2025-04-02: Select Board Meeting

Click timestamps in the text to watch that part of the meeting recording.

Swampscott Select Board Meeting Analysis: April 2, 2025

1. Agenda

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

  1. Call to Order & Pledge of Allegiance 0:01:51
  2. Reading of Autism Awareness Month Proclamation 0:02:24
  3. Public Comment 0:04:09
    • Nancy Schultz (Historical Commission/Glover House)
    • Karen Marshall (School Committee - Budget Letter)
    • Amy O’Connor (School Committee - Budget Myths)
  4. New and Old Business
    • Review and Discussion of Fiscal Year 26 Proposed Budget 0:14:21 (Motion to move item up) / 0:15:17 (Start of substantive discussion)
    • Discussion and Possible Vote to Appoint Building Commissioner (Richard Baldacci) 0:40:14
    • Discussion and Possible Vote on Parking Regulations (Elm Street Area/Westcott Development Impact) 0:53:03
      • Presentation by Police Department on proposed changes (Resident Parking Only, One-Way, No Parking Zones) 0:55:35
      • Discussion on Resident Sticker Eligibility (esp. Westcott residents) 1:13:25
      • Discussion on mapping proposed changes 1:27:39
    • Discussion and Possible Vote to Increase Parking Fines 1:28:50
    • Discussion and Possible Vote on Sexual Harassment Policy for Recreation Department (Second Reading) 1:30:03
    • Discussion and Possible Vote to Open Annual Town Meeting Warrant (May 19) 1:36:10
    • Review, Discussion, and Possible Votes on Draft Warrant Articles 1:37:57
    • Discussion and Possible Vote on Proposed Fee/Permit Increases (First Reading) 2:05:31
    • Discussion and Possible Vote to Create a New Veterans Council 2:16:03
    • Discussion and Possible Vote to Reconstitute the Traffic Study Advisory Committee 2:24:32
  5. Consent Agenda 2:28:52
    • Approval of One-Day Liquor License (Crawfish Boil/Derby Event) 2:30:23 (Specific discussion)
  6. Select Board Time 2:46:38
  7. Adjournment 2:47:58

2. Speaking Attendees

  • MaryEllen Fletcher (Select Board Chair): [Speaker 1]
  • Select Board Member Danielle Leonard: [Speaker 3]
  • Select Board Member David Eppley: [Speaker 4]
  • Select Board Member Doug Thompson: [Speaker 6]
  • Select Board Member Katie Phelan (Remote): [Speaker 7]
  • Amy Soares (Finance Director/Town Accountant): [Speaker 2]
  • Marianne Williams (HR Director): [Speaker 10]
  • Margie Signore (Community Development Director): [Speaker 17]
  • Officer Kevin Reen (Swampscott Police): [Speaker 5]
  • Captain Joe Cable (Swampscott Police): [Speaker 8]
  • Mike Sweeney (Veterans Service Officer): [Speaker 13]
  • Danielle Strauss (Recreation Director): [Speaker 9]
  • Ted Delano (Planning Board Chair): [Speaker 18]
  • Nancy Schultz (Resident, Historical Commission Chair): [Speaker 12]
  • Karen Marshall (Resident, School Committee Member): [Speaker 11]
  • Amy O’Connor (Resident, School Committee Member): [Speaker 14]
  • Bill DiMento (Resident, Attorney): [Speaker 15]
  • Resident (Name not stated, Hillcrest Circle): [Speaker 16]
  • Board Member/Staff (Brief interjections): [Speaker 20], [Speaker 21]
  • Intro/Technical Speaker (Not part of meeting substance): [Speaker 19]

3. Meeting Minutes

Call to Order & Pledge: Chair Fletcher called the meeting to order 0:01:51. Member Leonard led the Pledge of Allegiance 0:02:09.

Proclamation: Member Eppley read the 2025 Autism Awareness Month Proclamation 0:02:31.

