November 29, 2021 meeting

Chair Dalton called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. He announced that the meeting was being recorded for cable television telecast.

Appointment of police chief

Three candidates for police chief participated in the assessment center process, oconducted by RMA Associates under the supervision of Civil Service of the Massachusetts Human Resources Division. Based on their performance on the assessment center, as well as education and experience points, a ranked list of candidates was provided to the Town. The top scorer on that list was Acting Police Chief Nicholas Secatore, who has been serving in that position since the retirement of former Chief David Breen. Town Administrator Robert Dolan is recommending the appointment of Nicholas Secatore as police chief.

Chair Dalton said that the decision made by the Board tonight will affect the Town for decades. He said he has known Nick Secatore since he was a young boy and that it gives him, a great deal of satisfaction on a personal level to make this vote. He noted that he grew up in Lynnfield, attended Lynnfield High School, graduated from Merrimack College and has served in the Marine Corps. Aft er working for Fidelity Investments, he joined the Lynnfield Police Department as a patrolman in 2007, and was promoted to sergeant in 2014 and captain in 2020. He has also served as the Town’s veterans services director and as deputy emergency management director, and as a wrestling coach for the Lynnfield-North Reading wrestling program. He also servs on the Town’s War Memorial Committee.

He said that everyone knows he is a capable and committed police professional and he has proved to be a quick study on the job. His attitude and temperament position him for great success in the next generation of law enforcement leaders.

Mr. Crawford said he could not be happier with this choice and could not be prouder to support it.

Mr. Connell said that he has the moral fabric and character required for this position and is the best choice for the job.

Chair Dalton said former Chief David Breen called to express his support of this choice and his congratulations.

Acting Chief Secatore thanked the Board members and police department members past and present and others who were there in support. He said when he learned he was to be the next police chief his thoughts were of an overwhelming nature and said he is committed to doing a good job for the Town and the department. When he was appointed acting chief in February he said she would not waste a minute moving forward and said the department has fulfilled its commitments. He said he will bring to the Board recommendations to fill the vacant captain position and a local candidate to hire for patrolman to bring the department to full complement. He said that he appreciates the legacy he has been called upon to continue.

MOTION by Mr. Crawford, duly seconded by Mr. Connell: I move that the Board ratify that recommendation that Nicholas Secatore be appointed Chief of Police effective November 29, 2021. Vote was unanimous

Continuation of public hearing under provisions of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 61B,for consideration of purchase or conveyance of the right to purchase a parcel of vacant land located off Main Street containing 20 acres +/- and shown on Town of Lynnfield Tax Assessor’s Map as Map 8, Parcel 1325, and Map 8, Parcel 1488, which lists the property as containing approximately 35,208 feet, which includes access to Main Street, Lynnfield, and further described in the Quitclaim Deed dated December 21, 2008 and recorded on January 20, 2009 at Essex South Registry of Deeds in Book 28255, Page 254

The Select Board may determine whether to assign its right of first refusal concerning the Richardson Green property to the Greenbelt Association or some other entity; whether to execute such an assignment and notice thereof; whether to approve and execute a purchase and sale agreement to obtain a conservation restriction over such property; whether to approve a form of such conservation restriction; and whether to authorize the use of federal and state grant funds to acquire such a restriction.

The Board continued the duly advertised and posted public hearing held on November 15 to this time and date. The Board heard testimony on that date and may choose to hear additional testimony at this time. The Board announced at that hearing its intention to assign the right of first refusal to Essex Greenbelt and to enter into an agreement with that organization to purchase a conservation restriction on that property.

Chair Dalton announced that the public hearing is resumed.

Town Counsel Thomas Mullen reviewed the Town’s rights under Chapter 61 for lands that have received tax breaks for being recreational or forest land to either match any offer for their purchase or to assign that right to another nonprofit entity. He noted that the Town had held a public hearing in January and another this month to fulfill this obligation. He said the Board members have said they plan to assign the right of first refusal to Essex Greenbelt, which will purchase the property for the $2.7 million sales price from the proposed real estate transaction that triggered this process. The Town is prepared to bear most of this expense by purchasing a conservation restriction from Essex Greenbelt that will preserve these 20 acres off Main Street known as the Richardson Green property in perpetuity. The Town will use a combination of state MVP grant funds, federal ARPA funds, and the Conservation Commission’s land acquisition fund to pay for this restriction. The remainder of the purchase price will be borne by Essex Greenbelt.

Chair Dalton asked if anyone else wished to speak. No one did.

Vote to Assign the Town’s Right of First Refusal

MOTION by Mr. Crawford, duly seconded by Mr. Connell: I move that pursuant to G.L. c. 61, § 8, the Select Board assign to Essex County Greenbelt Association, Inc. the Town of Lynnfield’s option to purchase the land of Richardson Green, Inc. located at 1452 Main Street in Lynnfield, Massachusetts and shown as ‘Area = 20.06 AC’ and ‘Area = .76 AC’ on a plan of land recorded with the Essex South Registry of Deeds in Plan Book 180 as Plan 62, and that the Select Board execute and deliver such instrument of assignment, notices and other documents as may be necessary or appropriate in connection therewith. Vote was unanimous.

Vote to Approve Form of Conservation Restriction

MOTION by Mr. Crawford, duly seconded by Mr. Connell: I move that the Select Board approve the form of Conservation Restriction with respect to the land located at 1452 Main Street in Lynnfield, Massachusetts and shown as ‘Area = 20.06 AC’ and ‘Area = .76 AC’ on a plan of land recorded with the Essex South Registry of Deeds in Plan Book 180 as Plan 62 as presented, which form was approved by the Lynnfield Conservation Commission on November 16, 2021. Vote was unanimous.

Vote to Approve Purchase and Sale Agreement With Respect to Conservation Restriction and to Authorize the Use of Funds Therefor

MOTION by Mr. Crawford, duly seconded by Mr. Connell: I move that pursuant to G.L. c. 61, § 8, the Town of Lynnfield, acting by and through its Select Board and its Conservation Commission, execute and deliver a certain Purchase and Sale Agreement with Essex County Greenbelt Association, Inc. whereby the Town agrees to purchase, for consideration of $2,410,000, a perpetual conservation restriction over the land located at 1452 Main Street in Lynnfield, Massachusetts and shown as ‘Area = 20.06 AC’ and ‘Area = .76 AC’ on a plan of land recorded with the Essex South Registry of Deeds in Plan Book 180 as Plan 62, and to fund such purchase that the Select Board approve the Conservation Commission’s use of its own funds and authorize the application of such state and federal grants as are available for the purpose, including without limitation funds made available through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Vote was unanimous.

The Board executed the above referenced documents.

MOTION by Mr. Crawford, duly seconded by Mr. Connell: I move that the public hearing be adjourned. Vote was unanimous.

Approval of Memorandum of Understanding with Lynnfield Dispatchers Association

The Town Administrator and representatives of the Lynnfield Public Safety Dispatchers Association have reached an agreement on a Memorandum of Understanding that calls for a 1.5 percent pay increase for years one, two and three of the agreement, with a small increase to the stipend paid to dispatchers for maintaining all certifications enumerated in the contract as well as an adjustment to the step schedule for Year 3 of the agreement.

MOTION by Mr. Crawford, duly seconded by Mr. Connell: I move that the Board vote to ratify the Memorandum of Understanding between the Town and the Lynnfield Dispatchers Association for the period July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2022. Vote was unanimous.

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

The meeting was adjourned at 6:33 p.m.