School committee conditionally approves one‑year license for Big Blue Bargains at Clark portables

Swampscott — The Swampscott School Committee voted unanimously Dec. 12 to accept a one‑year, revocable use‑and‑occupancy license between Swampscott Public Schools and Big Blue Bargains for the Clark School portables, after questions about liability, utilities and neighborhood impacts.

Max, speaking for Big Blue Bargains, said the arrangement was structured to avoid new costs to the district and described the license as a short‑term, revocable agreement. “We were able to come to an agreement with Big Blue Bargains pending, the school committee's approval,” he said, explaining the group would assume many day‑to‑day responsibilities for the portable building and pay its separately metered electricity.

Committee members pressed for plain‑English clarity on the liability language after one member asked how the district would be exposed if a customer were injured. Max said the indemnification clause was drafted and redrafted by KP Law and modeled on a similar town agreement: “We put it in there as strong as we can but also to be consistent, you know, with the law.”

Members also questioned who would handle maintenance and emergency response. Max said the facilities department remains the official contact for emergencies, but that the agreement aims to shift routine upkeep, snow removal of the immediate walkway and trash management to Big Blue Bargains to limit calls on school custodial staff.

Neighbors’ concerns about dumpsters and donation drop‑offs were discussed. The license allows roll‑out bins rather than a mandatory onsite dumpster and includes time‑of‑day and staffing restrictions on donations, measures committee members said are intended to reduce nuisance and pest issues.

The committee moved to approve the license with two conditions: legal review of the top‑line signatory language and clarification that the signatory references Swampscott Public Schools (rather than improperly listing the Town of Swampscott). The motion was seconded and carried by unanimous voice vote.

The agreement will run for one year; committee members noted they will revisit terms, particularly how proceeds or donations are used, before any renewal.

What’s next: The district’s legal counsel will review and, if needed, clarify the parties and signatory language before the agreement is finalized.