Public Comment:

  • Nancy Schultz (Historical Commission Chair) thanked the Board for supporting the Glover Preservation effort and shared an anecdote about a second grader inspired by the project 0:04:32.
  • Karen Marshall (School Committee Member) read a letter from the School Committee 0:07:46 suggesting ways to close the FY26 school budget gap, including increasing local receipt estimates and reducing the health insurance budget line item, treating it similarly to the Special Education Reserve Fund approach.
  • Amy O’Connor (School Committee Member) addressed “myths” 0:12:02, stating the new Superintendent’s salary will be competitive but not the same as the retiring Superintendent’s, clarifying there is no “sweetheart deal” for the retiring Superintendent, and arguing Swampscott’s school budget growth is modest compared to other districts and constrained by the town’s low tax rate growth over the past decade.

FY26 Budget Discussion (Moved out of order):

  • Member Eppley moved 0:14:21, seconded by Member Leonard 0:14:33, to discuss the budget first.
  • Finance Director Soares updated the Board 0:15:17: The Town Administrator (Geno Cresta, absent) stood by $144k in town-side cuts; the Finance Committee was reviewing budgets but had no recommendations yet; the School Department identified $20k in savings from a legal contingency.
  • Member Thompson calculated the remaining gap at approximately $500k 0:16:57.
  • Member Leonard described her participation in meetings where potential town-side savings exceeding $400k were initially identified 0:17:31, contrasting with the TA’s $144k figure. She emphasized her focus was on town-side cuts, relying on school professionals for their budget. A discussion ensued between Member Leonard and Finance Director Soares regarding the discrepancy between meeting brainstorming figures and the TA’s final recommendations [0:20:50 - 0:22:18].
  • Member Eppley stated difficulty tracking the numbers but stressed the need to provide direction and support funding the schools 0:22:26.
  • Chair Fletcher expressed disappointment that a Board member’s intervention was needed to identify significant potential savings 0:24:26, underscoring the need for rigorous review of all budgets.
  • Member Leonard reiterated the need for the Board to act and support the schools 0:26:09.
  • Member Thompson inquired about the nature of the $144k cuts (confirmed to include staffing reductions 0:28:34) and asked for responses to the School Committee’s proposals 0:28:46.
  • Finance Director Soares explained the sharp drop in projected local receipts was primarily due to reduced investment income after spending new school funds 0:29:05. She detailed the health insurance budget methodology, noting it covers current enrollment plus contingencies for vacancies, and warned reducing it significantly was a gamble 0:31:17. She added that firmer numbers would be available after open enrollment closes May 1st 0:33:01. She also explained the strategy of budgeting using tax levy capacity initially, preserving flexibility with free cash for tax rate setting time 0:33:47.
  • Member Thompson summarized a potential path forward involving identified cuts, possible health insurance savings, and utilizing levy capacity 0:35:32.
  • Member Eppley moved to recommend fully funding the Swampscott Public School budget for FY26 0:36:16, seconded by Member Leonard 0:36:33.
  • Member Phelan (remote) spoke in support of the motion, believing the gap could be further reduced 0:37:14.
  • VOTE: The motion passed 4-0-1 0:39:02. Ayes: Leonard, Thompson, Eppley, Phelan. Abstain: Fletcher. Chair Fletcher stated her abstention was due to wanting a full line-item review completed first, though she agreed schools need support. Observation: The Board reached a significant consensus to signal support for the school budget early in the process, despite ongoing work to finalize town-side reductions and funding mechanisms.

Building Commissioner Appointment:

  • HR Director Williams presented Richard Baldacci for the position 0:40:23, highlighting his experience, qualifications, budget performance during previous tenure, and enthusiasm.
  • Member Thompson expressed concern about hiring a full-time commissioner given budget constraints, suggesting exploring part-time or shared options again 0:42:01.
  • Chair Fletcher noted she previously favored part-time but received significant feedback from contractors and staff that it’s a full-time need, crucial for revenue and enforcement 0:43:08.
  • Community Development Director Signore emphasized the importance of a full-time role for zoning enforcement and handling development 0:46:33.
  • Resident Bill DiMento (Attorney) argued passionately for a full-time inspector, citing a decline in zoning enforcement 0:48:58.
  • Finance Director Soares noted the Interim TA identified offsetting staff reductions to make the hire net-zero to the bottom line 0:48:32.
  • Decision: The Board agreed to defer the vote to the next meeting 0:52:56 to allow time to review the proposed offsetting reductions from the absent Town Administrator.

