SWAMPSCOTT — Pickleball courts and a ban on certain single-use plastics in food establishments will be the focus of the town’s next Special Town Meeting, scheduled for Dec. 11.

The town is working to flesh out the details of its four-article Special Town Meeting warrant. Currently, the draft warrant contains Article 1, a routine article to hear and act on the reports of Town officials, boards, and committees, along with Article 2, a vote to authorize the town to use surplus Free Cash or Stabilization funds to offset the tax levy for FY2024.

While the sum of surplus funds that can potentially be applied to the town’s tax levy is still being determined, Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald said the town intends to reduce the taxpayer burden, as promised when the town voted to approve the construction of the new Stanley Elementary School.

“When we presented the new (Stanley Elementary) school, we mentioned that we would use some portion of stabilization or free cash to help offset the levy. I want to keep faith with that. The assurance was that we would use the strength of the town’s financial position to help ensure that that debt service would not add a more difficult financial burden on folks,” Fitzgerald said.

Although the warrant has not solidified the amount of funds, Town Accountant Amy Sarro said that the town had roughly $3.7 million in certified free cash.

Swampscott residents will also vote on Article 3, a proposed bylaw amendment prohibiting local restaurants or food-serving organizations from distributing certain single-use plastic or Styrofoam utensils and takeout containers.

If passed, Article 3 would prohibit food establishments or businesses that prepare and serve food from distributing takeout containers or utensils made from materials such as polystyrene, also known by the brand name Styrofoam, polyvinyl chloride, black plastic materials, or any plastic material that cannot be recycled in Swampscott.

If approved, the final town warrant article would allow the Town of Swampscott to Borrow $103,870 to construct four pickleball courts at Phillips Park. The project will be funded through the Commonwealth’s Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities grant program, allowing the town to be reimbursed by the Commonwealth upon completion of the project.

According to Director of Community and Economic Development Marzie Galazka, the town must hold a Town Meeting vote in favor of the PARC project by the end of the year to qualify for the grant funding.
“I’d be happy to sponsor pickleball courts,” Fitzgerald said. “This creates youth and vigor in our town.”