Residents raise concerns about giveaways, town history and sidewalks; board hears community updates

Several residents used Tuesday—9s public comment period to press the Select Board on small but recurring local matters ranging from promotional giveaways to sidewalk clearance.

Eileen Harris, a town meeting member from Precinct 7, asked the board to review spending on small promotional items distributed by departments and local partners, saying, "I look at it like it's money wasted," and urging the town to consider redirecting modest sums to transportation, senior housing or childcare.

Karen Nastick of Locksley Road encouraged the board to prioritize local residency in the town manager search and said the town—9s online job posting lacked local history; she suggested reissuing an anniversary booklet that documents Danvers—9 early minutes and historic street names. Bill Bradstreet asked the board to continue work on acknowledging Indigenous occupancy of the land and noted the item is on the town—9s radar.

Select Board members and staff also addressed neighborhood concerns. A resident raised a long-running complaint about snow-covered sidewalks in front of Essex Tech that force pedestrians onto school grounds; Rodney DiJoco, the town manager, said he would meet with public works and land-use staff to discuss the matter.

Community groups provided updates: the board—9s liaison reported on Danvers Cares outreach services, a Beverly Bootstraps warm drive, and a Falcon Fest pancake fundraiser scheduled for March 1 that has taken over a long-running Kiwanis event.

No formal actions were taken on these public comments; board members asked staff to follow up with departments where appropriate.