March 4, 2019 minutes

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

Interviews for School Enrollment and Capacity Exploration Committee

Three applicants have emerged for the vacant parent representative slot on the committee. Candidate Hanh Chu will be on hand. Candidates Jill String and Brian Murphy interviewed last week.

Ms. Chu has been a 23-year resident and went to Lynnfield schools. She lives here with her husband and three children. She is the director of sponsorship for the Lynnfield Moms group. She is the assistant director of pharmacy at Lahey Health, where she works on business plans, problem solving and operation challenges. She spoke highly of the school system.

Board members thanked Ms. Chu for coming forward.

Chairman Dalton suggested deferring the decision on appointment until the next meeting. He said all three candidates are well qualified.

Interviews for Recycling Advisory Committee

Applicants Jane Bandini and Bryce Foote were on hand brief interviews. Two members have been previously appointed to the committee.

Ms. Bandini said she has been an avid recycler for decades and would like to encourage other residents to participate. She said she would like to look at weekly recycling collection and well as composting programs. She is the chair of the Tree Committee

Mr. Foote is a five-year resident with a growing family. He said conservation is important to him, and noted he lives on Pillings Pond. He said he would like to get involved with the Town.

Board members thanked the candidates for coming forward.

MOTION by Selectman Crawford, duly seconded by Selectman Barrett: I move that the Board appoint Jane Bandini and Bryce Foote to the Recycling Advisory Committee for terms expiring on June 30, 2021. Vote was unanimous.

Joint meeting with Lynnfield Water District Board of Commissioners to set compensation for tax collector and Board of Assessors

Pursuant to Section 108B, Chapter 41, of the General Laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, this Annual Joint Meeting between the Selectmen and the Water Commissioners is called to set the salary to be paid to the Tax Collector and the Board of Assessors for work performed for the District. Lynnfield Water Commissioners Ruth E. McMahon and Stephan F. Rondeau, D.C. were in attendance

MOTION by Ms. McMahon, duly seconded by Mr. Rondeau: I move that Chairman Dalton be nominated as Chairperson of the Annual Joint Meeting. Vote was unanimous

MOTION by Mr. Rondeau, duly seconded by Ms. McMahon: I move that the reading of the minutes of the February 26, 2018 Annual Joint Meeting be waived. Vote was unanimous.

MOTION by Ms. McMahon, duly seconded by Mr. Rondeau: I move that the Fiscal Year 2019 annual compensation for services rendered to the Lynnfield Water District be set as follows; Tax Collector $550.00, Assessors $250.00 each. Vote was unanimous.

MOTION by Mr. Rondeau, duly seconded by Mrs. McMahon: I move the meeting be adjourned. Sine Die. Vote was unanimous.

Public hearing: on-premises wine and malt license by Unique Concepts Lynnfield, LLC, dba Anoush’ella Saj Kitchen, Raffi Festekjian, Manager, 600 Market Street, Suite 335

Manager Raffi Festekjian was on hand to answer questions from the Board regarding this license application, the public hearing for which was duly advertised and posted.  This restaurant will occupy the space previously occupied by Roxy’s Grilled Cheese. He said he and his wife will run this restaurant, which will serve food from the Mediterranean. He said it will be family oriented and will feature both fast service and full service. He said the food is very healthy. They operate a location in Boston as well.

Chairman Dalton noted that application has discussed outdoor seating, but the submitted floor plan does not indicate outdoor seating. He said that regulations regarding outside seating must eb observed, and that a later application to amend the license would be entertained.

In response to a question from Selectman Crawford, the applicant said he and the manager have certification in safe alcohol service.

MOTION by Selectman Crawford, duly seconded by Selectman Barrett: I move that the Board vote to approve the application on-premises wine and malt license by Unique Concepts Lynnfield, LLC, dba Anoush’ella Saj Kitchen, Raffi Festekjian, Manager, 600 Market Street, Suite 335, on the premises indicated on the submitted floor plan. Vote was unanimous.

FY 2020 budget recommendations

Town Administrator Robert Dolan presented to the Board his proposed Fiscal Year 2020 operating and capital budgets and spending plan.

Mr. Dolan presented a budget with a three percent increase in spending, totaling $56,681,943. He reviewed the budget process, and the input received from the management team. A three-year budget analysis was presented, with quarterly reports to the Board. The budget reflects a commitment to education, public safety and health. Infrastructure and technology are strongly invested in this budget. The budget is balanced without reliance ion one-time revenues or free cash to pay for operating expenses. The capital program is less robust than in the past two years but meets key needs and is still aggressive. All the Town’s financial policies are met and the proposed budget includes funding for the OPEB Trust. The Golf Enterprise shows increased revenues and staffing was trimmed. The Emergency Medical Services budget has revenues dedicated to the purchase of a new ambulance.

New growth is returning to historical levels after the unusual increases due to the Market Street build-out. As a community in which over 80 percent of property value is in the residential sector, it faces revenue challenges. He reviewed proposed developments of age-restricted housing along Main Street as possible sources of growth. The Town received generally limited school and general aid, which he expects will remain at less than 2 percent growth each year. He said other receipts are expected to grow modestly, but are susceptible to slowing of the economy.

Town reserves remain healthy; free cash is about $2 million, and is strong. The amount has been reduced due to spending of specific initiatives. The Stabilization Fund is higher than it has ever been, as is the capital facilities fund. This allows the Town to fund future projects and be prepared for any future economic downturn and reduction in state aid.

