December 4, 2017 minutes

Chairman Barrett called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. He announced that the meeting was being recorded for transmission by cable television. He led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Request for executive session under Mass. General Laws Chapter 30A, Section 21(a)(3) to discuss litigation strategy

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move the Board enter executive session under Mass. General Laws Chapter 30A, Section 21(a)(3) to discuss litigation strategy.

ROLL CALL: Crawford, Yes; Dalton, Yes; Barrett, Yes.

Outside counsel for Board of Assessors

Following the executive session, the Board took up whether to authorize outside counsel for the Board of Assessors in the Market Street tax case.

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move the Board authorize the Board of Assessors to engage special counsel to assist in the Appellate Tax Board case regarding the Market Street property. Vote was unanimous.

Discussion of emergency preparation for senior citizens

Fire Chief Tetreault reviewed how the Town handles emergency planning for seniors. He explained that the response differs by type of incident and location, and that the response for seniors is not necessarily different than that for the general population. He said that high-risk groups, including the elderly, disabled and very young, are identified by public safety personnel. He discussed the use of the Code Red notification system. There was discussion on how to encourage seniors to sign up for this service.

Police Chief Breen said many seniors are not using social media. He explained use of the ERIN system for residents to give specific information about themselves or those they care for to assist public safety personnel in emergency cases. He said a talk on this program is planned for the Senior Center.

Chief Tetreault discussed protocol for opening shelters and the use of local aid in emergencies.

Resident Patricia Campbell asked what emergency equipment residents should buy. She asked several questions on the role of various Town agencies and institutions in emergency planning including Market Street and senior housing complexes.

Appointment of police patrolman

Chief Breen recommended Jonathan Santos for appointment as a police patrolman. Mr. Santos is currently a dispatcher with the police department. He was the top scorer on the civil service exam among those who responded that they wish to be considered for appointment. He was interviewed and will be sent to the Police Academy.

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move the Board authorize the town administrator to proceed with the hiring of Jonathan Santos as a police patrolman through the civil service process, the starting date to coincide with his acceptance into a police academy. Vote was unanimous.

FY18 budget presentation: Police Department

Chief Breen presented the Police Department operating and capital budget requests.

He outlined issues surrounding replacing a dispatcher out on long-term illness as well as seeking to fill the vacancy created by Mr. Santos’s appointment as a patrolman. He said he is seeking to add an additional sergeant position to serve as an administrative officer, who would handle scheduling of details and overtime, act as court liaison, and supervise the dispatchers. He said these tasks are handled by the day-shift sergeant, which keeps him from other duties. The staffing request is increased by the additional salary of $72,274.

Chief Breen said that the overtime budget was reduced, as last year’s budget was increased to handle overtime due to the replacement of an injured officer. He said that with the new patrolman added tonight, the department should be at full complement by the end of next year. The budget request includes a 9.6 percent increase in training, reflecting actual costs and new training. The total operational budget would be reduced by 0.2 percent, reflecting the additional funds provided for overtime in mid-year.

Chief Breen also reviewed his capital budget request (see attached document). It includes funding for the continued fiber optic radio site upgrade program, a new computer server, replacement of a cruiser radar unit, upgrades to the station camera system, replacement of two mobile computers, replacement of three breath test machines, roll call software, and a license plate reader.

FY18 budget presentation: Fire Department

Chief Tetreault presented the Fire Department operating and capital budget requests.

He said that he is hoping to resolve a long-term disability case, which would reduce the department’s costs. He is also requesting a clerical position at $45,000 and said this is the fourth year this position has been discussed. He said attending to clerical duties is keeping a lieutenant from his firefighter duties, even after some of those duties were shifted to another firefighter. He said all other area departments have clerical support.

In response to questions from Selectman Barrett, Chief Tetreault said that the Fire Department had previously had some clerical support from the Police Department when those departments shared one chief.

School credit pay would be increased and specialty pay decreased in this budget due to completion of degrees by some firefighters and the assignment of call firefighters to some specialty positions. The request for expenses would increase by $1,000 for a grant-finding subscription, which the chief said would be well worth the investment.

The total budget increase would be 6.04 percent, reflecting the new staffing levels approved last year. (See attached document).

The chief also reviewed the emergency medical services (EMS) enterprise budget. He said that it was level-funded. Additional funding for pharmacy was due to new medications paramedics are allowed to administer.

Chairman Barrett applauded the implementation of the new staffing model. Chief Tetreault said it was a team effort and said Lt. James Alexander was a big help on budgeting and tracking of expenses.

