Swampscott Housing Chair Declares Select Board Candidacy At Board Meeting

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — Swampscott Housing Authority Chair, Water & Sewer Commission member and town meeting member Charlie Patsios used the public comment session of Wednesday night's Select Board meeting to announce his intention to seek one of the Board seats in the 2026 annual town election.

Patsios expressed frustration with how the Board has handled recent housing issues — especially those involving seniors — and those related to re-use of the Clarke School to lead into his announcement.

"From where I sit, and what I see, and what I hear," he said, "it seems to me that there is an opportunity to do things in a better way. Which is why I've decided that I am going to be running as a Select Board member. Because I believe that there are opportunities where we can work together and create the funding that allows us to create housing for our seniors — which I believe to be the most neglected group in town.

"The backbone of the town has paid its dues, has paid its taxes, done its civic duty, met its responsibilities countless times. We're not scorned. But we're ignored."

Patsios was then informed that he had reached the three-minute maximum allowed for public comment. He asked those in attendance if anyone would like to provide him with additional time on their behalf, and was informed that was not allowed under Select Board protocols.

"Well, I thank you and I hope to see you at the next meeting," he said. "I will be back."

(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.)