A longtime state representative from Swanton has resigned from the Vermont House of Representatives to focus on a new government job back home: Swanton town administrator.
“Municipal administration has been my labor of love for many years,” Brian Savage, a Republican, said in an interview. “And these jobs don’t open up very often.”
The lifelong Swanton resident announced his resignation from the Vermont House of Representatives, effective Tuesday, toward the end of Monday’s special legislative session. He said his job as Swanton town administrator is set to begin Dec. 1.
Savage, who was first elected to the Legislature in 2009, said he was encouraged to apply for the municipal role after Swanton’s current town administrator, David Jescavage, announced he was retiring.
Savage said it would have been difficult to balance his responsibilities both in town and in Montpelier, especially since the town administrator role is year-round.
“Rather than try to juggle both and not really do a good job for both,” he said, “I made that decision and will devote 100% of my work time to the town of Swanton.”
As a legislator, Savage considers his biggest achievement to be sponsoring a 2011 law that toughened penalties for people who drive under the influence multiple times.
He also served as House minority whip for several terms, he said.
At his press conference Tuesday, Gov. Phil Scott, also a Republican, said Savage “did a lot for his community” and he was sorry to see Savage resign.
Scott, who has the power to appoint a replacement to serve the rest of Savage’s term, said he’ll consider three names submitted by Swanton’s local Republican Party.
In his new role, Savage said he wants to focus on economic development, both in Swanton village and the southern part of town near St. Albans.
“That area, since it’s so close to St. Albans, was going to be a growth center with a mix of business and residential development,” he said. “That hasn’t really taken off and there’s some issues there — one being availability of water and sewer.”
He’s also looking forward to working with the town’s selectboard, he said.
