July 17, 2017 minutes
Board of Selectmen | July 17, 2017 |
Regular Session | Merritt Center, 600 Market Street |
Present: | Christopher Barrett, Chairman |
| Philip Crawford, Selectman |
| Richard Dalton, Selectman |
Chairman Barrett called the meeting to order at 8:45 a.m. and announced that the meeting was being recorded for transmission by cable television. He led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Amended sewer agreement with Market Street, Town of Wakefield and the Massachusetts Resources Water Authority
Town Administrator James Boudreau said that the request to amend the existing sewer agreement is the result of flow totals that exceed the estimated flow prior to the opening of Market Street and address certain billing issues. The Town of Wakefield is seeking to insert into the agreement a reaffirmation of its Board of Appeals condition on a special permit for signage at the Wakefield entrance that no advertisement of the Wakefield entrance is made by Market Street.
Chairman Barrett said that issue gave him pause due to concern about traffic flow and the burdening of the Lynnfield entrance. Selectman Dalton said he cannot sign an agreement that includes this clause, and that there is no reason for the Board to be party to this agreement between the Town of Wakefield and Market Street. He said he would be willing to approve a revised agreement as submitted with that one deletion.
Selectman Crawford said he was concerned about whether the revised agreement would cause Lynnfield to take on any financial liability. He said he spoke with Town Counsel Thomas Mullen and Town Administrator James Boudreau and was assured that no additional financial obligation would be incurred by the Town. He said that the development agreement between the Town and Market Street requires the Town to affirm the sewer agreement. The inclusion of the Wakefield Board of Appeals language does not alter that arrangement. He said he agrees that language is superfluous, but said it does not affect anything. He said failure to sign the agreement would just hurt Market Street, and that signing is in the best interest of Lynnfield.
Chairman Barrett said the language on advertising the Wakefield entrance was not part of the original agreement. He said he wants Market Street to succeed but wants the clause removed from the document. Selectman Dalton agreed with this approach. Mr. Boudreau said he was told by the Wakefield town administrator that Wakefield will not ratify the agreement unless the clause remains. Selectman Dalton said by holding this special meeting, he believes the Board has met its obligation. Mr. Boudreau said that the Board of Appeals decision is already binding because it was not appealed in 2013. He said that Market Street could make the argument that the Board was failing to meet the terms of the development agreement by not ratifying the new sewer agreement. Selectman Dalton said the new agreement as presented brings in an unrelated issue.
On the motion of Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Chairman Barrett, the Board voted 2-1 (Selectman Crawford opposed) to ratify the amended sewer agreement with Amendment #4, regarding the Wakefield Board of Appeals decision, deleted.
Recreation Commission appointment
Recreation Commission Chairman Richard Sjoberg recommended the appointment of Richard Mazzola to the seat on the commission recently vacated by Rod Boone, who did not seek reappointment. He said Mr. Mazzola was out of Town due to his child’s hockey travels. He said he has been a director and coach in several local youth sports organizations and will be an asset to the commission. He said Mr. Boone would be missed by the commission.
On the motion of Selectman Crawford, duly seconded by Selectman Dalton, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Richard Mazzola to the Recreation Commission for a term expiring on June 30, 2020.
Use of Town facilities
On the motion of Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford, the Board voted unanimously to approve the blocking of Pillings Pond Road from #56 to #61 for a block party on August 26, 2017 from 2-8 p.m.
On the motion of Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford, the Board voted unanimously to approve the request of the Lynnfield Public Library for the use of the common on July 22, 2017 from 9-11:30 a.m. for a 125th birthday celebration.
Public comment
There was no public comment.
On the motion of Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 9:01 a.m.