Buying Phillips Beach On Tonight's Agenda

An article on the Special Town Meeting warrant will ask meeting members to approve $140,000 to buy Phillips Beach from those who claim ownership.

The regular Town Meeting starts at 7:15 p.m. in the Swampscott High auditorium, with the Phillips Beach article a part of the Special Town Meeting, scheduled to start at 8:30 tonight.

ARTICLE 3.   To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire by gift, purchase, eminent domain or otherwise, for general municipal purposes, all or any portion or any interest in the property identified on Swampscott Assessor’s Map 33, Lots 53, 10 and 10D abutting Ocean Avenue of 3.7 + acres of undeveloped land and to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds the sum of $140,000 for this purpose and any costs and expenses related thereto, or take any other action relative thereto.

Sponsored by the Board of Selectmen. 

Comment:  This article authorizes the Town to acquire and clear property rights to access Phillips Beach. 

Article 3 requires 2/3’s affirmative vote to adopt. 

The Finance Committee recommends favorable action on this Article.

In an interview last month with the Lynn Item, Town Administrator Thomas Younger said a trust claims ownership and has presented deeds and documents to that end; and to avoid a legal battle and keep the beach open.

The Friends of Phillips Beach distributed an email this weekend announcing their annual beach clean-up. May 18, and parking sticker distribution.

"There is one very important caveat and that is a vote by Town Meeting on May 6 to fund $140,000 to purchase the beach from the current owners .... " the email states, in part. "If Town Meeting does not approve this funding, the beach will be closed to all."

What do you think of this proposal?