June 12, 2017 minutes

Executive session

Chairman Barrett called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.

On the motion of Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford, the Board voted that the Board enter executive session under Mass. General Laws Chapter 30A, Section 21 (a) (3), to discuss ongoing litigation in a personnel matter.

Roll call: Selectman Crawford -aye; Selectman Dalton - aye; Chairman Barrett - aye.

At the conculsion of the executive session, on the motion of Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford, the Board voted that the Board exit executive session .

Roll call: Selectman Crawford -aye; Selectman Dalton - aye; Chairman Barrett - aye.

Open session

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

Update on legal matters and signing of the Center farm deed

Town Counsel Thomas Mulllen updated the Board on two cases in Appeals Court regarding Chapter 40B affordable housing units at the Partridge Lane housing development. In one, Mr. Mullen had told the Board in a previous executive session that the Town would not be likely to prevail and retain this unit in its affordable housing inventory because when the unit was first sold in the early 1990s the deed was not recorded with the proper rider. The unit was remortgaged several times and the current mortgage holder is seeking to sell the unit at full market price. The Town’s position was upheld in summary judgement but was reversed on appeal. He said the Town could seek any excess funds from the sale beyond what is owed the bank, but said it is unlikely there will be any remaining funds, as the bank can recoup attorney’s fees and money is owed to the condominium association as well.

In the other case, involving a unit owned by Mr. Pascucci, the owner failed to appeal the court’s decision in favor of the Town, and the decision is now therefore binding.

In the Styller case, which involves the Town seeking to restrict the rental of a single-family home on a short-term basis, a date has been set in Land Court, on July 18. Today, Mr. Mullen filed in Land Court an order in which the owner agreed not to rent or lease the property until the court has rendered a decision.

Tomorrow is the date for the closing on the Center Farm property. The Board, which had already authorized this action, signed the deed as presented by Mr. Mullen.

Petition for change in beneficial interest, annual all-alcohol restaurant license, Yard House, Inc. Market Street

Attorney Timothy Perry, representing Yard House, explained that there has been a change in the corporate structure in which Darden, the umbrella corporation which owned GMRI, the owner of the Yard House chain, has eliminated the GMRI subsidiary and now owns the Yard House restaurants directly. Board members had no questions.

On the motion of Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford, the Board voted unanimously to approve the change in beneficial interest on the Yard House annual all-alcohol restaurant license.

Appointment to Market Street Advisory Committee

Selectman Dalton said that Sal Yerardi, a resident of Colonial Village and a member of the Board of Directors of LIFE, Inc., was nominated to the committee as a representative of Colonial Village on that committee. Town Counsel advised a special vote would be required of the Board.

On the motion of Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Sal Yerardi to the Market Street Advisory Committee for a term ending on June 30, 2018.

On the motion of Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford, the Board voted unanimously to find that Mr. Yerardi’s financial interest in his housing unit at Colonial Village is not so substantial that it would likely affect his services to the Town as a member of the Market Street Advisory Committee.

Town Administrator Update

Financial Transparency: Town Administrator James Boudreau updated the Board on progress being made toward launching a financial transparency module as part of the Town website. The Town will be the first in the state to launch this new program that works with the Town’s accounting software.

Perley Burrill update: Chairman Barrett recused himself from this portion of the meeting due to his owning land abutting the Perley Burrill site. Mr. Boudreau said the state has given all necessary approvals to begin demolition of the two buildings deemed a safety hazard at the site, and the Town is asking the contractor for a starting date. Chairman Barrett rejoined the meeting

Town website: The committee has reviewed design and content of other municipal websites and will approve a design from the vendor.

MBTA and flooding issues: Legislation to allow the Town to breach the culvert on MBTA property at Reedy Meadow to alleviate flooding issues there is still under discussion with the MBTA.

Public comment

There was no public comment.

Public hearing: Naming of hearing room at Town Hall

Chairman Barrett declared the public hearing, scheduled for 7:15 p.m., open. He said the Board recently approved a policy for the naming of any property for an individual or group. He noted that one of the residents who weighed in on the matter was H. Joseph Maney. He said the unbeknownst to Mr. Maney that he was thinking at the time of how best to honor Mr. Maney, whom he called the best public servant in Lynnfield’s history. He said Mr. Maney has over 50 years of service to the Town.

