SWAMPSCOTT — It’s “your town, your ideas” say Swampscott officials, and the town is giving residents the platform to share them.
Swampscott boards, committees, and officials will host its first townwide idea exchange on Saturday, Dec. 1. Residents are invited to the high school, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., to share their visions for the town, with officials only in attendance to lend their ears. Local food trucks will be on site with complimentary food for attending residents.
“I love hearing people’s ideas and helping bring them to reality,” said Peter Spellios, chair of the Swampscott Board of Selectmen. “People get a lot of satisfaction from helping good ideas come to reality, so our greatest opportunity is to make sure that happens.”
Spellios was the first to initiate the idea for the exchange. In the absence of the annual Fall Special Town Meeting, he thought the time could best be used to brainstorm new visions for Swampscott. He said the board wanted a place where town members could relax, brainstorm, and share, while officials listen to what the residents are interested in.
“It’s been brewing in my head,” said Spellios. “I’ve been talking with colleagues about it over the last six months. We have been meeting as a board recently to specifically understand what issues and initiatives to work on to prepare for that annual special town meeting and it is clear, while we still a lot of things financially to work on as a town, we as a board are unanimous in believing we have to continuously be working on quality of life for the community.”
The exchange will include sessions that focus on topics such as the waterfront, culture, recreation, and beautification, ideas for the town’s seniors and kids, and even a session for town services, discussing finances and taxes. Spellios said they wanted to host the exchange with plenty of time ahead of the Annual Town Meeting in May.
Spellios said one of the main reasons for the exchange was that residents have already spent the last few years bringing forth and fighting for new ideas and initiatives. Those resident ideas were noted in the town’s press release.
Reach Arts, the town’s new community arts center was borne by Swampscott art enthusiasts. The new beach markers and entrances were conceived by a local philanthropist and designed by local architects. The turf field was brought on after tireless efforts from a group of Swampscott parents. The rail trail is becoming a reality because of dedicated residents with a passion for the outdoors, and solar panels cover the town’s high school because of residents who continuously fight for renewable energy.
A community garden and town dog park are also in the works, thanks to the ideas and dedication of Swampscott residents.
“The board wants to encourage as many people to participate in the idea exchange as possible,” said Spellios. “It’s your town, your ideas and what I have found through my volunteer efforts is good ideas really can find their place in a town like Swampscott. If people take advantage of that, then it enhances the chance of these ideas coming to reality.”
Spellios said the board recognizes that it is a sacrifice for people to give up their free time, but they believe the time will be used valuably for those who can make it. Town officials and the Board of Selectmen consider themselves to be open-minded, which is why they believe the idea exchange is going to work, he said.
“I would love for it to be a regular event, whether that means having it annually or every other year,” said Spellios. “What is important is for it to not only be a regular event, but something the town makes time to do, one way or another.”