2023-05-03: Select Board Meeting

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Swampscott Select Board Meeting Review: May 3, 2023

This document provides a summary and analysis of the Swampscott Select Board meeting held on May 3, 2023, intended for Town Meeting members and voters.

1. Agenda

Based on the transcript, the likely agenda for the meeting proceeded as follows:

  1. Call to Order & Pledge of Allegiance 0:45
  2. Public Comment 3:17
    • Mary DiCillo (Resident, TMM Pct 4) 3:56
  3. Swearing-In of Select Board Members 12:06
    • David Grishman and Douglas Thompson 13:12
  4. Beach Sticker Announcement (Moved up from original order) 15:21
    • Presentation featuring artist Heather Imperatris (Miss I) 15:35
  5. Introduction of Firefighter Puppy Ryan [15:10 / Actual Start: 21:19]
    • Presentation by Fire Chief Graham Archer & Breeder MaryEllen Fletcher 21:56
  6. Children’s Mental Health Week Proclamation 28:34
    • Reading and Board Discussion [28:34 - 39:47]
  7. Humphrey Street Traffic Statistics & Updates 39:47
    • Presentation by Police Department Leadership 40:06
    • Extended Board Discussion [1:02:24 - 1:42:26]
  8. Discussion & Possible Vote on Town Meeting Warrant 1:42:30
    • Review of Articles 2, 4, 5, 10, 12, 16-18, 21-29
    • Articles 11, 13-15, 19-20 addressed implicitly or tabled
  9. Discussion & Update on the Hawthorne/Pier 4 2:59:43
    • Update on Public Visioning Process & Board Discussion [2:59:50 - 3:34:20]
  10. Discussion & Update on the Hadley School Reuse 3:34:20
    • Deferred to Executive Session 3:34:25
  11. Votes of the Board (Consent Agenda) 3:34:50
    • Approval of Minutes Tabled 3:35:08
  12. Town Administrator’s Report 3:35:19
  13. Select Board Time 3:39:09
    • Member Remarks and Scheduling [3:39:15 - 3:45:43]
  14. Adjournment 3:45:43

2. Speaking Attendees

  • Peter Spellios (Select Board Chair): [Speaker 1]
  • Sean Mangano (Town Administrator): [Speaker 2]
  • MaryEllen Fletcher (Select Board Member & Puppy Breeder/Donor): [Speaker 3]
  • Douglas Thompson (Select Board Member): [Speaker 4]
  • David Grishman (Select Board Member): [Speaker 5]
  • Capt. Joseph Kable (Swampscott Police): [Speaker 6]
  • Ruben Quesada (Police Chief): [Speaker 7] (Also potentially Town Clerk briefly during oath at 13:12, but primarily Police Chief)
  • Mary DiCillo (Resident, TMM Pct 4): [Speaker 8] (at 3:56)
  • Heather Imperatris (SHS Visual Arts Teacher): [Speaker 8] (at 18:20)
  • Lt. Thomas Hennessey (Swampscott Police): [Speaker 9]
  • Graham Archer (Fire Chief): [Speaker 10] (Primary role; tag possibly reused by Unidentified Speaker Querying DEI Budget at 1:48:52)
  • Acting Sgt. John Lloyd (Swampscott Police): [Speaker 11]
  • Neal Duffy (Select Board Member): [Speaker 12]

3. Meeting Minutes

Call to Order & Pledge: The meeting began around 0:45 with the Pledge of Allegiance led by members of the Swampscott Police Department.

Public Comment: 3:17 Mary DiCillo, resident and Town Meeting Member, addressed the Board 3:56, raising concerns about the need to update the Town’s organizational chart (last readily available version from 2016), the vacancy in the professional Town Planner position despite numerous ongoing projects (Elm Place, Glover, Hawthorne, Hadley, housing initiatives, waterfront), and the importance of strict adherence to Open Meeting Law, particularly regarding quorums for posted public meetings, citing potential liability risks.

Swearing-In: 12:06 Newly elected Select Board members David Grishman and Douglas Thompson were sworn in by the Town Clerk (presumed, based on function) 13:12. A brief recess followed for photographs.

