January 25 2021 meeting

Chairman Barrett called meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. He announced it was being recorded via Zoom, for cable television transmission.

COVID-19 update

Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director Glenn Davis provided a statistical update with a total of 886 cases in Lynnfield. First responders have had their first doses of vaccines. Phase II of the vaccine has been announced, with persons over the age of 75 eligible for vaccination on February 1. The Town has no vaccine does available o it. The state website outlines the available sites with vaccine. The website allows eligible residents to register. The state is opening a vaccine site in Danvers on Route 1 at the Doubletree Hotel site. People age 65 or older or with two or more comorbidities will become eligible for vaccine in a few weeks.

Town Administrator Robert Dolan said Lynnfield is working with other municipalities in the health region. Chief Davis said he has discussed these operations with those directing the COVID response in area communities.

Chairman Barrett thanked Chief Davis and his group for their efforts. He said the thoughts of the community are with the families of those who have lost a loved one to COVID-19.

Appointment of interim police chief

Chairman Barrett thanked Chief David Breen for his 24 years of service to the community and wished him and his wife, Robin, for many happy years during his retirement. Selectman Dalton thanked Chief Breen for all his efforts and for being a great chief and citizen of Lynnfield. Selectman Crawford said Chief Breen will be very much missed.

Chief Breen thanked the current Board members and past Board members for their support, as well as past and present town administrators. He said it has been a great run since arriving on the Lynnfield force in 1994, and said he has established many friendships in Town. He thanked Administrative Assistant Paul Donovan for his support. He noted Captain Secatore was promoted to that position after finishing first in a competitive civil service exam and said the has taken on many responsibilities in the department. He said the Town has a great leadership team within the department and said he thinks a member of that team will make a great chief.

Chairman Barrett agreed with those sentiments.  He explained that Captain Nick Secatore is the second highest ranking officer on the police force after Chief Breen, and it is the recommendation that he be named to the position of Interim Chief after Chief Breen’s retirement on February 1. The Town has filed with Civil Service to have an Assessment Center conducted by a third-party vendor, with a panel of professionals in municipal government and public safety who would evaluate the candidates and score their responses to a number of tasks and scenarios. After the exam is scored and weighted by Civil Service, a recommendation for permanent appointment will be made the Board.

Captain Secatore thanked the Board for this opportunity and said promoting from within the department boosts morale. He said the times ahead will be challenging with the passage of a police reform bill will deadlines for implementation. He said he is working with Sgt. Christopher DeCarlo, who will be instrumental in training along with the other supervisors. He pledged to work ensure the department conforms to all laws and regulations and maintain its integrity.

Selectman Dalton said that he remembers Capt. Secatore as a young boy in Town and said it is gratifying to see his success and said the Town will be served well be his skills and knowledge of the Town and the department. He said he expects tremendous things from him in the next months.

Selectman Crawford said he agrees that Capt. Secatore has stepped up during this transition and said there is not a better choice to serve as interim chief.

Chairman Barrett said he has seen the wonderful work he has done for the community and said he knows he will continue to dedicate his life to the Town of Lynnfield.

Town Administrator Dolan tanked Chief Breen and said there has never been a harder year to be a police officer, with very emotional incidents locally and across the country. He said the level of professionalism displayed by the Lynnfield police is a testament to Chief Breen and all members. He noted that Capt. Secatore is a Lynnfield High School and Merrimack College graduate who served in the U.S. Marine Corps in the Wear on Terror and has worked for Fidelity Investments as a financial analyst. He joined the department in 2007 and has also served as the Town’s veterans services director. He said he is an expert in public safety information technology as well.

He said the Town is in good hands with Captain Secatore and the department’s leadership team. He recommends the appointment of Captain Secatore as the interim police chief.

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that the Board vote to appoint Nicholas Secatore as interim police chief effective on February 2, 2021, such appointment to continue until the appointment of a permanent police chief through the civil service process. Roll call vote was unanimous.

Discussion with Historical Society and Historical Commission on maintenance of Meeting House and Pope-Richard Lynnfield Historical Center

Chairman Barrett said that the Board values its history and especially the historical center area. He noted the Town has put significant funding into improvements at the common.

