By Rick Wright

Staff Writer

Anne Swift-Kayatta was elected chairman of the Cape Elizabeth Town Council on Dec. 14, taking over for outgoing councilor Jim Rowe. 

“She’s been a mentor to me,” Rowe said. “She’s someone I’ve looked to for clarity and vision. She’s very thorough in reviewing all the work that comes before us. She’s very detailed.”

“I think she’s going to do great,” said councilor David Sherman. “Anne has a lot of knowledge and experience that she can bring to the role. By virtue of her hard work and diligence, she brings a better understanding of the issues to the public and the council.”

Swift-Kayatta has served on the council for 10 years. She is just starting the second year of her fourth term. This is the third time she has been elected chairman.

“I feel I can serve. I’ve done it twice before so I understand the role,” she said. “I feel like I can offer some skills and apparently I have the confidence of my fellow councilors.”

“She’s fair. She is an effective leader. Her style is to make sure we’ve considered the concerns that all members of the public have,” Sherman said.

Swift-Kayatta led the council’s finance committee this past year and was also a member of the Cape Elizabeth School Board’s Ad Hoc Curtailment Committee and the South Portland-Cape Elizabeth Rotary Club.

  A Portland native, Swift-Kayatta has a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard University. After working in the private sector for many years, including a 15-year stint at UNUM, Swift-Kayatta has focused her attention on the world of volunteering and nonprofits.

“Public service is my thing now,” Swift-Kayatta said. “I’m constantly going from one place to another, which is good. It provides a lot of variety.”

She has worked with the Maine Municipal Association, the United Way of Greater Portland and the Cape Elizabeth Planning Committee.

Swift-Kayatta said the role of council chairman is to run meetings, represent the council at group events and work closely with new finance committee chairman Sara Lennon.

“The chair is not the boss. The chair is not the mayor. The chair is one of seven equals but with just some additional duties,” Swift-Kayatta said.

Among her goals for the coming year, Swift-Kayatta mentioned the need to listen to everyone in town. 

“A priority of mine is to increase effective communication to and from citizens and to enhance the dialog between citizens and their government,” Swift-Kayatta said.

“She’s a good communicator and a good listener. Her stands are well thought out and well considered,” Rowe said.

Swift-Kayatta thinks the economy will be the council’s biggest concern during her term. 

“Probably, since I’ve been on the council this is going to be the most financially challenging year we’ve ever faced,” she said. “Money is where the rubber hits the road. There are ongoing operations of the town, which take money. Then there are special projects that come along. But all those things depend on money.”

Swift-Kayatta also feels the council needs to make decisions about replacing the aging Thomas Memorial Library, implement a parking fee for Fort Williams to raise money for infrastructure repairs, and create a more energy efficient community.

“I think she’s the right person for the job at this point,” Rowe said.

Rick Wright can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 237 or news@inthesentry.com.