NEWSLETTER
December 15, 2020
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT CONTACT TRACING
Once you're tested for COVID-19, what's next? View the Town's new FAQ that will answer some of your questions about the testing process and contact tracing.
COVID-19 UPDATE
Testing has been relocated from the First Church on Monument Ave. to the Field House at Phillips Park located at 585 Humphrey Street. Vehicles will line-up in the parking lot.

Testing days are: Mondays - Friday from 2:30-6:30pm and Saturdays from 8:00am-12:00pm.
TOWN HALL SCHEDULE
& HOLIDAYS
Town Hall is currently open to the public by appointment only. Most business can be done online at www.swampscottma.gov or call 781-596-8850. Due to the holidays, all offices will be closed on the following days:

Thursday, December 24: Closed at 12:00pm
Friday, December 25: Closed all day
Thursday, December 31: Closed at 12:00pm
Friday, January 1: Closed all day
Snow Removal Safety

Removing snow can put some people at risk of a heart attack or injury. National Safety Council recommends the following tips to remove snow safely:


SHOVELING:
  • Do not shovel after eating or while smoking
  • Take it slow and stretch out before you begin
  • Shovel only fresh, powdery snow; it's lighter
  • Push the snow rather than lifting it
  • If you do lift it, use a small shovel or only partially fill the shovel
  • Lift with your legs, not your back
  • Do not work to the point of exhaustion
  • Know the signs of a heart attack, and stop immediately and call 911 if you're experiencing any of them; every minute counts

SNOW BLOWER SAFETY
  • If the blower jams, turn it off
  • Keep your hands away from the moving parts
  • Be aware of the carbon monoxide risk of running a snow blower in an enclosed space
  • Add fuel outdoors, before starting, and never add fuel when it is running
  • Never leave it unattended when it is running
Celebrate the Winter Solstice with the Swampscott library!

On Monday, December 21st at 7pm join a virtual discussion about the history of the winter solstice and take part in a brief meditation. Put a candle in your window to spread light for the upcoming year.
Check out Swampscott for All Ages' most recent Stay Connected episode from AARP. In this episode, people can learn how to live safely and comfortably by enabling where they live to be a “lifelong home,” suitable for themselves and others in their household, no matter a person’s age or life stage.

Watch a recording of the presentation here.

Learn more from AARP about aging in place here.
Stay up-to-date on the Senior activities on the following Facebook pages:

LIGHT UP SWAMPSCOTT
The Town is lit up with holiday lights! Check out Swampscott Recreation's map of decorated homes and buildings!
9TH ANNUAL GINGERBREAD HOUSE CONTEST
The deadline to submit your photos of your gingerbread masterpiece for Swampscott Recreation's contest is TODAY. Submit your photos to dstrauss@swampscottrec.com. Town Hall personnel will vote on the submissions and photos of winners will be shared on Facebook.
SNOWMAN CONTEST
Build a snowman in your yard or at any Swampscott Park between January 1st and March 1st.
Take a picture of your creation and submit it to Swampscott Recreation at Dstrauss@swampscottrec.com.
Crews have made great progress making repairs to a large stretch of the Kings Beach seawall. During this project, contractors chip away loose parts of the wall, reinforce with rebar, and reapply concrete. So far, 1670 square feet of seawall has been restored. Weather dependent, the wall repairs should be completed by the end of December.

Other repairs at Town beaches include the concrete steps leading down to Fisherman's Beach and a portion of the seawall at New Ocean House Beach.
Renewable Energy Committee

The Renewable Energy Committee makes energy a primary factor in Swampscott's investment decisions. In 2020 they partnered with Nahant and Salem to lead a Solarize Plus campaign, helping 75 homeowners (16 in Swampscott) invest in renewable energy upgrades to save money while reducing carbon emissions.

Goals for 2021 include:
  • Collaborate with Town committees on potential new investments.
  • Raise awareness among homeowners and pursue a "Green Building Standard" for the Town.
  • Encourage the adoption of electric vehicles and charging stations in Town.
  • Create a "Climate Action Coalition" to enact a Climate Action Plan for Swampscott.

For more info contact Ryan Hale at ryanbhale@gmail.com
Historical Commission

A $22,500 grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) was awarded to the library to identify and fund a town-wide historic archive. A consultant will focus on a preservation assessment of our historic collections, and will help identify an approach and location to conserve and protect them.
Historic collections include:
  • The Swampscott Public Library
  • The Historical Commission collection at 86 Burrill St.
  • The Historical Society collection at the John Humphrey House
  • Town Hall archives.
Read more and follow the Commission's newsletters here.
METAL RECYCLING & STYROFOAM DROP-OFF

This month's Metal Recycling Day has been moved to Saturday, January 3 from 8am-12pm at the DPW Yard. For a list of metal items that can be recycled, click here.

On the same day, bring by your styrofoam for disposal to keep it out of your own trash barrel. Just in time for the gift-giving season!
Board of Health
December 15, 2020 - 6:00 PM

Earth Removal Advisory Committee
December 15, 2020 - 6:30 PM

Select Board
December 16, 2020 - 6:00 PM

Zoning Board of Appeals
December 16, 2020 - 7:00 PM

Conservation Commission
December 17, 2020 - 7:00 PM
For more information about Town of Swampscott news, events,
and general information, visit