BY GAYLA CAWLEY
SWAMPSCOTT —The race for Town Moderator is shaping up to be a contested one, as Michael McClung announced his candidacy on Tuesday.
McClung, a Swampscott resident, currently serves as the chairman of the town’s Article 6 Committee, focused on regionalization and other opportunities for cost savings and greater efficiency in town services, according to a release.
McClung was a member of the Swampscott Finance Committee for six years, serving as chairman from 2010 to 2013. He is a longtime Town Meeting member and also sits on the board of directors for the Swampscott-Nahant Youth Lacrosse. He had previously been appointed to the Town Building Oversight Committee, and chaired the 2009 High School Principal Search Committee, according to a release.
McClung graduated from Swampscott High in 1979 and Harvard College in 1983. He is a parent of four current and former Swampscott students, according to a release.
McClung said he made the decision to take out nomination papers and run for the position in December. Town Clerk Susan Duplin said McClung has returned his nomination papers and they have been certified.
“Coming out of the (Town) Meeting in November, (it was) clear that there might be a need for change,” McClung said.
Duplin said one other person has also pulled papers for the position. She said Anthony Scibelli took out papers, but has not returned them. Scibelli is a former vice-chairman for the Swampscott Board of Selectmen and an attorney.
The last day for candidates to obtain nomination papers for all town offices is March 4. The last day for candidates to submit those nomination papers, which require certification, is March 8. The town election is Tuesday, April 26.
“There’s still plenty of time,” Duplin said.
Joe Markarian, the town’s current town moderator, said he has not decided whether or not he will run. He said his decision to run hinges on Scibelli.
“Tony Scibelli has taken out papers and I expect that he will submit papers,” Markarian said. “If he does, I will not run and I will support him.”
Markarian said he was elected, in 2010, to what he called “a very atypical leadership position.” He said the position is one there’s no specific preparation for and is all about “learning on the fly.”
“More so than anything else, a person’s temperament will dictate whether they are a good Moderator or not,” Markarian said. “Honestly, I’m not convinced I had the right temperament for it.”
If Scibelli does not return his papers, Markarian said he would reconsider running for re-election. If he doesn’t run, Markarian said he would lay low for awhile. He said he thought about running for Town Meeting, but is just content to take some time off and focus on his profession. He works for the Franklin Regional Council of Governments.
Markarian said the Town Moderator has two primary functions. He said one function is to oversee Town Meeting itself, which “involves some sense of the ability to move things along.” He said fairness is also a big part of it and involves giving people an opportunity to speak and voice their concerns.
Markarian said other responsibilities of the Town Moderator include appointing members to the Finance and Capital Improvement committees. The Moderator also appoints five people to a screening committee when there is a search for a new town administrator.
McClung said the Town Moderator needs to make sure town meetings run as efficiently as possible. He also said that the moderator needs to keep track of the vote on the floor, along with any given amendments, and not lose track of them in the process.
“One of my additional objectives will be to bring new people into the process [with] involving the next generation of residents,” McClung said. “We are at such an important juncture in our town. It’s critical that the Moderator play an active role in helping to keep the momentum going.”
McClung added that, to his knowledge, there hasn’t been a contested Moderator race in 22 years. Markarian said he wasn’t sure on the timeframe, but wouldn’t be surprised if that was the case because his predecessor was Moderator for about 20 years and doesn’t remember him ever facing contention with re-election.
“It may catch people by surprise ,but it’s an important part of the process,” McClung said.
Scibelli could not be reached for comment.
Gayla Cawley can be reached at [email protected].