Swampscott Select Board Meeting Analysis: August 3, 2021

1. Agenda

Based on the transcript, the likely agenda for the meeting was:

Call to Order & Opening Remarks 0:09
- Mask Policy Reminder (School Grounds)
- Pledge of Allegiance
Public Comment 1:18
- Opportunity for residents to speak on items not on the agenda.
- Specific Topic Raised: Airbnb Regulation Concerns 4:27
Discussion: Draft Letter to Massport re: Runway 22L Changes 12:41
- Review of proposed flight path changes and impact on Swampscott.
- Discussion and feedback on the draft letter of opposition.
Discussion: Board of Health Vacancy Posting 27:23
- Update on process and desired qualifications for interim appointee.
Discussion: Fiscal Year 2022 Water and Sewer Rates 33:19
- Presentation by Water and Sewer Rate Advisory Committee and Town Staff.
- Review of cost drivers, current structure, proposed tiered structure, and equity considerations.
- Public comment invited on this topic. (No vote scheduled for this meeting).
Discussion: Articles for Special Town Meeting (September 13th) 2:19:33
- Review of anticipated warrant articles (School Debt Exclusion, Potential Easement, Hadley Reuse).
- Discussion of timeline for warrant finalization.
- Consideration of timing for a regular Fall Special Town Meeting.
Consent Agenda 2:24:23
- Approval of Meeting Minutes (July 15 & July 21)
- Approval of Change of Officers/Stock for Uno Pizzeria
- Approval of Orders of Taking (Atlantic Crossing, Gracie Lane)
Town Administrator’s Report 2:27:01
- COVID-19 Update & Masking Policy Change
- Library Director Retirement Announcement
- New Outreach/Social Worker Hire
- Pedestrian Safety Initiatives
- HR Director Update
- Capital Planning Process Initiation
- Trash Advisory Data Update
Select Board Time 2:34:35
- Member comments and announcements (e.g., Bentwater Day recap).
Scheduling of Next Meeting 2:35:49
Adjournment 2:38:21

2. Speaking Attendees

Peter Spellios (Select Board Chair): [Speaker 1]
Sean Fitzgerald (Town Administrator): [Speaker 2], [Speaker 17] (Likely)
Debbie Gerasi (Resident, Town Meeting Member): [Speaker 8]
Tony Gerasi (Resident): [Speaker 16]
Peter Sanitas (Resident): [Speaker 15] (Note: Tag possibly reused in error for a board member making a motion later at 2:25:52, but primary identification is as resident commenter)
Allie Della Russo (Assistant Town Administrator): [Speaker 14]
David Grishman (Select Board Member): [Speaker 9]
Polly Titcomb (Select Board Member): [Speaker 5]
Marianne Hartman (Board of Health Member): [Speaker 10]
Neal Duffy (Select Board Member, Water/Sewer Rate Advisory Committee Rep): [Speaker 3], [Speaker 19]
Donald Hause (Select Board Member): [Speaker 18]
Gino Cresta (DPW Director): [Speaker 12]
Patrick Luddy (Treasurer/Collector): [Speaker 6]
Ralph Supe (Water/Sewer Rate Advisory Committee Member, Resident): [Speaker 11]
William Demento (Resident, Town Meeting Member): [Speaker 4]
Michael Stotsky (Resident): [Speaker 7]
Cheryl Albo (Resident): [Speaker 13]
Unidentified Attendee: [Speaker 20]
Unidentified Board Member or Staff: [Speaker 21]

3. Meeting Minutes

Call to Order & Opening: Select Board Chair Peter Spellios called the meeting to order at the Swampscott High School 0:09, reminding attendees of the school’s mask policy. Member Fitzgerald offered extra masks 1:11. The Pledge of Allegiance followed.

Public Comment: Chair Spellios outlined the public comment procedures 1:18.

