Swampscott opposition to new school building coalesces
Residents launch ballot-question committee, hire lawyer
Leigh Blander / Special to The Swampscott Reporter
A group of Swampscott residents has officially launched a Save Our Schools campaign against the town s proposed 900-student elementary school that voters will, at some point, weigh in on. The ballot-question committee is also hiring a lawyer for its fight.
“We’re for smaller schools for smaller children,” said Gail Brock, who chairs the Save Our Schools ballot committee. “We’re for sharing the traffic and congestion that occurs around the schools and for preserving the wetlands and endangered specials that live in the area.”
Letters to The Swampscott Reporter editor
Wicked Local
I am grateful for the support of the many Swampscott voters on Tuesday. My message to residents was to provide impartiality, fairness and inclusiveness when making appointments to the Swampscott Finance Committee, Swampscott Capital Improvement Committee and other important Town Meeting committees.
I am energized by the experience and intend to stay committed to preserving the wonderful community we share. As some might imagine, this election spoke loudly and hopefully all have ears to hear.
I, myself, find comfort standing in the middle and inviting those standing on either edge to join me in the middle. Please Swampscott, Let us unite rather than continue to divide.
Support for Swampscott Senior Center lacking, local advocates argue
Swampscott town administrator: It s been a complicated year
Leigh Blander and William J. Dowd
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Supporters of the Swampscott Senior Center are asking the town to hire a director and additional staff as soon as possible, as the center scrambles to serve thousands of area seniors during the pandemic.
“There’s a real lack of support from the town,” said Deb Bogardus with Friends of the Swampscott Senior Center.
According to the group, the senior center serves more than 5,000 seniors every year for meals, fitness classes, activities, and, above all, socialization. Longtime director Marilyn Hurwitz retired in early September, and nearly eight months later, the town has yet to replace her. Outreach Coordinator Gina Bush is the center’s only full-time employee.
Wicked Local
Assistant Town Administrator for Administration and Finance Ron Mendes is leaving the town of Swampscott’s employ next month, according to an email sent to town staff on Tuesday afternoon.
“Ron has decided to leave for some great professional opportunities,” wrote Swampscott Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald in an email announcing Mendes’ impending departure on May 12. “I want to really thank him for the extraordinary contributions he has made to Swampscott.”
Meanwhile, it appears Mendes has been looking for a new job at least since the late summer: He was one of five finalists for Swansea town administrator, according to reporting by the Swampscott Reporter s sibling newspaper, The Herald News, in September.
Swampscott sets tax rates for FY2021
Average single-family home bill will remain unchanged, officials tout
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The average single-family home tax bill will neither decrease nor increase but rather remain unchanged at $8,999 in Fiscal Year 2021, based on the tax rates that the Swampscott Board of Selectmen recently set.
Swampscott Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald touted a four-year streak in regard to the town’s tax bill for the average single-family home in Swampscott.
“Every year since 2017, Swampscott’s average, single-family home tax bill has dropped or stayed level – and that’s unique, exceptional,” said Fitzgerald in the fiscal 2021 tax classification hearing on Dec. 9. “You won’t be able to find another community in the commonwealth that has spent as much time really trying to find balance and stability. Many peer communities have increased their taxes every year over the past four years.”