Select Board excludes residential use from Hawthorne RFP
Select Board bans residential development on Hawthorne waterfront property. The three-to-two vote, with Mary Ellen Fletcher, Danielle Leonard, and Wayne Spritz voting to exclude housing and Katie Phelan and Ted Dooley opposed, responded to overwhelming public opposition and affirmed the town's
Select Board · Meeting of August 4, 2026
SWAMPSCOTT — Select Board bans residential development on Hawthorne waterfront property. The three-to-two vote, with Mary Ellen Fletcher, Danielle Leonard, and Wayne Spritz voting to exclude housing and Katie Phelan and Ted Dooley opposed, responded to overwhelming public opposition and affirmed the town's intent to preserve the Hawthorne property as a public waterfront asset. Board members supporting the measure argued that residential development conflicts with the property's original acquisition purpose, while opposing members warned the site may become financially infeasible without housing-related revenue.
In other business, the Board unanimously approved the September 1 State Primary Election warrant and appointed Michael Paquette to the Board of Registrars for a three-year term expiring March 31, 2029.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 288 words
Source: the Select Board meeting of August 4, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
Members read the rest of this story and every Swampscott meeting we cover, in full.
Become a memberAlready a member? Sign inA 30-day free trial needs a payment method. After it, your membership renews at the price shown at checkout until you cancel, which you can do anytime from your account. Subscription terms
Share this brief
Know someone in Swampscott who follows town government? Share Townbrief Swampscott: they can sign up free.