Swampscott meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Swampscott boards weigh housing, bond, and infrastructure; no decisions yet published

Over the past two weeks, Swampscott boards and committees met to consider a range of items, including a $2.5 million bond note, a five-unit housing proposal, and waterfront infrastructure updates. Minutes from these meetings have not yet been published, so no official decisions are confirmed.

Select Board: Bond note, Lynnway project, and trash service

The Select Board met Aug. 18 with an agenda that included a vote on the sale of a $2,527,823 Bond Anticipation Note, discussion and possible votes on the Lynnway Multimodal Corridor Project and a trash service update, and appointments to town boards. The board also discussed the FY26 year-end, a transitional audit, the Kleinfeld Report, and police updates on school circulation and parking. No vote results are available.

Housing and development: Special permits and zoning

The Planning Board met Aug. 10 to hold public hearings on two special permits: a 1,135 sq ft garage, 401 sq ft three-season room, and 108 sq ft third-floor expansion at 74 Beach Bluff Ave.; and a proposal to demolish a two-family home and build a five-unit condominium (1,850 sq ft each) at 45 Pleasant St. The board also discussed revisions to the Tree Committee’s draft zoning bylaw and a proposed Smart Growth Zoning District near the commuter rail station.

The Zoning Board of Appeals met Aug. 18 to hear a sign special permit for a third 30.26 sq ft façade sign at Cava, 450 Paradise Road, and a use special permit for the same five-unit project at 45 Pleasant St., including reduced parking and snow storage relief. That hearing was rescheduled to Aug. 26.

The Historical Commission met Aug. 13 to make final determinations on partial demolition of 11 Eulow St. and full demolition of 39 Puritan Road, and to consider approving Machon Mural notecards and a Declaration of Independence replica.

Infrastructure and environment

The Harbor & Waterfront Advisory Committee met Aug. 10 and Aug. 17 to discuss commercial fisherman rights along the waterfront and the Fish House, pier repair updates, the Mission on the Bay Seawall, and the FY2027–FY2031 capital improvement plan.

The Solid Waste Advisory Committee met Aug. 10 to review the rollout of the new trash and recycling contract, with reports from DPH and DPW, and to discuss a fall Repair Cafe and pumpkin event.

The Water & Sewer Infrastructure Advisory Committee met Aug. 19 to hear a presentation on a sewer lateral inspection cost model, receive DPW updates on water and sewer projects, and discuss summer beach testing.

The Board of Health met Aug. 19 to discuss the Opioid Settlement Fund Program, beach water testing, and a Health Director update.

Other boards

The Housing Authority met Aug. 11 to consider an insurance claim award, retaining a plumber, and paying American Alarm for an annual inspection. The Capital Improvement Committee met Aug. 11 to review past projects and plan the next cycle. The Open Space & Recreation Plan Committee met Aug. 11 to discuss grants and goals, including signage and court improvements. The Recreation Commission met Aug. 10 to review events and 501(c)(3) progress.

The School Committee met Aug. 20 in executive session to discuss superintendent negotiations and approve prior minutes.

The Board of Registrars held public tests of voting equipment on Aug. 17–18 for the Sept. 1 state primary, using a test deck of at least 50 ballots per party.

Coming up

The Board of Registrars will hold advance voter processing sessions on Aug. 24, 25, and 28 at Town Hall. The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold its rescheduled hearing on the Cava sign and 45 Pleasant St. project on Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. at the Senior Center. The Community Preservation Committee meets Sept. 2 to vote on a vice-chair, annual dues, and October pre-applications.

Swampscott boards tackle water rates, earth removal permits, and coastal projects in busy July stretch

Most Swampscott boards and committees met in the second half of July with agendas listing possible votes on water and sewer rates, a solid waste contract, earth removal permits, and coastal-zone projects. Minutes have not yet been published for any of these meetings, so outcomes are not yet part of the public record. What follows is drawn from the official agendas.

Select Board — FY27 rates and waste contract on the agenda

The Select Board's July 21 agenda listed discussion and possible votes on FY27 water and sewer rates, a recycling and solid waste service contract and associated fees, and the Hawthorne RFP. The agenda also included the appointment of Registrar Michael Brison and recognition of Heidi Whear upon her retirement as Director of Aging Services. An executive session was scheduled to review and potentially release minutes from past fiscal years.

Earth Removal Advisory Committee — 555 Essex Street permit

The Earth Removal Advisory Committee met July 20 to review an earth removal permit application from Swampscott Multi Owner LLC for 555 Essex Street. The agenda also included discussion of proposed amendments to the General Bylaw, Article XIII (Earth Removal), air monitoring procedures, and approval of minutes from the May 27 meeting. A follow-up joint meeting with the Select Board is scheduled for August 4.

