Swampscott Select Board Candidates Debate Budget Crisis and School Funding
Local election focuses on tax increases and education priorities
Three candidates for the Swampscott Select Board in Massachusetts engaged in a public forum ahead of the April 29 town election, with the municipal budget crisis and school funding emerging as central issues. MaryEllen Fletcher, Katie Phelan, and Liz Smith are competing for two available positions on the board during a period when the town faces difficult financial decisions. The candidates presented different approaches to addressing budget shortfalls while maintaining essential services.
Incumbent Fletcher emphasized her record of fiscal responsibility, stating she supports spending when it makes practical sense. Challenger Smith criticized the current board for failing to organize a promised financial summit following last year's contentious town meeting where a school budget increase was initially approved then reversed. Smith positioned herself as the only candidate committed to fully funding the schools, warning that the current proposed budget could result in teacher layoffs despite including what she described as the largest tax increase in at least a decade.
KEY POINTS
- •Budget crisis central to local election
- •School funding divides candidates
- •Tax increases on the table
Phelan offered a contrasting view of the budget process, describing this year's approach as more collaborative than previous cycles despite the absence of a formal financial summit. She noted her increased involvement in financial planning following last year's budget debates at town meeting. The election comes at a critical time when Swampscott officials anticipate increasing the tax levy and potentially reducing town staff or services to balance the budget without further cuts to education.
The candidates' forum highlighted growing tensions between the Select Board and School Committee, with Smith specifically mentioning deteriorating relations between the Select Board Chair and education officials. The April 29 election will determine which candidates will help guide the town through its financial challenges, with voters weighing different priorities regarding taxation, municipal services, and education funding. The outcome will likely influence how Swampscott addresses its budget constraints in the coming fiscal year.