Parking Regulations (Westcott Area):

  • Chair Fletcher introduced the topic, stemming from a recent neighborhood meeting regarding the Wynn Properties development (The Westcott) 0:53:03. She raised a question about a potential 40B zoning condition regarding public parking on Pitman Rd 0:53:03.
  • Officer Reen presented the Police Department’s proposal based on resident feedback 0:55:35, recommending:
    • Elm Place: One-way street, resident parking only.
    • Pitman Rd, Hillcrest Circle, Upland Rd: Resident parking only.
    • Maple Ave: Continue resident parking only.
    • Columbia St: Change timed resident parking to full resident parking (Burrell to Beach Ave), remove two recreation spots near Essex Ave for safety/sightline reasons.
    • Railroad Ave: Continue resident parking.
    • Pine St/Railroad Ave corner: Eliminate two parking spots for safety/large vehicle turns 1:01:48.
    • Burpee Rd & Burpee Terrace: Resident parking only.
    • Burrell St & Doherty Circle: Continue resident parking only.
  • Captain Cable elaborated on the resident parking system history and challenges 1:13:25. He explained the current system doesn’t define zones, making enforcement difficult, especially with the large Westcott development coming online. He stated Westcott residents would currently be eligible for resident stickers.
  • Key Discussion Point: The police proposed amending eligibility 1:17:57: “Residents of large residential complexes (10+ units) with assigned off-street parking shall not be eligible to receive Swampscott resident parking stickers.” This sparked discussion about potential unintended consequences for other complexes and the legality/fairness of targeting one development 1:20:15, 1:22:39, 1:24:54. Finance Director Soares noted resident parking is not currently defined in bylaws, suggesting the Select Board might have authority via policy 1:48:55, but recommended checking with Town Counsel.
  • Resident Input: A Hillcrest Circle resident described existing parking problems with contractors and safety issues related to snow/ice 1:25:37.
  • Decision: The discussion was tabled for further review. Member Phelan requested maps illustrating the proposed changes 1:27:39, which the Chair agreed should be shared publicly.

Parking Fines:

  • Officer Reen recommended increasing all resident/recreation parking fines to $75 1:05:39 for consistency with recently increased beach area fines and equity across town, as discussed at the neighborhood meeting 1:08:45. Captain Cable and Member Phelan supported this for equity reasons.
  • Chair Fletcher suggested considering a town-wide $75 fine for all parking violations 1:10:23.
  • Decision: The Board agreed to discuss and likely vote on the fine increase at the next meeting to allow public input 1:29:14.

Sexual Harassment Policy (Rec Dept):

  • HR Director Williams presented the revised policy for second reading 1:30:17, noting legal counsel confirmed minors need parental signatures on all policies.
  • Board members identified potentially unclear boilerplate language (“your facility”) in sections 8, 10, and 11 1:32:32, 1:33:20.
  • Member Phelan suggested the language likely intended “Town of Swampscott” 1:35:12.
  • VOTE: Motion by Chair Fletcher, seconded by Member Eppley 1:35:58, to approve the policy subject to changing “your facility” to “Town of Swampscott” in the relevant sections. Motion carried unanimously 1:36:10.

Annual Town Meeting Warrant:

