Friday is School Lunch Hero Day || Brendan Cassidy 
Ted Dooley and Wayne Spritz won the Select Board race || Monica Sager Sora the comfort dog had to vote || Monica Sager 
The Big Blue News || Courtesy Photo The Senior Center took a trip to Brandeis to view an exhibit on female Holocaust survivors’ art ||. Courtesy Photo Casting a ballot || Monica Sager Reading the printed results || Monica Sager Daisy Troop 63104 learned safety skills and earned a first aid badge || Courtesy Photo The people behind the school meals || Brendan Cassidy Tom Dalton spoke with the Swampscott Middle School book club Thursday about his book and research into Frederick Douglass || Monica Sager Honor Society Induction Ceremony ||. Brendan Cassidy 
Archer Trails was okay’ed to continue if a spur is eliminated and the width is decreased || Courtesy Photo Ted Dooley and his wife Nicole || Monica Sager Wayne Spritz’s daughter was able to vote for the first time in her father’s race for Select Board ||. Monica Sager The Shuk Music Group. || Monica Sager The precincts were lined up and ready for voters || Monica Sager The first voters of the day || Monica Sager A child holding an Israeli flag || Monica Sager Voting took place at the high school || Monica Sager
It was election week, and Ted Dooley and Wayne Spritz won the only contested race on the ballot, becoming the newest Select Board members. Both told the Swampscott Tides their gratitude for those who voted for them as well as for Charlie Patsios and Wayne Godfrey who pledged to keep the race equitable and kind.
Polling started at 7 a.m., but for those working it began even earlier. For many poll workers, Election Day started around 5 a.m. Equipment and ballots had to be moved to the high school, and clerks and wardens took their oath of office.
“It’s extremely important for people to realize the importance of local elections,” said Marta Sirota, the chair of the Town Election Review Committee.
Despite the low turnout numbers, there were younger voters who stopped by to cast their ballot before heading upstairs for a full day of classes.
When the finalized results are released, the Swampscott Tides will publish a story on the final voting counts. The Swampscott Tides, however, was informed that there were two write-in winners to be announced.
Outside of local politics, the 6th District congressional candidate race is heating up. Jamie Belsito has submitted more than 2,000 certified signatures to qualify for the ballot, while the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA), the Commonwealth’s largest teachers union, has endorsed Dr. Mariah Lancaster
The 6th District’s congressional seat is up for grabs after Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) announced he would challenge Sen. Edward Markey in the Democratic primary ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. There are six Democrats – Bethany Andres-Beck, John Beccia, Jamie Belsito, Dan Koh, Mariah Lancaster and Tram Nguyen – along with Republican Micah Jones.
Immigration attorney Diann Baylis announced Monday that she has submitted more than 1,500 nomination signatures to city and town clerks, securing a spot on the ballot for the 6th District Governor’s Council race.
In other news, the Conservation Commission voted to allow the Archer Trail to proceed near wetlands on the condition that a short spur is eliminated and the trail width is reduced to three feet. The decision follows residents’ complaints about the town allegedly veering from its original plans and encroaching on wetland areas.
At the School Committee meeting, Superintendent Jason Calichman shared that the construction and installation of solar panels covering the roof of the Swampscott Elementary School are complete. The panels are expected to go live by the end of May. The town of Swampscott will receive a $200,000 reimbursement from the Inflation Reduction Act
It was also announced that Swampscott High School students interested in playing boys ice hockey will once again be able to wear the traditional blue and white uniforms on the rink, as a plan is in place to bring high school boys hockey back to Swampscott starting in the 2026-27 school year.
Athletic Director Kelly Wolff also recapped the winter sports season achievements, noting accomplishments in a variety of sports, from track and field to swimming, basketball and hockey.
“We had a phenomenal winter season as far as the accolades our student athletes received this winter,” said Wolff. “We had so many kids that excelled in their sports.”
Looking ahead, the fourth annual Earth Fest will be held on Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Town Hall Lawn.
