facilitate effective and efficient Town Meetings where we exchange points of view respectfully and make decisions to move our community forward.
How will you make sure residents’ voices are heard?
By being available to my fellow residents before and after Town Meeting, and by ensuring a balanced and representative slate of speakers are recognized during the meetings.
If voters remember only one thing about your campaign, what do you hope it is?
That I hope to make a positive contribution, however small, to the long legacy of respected town moderators who precede me in the position.
Favorite spot in town?
I’m sure we all have our favorite beach spots, so I’m going to share a somewhat under-the-radar favorite: Muskrat Pond. As a proud “bird nerd” I can always count on this spot for year-round regular species and the occasional surprise including owls and migrating warblers. It’s a testament to the value of local conservation and the wonder that we can find in nature just a few steps out our front doors.
