The petition, initiated by Katie Arrington, aimed to revoke the Select Board’s authority to sell or lease specified town-owned properties, including the VFW Post 1240 site. Although it gathered the requisite 200 signatures, board members were split on whether it explicitly demanded a special town meeting. Legal counsel offered two interpretations: the board could treat the petition as a request for a special town meeting or include it in the upcoming annual meeting. Board members weighed the urgency of convening a special meeting against the potential for broader participation at the annual meeting, recognizing the importance of addressing the concerns of the petitioners.

The petition’s lack of explicit language for such a meeting led to differing interpretations of the board’s obligations. Board members expressed concerns about whether signatories fully understood the implications of their signatures, particularly regarding the nature of the meeting being requested. One member emphasized the importance of clarity for both the developer and veterans linked to the VFW council.

In addition to the debate over the special town meeting, public comments during the meeting revealed a strong desire for transparency and accountability from the Select Board. Residents voiced frustrations about past executive sessions and the release of their minutes.

In response to these concerns, a member proposed clarifying the process for releasing executive session minutes. The board acknowledged the need to communicate these guidelines clearly to the public to address perceptions of secrecy and to ensure trust in the board’s operations.

Financial matters also featured prominently in the meeting, with updates on the fiscal year 2026 budget and the town’s financial health. The board reviewed financial reports, noting that legal expenses were trending higher than budgeted, raising questions about the nature of these costs. The necessity of freezing police and fire department budgets due to overtime exceeding projections was discussed, highlighting potential overages of up to $400,000. The board established bi-weekly meetings to monitor these departments closely.

Infrastructural concerns were addressed, particularly the state of local roads and the persistent issue of rodent infestations. The board heard reports about neglected pipes on Greenwood Avenue and Millett Road, with requests for a plan to tackle the rodent problem. Members expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of updates from the health department.

The meeting also covered the town’s efforts in textile recycling, with the health department reporting the collection of over 21,000 pounds of textiles. Additionally, the board discussed the UV treatment pilot program in collaboration with Lynn. Concerns were raised about the project’s escalating costs and potential effects on residents living near the proposed site. A consensus emerged on the necessity of community engagement and thorough evaluation of the pilot’s impacts before proceeding.

Further discussions involved the Swampscott Elementary School staff’s parking arrangement with the Unitarian Universalist Church, allowing use of the church’s parking lot for snow removal services. This agreement was part of ongoing infrastructure projects, including a $2.5 million sewer rehabilitation project for the Kings Beach area. Updates on the Mall Street outfall sewer infrastructure improvements were also noted, alongside the development of the fiscal year 2026 budget.

The board addressed the formation of a new Hathorne Reuse Advisory Committee, emphasizing community involvement and the need for clear task definitions. Proposals for the committee’s composition included representatives from the finance and planning boards, along with citizens bringing diverse perspectives. The board also discussed merging the Climate Action and Resiliency Committees to streamline efforts and enhance efficiency in executing the town’s climate action plan.