Mr. Dolan said the Board is receipt of a letter from the Historical Commission chair that raises several issues regarding maintenance of the Meeting House, a Town property which is operated by the Historical Society pursuant to a 1960 vote of town meeting, and the Pope-Richard Lynnfield Historical Center, which is operated by the Historical Commission with provisions for its use by the Historical Society as well. Representatives of the Historical Commission and the Historical Society were invited to discuss this matter tonight. He said the Society has made significant investments in the Meeting House, and the Commission has done tremendous amount of work on the preservation of the Smith Farm. He discussed Town plans to expend funds to help restore the Historical Center.

Historical Commission Chair Kirk Mansfield credited Steve Richard form welcoming him to the Historical Commission and Historical Society. He said upon joining the Commission and taking over the chairmanship he has been frustrated by obstacles, but said he feels an obligation to see through these issues. He said the preservation of Lynnfield’s history is his motivating factor. He said he would like to see the inside of the Historical Center cleaned up and made available to the public. He said the commission also intends to make a proposal to take over the former South Branch Library building on Salem Street. He said the contract between the Commission and Society for the sharing of the Historical Center was never agreed upon and signed. He said that he is asking that the Commission be given custody of both the Historical Center and the Meeting House.

Historical Society President Linda Gillon said her understanding of the sharing of the Historical Center was a loose agreement as there had been no conflicts between the two groups. She said that her understanding was that the building is to house the artifacts but not display them due to lack of handicapped access. She agreed cleaning and organization is needed at the center. She said the Society would cooperate in an effort to have the building deep cleaned and the artifacts organized for display.

Mr. Mansfield said he does not believe the building is subject to Americans for Disabilities Act requirements. He said the building needs interior painting, cleaning and organization. He said he was told the Commission was told it could not move forward with this project. Historical Society treasurer Robert Gillon said the Society would have to discuss any project with its board of directors. He said the two groups should discuss the project and how it would be paid for. He said that if the Society is to pay for the project, it has to be included in the planning of the project and its scope.

Chairman Barrett said all parties all want to preserve and protect Lynnfield’s history. He suggested that the town administrator meet with the parties to reach an agreement on how to move forward to bring forward to the Board.

Selectman Dalton said that the agreed with this approach and that some agreement should be reached on the scope of work. Selectman Crawford said there are other issues, such as the lack of agreement between the Town and Society for use of the Historical Center. He said that the Commission is a Town entity to which the care and custody of the Historical Center in entrusted. He said that based on the unsigned contract, the upkeep and improvements to the facility should be paid by the Society.

Mr. Dolan said he would be happy to facilitate a meeting between the parties along with Town Counsel Thomas Mullen. Chairman Barrett said Selectman Crawford would serve as the Board’s liaison on the matter.

Mr. Mansfield said he spoke in detail with Ms. Gillon on the proposal. Chairman Barrett said that the parties should discuss this in the meeting that is planned.

Town Administrator contract

The employment agreement with the Town Administrator states that compensation for the period beginning on February 1, 2021 would be addressed by the Board based on his performance. The Chair and the Town Administrator have discussed an agreement which would extend the term of Mr. Dolan’s employment to the full two years allowed under the Town Charter as well as granting Mr. Dolan a 1.5 percent pay increase, which is the same received by all non-union personnel. All other aspects of the employment agreement remain unchanged.

Chairman Barrett said that Mr. Dolan’s leadership has been exemplary, especially during the difficult recent year. He said the Town is on firm financial footing and is moving forward on a number of projects. Selectman Dalton said it is a joy to work with Mr. Dolan, who is available to the Board at all times. He praised his management style. Selectman Crawford said that this is of great benefit to the Town and that he has done an outstanding job during difficult times.

Mr. Dolan said he is humbled and that he loves working for the Town and the Board.

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that the Board vote to approve the Third Amendment to the employment agreement with the Town Administrator. The roll call vote was unanimous.

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that the Board adjourn. Vote by roll call was unanimous.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.