  • VOTE: Motion by Member Thompson 2:05:23, seconded by Member Leonard 2:05:27, to open the warrant for the May 19th Annual Town Meeting. Motion carried unanimously 2:05:31.
  • The Board conducted a preliminary review of potential articles 1:37:57:
    • Operating Budget, Free Cash, Utility Transfer: Standard items.
    • Retiree COLA: Awaiting Retirement Board actuarial study and recommendation 1:38:51.
    • Revolving Funds Amendments: Include Rec fund purpose change (donations) and Library fund limit increase ($3.5k to $5k) 1:49:59.
    • Assessors Exemptions (4): Need presentation from Assessors 1:40:08.
    • Chapter 90: Routine.
    • Capital Projects: Routine, but Member Eppley requested confirmation of funding for VFW relocation/Richards renovations 1:51:34. Finance Director Soares noted FinCom asked for cost/timing info from Capital Improvement Committee (CIC).
    • Community Preservation Committee (CPC) Bylaw: Member Thompson outlined key decisions needed (size 5-9 members, mandated vs. appointed seats, terms) 1:53:26. A structure of 9 members (5 mandated + Housing Trust, FinCom, 2 SB appointees) was discussed. Member Eppley suggested adding a CIC rep, possibly replacing FinCom or an SB appointee 1:57:13. Decision deferred pending review of options 2:00:07.
    • ERAC Bylaw Amendment (Remove Planning Board rep): Confirmed initiated by Planning Board and supported by ERAC 1:42:04, 1:44:18. Select Board likely to sponsor.
    • Use of Land/Parks/Fields Bylaw: Needs presentation/sponsorship clarification 1:42:45.
    • Establish Fall Town Meeting Date: Discussed setting a fixed date (e.g., first Monday in December) for predictability 1:43:17, 2:01:15.
    • Town Meeting Member Minimum Write-in Votes: Proposed requiring 10 (or 5) write-ins to win election, aiming to prevent unintentional wins by those not wishing to serve 1:44:38. Chair Fletcher expressed reservations 1:45:26. Discussion deferred.
    • Sewer Bylaws (Prohibit Discharge, Lateral Inspection): Based on WSIAC work; language forthcoming 1:46:15, 2:03:15.
    • Historical Preservation Bylaw: Pulled last year, potentially returning; needs clarity on added value 1:46:55. Member Thompson to follow up.
    • Planning Board Zoning Articles (ADU, Floodplain, Site Plan): Planning Board sponsoring; public hearings planned 1:47:45.
    • Citizens Petition: Noted.
  • Observation: The warrant review highlighted several items requiring further information, presentations from other boards/committees, or more extensive Select Board deliberation before Town Meeting.

Fee/Permit Increases:

  • Finance Director Soares presented proposed increases 2:05:53 based on department requests and benchmarking: Block Party ($25->$50), Street Listing Book ($15->$25), Vital Records ($10->$15), Cemetery Fees (various increases).
  • Discussion on Block Party fee: Member Eppley advocated for $0 to encourage community 2:08:30; Member Phelan supported $50 as reasonable cost-sharing 2:07:25; Finance Director Soares noted need for some fee due to process/costs 2:09:43.
  • Vital Records: Clerk also requested adopting state RVRS fees for mail/online/expedited service 2:12:08.
  • Trash Barrels: Member Leonard raised the issue; Chair Fletcher noted it’s under review by Solid Waste Committee, especially with contract renewal approaching 2:13:39.
  • Annual Review: Finance Director Soares plans to propose an annual fee review policy 2:15:37.
  • Decision: Deferred vote to next meeting 2:11:59.

Veterans Council:

  • Chair Fletcher introduced discussion on potentially creating a new Veterans Council, questioning if the structure voted on last year (events/support focus vs. policy) is optimal 2:16:03.
  • VSO Mike Sweeney confirmed the historical committee focused on events, not policy, and offered support 2:17:17. He detailed VSO outreach using the confidential veteran list provided by the Town Clerk 2:19:22.
  • It was noted the two committees created last year (Events, Housing Task Force) were never populated 2:21:19. Member Eppley requested reposting the Events committee application 2:23:10.
  • Chair Fletcher requested information on Veterans Council structures in other towns 2:23:29.
  • Decision: Deferred for more information gathering.

Traffic Study Advisory Committee:

  • Member Phelan initiated discussion on reconstituting the committee 2:24:33, suggesting a need to clarify its mission if re-formed.
  • Member Eppley (former liaison) recalled its disbandment due to contentious discussions and member resignations but supported resident input 2:25:37.
  • Member Leonard supported reconstitution, citing recent resident concerns and lack of clear avenue for feedback 2:27:30.
  • Proposed makeup: 1 Police, 1 Fire, 1 DPW, 2 Residents (from different precincts suggested 2:28:37).
  • Decision: Advertise for resident members now, formal vote to reconstitute at next meeting 2:28:52.

