Board of Selectman Meeting — June 16, 2026

The Swansea Board of Selectmen met on June 16, 2026, to address a extensive agenda encompassing municipal appointments, infrastructure funding, contracts, and community operations. Police Chief Mark Foley presented a plan to appoint 18 part-time per diem Community Service Officers effective July 1, 2026, addressing critical traffic detail shortages needed for upcoming town sewer construction and municipal events. The board approved multiple personnel appointments, including Mason Medeiros as a full-time police officer contingent on completing police academy training, Michael Santos as part-time Board of Health Inspector, and Joshua Robinson as Assistant Sewer Superintendent. The board also appointed John Hanson as interim town administrator from June 17 through July 5, 2026, granting him and incoming town administrator Mitchell Ruscitti payment authorization authority.

Highway Director William Anderson reviewed several Chapter 90 funding requests, with the board approving over $288,000 in reimbursements and project allocations across Swansea Mall Drive, the town fuel depot, Pierce Road, Hortonville/Hales Hill Road culverts, and a townwide intersection study. In addition, the board approved annual purchasing contracts through the Southeastern Regional Services Group (SERSG) for paper and DPW supplies, and authorized a $60,500 year-end interdepartmental budget transfer to cover a significant deficit in town legal expenses. Discussions were held with Fire Chief Eric Hader and Swansea Ambulance Corps representatives regarding updating the town's Emergency Medical Service Zone Plan and an agreement for town-assisted vehicle fuel to support the nonprofit ambulance service, which was forwarded to town counsel for review.

Additional business included approving common victualler and entertainment licenses for Wicked Pizza Company and The Aviary, as well as granting a conditional mobile food vendor permit for Little Squeeze Shack Lemonade at Swansea Town Beach under the town's newly adopted policy. The board recognized retiring Town Clerk Diane Palin for nearly 30 years of municipal service, accepted the resignation of Wendy Looker from the Board of Health, and presented a letter of appreciation to outgoing Interim Town Administrator James P. Purcell as he concluded his service before entering executive session for contract negotiations with Highway Director William Anderson.

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