May 5, 2021 meeting

Chair Dalton called the meeting to order at 6:11 p.m. He announced that the meeting was being recorded for cable television via Zoom.

He announced that the closing of the town meeting warrant originally scheduled for Monday, May 10 at 6:00 p.m. would take place on Wednesday, May 12 at 6:00 p.m. He said the May 10 meeting was rescheduled due to a conflict with the meeting of the Lynnfield Center Water District.

Public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2022 budget

MOTION by Mr. Crawford, duly seconded by Mr. Connell. I move that Mr. Dalton be named chair of the joint meeting. Roll Call: Yes – Select Board: Crawford, Connell, Dalton. Finance Committee: Mattia, Covino, Elworthy, Kayola, Caprio, Mitchell. No – None.

MOTION by Mr. Crawford, duly seconded by Mr. Connell. I move that the public hearing be opened. Roll Call: Yes – Select Board: Crawford, Connell, Dalton. Finance Committee: Mattia, Covino, Elworthy, Kayola, Caprio, Mitchell. No – none.

Mr. Dolan presented the FY22 spending plan and operating and capital budgets. He noted that the Select Board voted to support the budgets and spending plan at its meeting on Monday night. He said that the Select Board, Finance Committee and department heads deserve kudos for the work done on this budget. He noted that the current budget was reduced by $1.2 million last year prior to presentation to town meeting due to COVID. Despite this, there will be a surplus at the close of the fiscal year.

He discussed the operations of the management team in the development of the budget. He said the budget reflects the Town’s core values and supports the Town’s schools, public safety and public health needs as well as its infrastructure and technology.

Mr. Dolan said this operating budget does not rely on the use of free cash or one-time revenues and supports a robust capital program while building reserves.

He reviewed the Town’s revenue sources, including property tax, other local; receipts and state aid. The budget would increase taxes to the Proposition 2-1/2 limit, of $1.5 million New growth in property tax is estimated at $350,00 and is now at typical levels prior to the Market Street development. Tax collection is strong. He said Lynnfield like many communities is struggling to balance quality of life issues with the need to new revenues. The budget assumes a 25 percent reduction in local receipts and an increase in state aid of 1.6 percent, which pays for about one teacher salary and benefits. He said the Town must rely on its property tax as a result.

Meals taxes have been lower due to the pandemic, although this revenue stream is on the increase and Market Street has entered into new leases. Excise taxes on vehicles are also down slightly. Building permits remain strong.

Free cash is strong and the stabilization and capital facilities funds have healthy balances. He said conservative budgeting allows for this result, as the Town has not needed to draw down these funds.

Health insurance is budgeted for a five percent increase with pension costs budgeted with a 5.4 precent. The school operating budget with a 3.4 percent increase is a significant investment. Vocational school enrollment has increased by eight students, so that number has grown significantly. The overall Town operating budget is up 2.37 percent.

Mr. Dolan reviewed the capital budget proposal of $1,045,431, with larger capital items including roads and sidewalks, a police cruiser, federally mandated stormwater work, a dump truck for the Department of Public Works and a fire command vehicle. A fringe mover for the golf operation will be paid for through retained earnings from the golf operation. The library fire detection system is being upgraded and the annual Pillings Pond algae treatment and the public safety radio replacement program will continue.

The spending plan also includes appropriations of $150,000 to the Stabilization Fund, $100,000 to the OPEB Trust and $50,000 to the Capital Facilities Fund.

The Town has worked with the schools on the education budget. He said Superintendent Vogel has been a great addition to the team.

Mr. Crawford said this is a respo0nsible and sustainable budget. He thanked Mr. Dolan, Assistant R=Town Administrator Robert Curtin and Town Accountant/Assistant Director of Finance Julianne McCarthy for their efforts. He is glad to see increased commitment to the streets and sidewalks program.

Mr. Dolan said despite the lean budget the Town is looking at several projects that will improve the Town, including the elementary schools renovation and expansion project, the rail trail project, and the program that will be brought to town meeting for addressing the Town’s building infrastructure for energy efficiency. Mr. Connell also complimented the budget presentation.

Resident Patricia Campbell asked several questions and made several comments. She said she appreciated the effort to bring in departmental budgets at reasonable levels.

In response to her questions, Mr. Dolan said that the town counsel budget has been increased due to ongoing litigation necessary to protect the community. He said that town meeting will be asked to expand the amount of hours that seniors can work under the tax work-off program. The Board will also ask town meeting to double certain tax abatement programs for seniors, veterans and the blind that meet the state’s guidelines for these reductions. He said the Personnel Board handles special projects as needed and an expanded role can be explored.

Ms. Campbell complained about the condition of sidewalks. Mr. Dolan said that Summer Street has been dug up due to gas service issues and national Grid will pay for repaving. The Town has been approved for a $20 million transportation Improvement Plan by the state that will address Summer Street from Salem Street to the common. Tree roots tend to damage the sidewalks. He said the federal stimulus fund use rules will be released next month. Ms. Campbell said she is glad that the gas leaks are being addressed. She raised the issue of the school bus budget and the lower ridership. Mr. Dolan said that bus routes are being revisited in part due to COVID and said that parents are driving due to fears about ride sharing due to the pandemic.

Ms. Campbell said the Recreation Commission should be providing more programming for adults. She said the Community Schools program used to provide programs for adults but no longer does. She asked if the former superintendent will be paid for services in the next year and was referred to the School Department for an answer. She said that while the School Committee has line-item autonomy, the issue of the level of funding for the schools requires some discussion of how the funds will be expended. She said that the compensation for certain educational positions has been well above the standard increase in past years. She expressed concern about the Lynnfield school system’s ratings in national and regional magazines.

No other members of the public wished to ask questions or make comments

MOTION by Mr. Crawford, duly seconded by Mr. Connell: I move that the meeting public hearing be closed. Roll Call: Yes – Select Board: Crawford, Connell, Dalton. Finance Committee: Mattia, Covino, Elworthy, Kayola, Caprio, Mitchell. No – None.

MOTION by Mr. Crawford, duly seconded by Mr. Connell: I move that the meeting be adjourned. Roll Call: Yes – Select Board: Crawford, Connell, Dalton. Finance Committee: Mattia, Covino, Elworthy, Kayola, Caprio, Mitchell. No – None.

The Board adjourned at 6:58 p.m.