Swampscott selectmen grant yacht club approval to add porch to Fish House

SWAMPSCOTT – Build the porch but don’t smoke on it is the message the selectmen sent to the Swampscott Yacht Club.After two hours of discussion Tuesday evening, the selectmen voted 4-1 to allow the SYC to build a porch on the historic Fish House despite a petition presented to the selectmen, which was signed by more than 500 taxpayers opposing the project.The SYC, which is a private club, has leased the second floor of the building from the town for more than seven decades. The club leases the building for $12,000 a year and it maintains the public restrooms in the building.Numerous members of the SYC spoke in favor of the addition, which they said was necessary to ensure the viability of the club. SYC member Jackson Schultz said the club needs resources to attract and retain new members. He pointed out the social membership declined when the club had to close the kitchen.Representatives of the town sailing program told the selectmen the SYC provides space and support for the sailing program. Several supporters of the expansion said the SYC is a good neighbor and urged the selectmen to allow the porch to be built.Not everyone agreed the SYC is a good neighbor, however.Several members of the Fishermen’s Alliance were on hand to speak against the project, which they said was one more way the SYC is encroaching on fishermen.”It is the last standing bastion of our fisherman’s heritage,” one fisherman said. William Hennessey, who recently retired as harbormaster, said the project is ill conceived and he urged the selectmen not to approve it. Mary Ellen Fletcher, who is an abutter and a member of the SYC, also urged the selectmen not to approve the addition of a porch.Other concerns brought up by abutters included noise and smoking. To alleviate concerns about smoking, the selectmen included a provision banning smoking on the property.Only newly elected Selectman Richard Malagrifa voted against allowing the porch.”I was elected to represent you (residents),” he said. “I can not ignore that. I knocked on thousands of doors during my campaign.” He added almost everyone he spoke to was opposed to the project so he had to vote against it.This is not the first time there has been controversy over a potential additional to the Fish House. Last April, local fishermen turned out en mass at a selectmen meeting to express opposition to the plan.In other business, the selectmen voted unanimously to allow Town Administrator Andrew Maylor to enter into an agreement with MMA Consultants to put together an assessment center, which would be used to hire a fire chief. Acting Fire Chief Michael Champion is scheduled to retire July 2.