March 29, 2018 minutes

Chairman Barrett called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. He announced that the meeting was being recorded for transmission by cable television. He led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Adoption of new language for petitioning of legislature for five new all-alcohol restaurant liquor licenses to Town’s quota

A warrant article directing that the state legislature be petitioned to increase Lynnfield’s quota for liquor licenses in the all-alcohol restaurant category by five was passed by voters at the fall town meeting and filed by the state legislature. The warrant article anticipated that the proposed legislation might be altered in detail but not in substance through the legislative process and allowed for the Board to make such changes as it sees fit. The House Committee on Bills in the Third Reading has requested some minor changes to the language of the hill, resulting in the insertion of the word “zoning” prior to the word “district” ten times throughout the bill, and other minor stylistic changes that do not alter the intent of the warrant article as passed by town meeting.

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that the Board voted to adopt the language as presented by the House of Representatives Committee on Bills in the Third Reading for HR 4289 as presented. Vote was unanimous.

Reopening of annual town meeting warrant

Chairman Barrett explained that last week, after the Board of Selectmen closed the annual town meeting warrant at its last meeting, it came to the attention of Town officials that the on-site septic treatment system contemplated for the proposed age-restricted housing proposal at the Sagamore Golf Course is not allowed in the Groundwater Protection District. This concern was relayed to the project attorney, who on Monday filed a petition article that would amend the zoning bylaws to allow for an on-site septic treatment plant as contemplated in this development in that district, provided that the Board of Appeals approves a special permit for that purpose.

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that the Board vote to reopen the annual town meeting warrant for the acceptance of articles. Vote was unanimous

Discussion of petition article regarding allowing septic treatment facilities in the Groundwater Protection District with Special Permit

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that the Board add to the warrant the petition article as presented, numbering it as Article 22. Vote was unanimous.

Closing of the annual town meeting warrant

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that the Board vote to close the annual town meeting warrant. Vote was unanimous.

Town Administrator update

Town Administrator Robert Dolan gave brief updates on the following topics: reviewing of fee schedules by Board and department heads; potential topics of Community Compact grant funding applications; budget review process; updating of the proposed Perley Burrill subdivision plan; meetings on project mitigation for the two proposed Main Street housing developments; work on school safety procedures.

Public participation

Attorney John H. “Jay” Kimball discussed the numbering of the article submitted by petition and accepted by the Board earlier in the meeting. Attorney Theodore Regnante said the Planning Board will hold a public hearing on April 25 on the new warrant article, which was drafted to give permitting authority for any application to the Board of Appeals, subject to compliance with bylaw standards. He said this method is in line with state regulations.

Chairman Barrett said the Board will consider its recommendation on the article at a later date.

Kenneth Burnham, superintendent of the Lynnfield Center Water District, said that the District has some concern, as the Town’s groundwater protection district bylaw is stricter than state regulations. He said the Board of Water Commissioners is not opposed to the proposed development but would like to have its consulting engineers review any treatment plant design to determine its potential impact on the district’s wellfields. He said a meeting between the project engineer and the LCWD engineers will, be held next week. Project engineer Peter Ogren of Hayes Engineering agreed that this discussion is necessary. He said that the first step is to allow for the use of such facilities in the groundwater protection district, as it is allowed under state regulations.

Chairman Barrett said that the impact on the school-age population would be devastating if a traditional subdivision rather than an age-restricted housing development is built on that site.

Chairman Barrett said the Board would stand in in recess until the opening of the joint public hearing on the budget.

7:00 p.m.  Annual joint public hearing on the budget with Finance Committee

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that the Board vote to enter into joint session with the Finance Committee for the purposes of the annual public hearing on the budget. Vote was unanimous.

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

Notice of the annual public hearing on the budget was duly posted and advertised.

Town Administrator Rob Dolan presented his proposed FY19 spending plan, including his proposed operating and capital budgets.

Mr. Dolan reviewed the process used to develop the budget. He said this proposal places education at the forefront and would continue to invest in maintenance, enhance infrastructure and technology, create a vibrant economic climate and promote business, cultural, historical and recreational opportunities, and promote an active citizenry,

Budget goals include a sustainable and balanced program, no use of non-recurring revenue to balance the budget; an aggressive capital program; building of reserves; funding for the Town’s OPEB liability; and reflecting the priorities of the community.

