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Select Board - July 21, 2026
Published: Jul 21, 2026
Select Board Votes to Exclude Residential Development from Hawthorne Property RFP
The Select Board discussed the RFP criteria for the Hawthorne property, with a strong consensus emerging against including residential development. Board members emphasized community sentiment and concerns about potential issues like residential ownership claims over public spaces and loss of parking, which would counteract the goals of economic development and public access. While one member suggested keeping residential as an option to avoid limiting developer proposals, the majority favored a clear stance against it. The board decided to formally exclude residential development from consideration in the RFP, aiming to guide developers towards proposals that align with community priorities for revenue generation, parking, and open space. This decision was made to provide clear direction and avoid future debates.
Parking Enforcement Discussion Reveals Need for Consistent Fines and Clearer Regulations
The Select Board discussed parking enforcement, with the Police Chief presenting data on parking citations issued from January to June 2024, totaling 576 citations, which is on track to exceed the annual average of 860. The top locations for citations were the train station (105 citations), Humphrey Street (58 citations), and Vinnon Square (48 citations), with many in Vinnon Square being in fire lanes. The Chief also noted an influx of citations for impeding snow removal in January and discussed ongoing issues with beach sticker requirements. The discussion highlighted the need for consistent rules and guidelines for parking enforcement, including tiered fines based on the severity of the violation (public safety vs. annoyance), the complexity of resident vs. recreation stickers, and the potential for a data-driven approach to enforcement and education. Suggestions included creating parking zones, standardizing fine schedules, potentially using technology for mapping restrictions, and exploring whether a dedicated parking enforcement officer role, separate from sworn officers, could be feasible. The board expressed concerns about inconsistent fine amounts, particularly the $25 fine for fire lane violations compared to higher fines elsewhere, and the need for better data collection and communication channels for parking issues.
Traffic Concerns Around Elementary School and Road Width Issues Highlighted
During the Town Administrator's report, an update was provided on addressing traffic around the elementary school, a recurring issue heard more during the school year but with initial meetings held as the school year ended. Officers Wilson and Reene, Principal Sanborn, and Max met to brainstorm potential improvements for the fall and mitigate issues. The Administrator also mentioned a broader discussion about potential situations and issues related to road width, specifically referencing Engles Terrace, where the roadway is narrower than minimum right-of-way requirements. Plans are in place to address these broader traffic and parking concerns with recommendations to include a formal process for future requests like speed bumps or parking changes.
Community Voices Divided on Hawthorne Property's Future: Revenue vs. Open Space Debated
During public comment, residents and committee members discussed the Hawthorne property reuse. Key points included suggestions for select board members to visit neighboring communities to observe park and waterfront uses, the recommendation from the Hawthorne committee to demolish the existing building due to renovation costs and potential obstruction of views and coastal access, and concerns about potential conflicts arising from residential use of the property adjacent to public parkland. Other speakers debated the financial implications of the property purchase, advocating for revenue-generating businesses to offset costs while maintaining public waterfront access, and suggesting a mixed-use development including hotels, restaurants, and retail, or alternatively, open space. The discussion also touched upon the need for clear guidelines in the RFP for developers, balancing revenue generation, public access, and potentially open space, while expressing a strong sentiment against residential development.
Select Board Debates RFP Criteria for Hawthorne Property, Leaning Against Residential Use
The Select Board discussed potential RFP parameters for the Hawthorne property, debating the weighting of various criteria. There was a consensus to prioritize proposals that combine revenue generation, parking solutions, and open space utilization, suggesting these combined proposals receive higher scoring. The definition of 'open space' was debated, with a preference for keeping it general rather than overly specific to avoid limiting developer creativity, though some argued for defining it to ensure meaningful public benefit. The possibility of residential use was also discussed, with most board members expressing a strong preference against it due to concerns about it compromising public access, creating ownership disputes, and potentially not being in the spirit of the original town meeting's intent, although one member suggested keeping it as an option to avoid limiting potential developer proposals. The board ultimately decided to table the discussion on residential use to gather more input and consider further examples.
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The Swampscott News archive
Select Board - 7/21/26
Planning Board - 7/13/26
Planning Board - 7/13/26
Select Board - 7/7/26
Select Board - July 7, 2026
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