Beach Sticker Announcement: 15:21 Chair Spellios presented the 2023 Beach Sticker design 15:35, created by Swampscott High School visual arts teacher Heather Imperatris (“Miss I”). He highlighted the four-year tradition of featuring local artists. Ms. Imperatris joined virtually, explaining the design was based on a photo she took at Phillips Beach 20:30. Chair Spellios thanked her for sharing her talents, noting the stickers are a symbol of community pride. Stickers were announced as available online and at Town Hall.

Firefighter Puppy Introduction: 21:19 Fire Chief Graham Archer introduced Firefighter Puppy Ryan, a 13-week-old Labrador donated by breeder (and Select Board Member) MaryEllen Fletcher 21:56. Chief Archer noted the puppy’s role in reducing stress and anxiety for firefighters and the public. Member Fletcher explained the puppy’s temperament testing and pre-training with firehouse sounds 23:55. The puppy was well-received by the Board and attendees. TA Mangano noted the positive community engagement Ryan facilitates 23:05.

Children’s Mental Health Week Proclamation: 28:34 Member Grishman read a proclamation designating May 7-13, 2023, as Children’s Mental Health Week in Swampscott, emphasizing early identification, treatment, and family involvement. TA Mangano highlighted the 988 mental health crisis line and urged residents to support struggling neighbors 31:35. Chair Spellios shared personal experiences with anxiety to reduce stigma 33:36. Member Thompson inquired about town resources and data to address mental health needs 36:36. TA Mangano discussed ongoing efforts to gather data (Youth Risk Survey, hospital data) and develop a comprehensive public health plan involving multiple departments 37:30. The discussion was marked by personal reflections and a forward-looking policy focus.

Humphrey Street Traffic Statistics & Updates: 39:47 Chief Quesada, accompanied by Capt. Kable, Lt. Hennessey, and Sgt. Lloyd, presented on traffic safety efforts 40:06. They emphasized a multi-pronged approach (education, enforcement, engineering), highlighted increased citation numbers in 2022 despite staffing decreases 45:41, detailed the use of state MRS grant funds for enforcement and training 47:55, and proposed 20 locations for speed table installation focusing on pedestrian safety near schools and parks 51:12. An extensive debate followed 1:02:24. Board members questioned the effectiveness and measurement of speed tables (Fletcher), their permanence (Fletcher), and funding sources (Grishman). Chair Spellios expressed significant concern about the perceived lack of institutionalized commitment to pedestrian safety, questioning resource allocation, the slow rollout of existing measures, and the need for professional traffic engineering input on speed tables 1:08:07. He called for a deeper conversation about traffic enforcement strategy and resources. TA Mangano acknowledged the concerns and the time taken, outlined ongoing integration efforts (meetings, capital funding, grant applications), and committed to a blended approach 1:15:27. Chief Quesada and Lt. Hennessey defended their department’s consistent efforts despite resource limitations and competing demands [1:18:58, 1:24:16]. Capt. Kable provided important context regarding enforcement challenges, including street design making enforcement difficult in some areas, the impact of high-priority calls (mental health, opioids), parking enforcement demands, and considerations around racial justice and community perception, positioning speed tables as a tool to improve efficiency 1:29:03. Member Thompson validated resident concerns and urged a clear, validated plan 1:25:24. Member Fletcher stressed the need for better communication linking statistics to operational realities 1:27:17. The Board agreed to revisit the topic in three weeks with more data and implementation details 1:40:03. This discussion was notably detailed, revealing tensions between stated priorities, resource allocation, community perception, and operational realities.

Town Meeting Warrant Discussion: 1:42:30 The Board began reviewing warrant articles for recommendation and assignment, planning to finalize votes at a meeting on Tuesday, May 9th 3:43:03 following Planning Board hearings.

