'Path Foward': Swampscott Hawthorne Forum Follows Rocky Library Reveal

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — An ambitious plan to build a public library and event space at the current location of the town-owned Hawthorne by the Sea property — which appeared to spark a mixed response when unveiled on April 3 and in the weeks since — will be the subject of a public forum on May 16.

The forum is set for 6 p.m. at Swampscott High School and will be used to further detail what was described as a preliminary library proposal as well as provide an opportunity for feedback on potential alternative thoughts and uses for the property that has been described as future "jewel" of the community.

(Also on Patch: Waterfront Library Proposed For Swampscott Hawthorne Property)

"We actually want to get feedback," Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald said during the April 3 meeting. "We want to take this preliminary concept and really help it reflect the highest and best hopes for the town."

Select Board member Doug Thompson during Wednesday's meeting acknowledged the rollout of the library proposal received a rocky response — partly due to a projected $30 million price tag, as well as the unclear path that led to the library being the one and only proposal put forth for the future of the property that the town bought for $7 million two years ago — but said he can see "more of a path forward as people digest this than maybe at first appeared" for at least a version of the plan with more engagement needed.

"There's a massive amount of frustration," Thompson said. "In some ways, I feel we stubbed our toe in getting to a potential approval of this because of the process. I do think we kind of need to recalibrate now to kind of step back.

"It's hard to believe that there is only one good option."

The town sent out a survey and held a series of community "idea exchange" visioning forums over the course of a year before using that input to put forth the library concept earlier this month.

"We all have to acknowledge that town meeting did vote to acquire the property thinking that it would be largely if not totally, open space," Thompson said. "Town meeting doesn't necessarily — even though we love to think about it as a legislative body and representing people — I am not so sure that is a perfect relationship there.

"It's important what town meeting did. It's also important what the rest of the community thinks."

Thompson said the goal for the "iconic" property should be to have as much resident "buy-in" as possible on the ultimate final project.

"We have to bring people back together," he said. "Some of the people who spoke at public comment (on Wednesday) had some ideas about how to do that. I hope we will take that into consideration."

The current Swampscott Public Library was built in 1917.

Thompson suggested the possibility of a committee similar to the Hadley School Re-Use Committee being formulated to develop and research multiple options — or at least refine the library option — for the Hawthorne.

"I am not excited about taking another year to get to that first step," Thompson said. "Because we're paying for that puppy right now. So I don't want to waste a lot of time. But I do feel like we have to find a way to bring more people (into the process)."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)