SWAMPSCOTT — Town election is now less than a month away. Here is everything you need to know about what will be on the ballot April 25.
When voters head to the polls they will elect one moderator, two Select Board members, one Board of Assessors member, two School Committee members, one trustee of the public library, one Board of Health member, one Planning Board member, and one Housing Authority member.
“The Town Moderator is the presiding officer of the Annual Town Meeting, Special Town Meetings and other meetings that he or she is requested to officiate at to ensure that order is maintained,” said the Town’s website.
This position also appoints Finance Committee members “as provided by Town Charter,” as well as five Capital Improvement Committee members.
“The Moderator shall appoint a Finance Committee consisting of one voter from each precinct and two additional voters at large, who shall serve for three-year terms,” the Town’s website said.
The town moderator only serves a one-year term.
“Under the Town Charter, the Select Board is designated as the chief policy making agency of the Town and is responsible for the formulation and promulgation of policy directives and guidelines, including those relating to financial matters, to be followed by all Town agencies serving under it,” the Select Board Procedures, Policies, and Regulations Manual said.
The Select Board also appoints the town administrator. Members are responsible for preparing and approving the final Town Meeting warrant and “recommendations to Town Meeting for approval, disapproval or other appropriate action on each article contained in such warrant presented to Town Meeting.”
Select Board members serve three-year terms.
The Board of Assessors conducts an annual evaluation of all property, both real and personal, in town.
“The Board of Assessors shall also provide policy guidance to the Assessing Department,” the Town’s website said.
Board of Assessors members serve three-year terms.
The School Committee works together on school budget decisions, negotiates contracts, supervises the superintendent, and advocates for students.
“As elected members of the Swampscott School Committee we represent the educational and developmental needs and interests of all students in the district,” the committee’s operating protocols for 2022-2023 said. “We place their interests above all else in the decisions we make.”
School Committee Members serve three-year terms.
“The purpose of the Board of Health is to promote health and well being for the residents of Swampscott,” the Town’s website said.
This is done by educating residents on health issues and practices, and creating, implementing and enforcing health policies, according to the website.
“These health policies vary in nature from topics including food establishments, dumpsters, body art, swimming pools, wells, smoking, tanning facilities, etcetera,” the Town’s website said.
The board also focuses on issues like pesticides, trash and recycling removal, beach testings and closings, mosquito control, and more.
“The Board of Health works closely with other boards in determining the safest, healthiest, most desirable quality of life in our community,” the Town’s website said.
Board of Health members serve three-year terms.
The two main “functions” of the Planning Board are long-range planning and “reviewing, deciding and making recommendations on development proposals.”
“The Planning Board endeavors to ensure that development in Swampscott reflects the needs, desires and concerns of town residents and complies with applicable laws and regulations,” the Town’s website said.
Planning Board members serve five-year terms.
Trustee of the Public Library members serve three-year terms and Housing Authority members serve five-year terms.
