November 30, 2020 meeting

Chairman Barrett called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. He announced that the meeting was being recorded for cable television via Zoom.

COVID-19 update

Town Administrator Robert said the Town is experiencing the same upsurge in cases that is seen throughout the country, with 19 new cases reported this weekend. The age rage has been getting lower. He noted there are free testing sites throughout the area. Lynnfield remains a “yellow” community. He asked people to obey state regulations and standards, including travel advisories. Town Hall is working with local businesses and schools to offer safe services. He asked the residents cooperate with contact tracing efforts conducted through the state and local health departments.

Chairman Barrett said that it is important to support local businesses and keeping the schools open in the current hybrid model.

Conservation Commission applicant Bryce Foote

Bryce Foote has applied to be a member of the Conservation Commission on the resignation of William Thompson, whom Chairman Barrett thanked for his service. Mr. Foote comes recommended by the Commission chair after attending recent commission meetings.

Mr. Foote said that he moved here in 2013, first near Post Office Square and more recently to the Pillings Pond area. He said he would work to protect the pond and other Town natural resources. He said he would like to support the trails and paths in the conservation areas. He works as a pharmacist. Board members thanked him for volunteering his time and said he is well qualified.

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that the Board vote to appoint Bryce Foote to the Conservation Commission for a term ending on June 30, 2021. Roll call vote was unanimous.

Request for “no turn on red” order for Salem St. at Walnut Str.

A Salem Street resident has requested the posting of No Turn on Red signs at the intersection of Salem Street and Walnut Street due to safety concerns. Police Chief David Breen has raised some concerns about traffic flows if this measure is adopted.

Public Works Director John Tomasz said that he shares the chief’s concern that adding this regulation could cause traffic to back up on Salem Street.

Selectman Dalton said based on the recommendation of the chief he would like to take the matter under advisement. Selectman Crawford agreed and said the Board would be open to other solutions. Chairman Barrett also agreed, saying that Town departments would like further at the matter.

Approval of agreement with Mercedes Financial on dump truck lease/purchase

Mr. Tomasz said he is seeking to replace a heavy-duty truck, instead of the sander that had been proposed at town meeting. He said that the funds appropriated are sufficient for three years of the lease. He has consulted with the town accountant about the use of state Chapter 90 funds to cover the fourth year of the lease.  Mr. Dolan said this truck is important to the Town’s snow removal operations. Board members all agreed with this approach and recognized the need for replacing aged and inoperable vehicles.

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that the Board vote to approve the lease agreement between the Town of Lynnfield and Mercedes Financial on a dump truck. Roll call vote was unanimous.

7:15 p.m. Public hearing on tax classification

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that the public hearing on tax classification be opened. Roll call vote was unanimous.

Assessing Manager Meredith Stone made a presentation on tax classification. Former assessing manager Richard Simmons Jr., who consulted on the effort, and members of the Board of Assessors were also present. The past agreement with Market Street on valuation of that property has expired. She explained the state law governing this process, by the law Board of Assessors provides input to the Board of Selectmen. She said values are as of January 1, 2020, and are based on sales data and other factors. Lynnfield for many years has adopted the split rate, whereby the burden from is shifted in part off residential properties to commercial properties. She reviewed the growth rates of values by class over

The average single-family home value in Lynnfield is currently $699,580. Ms. Stone reviewed various rate-shift scenarios and their impact on the residential and commercial tax classes. She said adopting the maximum shift allowed without special permission from the state would save the average homeowner $770 when compared to no shift.

Ms. Stone said that to equalize the percentage increase to try to balance the percentage increase of the average tax bill on both residential and commercial properties as best as possible, a shift factor of 1.37 is recommended.  to achieve parity in the rate of increase for the average single-family residential property and the average commercial property.  The average homeowner tax bill would increase by $228.51. last year’s shift factor was 1.29.

She provided comparison data from nearby communities. Most have adopted greater shifts factors, with many adopting the maximum shifts allowed.

Ms. Stone said that the Board must decide whether to adopt a split rate and at what shift factor, and whether to offer discounts for open space, adopt the residential exemption, and adopt the small commercial exemption. Ms. Stone said that the Town has never offered the open space discount. She said most communities that offer the residential discount, which allows higher taxation of residential properties that are not the primary residence of the property owner, are those with significant number of rental properties or vacation homes. The commercial exemption only applies to properties where no business employs more than 10 people and the discount goes to the property owner, not the business.

Chairman Barrett thanked Ms. Stone, Mr. Simmons and the Board of Assessors for the presentation. He asked if any member of the public wished to speak. None did.

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that the public hearing on tax classification be closed. The roll call vote was unanimous.

Mr. Dolan noted that the values were from before the effects of the COVID pandemic.

Selectman Dalton said his inclination is to support the 1.37 shift, which he said reaches a balance between commercial and residential properties at about a 2.5 percent for all classes. Selectman Crawford agreed this is a reasonable number and said he does not favor putting more of a burden on the residential homeowner. Chairman Barrett also said the 1.37 shift is reasonable, protecting the residential taxpayer without overly burdening business property owners.

Over the past several years, the Board has chosen a split tax rate, and has chosen to adjust the rate to address variations in the relative rates of appreciation in properties in the various classes.

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that the Board vote to adopt the residential shift factor of 1.37. The roll call vote was unanimous.

The Board did not take action on the open space exemption, the residential exemption, or the small business exemption.

Chairman Barrett wished everyone a wonderful holiday season.

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that the Board adjourn. Vote was unanimous. The Board adjourned at 7:31 p.m.