Scituate Democrats

10/30/2026

Last night we honored the tireless dedication and perseverance of Town Clerk Peggy Long who is not seeking re-election.
We’d like to thank those who attended, the folks over at Bishop Hill Tavern, and of course Peggy for her public service.
We invite you to share kind sentiments about Peggy below as she transitions into her retirement!

10/30/2026

Great turnout as the SDTC honored our longest serving elected official Peggy Long who is not seeking re-election after 36 years of public service to her town, our Party, and the community. Thanks to all who came up to share in this great achievement.

10/26/2026

CLAIMS vs RECORDS: We keep receipts 🫰🏽
Glossy brochures may look nice, but just because you dress something up, that doesn’t make the contents true.
The meetings, public comments, minutes, recordings, social media posts, emails, actions (or lack-thereof), and filed documents all speak for themselves.
Be a well-informed voter this election season and remember: your ballot, your choice!

10/23/2026

Did you get the local GOP election flyer in the mail this week?

Here is what they claim they support:

Open and respectful communications with all residents.

The reality: The all GOP town council limited public comment at meetings to two minutes and recently refused to answer any questions at the October 8 town council meeting concerning the elderly tax freeze debacle.

Continued strong support for Scituate schools.

The reality: In FY 2025, the town council cut 190K from the budget that the school committee recommended. When parents rallied at the financial town meeting to restore the cut, every member of the GOP town council and school committee did not support the restoration. Every elected Democrat supported the restoration of the money. Now the same GOP under the leadership of the Council President Collins has proposed an historic change to the FTM which LIMITS your rights to make such changes in the future.

Disciplined and responsible financial managment

The reality: Scituate's property tax rate is the 13th highest in the state. FY 2026 ended with a deficit, and this same GOP majority negotiated a terrible tax treaty with the Providence Water Supply Board which allows them to buy more land but not pay any property taxes on it during the term of the ten year agreement.

Maintain our commitment to the Senior Tax Freeze:

The reality: Our efforts revealed that Council President Collins and Councilman McCormick were placed on the tax freeze even though they do not qualify for it. The all GOP council also tried to amend the tax freeze ordinance that would have eliminated a ten year residency requirement that had been in place since 2005 opening the floodgates for putting more people on the freeze and making those not on it pay more.

Preserve our rural, small town character.

The reality: For decades, Scituate has failed to make any meaningful progress in ensuring that at least 10% of its housing stock is affordable per state law. As a result, developers have been able to propose and advance large and dense housing projects that threaten the very rural character they claim to want to protect.

Unfortunately, with only 8 candidates running for 7 seats, the continued GOP majority will get re-elected. Chose carefully and decide if any of them deserve your vote and if not, you do have the ability to elect at least one Independent to the Council. You can vote UP TO & on the ballot. We have to do better to recruit and run candidates in the future.

As the local Democratic party, we can only ensure you get the facts and not just the rhetoric.

PS: They also claim to want a Home Rule Charter for Scituate but have done nothing to advance it or the process in anyway.

10/22/2026

Shaina Smith is running for State Representative as an independent-thinking leader who is committed to all residents of this district. She has been boots on the ground within our community, the state and national level long before running for office in Rhode Island.
She isn't seeking endorsements, but we support her candidacy. That's why we're sharing her free, family-friendly social and pumpkin decorating (no-mess stickers) event this Friday at Cold Brook Cafe from 5-7pm; wraps, pb&j, sweets and beverages will be provided!
We encourage voters to show up, ask Shaina questions about her candidacy, and share what type of State Representative you’d like to see at the State House.
Event info can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/share/19bR3tnyRj/

10/14/2026

Margaret "Peggy" McGraw Long has been the heartbeat of Scituate Town Hall, serving with compassion and grace as our elected Town Clerk for 26 years. She also spent 10 years serving on the Scituate Town Council, a testament of her dedication to our community.
Now that she's announced her retirement, The SDTC is proud to honor Peggy's dedication on Thursday, October 29th.
Attendees can expect appetizers, cash bar, door prizes and a welcoming social environment!
Learn more and purchase tickets here:

Come Celebrate Peggy's 36 years of Community Devotion

10/12/2026

Continuing our Claims vs Public Records series, this recent article sheds a bit more light as to the type of local government Scituate is dealing with; voters deserve better.

SCITUATE – Most Town Council members chose to remain silent on the topic of the town’s elderly tax freeze on Oct. 8, even as they were peppered with questions about how certain members ended up being added to the list for the benefit. Council President Charles Collins said the reason the tax fr....

10/12/2026

Protect your right to change or amend the proposed town budget at the Financial Town Meeting! Help us spread the word.

10/11/2026

Ponder this quote in light of the town council’s actions last Thursday night. Councilman Grande nor any other Council person would commit to a public hearing as to how Councilmen Collins and McCormick were placed on the tax freeze list in the first instance. Councilwoman Yeaw attempted to make a motion to add such an inquiry to the agenda but none of her fellow council members would second the motion! What would T Paine think! Watch the meeting here!

https://clerkshq.com/Scituate-ri?docId=oct08_26ag&path=Scituate_Docket%2Coct08_26ag%2C

Please share!