Advisory & Finance Committee Meeting — September 28, 2026

The Swansea Advisory and Finance Committee met on September 28, 2026. Following roll call, the committee approved the meeting minutes of June 24, 2026, by a vote of 6-0 with 4 abstentions, and the minutes of September 14, 2026, by a vote of 7-0 with 3 abstentions. The committee then addressed an Open Meeting Law complaint filed against multiple boards regarding their September 14 joint meeting, voting unanimously (10-0) to authorize the Town Administrator to send a formal response letter drafted by town counsel on their behalf.

Community Preservation Committee Chair Colleen Brown presented Article 1 for the upcoming Fall Special Town Meeting, proposing a conservation restriction on Stony Creek Farm. The project would restrict approximately 33.78 acres of the 35.88-acre property, carving out roughly 2.1 to 2.5 acres for the existing farmhouse and barns. Total proposed funding would not exceed $430,000, covering an appraised acquisition cost of $385,000, a $15,865.65 fee to Wildlands Trust for perpetual stewardship, and legal and recording costs. Property owner Aaron Babbitt spoke about the importance of preserving the farm and animal sanctuary against development. Due to committee requests to see the specific legal restriction language, the committee decided to hold off on a vote until the following week.

The committee next debated Article 2 for the Fall Special Town Meeting regarding the construction of a new junior high school. Superintendent Scott Holcomb and the Town Administrator outlined the project and answered questions about the eventual fate of the existing junior high school, noting options such as leasing to the South Coast Educational Collaborative or King's Academy depending on the terms of the governing trust. School officials also cited construction cost escalation risks if the project were delayed. The committee voted 8-1 with 1 abstention to recommend approval of Article 2 before voting unanimously to adjourn.

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