Nick Connors has officially been Swampscott’s town administrator for a week, and he says he’s enjoying getting to know and work with his new team.

“I look forward to delivering for the Select Board and the residents,” Connors said. “It’s a great town to work in.”

The Select Board named Nick Connors Swampscott’s town administrator on September 17. His first day was Monday, October 6. Connors, 46, was one of three finalists the Select Board interviewed for the position. He went onto the second round of interviews with Jason Silva.

The search for a new town administrator began after former Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald resigned in late 2024. Though Fitzgerald’s contract was set to expire in June, he agreed to take paid leave in the final months of his tenure. Department of Public Works Director Gino Cresta has been filling in as interim town administrator since.

Connors grew up in the North Shore area, and he now lives in Lynnfield. During both of Connors’ interviews with the Select Board, he recalled his time in Swampscott as a child, particularly during his time in high school at Bishop Fenwick where he ran on the cross country team. He had called the opportunity to serve as Swampscott’s town administrator a full circle moment.

Connors said he remains honored to take on the role.

“This is a very exciting opportunity,” Connors said. 

Prior to becoming the Swampscott town administrator, Connors served as Milton’s assistant town administrator. He had worked at the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, where he held various leadership positions, including director of external affairs and partnerships, deputy commissioner for public affairs, policy, and administration, and director of the Green Communities Program.

But he told the Swampscott Tides that he always wanted to be a town administrator.

“I worked in politics when I was younger. That was fun,” Connors said. “Government was more interesting to me. The last 10 years or so, in state and local government, it’s something that I find very rewarding.”

Connors said one of things that attracted him most to the role was the team he would be joining.

“As I talked to folks I know in town and talk to people I know in municipal government, everyone across the board said ‘If you’re lucky enough to land there, the team is really great,’” Connors said.

He went on to talk about the “exciting things” each department in town is working on, from securing grants to looking for innovative improvements for residents. 

“One of the things I’m looking forward to the most is assisting in that and learning myself as I learn about the town, how I can support the department heads in that effort,” Connors said, “and make sure I’m aligning the work of town employees with the priorities and goals and the effort that the Select Board would like from us.”

At Wednesday night’s Select Board meeting, the members created a list of priorities, ranging from projects like the Hawthorne-by-the-Sea property and the Hadley Hotels to more open ideas like better communication with the residents. 

To ensure he’s up to speed, Connors has met with the department heads, many of whom he said “have had longer tenures here or grew up here or moved here or came back.”

“That type of connection and commitment to the community and region, it’s something that I think really adds to the team,” Connors said. “They’re excited to do right by the town and the residents.”

He also said the “goal is to get through the hiring processes” for a variety of vacant positions within Town Hall. 

Connors recently went on a driving tour with former interim Town Administrator and Director of the Department of Public Works Gino Cresta. He also took a tour of the schools with Superintendent Jason Calichman.

“I’m looking forward to diving in and making sure that we’re communicating well with the residents, where we are and what’s going on, and doing everything to support the final decisions that are made,” Connors said. “Our role here in Town Hall is to execute on the decisions the Select Board makes and others make at meetings.”

Connors said his primary responsibility is to “execute exactly what” the Select Board and residents want. He has an open-door policy and aims to maintain clear communication and responsiveness to residents.

He’ll also be at more Swampscott events, he said, with a variety of restaurants and places he still needs to explore.

“It’s an absolutely beautiful spot,” Connors said. “There’s a few places that are new to me that I’m looking forward to trying…I’m looking forward to getting involved in town and the events that happen on the weekends.”