Swampscott Takes Steps To Boost Town Meeting Attendance

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — The Swampscott Recreation Department will offer free child care for parents and guardians attending next week's annual town meeting in an implementation of one of the recommendations from the Swampscott Election Review Committee.

The Committee was formed to determine ways to increase civic engagement in the town amid sagging election participation numbers.

• Swampscott Proposes Age 16 Voting, Shifting Spring Town Elections To Fall

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While some of the recommendations — including moving the town election to the fall, holding voting on Saturdays and lowering the voting age to 16 years old — would require a town charter change or state legislative action, others — like the child care option — were adopted by the Select Board and Town Administrator Nick Connors for this year's political cycle.

Among those is the child care option for the town meeting starting on Monday night.

Child care will be available for children ages 3 — youngsters must be potty trained — and up, from 6:30 to 10:00 p.m. and will be staffed by the Swampscott Recreation Department team.

Families should drop children off in the Swampscott High cafeteria. The program will be held in Room B129, where children will enjoy a fun, supervised evening featuring movies, games, and crafts.

Child care sessions will be extended to Tuesday and Wednesday if additional town meeting days are necessary.

Advance registration is required for all participants.

"We look forward to helping families participate in this important civic tradition while providing children with a safe and engaging space for the evening," the town said.