07:37The meeting also saw Carol Schutzer, a former chairwoman of the Select Board, promoting the upcoming “Fish Tales” event to support the Swampscott Tides, a proposed independent nonprofit newspaper. Scheduled for March 29 at the high school, the event aims to raise funds and foster community engagement. Schutzer reported a positive response to the initiative, with over $125,000 raised in just six months.

11:56Amidst these discussions, the town administrator provided updates on various ongoing projects and initiatives, highlighting challenges and progress in several areas. A notable mention was the recommendation to reinstate Rich Balachi as Building Commissioner, citing his previous service and recent role as chief of inspections for the Commonwealth. The board also addressed complications in communication regarding the Glover house repairs and land encroachment issues on El Place. The administrator further discussed the successful outreach efforts to engage residents in community involvement opportunities and shared progress on sewer main repairs, highlighting projects like the Marshall Street sewer rehabilitation and the Kings Beach steering committee’s work on infrastructure development.

Concerns about community issues such as parking at the Westcot property prompted plans for a neighborhood meeting to address these matters. Progress on town facilities, including the completion of a new dishwasher project at the senior center and ongoing town hall roof repairs, was also reported. Additionally, the police department’s collaboration with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to connect Swampscott and Melrose for a fundraising event was highlighted.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussions about police hiring and departmental staffing shortages. The Chief of Police outlined efforts to address the three current vacancies, considering the use of lateral certified officers and recruit applicants to fill these roles. This initiative is aimed at reducing overtime costs associated with the staffing shortage. The fire department reported acquiring new atmospheric monitoring equipment to enhance safety measures.

01:08:20The health department’s management of opioid settlement funds and efforts to provide naloxone boxes for municipal buildings were discussed, alongside the finalization of an employee handbook by Human Resources in collaboration with KP Law. Recreation initiatives, including upcoming summer events and newly introduced programs, were also brought to light.

01:54:31Budget considerations were a recurring theme throughout the meeting, with the Select Board scrutinizing potential savings and revenue enhancements. Discussions focused on election-related expenses, personnel costs, and the possibility of promoting individuals from within departments to optimize savings. The importance of transparency in budget discussions and public engagement was emphasized, with a call for the community to be involved in determining acceptable service levels and potential tax implications.