SWAMPSCOTT — The residents of Swampscott are keen on seeking answers regarding the uncertain fate of the VFW Post 1240.
According to Katie Arrington, a new citizen’s petition was filed by over 300 residents, calling for a Special Town Meeting regarding clarification on the project to possibly relocate the VFW Post. Previously, an initial petition made its way around town, but efforts fell flat due to the fact that the first petition did not actually call for a Special Town Meeting.
“On behalf of over 300 Swampscott voters who have signed this new Citizens Petition, I look forward to the disrespect ending and the listening beginning,” Arrington said. “We are doing this for our veterans, we are doing this because our government is better than the actions of the Select Board in the past few months. We are doing this because we care deeply about our community.”
Select Board Chair MaryEllen Fletcher commented on the new petition being filed, citing a lack of transparency and confusion on behalf of residents while the first petition began to circulate around town. “Last Select Board meeting, two residents spoke during public comment clarifying that there was a lack of transparency in the petition,” Fletcher said. “It was very clear that, in the last petition, it did not state anything about a Special Town Meeting.”
Fletcher said that what comes next is “part of the process.” Now that a proper petition has been filed, the Select Board will have it on the agenda for the board’s next meeting, where it will then immediately call for a Special Town Meeting.
“My hope is that we can call for an immediate Town Meeting,” Fletcher said.
