The former Machon School on Burpee Road could be the site of affordable housing for senior citizens, a privately owned community center, or it could be deemed open space. Town Meeting will ultimately decide in May.
By GAYLA CAWLEY
SWAMPSCOTT—Residents were given the opportunity at Wednesday night’s Board of Selectmen meeting to voice their opinions on the potential reuse of the former Machon Elementary School property, with the majority opting for the wide open spaces.
Five residents spoke during the open discussion on the what to do with the property, with four favoring an open-space use of the property. Warren Sawyer, co-founder of The Caleb Group, a Swampscott-based nonprofit, has proposed converting the former school into affordable housing for seniors.
That was the predominant reuse proposal at a Nov. 10 forum, where five project proposals were presented based on responses to the town’s Request for Interest, Ideas and Innovation (RFI).
During that forum, three of the five proposals — including the one from The Caleb Group — were for affordable senior housing.
Sawyer said he has constantly heard about the need for affordable housing for seniors in various open meetings. He said when income drops for people past the age of 65, they can’t afford to live in their homes anymore. He said affordable housing would mean someone is paying about $1,000 a month.
“There’s a phenomenal need for housing for elderly folks,” Sawyer said.
Some residents of the town pushed for open space, however, and that sentiment was echoed Wednesday night.
Ruth Hendrickson said it is “embarrassing” that there is no land in Swampscott that can properly be classified as open space. She said the townspeople have given up about 50 acres of space in the past and would like “just this one acre of land” that she said would make a beautiful community garden.
Hendrickson said the Machon School should be dismantled, as “it’s served its purpose,” but if the property is sold, she fears the town would never get the land back. She said if the land is lost, “how dumb are we” to let go of the property for more development.
Whitney White reiterated that there is “so little land in Swampscott” and “here we have a chance to keep a piece.
“It really behooves you to take a serious look at this piece of land,” White said.
Lucille McCarther said the Machon School area already suffers from traffic from Swampscott High School and that she is concerned that more development would mean even more. She said residential housing for seniors is a good idea but those residents will have their own cars, along with guests and supplemental support such as physical therapists.
“How much can this neighborhood take?” McCarther said.
Gerard Perry said he believes the town is over-developing, which he said is impacting its quality of life. He said there is the ability to borrow funds to make the area a park and thinks the town should hold onto the land.
“Let the private developers build their development, but let’s hold onto our town-owned land,” Perry said.
Those residents voicing their support for open space expressed their concerns that the option would not be considered at the Dec. 16 selectmen’s meeting, where a vote on the reuse of the property will be conducted.
Selectman Matthew Strauss said the board has the authority to decide to create open space on the property and could vote for that option.
“That potential exists,” Strauss said.
Selectmen chair Naomi Dreeben said if the board decides to move forward with one of the five proposals presented at the Nov. 10 forum, a Request for Proposals would be issued in January and would be voted on at the Town Meeting in May.
The five proposals presented at the forum were from B’nai B’rith Housing, The Caleb Group and New Seasons Development for affordable senior housing, Hudson Group North America and Eagle Development Partners for a mixed residential and commercial use and Swampscott residents Ariane Purdy and Jaren Landen for a privately operated educational and community center.
Gayla Cawley can be reached at [email protected]
