April 11 2023 meeting

Chair Crawford called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m. He stated that the meeting is being recorded for cable television transmission. He asked those in attendance to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of Intermunicipal Agreement with Lynnfield Center Water District for the provision of water from Wakefield to LCWD

LCWD Superintendent John Scenna thanked the Board. Public Works Director John Tomasz and Town Engineer Lisa DeMeo for their work on this matter. He said Wakefield will be extending its water system into Lynnfield through Main Street and Bay State Road. Wakefield will be responsible for maintaining the pipe, and LCWD is responsible for the connection.

The agreement deals with the permitting process and roadway restoration requirements, as Bay Stet Road will be repaved and Main Street will have the trenches repaired. Town Counsel Thomas Mullen and counsel for Lynnfield Center Water District have approved the language for the Intermunicipal Agreement, which the LCWD Board of Commissioners ratified last night The work could begin within the next two weeks. This will allow LCWD to supplement its water supply with MWRA water, increasing its capacity by about 20 percent. A vault will be installed on the grass strip opposite Bay State Road by the Route 128 ramp. He said he hopes all permits will be in place for the system by this time next year.

Mr. Crawford thanked all who worked on this project. Mr. Scenna said that in an emergency the LCWD could access the water supply before all permits are in place.

MOTION by Mr. Connell, duly seconded by Mr. Dalton: I move that the Board approved the Intermunicipal Agreement between to the Town, the Lynnfield Center Water District, and the Town of Wakefield, as presented. Vote was unanimous.

Change of manager application, LSF Lynnfield LLC, dba Legal C Bar, 220 Market Street, Jennifer N. Schwaid, proposed manager

Ms. Schwaid said she has been in the restaurant management field for 12 years, the last six with Legal Seafood.

Board members had no questions.

MOTION by Mr. Connell, duly seconded by Mr. Dalton: I move that the Board approve the Change of Manager application by LSF Lynnfield LLC, dba Legal C Bar, 220 Market Street, Jennifer N. Schwaid, proposed manager. Vote was unanimous.

Road improvement schedule, 2023-2024

Town Engineer Lisa DeMeo presented the proposed road improvements schedule for 2023-2024. She said she reviewed the past road projects and said some work from last year’s list still needs to be completed/ She said there are a dozen streets to do this year, due to the Town’s appropriations and Chapter 90 state highway funds.

The streets are: Coleman Ave, Dale Rd, Edward Ave North, Edward Ave South, Fletcher Rd, Lee Rd, Meadow Ln, October Ln, Pine St, Sigmund St, Timberhill Ln, Timberhill Ter, Wirthmore Ln. In addition, funds will be sued to update the pavement management system and improve sidewalks and ramps.

Recommendations on proposed warrant articles

Asst. Town Administrator Bob Curtin reviewed the warrant articles for the annual town meeting. All but two were ready for recommendations.

ARTICLE 1. Approve the town reports

ARTICLE 2. Choose ceremonial officers

ARTICLE 3. Fix the compensation of elected officials

MOTION by Mr. Connell, duly seconded by Mr. Dalton: I move that the Board recommend Articles 1, 2 and 3. Vote was unanimous.

ARTICLE 4. FY 23 transfers

ARTICLE 5.  Overdue bills

MOTION by Mr. Connell, duly seconded by Mr. Dalton: I move that the Board defer recommendation on Articles 4 and 5. Vote was unanimous.

ARTICLE 6. Operating budget

MOTION by Mr. Connell, duly seconded by Mr. Dalton: I move that the Board recommend Article 6 to reflect the operating budget as adopted by the Board. Vote was unanimous.

ARTICLE 7. Capital budget.

MOTION by Mr. Connell, duly seconded by Mr. Dalton: I move that the Board recommend Article 7 to reflect the capital budget as adopted by the Board. Vote was unanimous.

ARTICLE 8. Capital Facilities Fund.

