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IPSWICH — The Select Board voted unanimously last Thursday to offer the town manager position to Brendan Sweeney, citing his local roots, youthful energy, clear communication, and experience in state and local government.
Sweeney edged out fellow finalist Steve Bartha, Lexington’s town manager. A third candidate, West Newbury Town Manager Angus Jennings, withdrew from consideration after accepting a business management position at Whittier Tech.
An Ipswich High School graduate whose parents still live in town, Sweeney said his connection to the community shaped both his interest in the job and his approach to local government.
He recalled his time volunteering on the Government Study Committee as an early introduction to how Ipswich operates.
“I have a very personal connection to this community,” Sweeney said during his April 7 interview with the Select Board. “It would truly be my honor to step into the role and work with each and every one of you in shaping Ipswich’s future.”
Background
Sweeney, who now lives in Beverly with his wife and infant son, said his interest in municipal government began after graduating from Gordon College, when internships with Sen. Bruce Tarr and the town of Wenham soon followed.
That led to a role as assistant to the town manager in Reading, where he said he developed a passion for constituent services — helping residents navigate Town Hall in order to solve their problems.
He later earned a master’s degree in public administration from Suffolk University while working in the state’s Executive Office of Administration and Finance under former Gov. Charlie Baker.
In his current role in Boxford, where he serves as assistant town administrator and finance director, Sweeney said he has built operating budgets, steered capital planning, and managed contract negotiations.
“I’ve really enjoyed the hands-on work of serving those residents,” he said. “The next natural progression for me is to step into a town manager or town administrator role. That’s the opportunity I’ve been looking for.”
Communication and leadership
Sweeney emphasized communication as being “at the core” of his leadership style, particularly in his relationships with the Select Board and town employees.
In Boxford, he provides weekly updates to ensure board members are informed on all aspects of town operations. “I never want the Select Board to be caught by surprise,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of bringing stakeholders to the table early on in the decision-making process, whether through large public meetings or smaller, topic-specific discussions.
Beyond Town Hall, Sweeney said he prioritizes visibility and accessibility — a practice that he said he developed while serving on the Beverly City Council.
“I plan to be outside of the office, out and about in the community,” he said, adding that his door will always be open when he is in the office.
Budgeting and planning
Sweeney described budgeting and long-term financial planning as one of his “strongest areas.”
He currently leads Boxford’s Finance Department, overseeing the town’s five-year capital improvement plan and helping maintain its AAA bond rating. He also highlighted his procurement experience as a Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official.
Sweeney pointed to Boxford Town Meeting’s recent approval of a long-debated Department of Public Works garage as an example of his success working on capital projects. After earlier proposals had failed, he said, the town secured approval by increasing community engagement and structuring the project’s financing to minimize the tax impact.
“We really sought to engage with the community early and often,” he said.
Economic development
Sweeney also highlighted his experience in economic development and housing policy during his time on the Beverly City Council.
He said municipalities often focus too heavily on attracting new businesses while overlooking the needs of existing ones. “Those relationships [with Beverly business owners] helped me understand the challenges local businesses are facing,” he said.
On housing, Sweeney described the challenge of balancing increased housing production with the preservation of community character. In Beverly, he worked on changes to the city’s inclusionary zoning ordinance aimed at increasing affordability while maintaining feasibility for developers.
“That is a balancing act,” he said. “I talked with developers throughout that process who made clear that there is a real cost to them in subsidizing the creation of affordable units. And if the city went too far in setting standards for an inclusionary zoning ordinance, we could de-incentivize developments entirely.”
He was also involved in zoning changes designed to steer development away from historic areas such as Rantoul and Cabot streets — an approach he suggested would also be relevant in Ipswich.
Challenges
Asked about the biggest challenges Ipswich is facing over the next decade, Sweeney first pointed to large capital projects including the elementary schools and public safety facility.
He also pointed to strain on the town’s operating budget, such as increases in town employee salaries and health insurance costs — all while revenue and state aide are declining.
“That’s the larger challenge. That’s what leads to making difficult decisions,” he said. “That also gives us the opportunity, however, to innovate how we can provide services more efficiently [and] how we can plan for big capital projects in a sustainable way.”
Asked if he could see himself sticking around Ipswich beyond the length of one or two contracts, Sweeney didn’t hesitate.
“The short answer is yes,” he told the Select Board last week. “I am somebody who really wants to dive into the challenges facing a community and stay for the long term so I can help address those challenges and see projects to fruition.”
He added, “This is essentially a homecoming, in my mind. It’s an opportunity to give back to a community that gave me so much in launching me into my professional career and the path I’m on now.”