Airbnb Concerns: Debbie Gerasi (Resident, Town Meeting Member) 4:27, joined by her husband Tony Gerasi 6:30 and neighbor Peter Sanitas 7:27, expressed significant concern about a new Airbnb on Norfolk Ave. They raised issues of neighborhood stability, safety, lack of regulation, potential nuisance (parking, trash, noise, occupancy density), and the introduction of strangers, particularly during COVID. They asked if the town was formulating regulations and requested their neighborhood’s concerns be considered. Chair Spellios noted this was a new issue for the Board. Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald stated staff would investigate, meet with residents, and report back on potential regulations 8:50. Ms. Gerasi noted a past Town Meeting vote on a local option tax for short-term rentals, suggesting some prior awareness 9:36, though Chair Spellios clarified this didn’t equate to regulation or registration 9:59.

Massport Runway 22L Letter: Chair Spellios introduced the draft letter opposing Massport’s proposed changes to Runway 22L flight paths 12:41, summarizing its points about environmental impact on coastal resources. He noted the changes would significantly increase flights over Swampscott while decreasing them over Lynn, Nahant, and Marblehead 1:00. Spellios strongly criticized the draft letter as “too gentle,” arguing it underplayed the direct impact on residents’ quality of life and failed to address the equity issue or the potential motivation of airline efficiency 16:13. Member Grishman asked for clarification on flight numbers 17:16. An unidentified Select Board Member [Speaker 17] defended the draft’s focus on regional natural resources as a strategic way to gain broader support 17:42. Member Titcomb echoed Spellios’ concerns, emphasizing the need to address quality of life, equity, and the town’s desire for direct engagement with Massport, rather than just requesting a meeting 18:24. Town Administrator Fitzgerald defended the initial “open hand” approach but agreed to revise the letter with sterner language based on the Board’s feedback 20:21. Spellios pushed for immediate outreach to state and federal representatives, including the Governor, rather than waiting for the revised letter, and noted the letter should explicitly mention “quality of life” and cc relevant officials 23:27. The Board agreed to revise the letter for the next meeting and proceed with immediate political outreach.

Board of Health Vacancy: Chair Spellios introduced the discussion on filling the Board of Health vacancy 27:23. Board of Health Member Marianne Hartman joined via Zoom 27:52. She reported that she and member Emily Silley sought a candidate with a different background than their own (both nurses), ideally with expertise in environmental health, to bring diversity to the board 28:48. Member Titcomb inquired if mental health expertise was considered; Hartman noted existing background in that area but openness to candidates 29:55. The Board agreed to have Member Hause work with Hartman, the Town Administrator, and Assistant Town Administrator to finalize and post the vacancy notice promptly, aiming for an appointment shortly after Labor Day 31:10. The appointee would serve until the next town election in April 2022 32:47.

FY22 Water & Sewer Rates Discussion: Chair Spellios reiterated this was a discussion item only, with no vote planned 33:19. Town Administrator Fitzgerald provided background, noting these are enterprise funds requiring self-balancing budgets 34:25. Member Neal Duffy, representing the Water and Sewer Rate Advisory Committee, gave an overview of the committee’s work since the previous year, formed to explore alternatives to simple rate hikes 35:17.

