Swampscott officials are considering testing a temporary flood barrier at Preston Beach as the town continues evaluating ways to protect its shoreline. 

The proposal was discussed Tuesday, October 20, during a joint meeting of the Harbor and Waterfront Committee and the Climate Action and Resilience Committee. Members reviewed recommendations from a previous Kleinfelder report and discussed potential measures to protect vulnerable areas along the coast. 

According to the Kleinfelder report, the three areas of concern are the Fishermans Beach parking lot, Puritan Road and the historic Fish House on Humphrey Street.

Concerns about the Fish House on Humphrey Street were discussed with the two favored options of adding temporary flood-proofing measures to the property or elevating the house further above sea level. However, raising the building could jeopardize its historic status, and officials said further information is needed before that option can be evaluated. 

Select Board Member Wayne Spritz said a wall along the beach line with temporary barriers at the ramp openings on the sides of the Fish House should be considered.

Dredging, temporary barriers and permanent structures remain among the options under consideration.

“Dredging the beach is a real option,” Michael Gambale, a commercial fisherman from the Harbor and Waterfront Advisory Committee, said.

Climate Action and Resilience Committee Member Theodora Dimov outlined a two-phase approach. The first phase would involve acquiring temporary flood barriers between now and 2030. The second phase would involve elevating the fish house or constructing a seawall by 2050.

“We need to look at this in phases,” said Dimov.

Climate Action and Resilience Committee Member Diana Eddowes proposed testing a temporary barrier before committing to a larger project. 

“We could try testing one temporary barrier to see how long they take to set up and how well they work,” Eddowes said.

Spritz said that testing a single barrier could be difficult because the entire shoreline needs protection. Preston Beach, however, was identified as a potential testing location because of its relatively small floodway. 

No testing date or equipment was determined during the meeting.

The town is also considering applying for a Seaport Economic Council grant to help fund flood-prevention efforts. The application is scheduled to be submitted in September 2027, and committee members plan to continue discussing potential funding sources at their next meeting.