Consent Agenda:

  • One-Day Liquor License for Crawfish Boil/Derby Party discussed 2:30:23. Chair Fletcher questioned the vendor selection process, opportunities for local businesses, and fees.
  • Member Eppley explained the origin with East Regiment Brewing (Salem) sponsoring previous events 2:30:30.
  • Recreation Director Strauss detailed the event planning (Patriot Seafoods for food, East Regiment for beer), noting it’s a new event with financial uncertainty 2:33:08. East Regiment agreed to give 10% of sales for this first event 2:35:53. She described efforts to treat vendors fairly across different events (e.g., Fireworks, Block Party) 2:40:06.
  • Member Leonard raised questions about procurement law (not applicable here) and consistency/transparency in vendor revenue sharing across events 2:36:30.
  • Discussion ensued on balancing fairness, revenue generation, encouraging local participation, and avoiding pricing out smaller events/vendors [2:37:38 - 2:45:11]. Finance Director Soares suggested including cost/profit-sharing details when licenses come before the Board 2:45:11.
  • VOTE: Motion to approve Consent Agenda by Member Thompson 2:46:25, seconded. Passed unanimously 2:46:29.

Select Board Time:

  • Member Leonard thanked police officers for attending a school dance 2:46:38 and proposed an online “suggestion box” based on resident feedback. She also promoted the upcoming Community Jam DEI event (April 7th).
  • Member Phelan added a reminder to sign up for the Community Jam 2:48:32.

Adjournment: Motion to adjourn 2:47:58, seconded 2:47:58. Passed.

4. Executive Summary

The Swampscott Select Board meeting on April 2, 2025, addressed several critical town issues, most notably advancing the FY26 budget process, tackling neighborhood parking concerns related to new development, and reviewing potential Town Meeting articles.

Budget Agreement Reached for Schools: In a significant move, the Board voted 4-0-1 to recommend fully funding the school department’s requested FY26 budget 0:39:02. This decision provides critical planning stability for the schools but leaves roughly $500,000 of an initial budget gap to be closed through finalized town-side cuts or other revenue sources, likely impacting the tax levy 0:33:47. While the Town Administrator identified $144k in cuts 0:15:17, debate surfaced regarding potentially larger savings identified in earlier meetings 0:17:31. The School Committee publicly proposed alternative solutions like adjusting revenue forecasts or health insurance budgeting 0:07:46, which the Finance Director approached cautiously 0:29:05, 0:31:17. Significance: This vote signals strong political will to support education but highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing service needs with taxpayer impact. The final budget presented at Town Meeting will require careful scrutiny of how the remaining gap is filled.

Parking Overhaul Proposed Near Westcott Development: Responding to significant resident concerns voiced at a neighborhood meeting 0:53:03, the Police Department presented a detailed plan to mitigate parking impacts from the new Westcott apartment complex 0:55:35. Proposals include converting several streets (Elm Pl, Pitman, Hillcrest, Upland, parts of Columbia, Burpee Rd/Terrace) to resident-only parking, making Elm Place one-way, and removing specific spots for safety on Columbia and Pine Streets. A major point of discussion, deferred for legal review, is a proposal to make residents of large complexes (10+ units) with assigned parking ineligible for on-street resident permits 1:17:57, directly addressing potential overflow from the Westcott. Significance: This represents a potentially major shift in parking policy for the area, aiming to protect existing residents but raising complex questions about fairness and eligibility that need resolution before the Westcott opens this summer 1:18:54. The Board also signaled intent to likely raise parking fines town-wide to $75 for consistency and deterrence 1:29:14.

Town Meeting Warrant Takes Shape: The Board opened the warrant for the May 19th Annual Town Meeting 2:05:23 and reviewed numerous potential articles. Key items requiring further discussion or action include: finalizing the town operating budget and capital plan (including VFW/Richards funding 1:51:34); establishing the structure of the new Community Preservation Committee 1:53:26; potential bylaw changes related to sewer connections 1:46:15, historical preservation 1:46:55, and Planning Board zoning updates (ADU, Floodplain, Site Plan) 1:47:45; and deciding on a proposed minimum write-in vote requirement for Town Meeting members 1:44:38. Significance: The breadth of articles indicates a busy Town Meeting agenda touching on finance, governance, land use, and historic preservation, requiring residents and Town Meeting Members to engage with complex proposals.

