BoardSwampscott

Select Board

Track committee activity, current roster, and published meeting coverage for Select Board in Swampscott.

0 active membersLast meeting Aug 18, 202617 summaries in 30d

Summaries

Active roster

Latest activity

Aug 21, 2026

Municipality

Swampscott

Latest coverage

School Funding Agreements Face Further Review

Published Aug 21, 2026

Related summaries

Published meeting coverage connected to Select Board.

Briefing

Jun 27, 2026

Select Board Outlines Town Priorities

The Select Board discussed strategic priorities and assigned follow-up work on long-term financial planning, parking, infrastructure, economic development, public safety enforcement, and community communications. The minutes do not record a final vote adopting the goals.

2 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Jun 17, 2026

Board Endorses Master Plan Through 2035

The Select Board unanimously endorsed the Swampscott Master Plan 2035 as a framework for future policy, capital planning, budgeting, grant applications, and municipal decisions. The Board also unanimously approved the Amrize earth removal permit for July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, and an entertainment license for the Swampscott Center for the Performing Arts.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Jun 8, 2026

Alcohol License Approved, Entertainment Vote Delayed

The Select Board unanimously approved a retail alcohol license for the Swampscott Center for the Performing Arts by a 5–0 vote, while postponing its entertainment license decision until June 17 pending more information about programming, amplified music, and operating hours.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Jun 3, 2026

Quarry Permit Review Continues Amid Air Concerns

The Select Board continued review of Amrize’s annual earth removal permit after residents raised concerns about air-quality monitoring; a final permit is scheduled for consideration on June 17.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

May 18, 2026

Board reviews environmental purchasing policy

The Select Board reviewed a proposed environmental purchasing policy needed for Swampscott to apply for the Recycling Dividends Program by June 1; the policy would encourage environmentally preferable purchases without requiring higher-cost options.

2 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

May 6, 2026

Select Board addresses contracts and parking safety

The Select Board approved employment contracts in a 4-0-1 vote, with Wayne Spritz abstaining because he did not participate in the earlier negotiations. The board also elected Katie Phelan as chair and Danielle Leonard as vice chair.

2 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Apr 27, 2026

Board Approves Fiscal 2027 Budget Article

The Select Board approved the Fiscal Year 2027 budget appropriation article for the May 18 Annual Town Meeting by a 3–1–1 vote. Katie Phelan, David Grishman, and Doug Thompson voted in favor; Mary Ellen Fletcher opposed, and Danielle Leonard abstained because of a conflict of interest.

2 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Apr 15, 2026

Select Board Censures Member Over Staff Conduct

The Select Board formally censured Mary Ellen Fletcher for violating the board’s conduct rules concerning interactions with town staff. The vote was 4–0, with Fletcher not participating. The board also approved the Annual Town Meeting warrant subject to final legal review and updated budget materials.

2 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Apr 8, 2026

Middle School Upgrade Application Authorized

The Select Board unanimously authorized submission of a Statement of Interest for Swampscott Middle School to the Massachusetts School Building Authority. The document cites aging HVAC and electrical systems, accessibility problems, lack of sprinklers, and asbestos concerns; the process could extend through approximately 2033 and does not guarantee funding.

2 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Mar 18, 2026

Board Directs Review of Committee Alternates

The Select Board directed the Water & Sewer Infrastructure Advisory Committee chair to review applicants and recommend alternate members at the April 8 meeting. The motion passed with support from Katie Phelan, David Grishman, and Douglas Thompson; MaryEllen Fletcher and Danielle Leonard opposed.

2 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Mar 4, 2026

Board awards Hawthorne reuse proposal

The Select Board awarded the Hawthorne Reuse RFP to the Swampscott Center for the Performing Arts by a 4–1 vote. The group also directed staff to begin a long-term redevelopment process, update demolition cost estimates, and prepare legally reviewed policies addressing police interaction with federal immigration enforcement and use of Town property by ICE/DHS.

2 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Mar 2, 2026

Preliminary Budget Could Raise Average Tax Bill

The FY2027 preliminary budget projects an $849 annual property-tax increase for the average single-family home and proposes using $2.8 million in excess levy capacity to balance the budget. The Select Board directed staff to revise solid-waste cost estimates, reassess public-safety overtime, review capital projects for possible deferrals, and provide lower-tax scenarios before final budget decisions.

2 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Feb 27, 2026

Board approves $9.6 million short-term note

The Select Board approved the sale of $9,599,331 in bond anticipation notes at a 4.00% interest rate, with proceeds split between Jefferies LLC and Truist Securities, Inc. The town expects approximately $2.5 million in remaining school-project reimbursements before the notes mature in March 2027, but must address a separate $56,000 FY26 debt-service shortfall.

2 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Feb 11, 2026

Police union agreement approved through 2028

The Select Board unanimously ratified the police collective bargaining agreement through June 30, 2028, and authorized its execution. The board also approved Richdale’s change from an off-premises wine-and-malt license to an all-alcohol license by a 3-2 vote and unanimously approved Pomona’s restaurant expansion under its existing license.

3 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Feb 9, 2026

School Utility Reserve Funding Remains Unresolved

The Select Board, School Committee, and Finance Committee discussed unclear terms in the utility reserve agreement and how school utility costs were funded. The FY25 school utility line item was zeroed out and funded through free cash, while the utility budget was not increased for the new elementary school.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Jan 21, 2026

School Funding Agreements Face Further Review

Officials questioned the use of school utility funds: the minutes say $200,000 was drawn from a utility reserve in FY25 while $4,000 remained in the school budget’s utility line item. The School Committee was asked to clarify whether that budgeted money was also spent, while the Nahant revolving account was reported at $410,000.

2 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Jan 7, 2026

Swampscott Names Finance Director and Town Clerk

The Select Board unanimously appointed Patrick Luddy as finance director and Kathleen Dupont as town clerk, with both votes passing 4-0. The board also approved a process to seek a new town counsel, endorsed the current language of H.3917 on recreational land tax treatment, and discussed $123,000 in town contingency funds and up to $100,000 in additional Pine Street project funding.

2 min readMunicipal coverage