June 17 2020 meeting

Chairman Crawford called the meeting to order at 5:06 p.m. He announced it was being recorded for cable television transmission and via Zoom.

Reorganization of the Board

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that Chris Barrett be elected Chairman.

MOTION by Selectman Barrett, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that Dick Dalton be elected Vice Chairman.

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Barrett: I move that Phil Crawford be elected Clerk.

Chairman Barrett thanked Selectman Crawford for his service as chair and noted his work on the High School fitness room and the Jordan Park projects as well as leading the Town through the global pandemic. He said he has taken great pride in the response of the community, especially young people, to seek positive change in the community. He noted the leadership local youth took in the Lynnfield Black Lives Matter rally. He said the Town is committed to no tolerance for hate speech or behavior or racism in any form.

Chairman Barrett said he wants to focus on the economic well-being of the community and helping business reopen safely; working with the new superintendent of schools, School Building Study Committee and School Committee on school space issues, and beginning the process of renaming the Board from Board of Selectmen to Select Board, which will require a change to the town charter.

Chairman Barrett also congratulated Jane Tremblay for her years of service as an educator in the Lynnfield schools upon her retirement as superintendent.

Discussion of reduction of the Town Meeting quorum requirement under the State of Emergency

Chairman Barrett said that under Chapter 92 of the Acts of 2020, the Commonwealth is allowing Boards of Selectmen, with the agreement of the Moderator, to lower quorum requirements during the State of Emergency. The act requires that the notice of this meeting be posted seven days in advance, which was done. The act allows for quorums to be lowered to 10 percent of the current requirement, which would be 18 in Lynnfield. Moderator Joseph Markey was present for this discussion.

Selectman Dalton said he favors a quorum of 30 people, as this would reduce the risk of not reaching a quorum. He said there are consequences if the Town cannot hold its annual meeting. He said people are still being very cautious about attending larger gatherings, in church and elsewhere. He said this is a one-time event under extraordinary circumstances.

Selectman Crawford said that number would ensure enough residents will be in attendance to go forward. He is concerned about the weather being a factor in turnout. Chairman Barrett said that the numbers for the Town election were low, and said that people may be spending time with their families if the weather is good. He said he fears meeting the reduced quorum requirement.

Moderator Markey said that if the quorum is not achieved, a second attempt could be made the following Tuesday night. He said that it is important that community members, not only Town officials, be in attendance. He said he believes 30 is too low and prefers a reduced quorum of 50.

Selectman Dalton said that even if only 50 people come to town meeting, Town officials will still dominate. He noted only one member of the public participated in the May 27 public hearing on the budget. He hopes for a great turnout, but said if we fail on the first attempt, there is even less of a chance of realizing a quorum on the second attempt.

Moderator Markey said that he recommends a quorum of 50, but in the spirit of compromise, he would be willing to agree to a reduced quorum of 40. The Board members said they were willing to agree on that number.

Resident Patricia Campbell asked about the capacity on the field. Moderator Markey said that 250 people can be accommodated with nine feet of spacing, with family members allowed to sit together.  She expressed her concern that the meeting would be dominated by Town officials. Moderator Markey said that there will be no automated voting due to concerns about virus transmission. Chairman Barrett thanked Mr. Markey for his work to prepare for this town meeting.

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that pursuant to Chapter 92 of the Acts of 2020, the quorum requirement for town meetings held during the State of Emergency be lowered to 40 voters. Vote was unanimous.

Moderator Markey stated his agreement to this temporary lower quorum of 40 residents.

Recommendation on warrant articles

The Board took up the matter of recommendations on the annual town meeting warrant articles.

Article 1 - approval of annual reports

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that the Board recommend passage of Article 1. Vote was unanimous.

Article 2 – election of ceremonial offices

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that the Board recommend passage of Article 2. Vote was unanimous.

Article 3 – Fix compensation of elected office holders

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that the Board recommend passage of Article 3. Vote was unanimous.

Article 4 – Transfer of funds in FY2020

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that the Board recommend passage of Article 4 with the sums as indicated on the town meeting handout. Vote was unanimous.

Article 5 – Pay bills from a prior fiscal year

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that the Board recommend passage of Article 5 with the sums as indicated on the town meeting handout. Vote was unanimous.

Article 6 – Operating budget

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that the Board recommend passage of Article 6, with the operating budget and spending plan as previously adopted by the Board. Vote was unanimous.

Article 7 – Capital budget

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that the Board recommend passage of Article 7, with the capital budget as previously adopted by the Board. Vote was unanimous.

Article 8 – Stabilization Fund

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that the Board recommend passage of Article 8, with an appropriation of $150,000. Vote was unanimous.

Article 9 – Revolving funds

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that the Board recommend passage of Article 9. Vote was unanimous.

Article 10 – EMS enterprise budget

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that the Board recommend passage of Article 10. Vote was unanimous.

Article 11 – Golf enterprise budget

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that the Board recommend passage of Article 11. Vote was unanimous.

Article 12 – Common upgrade project.

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that the Board recommend passage of Article 12, with the funding of $200,000 from free cash. Vote was unanimous.

Article 13 – Bylaw banning minors from sitting at bar

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that the Board recommend passage of Article 13. Vote was unanimous.

Article 14 – Petition article on zoning

There has been talk about legislation that would amend state law by allowing passage of changes to zoning bylaws by a majority rather than a two-thirds vote. This petition article seeks to counteract any such legislation by stipulating that a 2/3 vote would still be required for any changes in zoning in Lynnfield. Town Counsel has opined that the proposed by change would be unconstitutional; the Planning Board has recommended against its adoption. Vote was unanimous.

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that the Board recommend indefinite postponement of Article 14. Vote was unanimous.

Amendment to the Fire Chief contract

Town Administrator Rob Dolan and Fire Chief Glenn Davis have reached agreement on a contract amendment that would provide for a 1.5 percent increase in pay for the current fiscal year as well as an adjustment to the stipend for serving as Emergency Management Director. Chairman Barrett said his performance has been outstanding. Selectman Crawford said that the Emergency Management Director stipend was below average and he and his fellow Board members all praised highly Chief Davis’s performance in this role during the pandemic.

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that the Board approve the Amendment to the Fire Chief Contract as presented. Vote was unanimous.

Appointment to the Conservation Commission

Melanie Lovell has resigned from the Conservation Commission.  Jared Yagjian has been attending Conservation Commission meetings and has served as an associate member of the Commission. In addition, Erin Hohmann has applied for consideration and Planning and Conservation Administrator Emilie Cademartori has invited her to attend Conservation Commission meetings to serve in the associate role.

Chairman Barrett thanked Ms. Lovell for her many contributions as a Conservation Commission member

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that the Board accept the resignation of Melanie Lovell with regret. Vote was unanimous.

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that the Board appoint Jared Yagjian to the Conservation for a term expiring on June 30, 2021. Vote was unanimous.

Update from Town Administrator on operations during state of emergency

Town Administrator Robert Dolan reviewed the continuing meeting for the emergency leadership team, book pickup service at the library, recreation programs that are taking place with appropriate social distancing and safety measures and staff training. Town Hall remains open to the public by appointment. The Department of Public Works is fully operational. Some restaurants have reopened with outside seating plans approved by the emergency management team. The Town has received over $200,000 in reimbursement of COVID-19-related expenses through the federal CARES Act.

Chairman Barrett thanked the Town employees for their work in these matters. He said the Town will continue to support its businesses.

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that the Board adjourn. Vote was unanimous. The Board adjourned at 5:42 p.m.