'Once-In-A-Generation Opportunity': Swampscott King's Beach Cleanup Summit Proposed

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — A regional approach to the much-debated, long-awaited and perpetually-delayed cleanup of King's Beach was once again the focal point of the Swampscott Select Board's meeting this week with Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald proposing a regional summit on the three emerging proposed actions — UV light treatment, oxidation treatments and an extended outfall pipe similar to those currently under construction in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Calling it a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" to fix a century-old problem, Fitzgerald said there are proponents of one or more of all three potential fixes with collaboration between the Swampscott Select Board, Lynn Mayor Jared Nicholson and the Lynn City Council, the King's Beach Advisory Committee and state officials key to making sure momentum continues and one or more of the projects comes to fruition.

"I do think everybody wants to figure this out," Fitzgerald said. "I think it's complicated and I think generationally it's been troubling for a lot of folks. We're all passionate about what we'd like to see."

• Shining A Light On Possible Swampscott King's Beach Cleanup

Fitzgerald said the UV treatments seem to be gaining support on the committee and state level with further tests needed to determine true effectiveness on wastewater. Also of concern is where the proposed UV treatment plant would be located with most preliminary proposals having it inside Swampscott.

"Things feel like they are starting to move in a certain direction and I want to make sure we are all clear about, if that's true, and what that means, and if we're really on board with it," Select Board member Doug Thompson said. "The only place I've ever seen a drawing of where the UV is going to sit is in Swampscott. So all those things make me think that something's starting to happen here."

Select Board Chair MaryEllen Fletcher said a call was made following the last update from State Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn) and State Rep. Jenny Armini (D-Marblehead) to discuss the location of a proposed UV station.

"Let's air it in public so we can all talk about our opinions and get it out there," she said of the proposed summit.

Fitzgerald continued to voice support for the long outfall pipe — previously proposed at 4,500 feet into the ocean — as the best long-term solution based on what's being done in South Carolina. Concerns about that proposal have included the cost, length of time for its implementation, potential environmental permitting issues and possible objections from neighboring towns beyond Swampscott and Lynn.

"We need to lead on this issue," he said of the town. "But I've also shared that we can keep an open mind. If we have good people who still want to evaluate the efficacy of UV or ozone bubbles, let's continue to get the facts and let's keep an open mind about short-term and long-term (solutions)."

(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.)