Select Board Adopts Policy After Crosswalk Backlash

Select Board · Meeting of October 21, 2026

Swampscott's Select Board apologized and adopted a new government-speech policy after backlash over two rainbow crosswalks painted black during fall maintenance. Chair Katie Phelan said "we should have held a broader public conversation before moving ahead" and took personal responsibility for never bringing the issue to a public vote. Member Danielle Leonard said three board members, including herself, individually asked the town administrator to address an abutter's complaint near the Monument Avenue memorial, but "there was never a conversation on even where to paint crosswalks." The board voted 4-0 with one abstention, from Mary Ellen Fletcher, to adopt a KP Law-drafted policy covering displays on crosswalks, Town Hall lawn and buildings, citing the 2022 Shurtleff v.

Boston case. Resident Joe Strothman said his GoFundMe has raised $3,275 toward repainting; the original crosswalks cost $8,789.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,666 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of October 21, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.