Other Key Decisions & Discussions:

  • Building Commissioner: A vote to appoint Richard Baldacci was deferred 0:52:56 pending review of offsetting budget cuts, amidst debate on the need for a full-time vs. part-time position 0:42:01, 0:43:08. Strong arguments were made for full-time based on enforcement needs 0:46:33, 0:48:58.
  • Recreation Dept. Policy: A revised Sexual Harassment policy was approved with minor edits 1:36:10.
  • Town Fees: Proposed increases for block parties, vital records, and cemetery plots were reviewed and deferred for a vote 2:11:59, sparking discussion on balancing revenue with resident costs.
  • Committees: The Board discussed reconstituting the Traffic Study Advisory Committee 2:24:32 and clarifying the role/structure of Veterans committees 2:16:03.

5. Analysis

The April 2nd Select Board meeting transcript reveals a board grappling with significant fiscal pressure while attempting to respond proactively to community needs and upcoming development impacts.

Budget Dynamics: The budget discussion was marked by a notable dynamic where Board Member Leonard’s independent investigation into town-side savings 0:17:31 appeared to yield substantially different initial figures than those presented by the administration 0:15:17. This, coupled with Chair Fletcher’s explicit disappointment 0:24:26, suggests potential friction or differing levels of scrutiny regarding the administration’s budget preparation versus Board expectations. The ultimate vote to fund the schools 0:39:02, despite the unresolved gap and the Chair’s abstention emphasizing process, demonstrated a powerful political priority placed on education, potentially at the expense of immediate fiscal certainty. Finance Director Soares consistently presented a cautious, data-driven perspective 0:29:05, 0:31:17, acting as a check on more optimistic proposals from the School Committee or potentially aggressive cuts suggested elsewhere. Her arguments appeared effective in tempering expectations about easily finding funds in local receipts or health insurance lines.

Parking Policy Formation: The police department’s presentation on parking changes 0:55:35 demonstrated effective community engagement, translating resident concerns from a neighborhood meeting directly into concrete proposals. However, the proposed solution to limit resident sticker eligibility for large complexes 1:17:57 exposed the limitations of Swampscott’s current parking regulations and the legal and equity complexities of targeting specific developments, even implicitly. Captain Cable’s explanation of the historical ad-hoc management 1:13:25 highlighted the system’s vulnerability when faced with large-scale change like the Westcott. The Board’s decision to seek legal counsel 1:49:26 before acting on this specific proposal reflects appropriate caution. The discussion around raising fines town-wide 1:10:23 showed responsiveness to resident feedback about perceived inequities 1:08:45.

Personnel and Governance: The debate over the Building Commissioner position 0:40:14 pitted clear budget concerns (Member Thompson 0:42:01) against strong arguments for the necessity of a full-time role based on revenue generation, enforcement needs (Chair Fletcher 0:43:08, Director Signore 0:46:33), and quality of life (Resident DiMento 0:48:58). Deferring the vote pending information on offsetting cuts 0:52:56 was a pragmatic compromise, but the administration’s ability to deliver those offsets will be key. The discussions on reconstituting the Traffic Committee 2:24:32 and clarifying Veterans Committee roles 2:16:03 reflect an effort to ensure appropriate structures for resident input and town functions, although the failure to populate previously created Veterans committees 2:21:19 raises questions about follow-through.

Warrant Preparation & Community Input: The warrant review 1:37:57 indicated a reliance on other committees (Retirement, Assessors, Planning Board, WSIAC, Historical) to provide necessary information and recommendations. The process appears somewhat fragmented, requiring the Select Board to synthesize input from multiple sources under time pressure. Public comment, particularly from the School Committee 0:07:46, 0:12:02 and historical advocates 0:04:32, demonstrably influenced Board discussion and, in the case of the school budget, likely contributed to the funding decision.

Vendor Relations: The discussion around the Crawfish Boil vendor 2:30:23 highlighted potential inconsistencies and lack of clear policy regarding vendor fees, sponsorships, and revenue sharing for town events. While the Recreation Director articulated efforts toward fairness 2:40:06, the conversation revealed opportunities to standardize processes and potentially increase revenue, requiring a more formalized approach as suggested by Member Leonard 2:41:21 and Finance Director Soares 2:45:11.

Overall, the meeting showcased a Select Board actively engaging with complex issues, responding to public input, and navigating fiscal constraints. However, it also highlighted areas where clearer policies (parking eligibility, event vendor fees) and potentially more proactive administrative budget preparation could improve efficiency and transparency. The commitment to funding schools sets a clear priority but leaves significant work to finalize the town’s overall financial picture for Town Meeting.