  • Art. 2 (Climate Action Plan Committee): Recommended Favorable Action (5-0) 1:47:02. (Thompson assigned).
  • Art. 4 (Operating Budget): Discussion centered on funding the DEI Director position (using ARPA vs. structural budget concerns raised by Spellios 1:47:29) and the long-vacant Senior Planner position (Spellios urged filling it 1:53:08). Recommended Favorable Action (5-0) 1:53:35.
  • Art. 5 (SPED Reserve Fund): Discussion on ensuring the fund isn’t used to mask operating budget shortfalls 1:55:58. Recommended Favorable Action (5-0) 1:58:33.
  • Art. 10 (12-24 Pine St Purchase): Update provided: P&S signed, plan to use ARPA funds 1:59:27. Spellios requested ARPA fund balance update next meeting 2:00:29. Significant discussion on local preference for potential veteran housing, prompted by Fletcher’s concern over low Swampscott resident percentage (<25%) in Michonne lottery 2:01:48. Spellios provided detailed context on fair housing laws, state preference limits (max 70% local, subject to review), and potential factors (demographics, income eligibility, marketing) 2:05:22. Agreement to gather more veteran demographic data. Tabled for further information/vote 2:16:13.
  • Art. 11 (Pine St Disposition): Tabled 2:16:13.
  • Art. 12 (Hadley Disposition): Deferred to Executive Session discussion 2:16:13.
  • Art. 16 (Capital Improvements): Tabled initially 2:18:15, then discussed later 2:35:31. Focus on FinCom non-recommendation of $50k for Town Hall basement design. TA Mangano argued need for space; Fletcher relayed FinCom concerns (design only, future costs); Spellios supported planning funds; Thompson requested more utilization data. Discussion on $200k for Clark School design (Fletcher questioned need/future $6M cost; Spellios explained consistent plan for preschool/admin relocation) 2:49:20. Discussion on $1M pedestrian safety funds (Spellios noted it’s all school-related, not general safety) 2:53:50. Article Tabled for next meeting 2:48:35.
  • Art. 17 (Accessory Dwelling Units - ADUs): Recommended Favorable Action (5-0) 2:21:26. (Planning Board to move). Vote threshold (majority vs 2/3rds) needs clarification from Town Counsel.
  • Art. 18 (Site Plan Special Permits): Recommended Favorable Action (5-0) 2:22:09. (Planning Board to move).
  • Art. 19 (Hadley Overlay): Tabled pending Planning Board hearing 2:22:17.
  • Art. 20 (Multi-Family Parking): Tabled pending Planning Board hearing 2:22:37.
  • Art. 21 (Floodplain Bylaw): Recommended Favorable Action (5-0) 2:23:05. (Planning Board to move).
  • Art. 22 (Town Clerk Bylaw Changes): Recommended Favorable Action previously. (Fletcher assigned to move).
  • Art. 23 (Earth Removal Bylaw): Recommended Favorable Action previously. (Sponsor to move).
  • Art. 24 (Wildlife Feeding Ban): Recommended Favorable Action (5-0) 2:24:29. (Fletcher assigned to move).
  • Art. 25 (Gas Leaf Blower Restrictions): Recommended Favorable Action previously. (Thompson assigned). Discussion on adding fines; TA to get Town Counsel opinion 2:26:38.
  • Art. 26 (Plastic Takeout Container Ban): TA Mangano reported Solid Waste Committee recommended indefinite postponement; TA preferred passage but agreed to work with committee for Fall TM proposal 2:27:58. Board discussed merits of postponement vs. immediate action. Recommended Indefinite Postponement (5-0) 2:33:16. (Thompson assigned to move).
  • Art. 27-28 (Easements): Recommended Favorable Action previously. (Katie Phelan - absent - assigned).
  • Art. 29 (State Flag Resolution): Citizen Petition. Tabled for member review 2:35:20.

Hawthorne/Pier 4 Update: 2:59:43 TA Mangano summarized the recent public visioning meeting 2:59:50. A dynamic Board discussion followed. Chair Spellios stressed the immediate priority of securing temporary use for the vacant building 3:02:54 and critiqued the visioning options presented by consultants HDR as too narrow and lacking financial context 3:04:03. Member Fletcher echoed concerns about the process, feeling resident ideas (including her own desire for a pier) were ignored and expressing frustration with the meeting format 3:15:43. Member Thompson emphasized the need for a clear business plan alongside visioning, noting the significant annual bond costs starting soon 3:11:12. TA Mangano acknowledged the need for financial discussion but defended the initial broad approach 3:08:30. The Board discussed the proposed lease extension (Art. 11), debating whether the Dec 2025 date provided enough certainty for potential interim tenants versus maintaining accountability to Town Meeting 3:26:36. The Board agreed further internal discussion post-Town Meeting is needed on process, timeline, and temporary use strategy.

