March 13, 2017 meeting minutes

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

Request by Finance Committee member for exemption under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 268A, Section 20 (B)

The Recreation Commission has requested that the Board approve an exemption under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 268A, Section 20 (B) for Finance Committee member Robert Priestley, who has been contracted by the Recreation Commission to provide music and photography services for the father-daughter dance. Mr. Priestley’s company, The Priestleys, has provided this for many years. Members of the Board said they had no concerns and that Mr. Priestley had done a good job with this event in past years.

On the motion of Selectman Barrett, duly seconded by Selectman Dalton the Board voted unanimously to grant Robert Priestley an exemption under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 268A, Section 20 (B) for his contract to provide services for the Recreation Commission father-daughter dance.

Friends of the Lynnfield Rail Trail presentation on petition warrant article

Selectman Barrett announced that on advice of the state Ethics Commission he was recusing himself from this discussion as his sister, while not a direct abutter, livers within 300 feet of the proposed recreational path.

Patrick Curley, a Locksley Road resident, attorney, and members of the Lynnfield Friends of the Rail Trail, appeared before the Board to discuss a warrant article the group is placing on the annual town meeting warrant through the citizen petition process. He explained that the article would authorize the Board to execute a lease of up to 99 years with the MBTA fir a right-of-way allowing the construction and use as a recreational trail for non-motorized vehicles.

Mr. Curley noted that this article, if approved, would not obligate the Board to act and does not seek any appropriation of Town funds. He said this action is being sought now because passage would show Lynnfield is serious about pursuing this endeavor, which will assist the Town in seeking state and federal funds for the project. The Town is currently scheduled to receive funding for the project in 2020, but the funding schedule could move up based on consideration of the “readiness factor.”

Mr. Curley said the Board should endorse this proposal, as the consideration of this path has been ongoing and that the idea has been tested across the state. He said a recreational path would improve safety for children and adults, provide access to recreational for all ages, boost property values and increase health and fitness and community pride.

Chairman Crawford said among the concerns about the proposal is the need for insurance to indemnify the MBTA. He said it is not necessary for the Board to endorse the project at this time, as many questions are still to be answered. He said the Recreational Path Committee has been reactivated and that it will be holding meetings to study the proposal. He said that the Board will make its recommendation on warrant articles after the closing of the warrant. He told Mr. Curley he appreciated him and his group bringing this matter forward. Selectman Dalton said he had no comment at this time. Mr. Curley said that a meeting about the rail trail is planned for March 30.

Fiscal Year 2018 capital and operating budgets

Selectman Barrett rejoined the Board.

Town Administrator James Boudreau reviewed the proposed operating and capital budgets. He said that additional new growth revenue is not expected from Market Street as the proposals for a new phase of the project are still being examined. No significant increase in state aid is anticipated and he is projecting a slight increase in local receipts. He is using conservative estimates on these receipts as they are volatile. He estimates that the Town will have $1.3 in additional property tax revenue in the upcoming year, and an additional $200,000 in local receipts. He reviewed the Town’s free cash, stabilization and capital maintenance fund balances.

For the operating budget, the most significant spending proposals include an increase of five percent for the Town’ share of employee and retiree health insurances cost, an increase of four percent in the School Department operating budget, and an increase of eight percent in the pension line item. The Department of Public Works would receive additional funding to implement the field maintenance plan.

The cable television operation has been added to the Board of Selectmen budget; revenue for this operation is provided by cable subscriber fees received by the cable operators. The town clerk’s salary has been increased to reflect a $2,500 stipend for serving as the municipal records officer. Additional salary funds have been included in the Conservation Commission budget to allow for some overlap between the retiring administrator and her successor.

The Council on Aging employees will be receiving a salary adjustment to bring them on par with clerical employees who are part of a collective bargaining contract, as they received no adjustment when the clerical union employees were reclassified. This measure was the subject of a review by a consultant hired by the Town.

The debt line item reflects obligations for the Center Farm purchase, the first phase of the fields program, and funds approved at last year’s annual town meeting for capital equipment.

This year’s proposed capital program is aggressive, including additional funds for paving, school security measures, repairs to Town Hall, an air quality system for the DPW, and a new Council on Aging van, among other items.

Selectman Dalton said that the recent master plan survey indicates the condition of sidewalks is a major complaint. Mr. Boudreau said that a survey of roads has just been completed and the Town will continue to put additional funds into road and sidewalk repair. Chairman Crawford asked if the new senior van would have three-point restraints. Mr. Boudreau said he is not sure, but the new school buses will have seatbelts.

Mr. Boudreau said that he is proposing appropriations of $200,000 to both the stabilization fund and the capital maintenance fund and $300,000 to the OPEB trust. These appropriations will bring the stabilization and capital maintenance funds to the middle or higher end of the ranges cited in the Town’s financial policies.

Chairman Crawford asked if a permanent funding source could be found for OPEB. Mr. Boudreau said that would require a new revenue source to be developed, or that revenue from an existing source such as the meal tax to be redirected. Chairman Crawford said the OPEB trust appropriation can be considered in an annual basis. Mr. Boudreau said that only a handful of communities fully fund the OPEB obligation and pension liabilities. Wellesley passed a Proposition 2-1/2 override for that purpose.

Mr. Boudreau said no non-recurring revenues will be used to fund the operating budget. The $53 million spending proposal builds the Town’s reserves and continues the setting aside of funds for OPEB. He warned in future years the OPEB obligation will be larger due to a decision to change the calculation. He noted that he did not include the 27-percent salary increase sought by the Recreation Commission for its director. He proposed that salary be reviewed. He said the capital budget was arrived at after meeting with departments. He is not recommending funding of the request for a new ambulance, as there are not enough funds in the EMS enterprise fund to pay for the debt service. He suggested reexamining that request in the fall.