He reviewed anticipated revenues, including state aid, which is expected to increase by about $68,000, and conservative estimates of local receipts. The enterprise funds status was reviewed. Additional revenue under the Proposition 2 1-/2 cap for property taxes will increase by $1.03 million. New growth revenue is estimated at $325,000, similar to levels prior to the building of Market Street. About 80 percent of the operating budget is personnel.

The Town’s reserves are strong, and the Town and the Board should be proud of the amount of funds in free cash and reserves. The plan includes an increase in the stabilization fund and the capital facilities maintenance fund.

Mr. Dolan said that the Town cannot expect significant additional help from state government in upcoming years. A ballot question this fall would reduce state sales tax revenue, making it less likely the state would add to funding for communities.

Proposed FY19 operating expenditures include increases of 5% for health insurance, 4.5% for the School Department, and 9.3% for pension obligations. Schools are facing large increases in tuitions and transportation related to out-of-district placements for special education students. No new positions are being added outside of the schools. The overall operating budget would increase by 3.45 percent.

An aggressive FY19 capital budget includes $1,753,731 in proposed funding, which includes school technology, road work, electronic voting and check-in at town meeting, a new fire station roof, public safety equipment, a 30-passenger bus for special education, a police cruiser, and a number of smaller items.

Finance Committee Vice-Chair Christopher Mattia said the Finance Committee had reviewed the budget and spending plan and believes it doe a very good job of controlling expenditures while meeting the needs of the Town. He said the Committee will hold a vote on Monday on the operating and capital budgets.

Resident Patricia Campbell had several questions and comments. She spoke in favor of funding in the capital budget for electronic voting and check-in technology for town meetings. She is concerned that school spending is unsustainable and will result in a Proposition 2-1/.2 override in future tears. She asked that voters be supplied with the school line-item budget. She expressed concerns about the Town’s OPEB liabilities. She asked whether the schools could hire an additional aide to help with larger class sizes rather than hiring an additional teacher. She also discussed whether bus routes could be consolidated so that so many half-full buses would not occur.

Ms. Campbell also had questions about the use of the payrate increase fund in the Board of Selectmen budget. Mr. Dolan explained that non-union employees would receive a 2.5 percent salary increase, as union employees received. He said one exception if that the salary for the assistant town administrator would increase by $10,000, reflecting a title change and additional responsibilities.

Ms. Campbell asked about a new part-time position in the cable operation. Mr. Dolan said that the Town must put a contract worker on as a Town employee under federal guidelines. The cost will be similar, and the position will be part-time and not benefit eligible, and is paid from fees that come from the cable television providers.

Ms. McCarthy explained that additional salary funding for non-union employees reflected the clarification of their eligibility for longevity bonuses, as reflected in the personnel bylaw passed in October by voters at town meeting. In response to another question, Ms. McCarthy said senior citizens participating in the tax work-off program receive minimum wage.

Ms. Campbell asked questions about spending in planning, police, and schools. The additional salary for the Planning Board reflected the desire to hire a Planning Director to replace the Planning and Land Use Assistant, at an additional cost of $17,000. Police overtime would be reduced because the Town has added additional funds at the October meeting due to the high use due to patrolman injuries and sick leave.

Ms. Campbell said she worried that the teacher contract will be settled and that voters will be giving a “blank check” for increases in salaries. She also asked why certain salary line items in the school budget seem to increase by amounts ager than the average salary increases granted under the contact. She also asked about purchases of buses versus leasing and the deletion in the fire capital budget of a replacement Jaws of Life tool.

Mr. Mattia said the Finance Committee will be providing additional detail on proposed spending in the town meeting warrant booklet.

Resident Wayne Perry asked how a reduction in the state sales tax rate, as proposed, might affect state aid to communities. He also said the opening of casinos in Springfield and Everett may reduce finding of local cultural efforts through lottery receipts.

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that the joint meeting be adjourned. Vote was unanimous.

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

The Board adjourned at 7:37 p.m.