Hadley School Reuse Update: 3:34:20 Discussion deferred to an Executive Session planned for May 9th 3:34:25.

Consent Agenda: 3:34:50 Approval of 4/12/23 and 4/19/23 minutes was tabled at Chair Spellios’s request as he had comments 3:35:08.

Town Administrator’s Report: 3:35:19 TA Mangano highlighted: completion of the first Town Report in years, successful Earth Day/Yard Sale events, upcoming Recreation fundraisers, Board of Health’s new rodenticide policy, upcoming Veterans events, Caregiver Conference, ongoing hiring processes, and the library’s dedication for Lou Gallo. He reiterated the 988 mental health line.

Select Board Time: 3:39:09 Member Fletcher congratulated newly sworn-in members Grishman and Thompson. Member Thompson expressed excitement to serve, outlined priorities including enhanced public engagement, professionalizing town planning, and focusing on equity, climate, and housing 3:39:50. The Board confirmed scheduling the next meeting for Tuesday, May 9th, potentially posting Wednesday, May 10th as a backup 3:45:00. Member Fletcher thanked the meeting producers.

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned following a motion and vote 3:45:43.

4. Executive Summary

This Swampscott Select Board meeting featured the swearing-in of new members, community recognitions, and extensive discussions on traffic safety, the upcoming Town Meeting warrant, and the future of the Hawthorne property.

New Members & Community Recognitions: David Grishman and Douglas Thompson were sworn onto the Select Board 13:12. The Board celebrated community contributions, unveiling the 2023 beach sticker designed by SHS teacher Heather Imperatris 15:35 and welcoming Firefighter Puppy Ryan, aimed at supporting first responder mental health 21:56. A proclamation recognized Children’s Mental Health Week, sparking discussion on town resources and the importance of destigmatizing mental health challenges 28:34.

Traffic Safety Overhaul Debated: Responding to ongoing resident concerns, the Police Department presented updated statistics and proposed installing 20 speed tables on key streets like Humphrey, Stetson, Forest, and Pine to calm traffic and improve pedestrian safety [40:06, 51:43]. A lengthy debate ensued [1:02:24 - 1:42:26], with the Board pressing for a more institutionalized commitment, clear implementation plans for the speed tables (including engineering review), and better communication about enforcement challenges versus resources. Police leadership defended their efforts, highlighting complexities like competing urgent calls and staffing limits. Significance: This reflects a major town concern; the proposed speed tables represent a significant potential shift towards physical infrastructure changes, but the debate highlighted the need for a comprehensive, well-resourced strategy beyond isolated measures. The Board plans to revisit this shortly after Town Meeting 1:40:03.

Town Meeting Warrant Preview: The Board reviewed many articles for the May 15th Town Meeting, making recommendations on several key items:

  • Budget (Art. 4): Recommended passage, despite discussion on the sustainability of using one-time ARPA funds to initiate a DEI Director role and the urgent need to fill the Town Planner vacancy 1:47:29.
  • Veteran Housing (Art. 10): Discussed purchasing 12-24 Pine Street using ARPA funds for potential veteran housing. Significant concern was raised about ensuring Swampscott veterans benefit, given low local uptake in the recent Michonne affordable housing lottery (<25%) and Fair Housing law limitations on local preference 2:01:48. Further research into veteran demographics and lottery rules is planned before a final vote.
  • Housing Bylaws (Art. 17, 18, 21): Recommended favorable action on bylaws related to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), site plan review, and floodplain regulations [2:21:26, 2:22:09, 2:23:05], signaling support for measures aimed at housing diversity and responsible development.
  • Environmental Bylaws (Art. 25, 26): Discussed restricting gas-powered leaf blowers (based on Marblehead’s bylaw) 2:25:08 and voted to indefinitely postpone expanding the plastic bag ban to takeout containers, allowing time for the Solid Waste Committee to develop a comprehensive proposal for the fall 2:33:16.
  • Capital Plan (Art. 16): Detailed discussion deferred, particularly regarding funding for Town Hall basement renovations and Clark School design [2:35:31, 2:48:35].

