December 11, 2017 minutes

Chairman Barrett called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. He announced that the meeting was being recorded for transmission by cable television. He led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Report of Town Administrator Search Screening Committee

Members of the Town Administrator Search Screening Committee and Bernard Lynch of Community Paradigm Associates presented names of proposed finalists, and their resumes, for the Board’s consideration and report on the process to date.

Mr. Lynch said the process began seven weeks ago. A profile of the Town was composed based on input from Town officials and the community. A forum for community input was held. There were 38 applicants, a good response. He forwarded nine qualified candidate resumes to the screening committee, which interviewed candidates on Saturday and recommended three be considered as finalists. One withdrew after being contacted by Mr. Lynch. He said the two remaining finalists, Interim Town Administrator Robert Curtin and Melrose Mayor Robert Dolan, are excellent candidates.

Chairman Barrett said that the nine candidates forwarded to the screening committee were impressive, and the two remaining candidates are outstanding. He thanked the members of the Screening Committee for their efforts and said the public input was very positive.

Selectman Dalton thanked Mr. Lynch for his work to expedite the process and also thanked the Screening Committee.

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that the Board accept the names of finalists as presented by the Screening Committee. The motion was unanimous.

Joint meeting with the Planning Board

Chairman Barrett called the joint meeting of the Planning Board and Board of Selectmen to order. Planning Board members Brian Charville, Charles Wills, Michael Sheehan and Scott Gromko were in attendance.

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that Christopher Barrett be named chairman of the joint meeting. The vote was unanimous.

Candidates John Gioioso, Anthony Guerrero and Katherine Flaws held brief interviews with the joint meeting.

Mr. Gioioso reviewed his work history in the real estate and facility management sectors, and said he works with municipal boards on permitting and zoning issues. He said he has an objective view on land use and zoning bylaws. He also serves on the Town’s Market Street Advisory Committee.

Mr. Guerrero reviewed his work history with the Massachusetts Port Authority and his work in that capacity with several municipalities in the Boston area. he is also active in his local church and was an associate member of the Historical Commission.  He said he is a consensus builder.

Ms. Flaws is a member of the Senior Citizens Advisory Council and reviewed her work history as an attorney who has authored a paper of the state’s Chapter 40B affordable housing law and said she is interested in land use and development issues.

MOTION by Chairman Barrett, duly seconded by Selectman Dalton: I move that Katherine Flaws be appointed to the Planning Board for a term to conclude on April 9, 2018. The vote was 6-1 in favor, with Mr. Wills voting no.

MOTION by Chairman Barrett, duly seconded by Selectman Dalton: I move that he joint meeting be adjourned. The vote was unanimous.

FY19 Budget Presentation: Recreation Commission

Recreation Commission Chair Rich Sjoberg and Recreation Director Julie Mallett presented the Recreation Commission’s FY19 budget proposal.

Mr. Sjoberg reviewed the increased participation in Recreation Commission programs, including the summer camps and programs. He said the proposed general fund expense budget of $4,672 pays for portable bathrooms at fields, office supplies, seminars and registration expenses. An additional $2,000 is sought for handicapped facilities at the fields, for a total of $6,672. He said the Commission receives many requests for new programming for all age groups, and is trying to meet that demand. He reviewed a list of new and upcoming programs.

Chairman Barrett said these efforts are impressive. Selectman Dalton complimented the Commission and Ms. Mallett. Selectman Crawford agreed.

FY19 budget presentation: Library

Board of Library Trustees Chairman Robert Calamari and Library Director Holly Mercer presented the Library’s FY19 budget proposal.

Ms. Mercer played a short video that presented vignettes of library programs and daily actives. She said that the library averages 300 visitors per day. Program attendance, which was declining, has increased significantly. The library offers over 500 programs per year and takes up less than two percent of the Town’s budget. The Fiscal Year 2019 request is $877,000. The proposal includes additional hours for Youth Services staffing. Programming and the proposed materials budget meet state certification requirements. She said the library’s role has expanded over the years and that its operating expenses are very lean.

The Board thanked Ms. Mercer and the Trustees for their work. In response to a question, Ms. Mercer said that commuters are using e-audio books. She said most patrons prefer physical books.

Report of War Memorial Committee

The Board received the report of the Committee. Members are Jason Kimball, chair; Bruce Siegel, Thomas Bogart, Joseph Connell, Paul Donato, John Harrigan, Charles Leach, Ron Nutter, Nick Secatore

Members of that committee reviewed four design proposals that have been under review.

Mr. Kimball said he came before the Board as the Town’s Veterans Services Director in February of 2016 seeking to have a committee appointed to review proposals to expand the war memorial. The Board appointed the committee, which has been meeting monthly and has an appropriation of $10,000 for plans.

Mr. Donato reviewed a proposal to expand the existing memorial at its current location on the Main Street edge of the common. This proposal would include an elliptical shape with the existing memorial in the center, with lighting and a sitting wall that would separate it from the rest of the common.

The second proposal would relocate the memorial in the area currently holding the bell, across from the library. The bell would be relocated. The features and style are similar to the previous proposal and allows for future expansion and high visibility. This proposal may require the removal of trees. Mr. Donato said he prefers the first proposal to this one. Chairman Barrett discussed the issues of slope and tree removal.

Mr. Connell presented a third option, in which the war memorial would be relocated to the area in front of the Historical Center on South Common Street. It would include informational boards on the various wars and conflicts and a walkway, with plaques for each war and conflict.

Chairman Barrett said he liked that it would be located near the Old Burying Ground, and Selectman Dalton said it addresses the issue of crowding on the common. It does not incorporate the current war memorial.

Mr. Kimball said that the only input from residents was Gail Purtz recommending that the existing memorial be retained.

Mr. Harrigan presented a fourth option, with a flat footprint requiring 6300 square feet, with a crisscrossing walk of remembrance with 12 monoliths, with either granite or marble plaques attached, allowing for up to 400 names on each. Each branch of service would have a plaque and there would be 12 benches. There is no site attached to this proposal, but it could be accommodated on the site of Proposal 3.

All three Board members said they favored the South Common Street location due to the space and parking it provided. Mr. Bogart agreed. Mr. Kimball said the Committee did not vote to recommend one of the four, as the charge was to bring the options to the Board. Mr. leach said he prefers Option 3. Selectman Crawford said he liked Option 4 but said the size may be an issue.

Town Administrator Boudreau said that walkways to the parking lot would cross a stream and said this would be an issue with the Conservation Commission. He recommended use of the existing sidewalk. He asked if the Committee has discussed these proposals with the Historical Commission. Mr. Kimball said they did not as they are just in the proposal stage. He said the proposals can be tweaked and brought back.

MOTION by Selectman Crawford, duly seconded by Selectman Dalton: I move that the Board accept the Option 3 proposal and allow the committee to move forward with this proposal. The vote was unanimous.

Selectmen Update:

A Healthy Lynnfield (Selectman Crawford) The logo for Healthy Lynnfield has been selected and will be revealed soon.

Town Administrator Update:

Mr. Boudreau said all four department head reviews have been completed, and department head goals are being reviewed. The budget proposal is close to completion, and is awaiting the state aid number. He will review his proposals with the new town administrator.

Mr. Boudreau said this is his last scheduled meeting with the Board and thanked the Board and wished them good luck. Board members thanked Mr. Boudreau for his service to the Town.

Public Comment

There was no public comment.

MOTION by Selectman Crawford, duly seconded by Selectman Dalton: I move that the Board adjourn. The vote was unanimous.

The Board adjourned at 9:08 p.m.