February 11, 2019 minutes

Chairman Dalton called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. He announced that the meeting was being recorded for cable television and led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Skeleton Key LLC, Market Street – amendment of liquor license for pledge of collateral

Ryan Knowles of Skeleton Key LLC appeared to explain to proposed license change, which was required due to the obtaining of a Small Business Administration loan. He explained that Skeleton key offers fun team-building actives and serves beer and wine and light food.

MOTION by Selectman Crawford, duly seconded by Selectman Barrett: I move that the Board approve the application to amend the alcoholic beverages license for Skeleton Key LLC, Market Street, to reflect a pledge of collateral. Vote was unanimous.

Acceptance of preservation restriction agreement, 7 Smith Farm Trail

Smith Farm Trail residents Charles and Arline Wills has agreed to a historic preservation restriction agreement on the property at 7 Smith Farm Trail. Mr. Wills, Susan Buchanan of Historic New England and representatives of the Lynnfield Historical Commission were on hand to discuss the matter and answer any questions.

Ms. Buchanan said that Mr. Wills had previously donated the Royal Barry Wills archives and now is offering to place a historic preservation restriction on the deed to his home which would preserve its exterior and interior features. It will be added to the portfolio of privately held properties that have granted this restriction.

Chairman Dalton asked about the impact on the salability of home. Ms. Buchanan said that there will be no effect in this high-density market. She said it does not affect kitchens and bathrooms and that her organization works with homeowners to make sure any upgrades and repairs maintain the historical features.  Mr. Wills said he built this home for himself. Ms. Buchanan and Board members remarked on the cache that comes with a Wills-built home. Historical Commission member Roy Sorli said that board supports this measure.

MOTION by Selectman Crawford, duly seconded by Selectman Barrett: I move the Board approve the preservation restriction agreement on the property at 7 Smith Farm Trail as presented. Vote was unanimous.

FY 2020 budget presentation – School Department

Superintendent of Schools Jane Tremblay and members of the School Committee and school administrative team presented the FY20 School Department operating and capital budget request. Ms. Tremblay reviewed the district strategy and achievements, including the ranking of the Lynnfield schools in the top six in the state. The High School was named to the district honor roll for greater participation in Advanced Placement courses with students scoring at 3 or better. Two students took 8 or more AP courses. The drama team won the gold medal and art and music students also won prestigious awards. She discussed the high level of achievement in athletics, including sportsmanship award, and community service.

Ms. Tremblay said that social and emotional learning has been a focus and is part of the school improvement plan. She said the school are partnered with A Healthy Lynnfield ion these issues and educators have embraced the effort.

Ms. Tremblay said the School Department and School Committee’s budget goals are to move the district forward while demonstrating fiscal responsibility, addressing the needs of all students, supporting the special education program growth and addressing social and emotional needs. The budget would restore academic supports reduced in the current fiscal year budget. Additional positions requested are an English Language Learners districtwide position; adjustment counselors at the Middle School and two elementary schools; a computer science teaching position at the High School, and adding four tutors, two at the Middle School; and one at each elementary school.

Ms. Tremblay said the English language learners population has expended from 10 to 48 students in five years, and that the students speak 19 languages. The district has one full-time equivalent position in that area. She said most communities have a student-staff ratio of 20-1. One new position would reduce Lynnfield’s ratio to 24-1.

Ms. Tremblay reviewed the roles of adjustment counselors, guidance counselors and school psychologist. The district has one adjustment counselor currently. She said failing to address the needs of students with issues can cause disruption for all students/ She said guidance counselors address scheduling and advising of students where adjustment counselors specialize in mental health and learning disabilities as well as behavioral issues.

Ms. Tremblay said adding a computer science teacher would allow the High School to better follow the 2016 state curriculum frameworks in this subject. She said 90 students sought AP class in this area, and 60 students sought other computer classes. Current staffing only accommodated one section of AP with 20 students. She said the budget proposed would also restore the academic tutor positions eliminated in last year’s budget.

Ms. Tremblay reviewed class size guidelines and she said that she is projecting the need for two fewer classes at Summer Street School due to enrollment decreases and the need for two fewer teachers as a result. The net increase in staff members in the budget would be three additional teachers.

Ms. Tremblay said that special education students have been brought back into the district from outplacements in recent years. Some outplacements are still needed as it is not possible to build in-house programs that would meet the needs of all students. Growth in special education outplacements is mirrored in the out-of-district transportation line.

The operating budget request would increase school spending by 5.25 percent over the current fiscal year.

Ms. Tremblay said the sole capital budget request is for the traditional $250,000 for technology. High School teacher laptops are being upgraded and smart boards, cabling and infrastructure is being replaced.

Chairman Dalton said that it is not the Board’s responsibility to micromanage school budget line items, but that the Board needs to present a balanced budget to town meeting. He said Town officials reviewed the budget constraints at the annual Budget Summit in November. He said while all the school spending request are justified, a 5.25 percent budget increase cannot be accommodated. He urged the school management team to sharpen its pencils and review the budget for possible places to save. He noted that the Town does not expect the same new growth revenues as in past years. He said the same message has been given to Town-side departments.

Selectman Crawford said budget sustainability is a concern. He said he agrees with all the reasons given by school officials for their requests, but he said to fund them would create a structural deficit in the budget. He said he could support a budget increase of four percent. He asked about space for new staff; Ms. Tremblay said there is adequate space, which involves some sharing of space. He asked if any special education cases with large expense will be aging out. Ms. Tremblay said a couple of cases would age out in a year.

Selectman Barrett said the presentation was well done and that school leadership has done a tremendous job. He said he agreed with his colleagues on the reality of the Town’s financial outlook. He said he hopes that the additional adjustment counselors can be funded, as well as the additional English Language Learners position. He said he hopes the schools and the Town-0side of government can continue to work well together on these aims.

Revocation of vote to submit legislation regarding governance of the Lynnfield Center Water District

In January, the Board petitioned the Great and General Court to adopt legislation that would affect the governance of the Lynnfield Center Water District. Since that vote, the Board of Water Commissioners voted to rescind a retroactive water rate increase and an additional member of the Commission has announced her intention to resign, which would allow voters of the District to select three water commissioners in the upcoming three months.

MOTION by Selectman Crawford, duly seconded by Selectman Barrett: I move that the Board vote to rescind its petition to the Great and General Court regarding legislation to amend the governance of the Lynnfield Center Water District and inform its legislative delegation of its request to withdraw said legislation. Vote was unanimous.

Public participation

Resident Patricia Campbell asked if the public could ask questions on the school budget. Chairman Dalton said this is out of order.

Town Administrator updates

Mr. Dolan gave brief updates on the creation of a new Recycling Advisory Committee, the auction of the Perley Burrill property, the recent meetings of the School Enrollment and Capacity Exploration Committee, the Recreation path Committee and the Strategic Planning Committee. He said the last of these committees will present before the Board at its next meeting on February 25.

Minutes for approval

MOTION:  I move that the Board approve the minutes of September 26, October 10 and October 15 as presented. Vote was unanimous.

MOTION by Selectman Crawford, duly seconded by Selectman Barrett: I move that the Board adjourn. Vote was unanimous. The Board adjourned at 8:01 p.m.