Hawthorne Property Future: An update was given on the public visioning process for the recently acquired Hawthorne property 2:59:50. Board discussion revealed concerns about the process needing broader, more imaginative options and requiring clear financial analysis (costs/revenue potential) alongside design ideas 3:04:03. Securing a temporary tenant to avoid vacancy was identified as the immediate top priority 3:02:54. Significance: This highlighted the complex task ahead: balancing community vision, financial realities, and the practical management of this major town asset.

Next Steps: The Board scheduled a follow-up meeting for May 9th to finalize warrant recommendations and hold an executive session on the Hadley School reuse.

5. Analysis

This Select Board meeting, the first with newly sworn-in members Grishman and Thompson, was dominated by substantive policy debates with significant implications for the town’s future physical landscape, fiscal health, and governance approach.

Traffic Safety: A Reckoning with Resources and Strategy: The lengthy traffic safety segment [40:06 - 1:42:26] moved beyond routine updates into a critical examination of strategy and resource allocation. Chair Spellios’s forceful critique of the town’s approach as reactive rather than institutionalized 1:08:07 appeared effective in prompting a deeper level of engagement from the Police Department and Town Administrator. However, the Police leadership’s defense, particularly Capt. Kable’s candid discussion of operational constraints and competing priorities (mental health calls, equity concerns influencing enforcement tactics) 1:29:03, provided a compelling counter-narrative about the practical limitations faced by officers. This exchange illuminated a potential disconnect between resident expectations/Board pressure and the complex realities of modern policing in a town with limited resources. The speed table proposal emerged less as a fully vetted engineering solution and more as a tangible action item in response to pressure, raising questions (voiced by Spellios) about planning rigor 1:11:36. The commitment to revisit the issue suggests the Board recognizes the need for a more holistic and transparent strategy, but the underlying tensions regarding resource commitment versus perceived results remain unresolved.

Hawthorne Planning: Process Critique and Financial Realities: The Hawthorne discussion [2:59:43 - 3:34:20] revealed significant Board concerns not just about the eventual outcome, but about the process itself. Critiques from Fletcher 3:15:43 and Spellios 3:04:03 regarding the narrowness of consultant HDR’s initial options and a perceived lack of responsiveness suggest a potential need to recalibrate the public engagement and design methodology to ensure broader buy-in and exploration. The repeated calls (Spellios, Thompson) for integrating financial analysis early [3:05:11, 3:18:54] appear well-founded; discussing visions without cost/revenue implications risks creating unrealistic expectations or delaying difficult trade-offs. TA Mangano’s rationale for delaying financials 3:08:30 seemed strategically questionable given the public and Board focus on the property’s economic impact. The immediate concern over vacancy 3:02:54 rightly highlights the short-term operational risks that must be managed concurrently with long-term visioning.

Fiscal Prudence vs. Urgent Needs: Discussions around the budget and warrant articles reflected a recurring tension between addressing immediate needs/priorities and ensuring long-term fiscal stability. The use of ARPA funds for initiating a DEI position 1:47:29 and purchasing the Pine Street property 1:59:27 exemplifies this – addressing priorities but potentially creating future funding cliffs, a concern articulated by Chair Spellios. Similarly, the debate over the SPED Reserve fund 1:53:49 touched on the appropriate use of stabilization mechanisms versus addressing known operating pressures. The pointed questions about local preference for veteran housing at Pine Street 2:01:48 brought Fair Housing Law realities into sharp contrast with local aspirations, showcasing Member Fletcher’s effectiveness in raising practical implementation challenges based on prior town experience (Michonne).

Board Dynamics and Governance: The meeting showcased active participation from the full board, including new members. Member Thompson quickly signaled key policy interests (engagement, planning, equity) 3:39:50. Member Fletcher consistently grounded discussions in operational details, constituent feedback, and financial implications (FinCom positions, Michonne lottery data). Chair Spellios often played the role of challenger, pushing for deeper analysis, systemic change, and accountability. The Town Administrator served as the primary conduit for departmental information, defending current practices while navigating Board directives. Public commenter Mary DiCillo’s points on planning capacity and OML 3:56 resonated with subsequent Board discussions, indicating alignment between resident concerns and Board focus areas. The overall dynamic suggested a Board prepared for detailed policy work but facing significant challenges in aligning resources, strategy, and community expectations across multiple complex initiatives.