Health insurance is expected to grow by 4.2 percent and pension costs will increase by 4 percent. Negotiations have begun to discuss renewing the health insurance agreement with Town employees. The vocational school assessment is up due to increased enrollment from Lynnfield. In addition, all collective bargaining agreements with Town employee unions will expire this fiscal year. The school budget will increase by 4 percent. The Office of Prevention was created in this budget, as are the Office of Land Use, which merges the staffs for the Planning Board and Conservation Commission. He thanked the management team and Town Accountant/Assistant Finance Director Julianne McCarthy for their work.

The capital budget includes $250,000 for school technology and $20,000 for a school phone system and $30,000 for capital facility space and enrollment studies. Other major items included a new ballot box, Pillings Pond algae treatment, library children’s room furniture, public safety communications and technology updates, a mandatory dam study and stormwater pollution permitting. Highway and sidewalk funding are continued and the Senior Center parking lot will be repaved. The budget also includes a bus lease payment. The Town is seeking grant funds to improve safety at crossings near the elementary schools and on Main Street at Summer Street and South Common Street.

Mr. Dolan said that the decisions the School Department makes on contracts will play a strong role in deciding how funds will be expended in future years, especially on items such as reserves, OPEB, and capital items. He said the Town should avoid using one-time revenues for operations. He said the Town will continue to work closely with the schools on these issues.

Chairman Dalton said this was the best budget presentation he has seen in the Town. He commended Mr. Dalton and Ms. McCarthy for their work. He noted that the amounts places in stabilization and OPEB were decreased slightly from the past year. Selectman Crawford added his thanks and said he agrees with the need to be fiscally responsible to allow the Town to fund its programs and infrastructure in future years. He said he hopes to see some additional new growth revenue to assist in this effort. Selectman Barrett also added his praise and said he is happy to work with the schools and is glad to see added adjustment counselors and English language learners staff.

MOTION by Selectman Crawford, duly seconded by Selectman Barrett: I move that the Board vote to approve the proposed Fiscal Year 2020 operating and capital budgets and spending plan as submitted. Vote was unanimous.

Appointment of temporary sealer of weights and measures

The Building Dept. and Town Administrator are recommending the appointment of James Collins of Peabody as temporary sealer of weights and measures. The previous sealer, Ed Michalski, retired after 40 years of service to the Town. Mr. Collins is the sealer in the City of Peabody and intends to carry out his part-time duties in Lynnfield on his own time. It is the intent to remove this position from civil service at the upcoming town meeting.

MOTION by Selectman Crawford, duly seconded by Selectman Barrett: I move that the Board vote to appoint James Collins as temporary sealer of weights and measures, until such time as the position is removed from civil service, or until June 30, 2019. Vote was unanimous.

Appointment of assistant plumbing/gas inspector

The Building Dept. is recommending the appointment of Joseph Ellis as an assistant plumbing/gas inspector to fill in during periods when the inspector is absent.

MOTION by Selectman Crawford, duly seconded by Selectman Barrett: I move that the Board vote to appoint Joseph Ellis assistant plumbing/gas inspector with a term to end on June 30, 2019. Vote was unanimous.

Appointment of assistant electrical inspector

The Building Dept. is recommending the appointment of James DeCola as an assistant electrical inspector to fill in during periods when the inspector is absent.

MOTION by Selectman Crawford, duly seconded by Selectman Barrett: I move that the Board vote to appoint James DeCola assistant electrical inspector with a term to end on June 30, 2019. Vote was unanimous.

Exemption under Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 268A, Section 20 (B) for Finance Committee member for contract with Recreation Commission

Robert Priestley is a member of the Finance Committee and his family business, The Priestleys, was contracted to provide services for the Father-Daughter Dance, as it has been for several years.

MOTION by Selectman Crawford, duly seconded by Selectman Barrett: I move that the Board vote to grant and exemption for Finance Committee member Robert Priestley under Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 268(A) Section 20(B) for a municipal contract for services at the Father-Daughter Dance. Vote was unanimous.

Ratification of Memorandum of Understanding with Public Safety Dispatchers bargaining unit

The Town has reached an agreement for Fiscal Years 2018 and 2019 with the Public Safety Dispatchers bargaining unit.  Mr. Dolan explained the agreement, which includes a 2.5 percent COLA increase in each year, and provides some language clarification as well as a stipend for maintaining all certifications outlined in the agreement.

MOTION by Selectman Crawford, duly seconded by Selectman Barrett: I move that the Board vote to approve the Memorandum of Understanding with Public Safety Dispatchers bargaining unit as presented. Vote was unanimous.

Town Administrator Update

Mr. Dolan gave very brief updates on several projects and goals, including the concluded budgeting process, the Community Compact initiatives on emergency preparedness and recycling, work of the Recreational path Committee and the upcoming Dept, of Transportation hearing; flooding in the Perry Avenue area; the Strategic Planning Committee meeting on the ten-year capital plan and the proposed recreation center and the proposed library; the School Enrollment and Capacity Exploration Committee; the proposed Wills Brook development agreement; the Complete Streets proposal and upcoming input meeting; completion of the school safety access project.

MOTION by Selectman Crawford, duly seconded by Selectman Barrett: I move that the Board adjourn. The Board adjourned at 7:48 p.m.