Selectmen add parking on Humphrey St.

SWAMPSCOTT – Swampscott selectmen voted to re-hire a police officer, add more parking to Humphrey Street and approved a lower water and sewer rate at their last meeting.The water and sewer rate for the 2013-14 year will be the lowest in two years, according to Town Accountant Dave Castellarin, who presented the numbers at the meeting. This year?s rates will be $6.20 for water and $5.45 for sewer per 100 cubic feet, compared to last year?s rates of $6.40 for water and $5.60 for sewer.Following a recommendation from the Traffic Study Committee, five 30-minute parking spots will be added to the Linscott Park side of Monument Avenue to serve customers who are looking to simply run into some of the businesses in that area.The recommendation came from a meeting on Friday, Aug. 16 when Sea Glass Wine and Beer owner Michelle Penny said she was losing customers because the one-hour parking spots made it difficult for people to find a place to park. Penny was supported by neighboring businesses owners in the meeting.With support from Swampscott Police Chief Ron Madigan, the board leaned favorably toward adding the spots, but were not sure to make them 15 minute or 30 minute spots.?I?m for 30 – it takes me that long to find a beer,” said Selectman John Callahan, bringing laughs and approval from his fellow board members.Finally, the Swampscott Police Department will be getting back one of their own, pending the officer?s physical examination. Officer Richard Alex was laid off in 2007 due to budget cuts and has since been working as an officer in Marblehead.Though the board struggled with the question of whether to take on another pension or allow the department to continue to run on routine overtime, they ultimately approved the motion to reinstate the officer in a 4-1 vote, with Selectman Barry Greenfield voting no.?From my perspective, there are currently 63 full-time employees on payroll in town. We don?t have a full-time IT director and there is a part-time director for the recreation program which serves every family with children in town,” said Greenfield. “For me, thinking about the town as a whole, I can?t vote in favor of this motion.”The next Board of Selectmen meeting is Sept. 11.