Town Government
Town Departments
Finding the Right Department
Most of what residents need from the town runs through a department, not an elected official: paying a bill, pulling a permit, reporting a problem, registering to vote. Each department reports up through the Town Administrator to the Board of Selectmen.
One thing to know before you dial. Swansea’s departments are spread across four buildings, not one. Town Hall at 81 Main Street holds the Administrator, the Clerk, the Treasurer and Collector and the Assessors. The Town Hall Annex at 68 Stevens Road holds Building, Health and Animal Control. The Highway Department is at 101 Gardners Neck Road, and the Council on Aging and Veterans’ Services share 260 Ocean Grove Avenue. The full directory is at swanseama.gov.
Department Directory
| Town Clerk | Vital records, licenses, the town census, voter registration, and every election and Town Meeting. The Clerk also posts every public meeting of every town board. Interim Town Clerk Celine E. Brown. 508-678-2981 ext. 105. |
|---|---|
| Highway Department | Roads, drainage, culverts, snow and ice, cemeteries, and solid waste and recycling. Director William Anderson. 101 Gardners Neck Road. 508-678-5615. |
| Board of Health | Health complaints, inspections, and compliance for local businesses. Health Director Jonathan Abreu. 68 Stevens Road. 508-674-5731, option 4. |
| Police Department | Public safety and non-emergency response. Chief of Police Mark Foley. 1700 G.A.R. Highway. 508-674-8464. Emergencies: 911. |
| Fire Department | Fire suppression, prevention, and emergency response. Fire Chief Eric Hajder. Administrative office at 50 New Gardner Neck Road. 508-672-4305. Emergencies: 911. |
| Building Department | Permits and inspections. The Building Inspector is also the Zoning Enforcement Officer, so a zoning question starts here. Building Commissioner Michael Antunes. 68 Stevens Road. 508-674-5731. |
| Treasurer / Collector | Collects the town’s taxes and manages its borrowing. Treasurer and Collector Elizabeth Leonardo. 81 Main Street. 508-678-2981, option 3. |
| Town Accountant | Controls every town disbursement and works with the Assessors on the annual recap that sets the tax rate. Town Accountant Tracy Jo Anderson. 508-678-2981 ext. 108. |
| Assessors’ Office | Values every parcel in town, issues excise bills, and processes exemptions for elderly, veteran and blind taxpayers. Principal Assessor Michael R. Minardi. 81 Main Street. 508-678-2981, option 6. |
| Council on Aging | Information, referral and a senior center open to residents 60 and over. Executive Director Stephanie Suplido. 260 Ocean Grove Avenue. 508-676-1831, option 2. |
| Veterans’ Services | Federal and state benefits for resident veterans and their dependents. Director of Veterans’ Services Kevin Serpa. 260 Ocean Grove Avenue. 508-676-1831, option 3. |
| Conservation | Wetlands, water supply, wildlife habitat, and the land along rivers, streams and ponds. Conservation Agent Adeline Bellesheim. 81 Main Street. |
| Parks & Recreation | Swansea Memorial Park, the town’s fields and courts, and youth and adult programs. Recreation Director John Pozzi. 347 GAR Highway. 508-343-1502. |
| Animal Control | Animal complaints, the town shelter, and adoptions. Animal Control Officer Lisa White. 68 Stevens Road. 508-679-6446. After hours, call the Police Department at 508-674-8464. |
| Town Nurse | A public health nurse shared with Somerset, working under the Board of Health. Blood pressure checks, TB testing, sharps disposal, car seat installation and flu shots. Desiree Harding, RN. 260 Ocean Grove Avenue. 508-415-7129. |
| Swansea Free Public Library | Books, programs, computers, and a card that works at libraries across Massachusetts. 69 Main Street. 508-674-9609. Governed by six elected Trustees. |
Town departments carry out state and local law. See how Massachusetts government connects to your town.