System Overview & Cost Drivers: Fitzgerald and DPW Director Gino Cresta outlined the extensive infrastructure (miles of pipe, stations, etc.) 37:24 and the roughly $7.5M combined budget 38:28. They highlighted significant recent capital investments (Stacey Brook, Atlantic Ave pipe relining) 41:18. Fitzgerald presented data showing sharp budget increases in FY22: water up $285K, sewer up nearly $600K over FY21 42:44. This was largely attributed to external assessments: MWRA for water (up $240K YOY) and Lynn Water & Sewer Commission for sewer (up $340K YOY) 43:21. Chair Spellios and DPW Director Cresta clarified the Lynn increase resulted from a new 20-year contract, significant deferred maintenance/capital needs at the Lynn plant ($68M over 20 years), and a shift in cost allocation due to the closure of a major Lynn user (Gerlich Farms), increasing Swampscott’s proportional share [45:05, 48:53].
Current Rate Structure & Benchmarking: Fitzgerald presented the current relatively flat rate structure ($13.25/qtr water base + $7.11/HCF; $20/qtr sewer base + $5.58/HCF) 51:38. Benchmarking showed Swampscott’s water rate relatively high among peers, while its sewer rate was comparatively low 52:20. Fitzgerald suggested the low sewer rate might indicate historically deferred maintenance 56:33. The combined FY22 budget increase represented 13.2% 57:26.
Proposed Tiered Structure & Equity: Member Duffy explained the committee’s finding that the flat base fee structure creates inequity: large multi-unit properties pay the same single base fee as a single-family home, effectively receiving a discount on a per-unit or per-gallon basis 58:45. The committee explored various ways to address this (by unit, by meter size) but found them complex or unreliable 1:05:58. Treasurer/Collector Patrick Luddy presented a proposed model developed by staff, featuring tiered base fees (with a discount block for low users) and tiered consumption rates for both water and sewer 1:13:20. The goal, clarified through extensive discussion involving Chair Spellios, Member Titcomb, and Committee Member Ralph Supe, was to achieve per-gallon cost equity, meaning all users effectively pay the same rate per gallon consumed, regardless of property type, by adjusting consumption tiers to compensate for the single base fee paid by multi-account properties [1:10:00, 1:27:22, 1:34:17]. Luddy presented charts showing how this model would correct the current disparity 1:27:22 and showed modeling both with and without using retained earnings to moderate the rate increases [1:18:05, 1:22:08].
Public Comment & Board Feedback: William Demento (Resident, Town Meeting Member) argued forcefully against the proposal 1:36:52, calling the “single-family equivalency” concept a “false premise” and the plan a “travesty” unfairly targeting multi-family/condo residents. A lengthy, sometimes contentious exchange followed, focusing on the definition of “user” vs. “account” and the goal of per-gallon equity versus base fee structure 1:43:46. Demento eventually acknowledged a misunderstanding regarding how the base fee applied but maintained concerns about the impact of consumption tier increases on Summit Estates. Cheryl Albo 2:06:28 and Michael Stotsky 2:09:38 (both condo residents) expressed understanding for needed increases but voiced frustration about condos bearing costs (like private trash removal) and the impact on affordability, especially for seniors. Chair Spellios requested staff provide specific modeling for the next meeting, showing the projected bill impact for large properties under the proposed tiered structure compared to a non-tiered structure needed to balance the budget 2:16:26. The Board deferred discussion on using retained earnings.

Special Town Meeting (Sept 13): Chair Spellios discussed anticipated warrant articles 2:19:33: the main article being the debt exclusion for the school project (language under review by MSBA), a potential article regarding an easement for the UU Church property, and potentially an article regarding the Hadley School reuse to affirm no market-rate housing. The warrant would likely close at the next Select Board meeting (Aug 24). A regular Fall Special Town Meeting (for items like free cash appropriation, retained earnings) would likely occur in early December 2:22:31.

Consent Agenda: The consent agenda, including minutes (with corrections noted by Asst. TA Della Russo 2:25:35), Uno’s ownership change, and Orders of Taking for Atlantic Crossing and Gracie Lane, was moved by Member Sanitas (see note in Attendees), seconded by Member Titcomb, and approved unanimously 2:25:47. Orders of Taking for Morton Hill and potentially Supreme Court acceptance were deferred.

