Meeting report · Select Board
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Select Board — March 3, 2026
The meeting featured high-intensity public testimony on neighborhood safety and allegations of committee mismanagement, with the board failing to address several key public grievances in real-time.
Public impact
Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
01
Long Beach Sticker Rate Increase
Increase in annual fees for beach access stickers. Affected: Long Beach sticker holders/beach users
fee change
02
Fremont Street Traffic Change
Potential permanent change to street direction affecting emergency access and local traffic flow. Affected: Fremont Street residents and surrounding neighborhood drivers
safety change
Controversy & dissent
Where the board, the community, or the agenda diverged.
Potentially controversial issues
01
Fremont Street Traffic Pattern
Residents are deeply divided over a proposal to make the street permanently one-way. Supporters cite safety and noise reduction, while opponents fear detours, traffic displacement to other neighborhoods, and inconvenience.
Board position: The board opted for a middle ground by extending the 60-day pilot program to a full 12-month cycle to collect more data.
high concern
02
Distinguished Visitors Committee (DVC) Governance
A former committee member alleged politicization, lack of transparency, and mismanagement regarding spending and leadership, calling for a full charter review.
Board position: The board did not take a formal position or address the grievances during the public comment period.
medium concern
03
Long Beach Rate Increases
The Chair of the Natural Resources and Coastal Beaches Committee opposed the increases, arguing that existing fund surpluses should prevent a price hike for sticker holders.
Board position: The board approved the rate increases despite the opposition from the committee chair.
medium concern
Community vs. board tension
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Public comment
What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
10
Total speakers
1
Addressed
1
Partial
8
Not addressed
Mr. Leiden
Addressed
The speaker congratulated Lee Filson on her upcoming retirement after seven years of service as a director. He also praised the DPW for doing a great job clearing the streets after a storm, noting that emergency vehicles would be able to pass.
Key concern
Recognition of staff retirement and praise for DPW snow removal efforts.
Board responseThe board thanked him for his comments.
The board acknowledged the positive feedback and the retirement announcement.
Connie Mela Horus
Not addressed
As a long-time resident of Fremont Street, she presented a petition signed by most residents to make the street permanently one-way. She argues that current traffic and parking issues create safety hazards and impede emergency vehicle access.
Key concern
Request to make Fremont Street a permanent one-way street for safety and emergency access.
The board moved immediately to the next speaker without addressing the petition or the request.
Brian Cochran
Not addressed
A resident of Fremont Street who opposes the one-way street proposal. He believes the current two-way system works well, with drivers being cautious and pulling over for one another.
Key concern
Opposition to making Fremont Street one-way, arguing that the current system is not 'broken.'
The board did not respond to his comment.
Edward Cushing
Not addressed
A resident of Fremont Street since 1977 who argues against the one-way change. He claims the street has always been two-way without major accident issues and expresses concern about the inconvenience of detours.
Key concern
Opposition to the one-way street change due to historical stability and inconvenience.
The board did not respond to his comment.
Unidentified speaker
Not addressed
A resident of Fremont Street who expressed concerns about the inconvenience of current detours. They noted that a parked truck recently blocked the street, potentially hindering emergency vehicles.
Key concern
Inconvenience of detours and potential emergency access issues.
The board did not respond to the comment.
CR
Not addressed
A resident of Lincoln Street who favors keeping the neighborhood streets two-way. He argues that making Fremont one-way would negatively impact the wider neighborhood's traffic flow, especially during school hours and tourist season.
Key concern
Protecting neighborhood traffic flow by keeping streets two-way.
The board did not respond to the comment.
Lenn Leven
Not addressed
A former secretary-treasurer of the Distinguished Visitors Committee (DVC) who resigned due to alleged politicization and lack of transparency. He requested a full review of the committee's charter, funding, and leadership selection processes.
Key concern
Request for a formal review of the DVC's governance, spending, and appointment processes.
The board did not address the specific grievances or the request for a review during the public comment portion.
William Harding
Not addressed
A long-time resident who supports making Fremont Street one-way. He argues it improves safety, reduces vehicle speeds, and makes the street quieter and more resident-friendly.
Key concern
Support for making Fremont Street a one-way street for safety and noise reduction.
The board did not respond to the comment.
Matt Tvarus
Not addressed
A current member of the DVC who responded to Mr. Leven's comments. He suggested that the previous speaker's claims could be refuted by reviewing past Zoom meeting recordings.
Key concern
Counter-argument regarding the transparency and voting history of the DVC.
The board did not respond to the comment.
Patricia Meech
Partial
The Treasurer Collector presented information regarding the foreclosure disposition of 51 Cypress Street. She explained new state legislation regarding excess equity and recommended selling the property rather than retaining it.
Key concern
Providing updates on legislative changes regarding tax title foreclosures and recommending the sale of a specific property.
Board responseA board member asked about affordable housing opportunities and whether the property had been offered to housing entities.
The board engaged with the presenter by asking questions about affordable housing potential, which led to a discussion on the topic.
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Report composed by
gemma-4-26b, claude-opus-4-7 · analyzed 2026-05-25.