On the motion of Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford, the Board voted unanimously to open the public hearing to consider the naming of the Town hall meeting room in honor of H. Joseph Maney.

Selectman Dalton said it is a privilege to play a part in this honor and said the recognition of “Mr. Lynnfield” is much deserved, and that Mr. Maney exemplifies what is best in public service. He said he is a man of great dignity and quiet determination. He said no one will equal his longevity and it is doubtful anyone can equal his impact. He thanked Mr. Maney for his service and recognized his family as well.

Selectman Crawford said there is no one in Town more deserving of this honor. He said he is a great model for the Town and exemplifies how to contribute to your community.

Chairman Barrett thanked the Maney family for supporting Mr. Maney’s service to the Town. He said Mr. Maney was the first to urge him to step up and serve the community. He reviewed Mr. Maney’s service as a selectman, moderator, town administrator, chairman of the Charter Commission and his current work as a member of the Board of Directors of LIFE, Inc.

On the motion of Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford, the Board voted unanimously to close the public hearing.

On the motion of Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford, the Board voted unanimously to name the hearing room at Town Hall the H. Joseph Maney Hearing Room.

Mr. Maney thanked the Board and recalled his early days of service to the Town and how the Town government has changed over the decades.

Selectman Dalton thanked the Priestleys for the framed photograph of Mr. Maney which will be displayed in the hearing room.

Selectmen updates

Chairman Barrett said that the Board has adopted employee evaluations of Town department heads as a goal for this year. He has been working on a tool with Mr. Boudreau that is goal-oriented and will include a self-evaluation. Goals and objectives will derive from the process. Eight categories include personal characteristics, professionalism, public relations and communications, relations with the town administrator, community leadership, organizational leadership and personnel management, planning and organization, and financial management. Mr. Boudreau will share this tool with the department heads for their input. Selectman Dalton said this is a great start on this goal, and said the tool is very detailed. Selectman Crawford agreed and thanked the chairman and Mr. Boudreau for working on this.

Chairman Barrett said that he met with the Council on Aging to discuss the formation of a Senior Citizen Advisory Council to ensure there was no duplication of effort. Council on Aging Chairman Fred Santangelo and Senior Center Director Lina Naccara discussed several issues of interest to seniors, and they agreed this now organization would help serve the senior population. He reviewed the proposed mission statement for the Senior Citizen Advisory Committee, which will advise the Board on senior related issues, including tax relief. The composition would include five members from the community, the chairman of the Board of Selectmen (non-voting), the Senior Center Director, one representative from LIFE, Inc., one representative of the Friends of Lynnfield Seniors, one member each from the Council on Aging, Board of Assessors and the Finance Committee. He said he hopes that the committee will be appointed and ready to meet by September. Selectman

On the motion of Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford, the Board voted unanimously to establish the Senior Citizen Advisory Committee as presented. Those interested in serving should contact the town administrator’s office.

Selectman Crawford reviewed work on the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition. He said turnout and support has been tremendous. Over 20 people attended today’s meeting, and local clergy and medical professionals are among those who have stepped forward. An 11-member steering committee will be formed to be appointed by the Board, and will be brought forward at the next meeting. An awareness campaign is being launched and a joint meeting with the School Committee is planned. He said the effort is being called “A Healthy Lynnfield,” and that a logo contest will be launched through the schools in the fall.

Selectman Dalton said the Market Street Advisory Committee has held its organizational meeting and elected Jennifer Bayer as chair and Paula Parziale as vice chair. Representatives of Market Street have agreed to attend the next meeting to build an ongoing dialogue with the committee. A list of action items will be drawn up with committee members assigned to coordinate these efforts.

Proclamation

On the motion of Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford, the Board voted unanimously to approve the proclamation of July 26, 2017 as Spirit of the 27^th Anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act day. Chairman Barrett read the proclamation, which was signed by the Board.

Selectman Crawford said that the Town’s warrant articles regarding the banning or recreational marijuana facilities were approved by the attorney general.

On the motion of Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:43 p.m.