Town Administrator’s Report: Town Administrator Fitzgerald reported 2:27:01:

A significant increase in COVID-19 cases (Delta variant) after weeks of none, leading to a reinstated mask mandate in town buildings.
The upcoming retirement of Library Director Alice DeVoe; discussion with Library Trustees on the search process is underway.
Hiring of Sabrina Clopton as the new Senior Center Outreach/Social Worker.
Police Chief Kurz is planning enhanced pedestrian safety patrols and enforcement.
A Senior Center cookout on Aug 25th.
The new HR Director is actively engaged.
The capital planning process has begun.
Trash/recycling tonnage data requested by the Board was provided and will be updated monthly on the website 2:32:44.

Select Board Time: Member Grishman thanked organizers and attendees of the Bentwater Day at the Beach event and proposed formally recognizing Bentwater for their contributions, particularly to the Fish House 2:34:36.

Next Meeting: The Board scheduled its next meeting for Tuesday, August 24th at 6 PM 2:37:33.

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned by unanimous vote following a motion by Member Fitzgerald 2:38:34.

4. Executive Summary

The Swampscott Select Board met on August 3, 2021, addressing several key issues impacting residents:

Major Water & Sewer Rate Changes Proposed: Faced with significant budget increases driven primarily by rising assessments from the MWRA (water) and the Lynn Water & Sewer Commission (sewer) 43:21, the Board reviewed a proposal to overhaul the town’s water and sewer rate structure. Town staff and the Water/Sewer Rate Advisory Committee presented a new tiered system for both base fees and consumption charges 1:13:20. Significance: This aims to address large budget gaps and correct a perceived inequity where large multi-unit properties currently pay less per gallon than single-family homes due to a flat base fee structure 58:45. The goal stated by proponents (including Chair Spellios, Member Titcomb, Member Duffy) is per-gallon cost equity across all users 1:34:17. Impact: While intended to be fairer overall, the change, particularly the tiered consumption rates, is expected to significantly increase bills for large condominium complexes and potentially other high-volume users. Outcome: No vote was taken. Extensive public comment, particularly from condominium residents (Mr. Demento 1:36:52, Ms. Albo 2:06:28, Mr. Stotsky 2:09:38), raised concerns about fairness and affordability. The Board requested detailed modeling showing the specific impact on large properties compared to a non-tiered increase before the next meeting 2:16:26. A final decision, including potential use of reserve funds (retained earnings) to soften the blow, will occur at a future meeting.
Stronger Stance Against Massport Flight Path Changes: The Board discussed a draft letter opposing proposed Logan Airport runway changes (Runway 22L) that would dramatically increase flights over Swampscott 12:41. Board members, led by Chair Spellios 16:13 and Member Titcomb 18:24, found the initial draft too weak, arguing it needed to more forcefully address the negative impacts on residents’ quality of life and the inequity of shifting noise burden onto Swampscott. Outcome: The Town Administrator agreed to revise the letter with stronger language and the Board resolved to immediately contact state and federal elected officials to advocate against the changes 23:27. Significance: This signals the Town’s commitment to aggressively fighting flight path changes perceived as detrimental and unfair.
COVID Cases Rise, Mask Mandate Returns: Citing a significant increase in local COVID-19 cases (Delta variant) after a period of none, the Town Administrator announced a reinstatement of the mask requirement inside Town Hall and other municipal buildings, aligning with school policy 2:27:02. Significance: This reflects the changing public health landscape and the Town’s precautionary measures to protect vulnerable populations.
Progress on Town Priorities: The Board advanced efforts to fill a Board of Health vacancy 27:23, discussed preparations for a September 13th Special Town Meeting focused on the elementary school project debt exclusion 2:19:33, and heard updates on pedestrian safety initiatives and capital planning 2:27:02. Concerns about unregulated Airbnbs were raised by residents 4:27 and will be investigated by town staff.

Upcoming: The next Select Board meeting is scheduled for August 24th, where decisions on the water/sewer rates and finalization of the Special Town Meeting warrant are anticipated.

5. Analysis

This meeting highlighted the Select Board grappling with significant financial pressures and complex policy choices, grounded primarily in the extensive water and sewer rate discussion.