SWAMPSCOTT — Select Board candidates David Grishman, Stefanie Neumann, and Doug Thompson discussed their visions for Swampscott’s future on Zoom at The Daily Item’s Swampscott Select Board Candidate Forum Tuesday night.
Grishman currently serves as the Select Board’s vice chair and is seeking reelection after starting his first term in 2020. Neumann, a Swampscott High School graduate, helped develop financial software for the town’s treasurer in 1984. Thompson is the vice chair of the town’s Climate Action Plan committee.
On April 25, voters in Swampscott will pick two of the three candidates to serve on the Select Board. Item News Editor Rachel Barber moderated the forum. She asked the candidates 10 yes-or-no questions, followed by nine open-ended questions, for which each candidate was given 30 seconds to answer.
During the forum’s yes-or-no portion, all three candidates replied “yes” when asked if they voted or would have voted to support the construction of the Swampscott Rail Trail at the 2017 referendum.
The candidates unanimously replied “yes” when Barber asked if they supported the town’s decision to purchase Hawthorne by the Sea and to construct a new elementary school in 2021.
All three candidates agreed that Swampscott is not doing enough to support its residents’ mental health. Additionally, all candidates said they would support the continuation of events such as Bent Water at The Beach or Swamptoberfest, the town’s ban on feeding wildlife, and the Select Board’s plan to purchase a Pine Street property and convert it into affordable housing for veterans.
When the candidates were asked if more no-cost parking should be built for non-residents at the town’s beaches, Grishman and Neumann both replied “no,” and Thompson replied “maybe.”
Neumann differed from her opponents’ viewpoints when asked whether or not she supported Nahant’s contract with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services to help eliminate its coyotes. While Thompson and Grishman both replied “no” to the question, Neumann responded “yes.”
When asked how they would help senior citizens “age in place” amid rising housing costs, all three candidates agreed the town must prioritize creating affordable housing units for seniors. Grishman suggested expanding the town’s quantity of additional dwelling units to make room for seniors, while Neumann said that in addition to housing, Swampscott has to expand its senior healthcare services. Thompson added that if the current Hadley Elementary School is not used for senior housing once the new school opens, the town would have to find somewhere else to create affordable senior living facilities.
The Hadley Elementary School Reuse Advisory Committee recommended three potential uses for the building upon the new school’s completion — turning it into affordable senior housing, a community space, or a hotel. When Barber asked the candidates which option they would vote to support, Grishman said he supported building a hotel to generate revenue and expand open space in the area.
“If you’re able to have the Hadley as a revenue-generating boutique hotel with a rooftop restaurant lounge bar, that can help ameliorate some of the concerns that residents have to allow a majority of open space to be placed at the gulf,” Grishman said.
Neumann said that while she can see the potential for revenue growth that comes with construction of a hotel, she thinks the building’s future use should be determined primarily through research and public feedback.
“That is a very valuable, relatively close oceanfront property,” Neumann said. “It could be used to increase the revenue in our town, but we also need to get input from the people living in the area as well as the entire citizenry of the town, because senior housing is very important and we need to find a way to accommodate people.”
Thompson echoed Neumann’s remarks, adding that he thinks the Select Board is appropriately exploring all options before jumping to one decision.
“If that makes sense that that could be a good revenue-generating anchor property as a hotel, that’s great, but we need to make sure that we have identified a place for senior housing as well,” Thompson said.
When asked how he would spend a $1 million grant for any individual purpose, Grishman said he would use it as a down payment to create or acquire a community space.
“That’s really what I’m about — building community,” Grishman said. “One of the needs that we have as a community is a community center. We do not have a community center.”
Neumann said she would use the grant to either reduce the town’s carbon footprint, or improve education in Swampscott schools. Thompson said he would use the funds to either develop a comprehensive economic development plan for the city or create a senior tax abatement program.
“I would devote some of those resources to ensuring that we have a very engaged planning process,” Thompson said. “The next priority I would have is devoting that to some tax abatement for seniors to broaden the approach and the ability for seniors to stay in Swampscott.”
Neumann, when asked what she thought the school district should prioritize in its budget, echoed Grishman’s response that students’ quality of education should be top priority. She added that she would like to see an expansion of curriculum.
“They should also introduce courses which have heretofore not been presented, including how to do your taxes, how to get your first mortgage, and civics,” Neumann said. “How do you get involved with your government, and how is your government part of your life, so that you feel you can contribute and have a worthwhile experience while you are a resident here.”
Thompson responded that he agrees with Grishman and Neumann’s priorities, but thinks that tackling the prevalence of mental health problems among Swampscott’s students should be prioritized as well.
“We need to make sure that we’re making every possible investment in our schools to support our children,” Thompson said. “The rates of depression, anxiety, suicidality, etc. are exploding, right here and elsewhere. We need to make sure that every possible support is in place for kids when they need help.”
In their closing statements, the candidates were given one minute to talk about what they could bring to the table on the board. Thompson said that he hopes to use his experience working in state government, nonprofits, and private businesses to create a unified vision and plan for Swampscott.
“We have an incredible opportunity right now to build on our history and recent progress. We need to thoughtfully address our current needs and prepare for our future from an inclusive, comprehensive, equitable and fiscally responsible process,” Thompson said.
Neumann said her background in astronomy, physics, and biomedical engineering set her aside from the other candidates. She said she is not a politician and has no “ulterior motives” or “hidden agendas,” but simply wants to be a governmental voice for Swampscott residents.
“It’s very important to engage the town — citizens voices matter. What they have to say is important. I want them to feel included, I want them to feel inspired to participate in governmental processes, as well as having fun in town,” Neumann said.
Grishman said that he had worked to deliver on the promises he made to voters during his 2020 campaign, If reelected, he said he will ensure the town’s continued progress and growth.
“Three years ago when I ran, I wanted to accomplish three things, namely, build a new consolidated elementary school, preserve open space. and provide greater assistance to veterans and veteran services,” Grishman said. “Promises made, promises kept.”
