`silent` CLI arg is inconsistent/imperfectly applied

[jsstevenson]

Describe the bug

There are some print/echo statements floating around the library that isn't tied into the silent parameter but it should be

Steps to reproduce

Don't have exact details off top of head, just feeble memories

Expected behavior

silence

Current behavior

not always silence

Acceptance Criteria

must be silence. it'd be good to ensure stuff that should be printed is done, also

Possible reason(s)

No response

Suggested fix

No response

Branch, commit, and/or version

main

Screenshots

No response

Environment details

irrelevant

Additional details

No response

Contribution

None

[jsstevenson]

other notes -- silence should probably be respected in other places as well, eg DB construction, depending on environment