Swampscott Town Meeting to review surplus properties

SWAMPSCOTT – The date for the special Town Meeting to dispose of four surplus properties has been set for Monday, Nov. 10.Selectman Jill Sullivan, who is also chairman of the Town Building Oversight Committee, said the committee has five articles on the draft special Town Meeting warrant.Sullivan said four of the articles ask Town Meeting to approve selling surplus town owned property. She said the Town Building Oversight Committee is asking Town Meeting to approve the sale of the former middle school on Greenwood Avenue, the former senior center on Burrill Street, the former Temple Israel on Humphrey Street and the Phillips Avenue fire station.Sullivan said another article includes proposed zoning changes that would allow development of the parcels the town would like to sell.Sullivan said Town Meeting members would receive an executive summary of the Town Building Oversight Committee’s work and recommendations regarding the four properties approximately two weeks prior to the special Town Meeting.”It’s a lot of information to absorb,” she said. “We want Town Meeting members to go into the meeting with the information necessary to make an informed decision.”An article unrelated to the surplus town properties has also been added to the special Town Meeting warrant by citizen petition. That article asks Town Meeting to change the current zoning bylaw, which prohibits drive through windows for restaurants in the Vinnin Square area. If the proposed zoning change is adopted, it would allow restaurants in Vinnin Square to apply for a special permit for a drive through window from the Zoning Board of Appeals.Because Tuesday, Nov. 11 is a holiday, the Board of Selectmen agreed that if Town Meeting is unable to act on all the warrant articles on Nov. 10, the meeting would be reconvened on Wednesday, Nov. 12.