MOTION by Mr. Connell, duly seconded by Mr. Dalton: I move that the Board recommend Article 8 with an appropriation of $50,000 from free cash. Vote was unanimous.

ARTICLE 9. Stabilization Fund.

MOTION by Mr. Connell, duly seconded by Mr. Dalton: I move that the Board recommend Article 9 with an appropriation of $150,000 from free cash. Vote was unanimous.

ARTICLE 10. Emergency Medical Services enterprise budget

MOTION by Mr. Connell, duly seconded by Mr. Dalton: I move that the Board recommend Article 10 at $845,394. Vote was unanimous.

ARTICLE 11. Golf enterprise budget.

MOTION by Mr. Connell, duly seconded by Mr. Dalton: I move that the Board recommend Article 10 at $1,104,332. Vote was unanimous.

ARTICLE 12. Establishment of limits for revolving funds

MOTION by Mr. Connell, duly seconded by Mr. Dalton: I move that the Board recommend Article 12. Vote was unanimous.

ARTICLE 13. Revision of cemetery fees.

MOTION by Mr. Connell, duly seconded by Mr. Dalton: I move that the Board recommend Article 13. Vote was unanimous.

ARTICLE 14 Allowing veterans whose property is owned in trust to receive benefits of veterans’ property tax exemptions. Vote was unanimous.

MOTION by Mr. Connell, duly seconded by Mr. Dalton: I move that the Board recommend Article 14. Vote was unanimous.

ARTICLE 15. Exempting from real estate tax the domicile of surviving parents or guardians of soldiers, sailors and National Guard members who died in active service or as a result of such service. Vote was unanimous.

MOTION by Mr. Connell, duly seconded by Mr. Dalton: I move that the Board recommend Article 15. Vote was unanimous.

Use of Facilities requests

a. Banner, Healthy Lynnfield expo, event date May 20

            b. Common, May 29, Memorial Day exercises

            c. South Fire, May 21, LHS softball car wash

            d. South Fire, June 4, Troop 48 car wash

MOTION by Mr. Connell, duly seconded by Mr. Dalton: I move that the Board approve the Use of Facilities applications subject to any conditions imposed by the Police Chief and Public Works Director. Vote was unanimous.

The chair declared the Board to be in recess at 7:52 p.m.

Announcement of election results

The chair declared the Board to be in session at 8:51 p.m.

Town Clerk Linda Emerson announced the preliminary results of the Town Election. In the race for Select Board, Philip Crawford defeated Robert Gillon, 428-215.

Town Clerk Linda Emerson swore in Mr. Crawford and successful School Committee candidate for re-election Jamie Hayman.

Mr. Crawford thanked his wife, Ellen, for running his campaign, and his family, friends and supporters who held signs and placed signs in their yards. He thanked the voters and said he looks forward to serving the next three years with his fellow Board members.

Election of chair, vice chair and clerk of the Board

MOTION by Mr. Dalton, seconded by Mr. Crawford: I move that Joseph Connell be elected chair. Vote was unanimous.

MOTION by Mr. Crawford, seconded by Mr. Connell: I move that Richard Dalton be elected vice-chair. Vote was unanimous.

MOTION by Mr. Dalton, seconded by Mr. Connell: I move that Philip Crawford be elected Clerk. Vote was unanimous.

Mr. Connell thanked his fellow board members and said he had learned a great deal from them. He thanked Town Administrator Robert Dolan, Assistant Town Administrator Robert Curtin and the Town Hall staff for their dedication, as well as the remarkable volunteers on Town boards and committees. He said he expects the next year to be very busy with a number of projects, including the rail trail, the Town hall and public safety building project, the sagamore housing development, the LCWD water project and the veterans memorial. He promised to work hard and listen to the residents.

MOTION by Mr. Dalton, seconded by Mr. Crawford: I move that the Board adjourn. Vote was unanimous.

The Board adjourned at 8:59 p.m.