Conservation Commission — coastal projects and native-plant rule

The Conservation Commission met virtually July 28 to review several coastal-zone filings, including a Notice of Intent for 45 Littles Point to remove 300 sq ft of damaged concrete, add 200 sq ft of dry-laid flagging, and revegetate the coastal bank. A second Notice of Intent covered the Kings Beach/Mission on the Bay seawall and elevated boardwalk (DEP# 071-0367). The agenda also included Requests for Determination for a Foster Pond bench and kiosk (Map 9, Lot 742) and a front-porch enclosure at 60 Sculpin Way in a coastal storm-flowage area. Members were set to discuss a proposal to adopt new general conditions requiring native plants.

Council on Aging and Community Life Center Task Force

The Council on Aging met July 21 to review results of a feasibility study for a Community Life Center, along with staffing updates including the outreach hiring process. Program updates covered the Maker's Shed, chair volleyball, and the summer shuttle, plus a transportation update on adding Friday rides.

The Community Life Center Feasibility Study Task Force met July 28 to discuss public sentiment survey results and Abacus site evaluations, and to determine next steps for analysis and outreach.

Retirement Board — new enrollments and one retirement

The Swampscott Contributory Retirement Board's July 28 agenda included enrolling four new members: Michael Faia (DPW), Erica McCabe (TWN), Olivia Cahill (SPD), and Robert Fiore (DPW). The board was scheduled to process the retirement of Catherine Quinn (SPS), listed at 22 years under Option A. Financial items included July 2026 expense and payroll warrants, a transfer from M&T to MM Account, a transfer from PRIM to M&T Account, and a refund/transfer for Christine Raposo to Essex Regional (20 years).

Other recent meetings

The Zoning Board of Appeals held a public hearing July 21 on Petition 26-07 by Thomas Bogacz, appealing the building commissioner's denial of zoning enforcement at 24-28 Ingalls Terrace (Map 2, Lots 120 and 121), referencing Planning Board Decision 26-02 from January 12, 2026.

The Tree Committee discussed a proposed zoning bylaw change to paragraph 3.3.1.0 (Landscaping), tree preservation bylaw updates, and planting plans for the Vinnin Square redevelopment and the train station.

The Board of Health met virtually July 22 for a beach water testing update and a Health Director update by Jeffrey W. Vaughan.

The School Committee held a non-voting workshop July 22 to review committee and superintendent goals, with a presentation from KP Law. No votes or public comment were scheduled.

The Cultural Council met July 31 to vote on revised guidelines and priorities for the next funding cycle, with discussion of managing a grant process under reduced funding and possible use of non-state funds, including a cold weather concert series at the Swampscott Performing Arts Center.

Coming up

• **Aug. 3 — Earth Removal Advisory Committee:** Review of the 555 Essex Street permit and possible bylaw updates, ahead of an Aug. 4 joint meeting with the Select Board.
• **Aug. 3 — Historic District Commission:** Public hearing on Certificates of Appropriateness for 65 Andrew Rd (11 window replacements), 32 Outlook Rd (front entry porch demolition and reconstruction), and 34 Walker Rd (second-floor window removal).
• **Aug. 3 — Board of Library Trustees:** Scheduled vote on the Collection Development Policy, plus renovation and FY27 updates.
• **Aug. 4 — Select Board:** Recognition of retirees Heidi Whear, Glenn Bartram (28 years, Fire Department), and Isarella Abrams (31 years, Library); public hearing on an earth removal permit for Swampscott Multi Owner LLC at 125 High Street, Boston; discussion and possible vote on the Hawthorne RFP and the Lynnway Multimodal Corridor Project.
• **Aug. 6 — Historical Commission:** Public hearings on partial demolition of 11 Eulow Street and full demolition of 39 Puritan Road, with possible votes on final determinations.
• **Aug. 10 — Planning Board:** Public hearings on special permits for 74 Beach Bluff Ave (garage, three-season room, third-floor expansion) and 45 Pleasant St (demolish two-family, build five-unit condominium at 1,850 sq ft each); vote on Tree Committee draft zoning bylaw revisions to Section 3.3.1.0; discussion of a proposed Smart Growth Zoning District near the commuter rail station.
• **Aug. 17–18 — Board of Registrars:** Public test of voting machines at Town Hall, 22 Monument Avenue, ahead of the September 1 state primary.