Selectman Dalton said annual budget increases of five percent are not sustainable. He said the increases in tax revenue from new growth at Market Street will be leveling off. Chairman Barrett said that a part-time clerical position could be considered.  Selectman Dalton said that the community supported a major increase in the fire budget last year and said that firefighters can handle clerical duties when not out on calls. Town Administrator Boudreau said that the clerical staffing request is reasonable but it is a question of what the Town can afford. Selectman Crawford said the Board wanted to see if the new staffing model will work and said he does not want to add staff until more experience with the staffing model has occurred. Chairman Barrett said it is a tight fiscal year, but he does not want to see a fire lieutenant performing clerical functions.

Chief Tetreault presented his capital budget request (see attached document). It included personal protective clothing, continued support of the radio infrastructure upgrade program, replacement of an air compressor for breathing apparatus, mobile and portable radio replacement, dispatch alarms receiving equipment, chose replacement, computer technology, replacement of the Jaws of Life tool, and request for self-contained breathing apparatus and a new pumper, both of which are major expenses and for which the department will seek grants.

Resident Patricia Campbell suggested that the Fire Department could utilize senior citizens in the tax work-off program for clerical support.

FY18 budget presentation: Department of Public Works

Director John Tomasz will present the Department of Public Works operating and capital budget requests.

Mr. Tomasz said the operating budget request calls for a 1.7 percent increase and includes no new positions. He said two custodians have been out on injury for over a year and that temporary workers have been filling in. He said the department is trying to fill a vacant bus driver position but there are no applicants who are suitable. Instead, the Town will contract for another bus from its provider. He said most line items have been kept level, after examining actual costs over the past three years.

Selectman Dalton asked for a review of the cost of recycling containers as used in surrounding communities. Mr., Tomasz said he is aware of these systems and said residents like the automated container system. Mr. Boudreau said the Town should look into grants available for this conversion project.

The DPW capital request included three items added verbally at the meeting, not reflected on the departmental request. They are: funds for beautification of the senior center, funds for a copier lease, and an emergency backup generator for Town Hall.

The submitted capital request includes almost $1 million for drainage issues on Ledge Road, Hawkes Brook and roads near Pillings Pond. Other items include the second-year of funding for a school bus, a new special education bus, replacement of the roof at the South Fire station, a message board to be used on the roadways, and school custodial equipment such as buffers and sanders.

Resident James Pitzi thanked those involved in the Longbow Circle drainage project for supporting this effort.

Resident Patricia Campbell suggested that the Town review school bud routes to see if consolidation could help save money.

Police chief contract amendment

Town Administrator Boudreau explained that the proposed amendment to the police chief’s contract that corrects inadvertent deletion of language in the previous agreement. He said this agreement would give the chief parity with the department’s officers.

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move the Board vote to ratify the amended police chief contact as presented. Vote was unanimous.

Interim Town Administrator agreement

Town Administrator Boudreau explained the proposed agreement with the interim town administrator, Robert Curtin. He said that Mr. Curtin would receive an annual salary of $100,000 during the term he is serving as interim town administrator, and his salary return to its current level when he is no longer in that position,

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move the Board vote to ratify the interim town administrator agreement as presented. Vote was unanimous.

Planning Board vacancy

Mr. Boudreau said that the Town was notified today that John Faria is resigning from the Planning Board. The Board thanked Mr. Faria for his years of service. Applications will be received for the vacancy and the Boards will meet in joint session on December 11 at 11:00 p.m. to choose a successor.

Selectmen Update:

Board members provided brief updates on activities in various areas.

A Healthy Lynnfield (Selectman Crawford): Dawn Ripley is serving as coordinator. He reviewed the Hidden in Plain Sight demonstration, collection of medications at the Police Station, a substance abuse program at the Senior Center, and work on programs such as fundraisers, the Fire Dept. mock car crash and the post-prom party.

Town Administrator Search (Chairman Barrett); The Town received 38 applications Consultant Bernard Lynch of Community Paradigm Associates brought forward nine candidates forward to the screening committee, which narrowed the field to three after reviewing resumes and interviewing four candidates. The community meeting seeking input on the next town administrator was well attended.

Market Street Advisory Committee (Selectman Dalton): National Development has agreed to plant additional trees on the berm and will address noise from landscapers starting at an early hour. Other noise issues, including snow removal, are more difficult to address, and the work must be done during night hours. The theater proposal will not be brought forward at the annual town meeting, but may come forward next fall. A number of issues, including traffic, will have to be evaluated.

Public Comment period

There was no public comment

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move to adjourn. The vote was unanimous. The Board adjourned at 9:58 p.m.