Selectman Dalton asked about the Fire Department operating budget. Mr. Boudreau said he made some adjustments to Chief Tetreault’s request. He said the funding for the change in staffing seems to be adequate so far. One firefighter is out on a long-term injury, which the Town is trying to address.

Selectman Barrett said he favors the Recreation Commission’s request to increase the director’s salary by the full amount due to her performance. He said that other communities pay more, have larger staffs, and offer fewer programs. Selectman Dalton said the Board’s previous discussions made it clear a majority of the Board favored this proposal. Mr. Boudreau said there are sufficient funds available to fully fund that request if the Board wishes. Chairman Crawford said he does not favor the full increase at this time due to the 20 percent increase in the director’s salary last fiscal year. He said the director does a great job, but that the salary would be increased above that of several department heads and long-term employees. He said he would like to see the matter studied further. Selectman Barrett said he would not want to see the Town lose a valuable employee and said a salary study would cost the Ton money as well.

On the motion of Selectman Barrett, duly seconded by Selectman Dalton, the Board voted 2-1 (Chairman Crawford against) to add $13,432 to the Recreation Commission budget to fully fund the commission’s salary request for the director position.

Selectman Dalton asked if the budget included funding for the Town to pay for the First Responders Day imitated by the Lynnfield Rotary Club last year. Mr. Boudreau said there should be sufficient funding in the Board of Selectmen expenses to pay for the event.

Selectman Dalton asked what steps the Town would have to take to increase its bond rating. Mr. Boudreau said further increases to its reserves and the adoption of additional financial policies, which are being developed. He said that major question is how the bond rating agencies will view the OPEB issue in the coming years. In response to questions from Chairman Crawford, Mr. Boudreau said that fully funding OPEB would require an appropriation of over $1 million per year. He said that the interest rate is so low now, an improvement in the bond rating would not affect the cost of borrowing much.

Selectman Barrett asked about the school safety measures. Mr. Boudreau said that he worked with school, police and DPW officials on the matter and that security plans are being updated due to national incidents in schools. He said he will not discuss security protocols in an open session of the Board. He said that while security measures could be phased in over years, this may not be prudent.

Resident Patricia Campbell asked about performance evaluations for department heads. Chairman Crawford said that these are being developed.

Sale of Center Farm property

Chairman Crawford said that the Town received one bid on the Center Farm property on Main Street, from the Migliero family. Mr. Migliero is a local resident who informed the Town he intended to bid at the special town meeting on the matter. He intends to live in the house and has hired an architect who specializes in preservation of historic properties. The bid was $935,000, and the proposal is being reviewed by the Historical Commission. If the bid meets the requirements, a purchase and sales agreement will be drafted and the property will be sold. Mr. Boudreau said that a new septic system is being installed with funds held in escrow from the sale of the house. Selectman Barrett said the sale to a local resident who wished to preserve the property is a win for the buyer and the Town.

On the motion of Selectman Barrett, duly seconded by Selectman Dalton, the Board voted unanimously to award the bid on the sale of Center Farm to Steven and Kelly Migliero for a sale price of $935,000.

Revised charge for the Recreational Path Committee

Chairman Crawford said that Selectman Dalton submitted two proposed revisions to the charge for the Recreational Path Committee. They would add the responsibility to include an estimate of the state and federal grants that might be awarded for the project and the costs to the Town, and determining all costs for construction and maintenance of the path.

On the motion of Selectman Barrett, duly seconded by Selectman Dalton, the Board voted unanimously to amend the charge to the Recreational Path Committee to include the additions as presented.

Approval of seasonal liquor licenses

On the motion of Selectman Barrett, duly seconded by Selectman Dalton, the Board voted unanimously to approve the seasonal liquor licenses for Sagamore Springs Golf Club and Reedy Meadow Golf Club.

Appointment of elections officer

On the motion of Selectman Barrett, duly seconded by Selectman Dalton, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Dianna Antonucci as an elections officer as recommended by Town Clerk Trudy Reid.

Public comment

No member of the public wished to speak.

Use of Town facilities

On the motion of Selectman Barrett, duly seconded by Selectman Dalton, the Board voted unanimously to approve the hanging of a banner for the Lynnfield Rat Guild show from May 14-20.

On the motion of Selectman Barrett, duly seconded by Selectman Dalton, the Board voted unanimously to allow the use of the common by the Recreation Commission for an egg hunt on April 6.

On the motion of Selectman Barrett, duly seconded by Selectman Dalton, the Board voted unanimously to allow the use of Town streets by the Lynnfield Athletic Association for its annual road race on July 4.

The Board postponed a request for the use of Town streets by the Multiple Sclerosis Society for a walk so that it can be reviewed. The Board held off on a request by the Lynnfield Indian Association to hold its Festival of Colors at Jordan Park, which was scheduled earlier but postponed due to snow, due to a conflict with a planned clean-up event at the park.

One-day liquor licenses

On the motion of Selectman Barrett, duly seconded by Selectman Dalton, the Board voted unanimously to approve a one-day liquor license for the Knights of Columbus, Post Office Square, on March 8 for a St. Patrick’s dance.

On the motion of Selectman Barrett, duly seconded by Selectman Dalton, the Board voted unanimously to approve a one-day liquor license for the Knights of Columbus, Post Office Square, on June 25 for a family gathering.

Approval of minutes

On the motion of Selectman Barrett, duly seconded by Selectman Dalton, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the meetings of December 12, 2016 and December 19, 2016 as presented.

On the motion of Selectman Barrett, duly seconded by Selectman Dalton, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:14 p.m.