Swampscott DEI Report Shines Light On Town Staff, Resident, Leadership Disconnect

SWAMPSCOTT, MA —A prevalent sense that Swampscott town leadership was inconsistent in communication and accessibility, that resident trust in decision-making and accountability is limited, and that feedback might not be welcome were among the findings of the town's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion consultant in a report shared during the most recent Select Board meeting.

The report presentation said that only 38 percent of staff surveyed believed they could provide input on decisions, 29 percent said they felt safe sharing concerns with senior leaders, and that only 33 percent of residents responding said they feel their voice matters in shaping the town's future.

"What's unfortunate is that none of this is actually shocking," Select Board Chair Katie Phelan said. "I don't think it would shock a lot of us to hear a lot of this feedback that's happening. Speaking for myself, we could be better, we should be better. But we're not sure how to get to better."

The report was part of an initial information-gathering process that is set to include formulating a roadmap on how to improve DEI initiatives, additional feedback, and then the implementation of action items included in that roadmap.

"This is obviously concerning," Select Board member Danielle Leonard said of the report. "Even though we know it exists, to see the numbers in front of you, and to see the feedback from staff and the community, is concerning. As much as we know it, I think we need to put a little more action behind the thought and see how we can make the changes."

The consultant said that the survey occurred last fall — during the previous town administration — while the community listening sessions happened late this winter and early in the spring.

Additionally, the report said that while town staff say they take pride in their work and their teams, many feel disconnected from the broader organization and unsupported emotionally, and that inconsistent communication leads to disengagement.

Staff surveyed said that 78 percent are proud to work for the town, but that 33 percent feel recognized for their work and only 30 percent feel communication is timely and transparent. Community members said some staff members are engaged, while others are cold and dismissive.

The town's Facebook groups were seen as "toxic" and "fragmenting," leading to a feeling that the town may be unwelcoming to some.

The Swampscott Public Library was cited as an outlier where community and engagement were widely praised.

"This is going to require commitment from us," Grishman said of the next steps. "It is going to require commitment from the community. It is going to require financial commitments. Looking at communication, website prioritization and reorganization, we're looking at how we are disseminating information — not just putting it on Facebook and not just sending out a newsletter ... it's extensive.

"If we are to be serious about this, we do have to make, as the chief policy-making board of the town, we have to make a commitment financially as well."

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