May 27 2020 joint budget hearing

Chairman Crawford called the joint public hearing of the Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee to order at 6:01 p.m. He introduced the Town officials and department heads attending the meeting and announced it was being recorded via Zoom, for cable television transmission.

Joint public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2021 budget

Town Administrator Robert Dolan gave a brief overview of the budget process, including adjustments made to revenue projections and expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He said due to those extraordinary circumstances, the Town will have to look at revenues and expenses in an ongoing fashion, especially local receipts and state aid. Town Accountant and Assistant Finance Director Julianne McCarthy said that several reductions were made, totaling over $1 million, $300,000 in operating expenses, $600,000 in capital expenditures and $100,000 in appropriations to reserves. She said the team will be looking very carefully at spending and revenues and adjustments may have to be made at the fall town meeting.

Finance Committee Chairman Christopher Mattia said that his committee has worked closely with Mr. Dolan and department heads and is taking a cautious approach. They are in agreement with the approach presented by the Town Administrator. Chairman Crawford said that these budget adjustments will not affect staffing. He said that state aid and real estate tax new growth will be crucial. Mr. Dolan said that the Town’s AA+ bond rating was sustained through the recent detailed evaluation by rating agency Standard and Poor’s.

Assistant Town Administrator Robert Curtin said that the public was asked to call into the hearing and was also given the option to submit comments or questions via email. No email questions or comments were received.

The only member of the public who had comments and questions was Patricia Campbell. She had several questions and comments. She praised the work of Mr. Dolan and Ms. McCarthy in reducing the proposed budget.

Ms. Campbell asked about outstanding contract negotiations. Ms. McCarthy said that when the budget was established, police, fire and dispatcher bargaining units had not reached agreement. Funds for the settlement of those contracts were put in the Payrate Increase Fund. The police chief and fire chief also have not reached agreement with the Town for compensation for the coming year.

Ms. Campbell asked about a 9.3 percent increase for salaries in the assessor’s office. Mr. Dolan said that the salary of the new assessor is reflected, due to the difficulties in finding a qualified assessor in this market. Ms. Campbell asked about funding for a new master plan. Ms. McCarthy said there are funds remaining in a past capital appropriation still available for this use.

Ms. Campbell asked about expenses for the Personnel Board. Mr. Curtin said the $5,000 in this line is available for specific tasks, and the funds are available for labor arbitration or labor-management proceedings. Ms. Campbell asked about the Zoning and Enforcement budget variations. Mr. Dolan explained that the Town’s agreement with Wakefield for shred inspectional services was terminated by Wakefield due to the increase in construction in that community. Lynnfield has hired the assistant building inspector previously shared with Wakefield, Joseph O’Callaghan, full-time, at a savings, and will hire part-time electrical, gas and plumbing inspectors as well. Therefore, funding that was once a contractual expense will now be a salary expense, and the adjustment in both of those lines will in the aggregate show no increase with additional service.

Ms. Campbell said she was glad to see only modest increases to the public safety budgets. She asked about funding for sidewalk construction, saying $25,000 is too low. Public Works Director John Tomasz said that Chapter 90 funds used for roadways can also be used for sidewalk improvements. She asked about the savings on school buses while school is closed during the pandemic. Ms. McCarthy said that the bus company will be paid 709 percent of the agreed-upon contract in an agreement that is being formalized under state legislation.

Ms. Campbell said that seniors pay fees for several Council on Aging programs. She asked about the Prevention Services budget, which operated the Healthy Lynnfield and wellness programs, which is now fully funded by grants.

Ms. Campbell said the library has requested additional hours and opined that the Town should not be adding positions. Mr. Dolan said the additional hours will be part-time and will allow coverage in the Children’s Room on nights and Saturdays. He said that the hiring of this position could be put off due to the uncertainty under the pandemic. Ms. Campbell complained that the Recreation Commission does not offer enough programming for groups other than young children and their parents.

Ms. Campbell said the Town’s school budget is generous. She stated that last year nine new jobs were added in the School Department according to the staffing requests in the warrant. She said that the school budget presented by the School Committee is unsustainable. She discussed the changes that may have to be made to school operations in the fall as a result of the pandemic. She said the Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee should review the schools line-item budget even though the School Committee has line-item autonomy. She said this is necessary to understand the budget request. She also complained about salary increases for specific job titles in the schools.

On the capital budget, Ms. Campbell said the reductions made were sensible. Ms. McCarthy explained the server migration project, which replaces and upgrades outdated computer servers. Ms. Campbell asked why the Summer Street TIP funding was removed. Mr. Dolan said that due to uncertainty with revenues, the state allowed a delay of one year in making payments. Public hearings will be held in the planning process. Ms. Campbell asked about a $200,000 upgrade on the common. Mr. Tomasz said that this will address crosswalks, sidewalks, irrigation and other items. The gazebo is not part of this budget. Mr. Dolan said that the Historical Society plans to purchase the material and a firm has volunteered to build the gazebo at no cost to the Town.

Selectman Barrett applauded the School Department and superintendent for the virtual learning that has taken place and that he has witnessed as a parent.

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Barrett: I move to adjourn. Vote was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 6:44 p.m.