November 26, 2018 minutes

Chairman Dalton called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Interview for Finance Committee

Christopher Caprio has applied for appointment to the Finance Committee vacancy created when Jack Dahlstedt did not seek re-appointment. He has previously applied for the Finance Committee and has the recommendation of the committee chairman. Mr. Caprio said he has worked in finance for almost 20 years and manages a team of accountants, and works as chief financial officer of an information technology services company.

MOTION by Selectman Crawford, duly seconded by Selectman Barrett: I move that the Board appoint Christopher Caprio to the Finance Committee for a term to expire on June 30, 2021. Vote was unanimous.

Public hearing: Tax Classification: allocation of the local property tax levy among the five property classes, as defined in Section 2-A of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 59, for the fiscal year 2019 beginning July 1, 2018.

The annual public hearing on property tax classification was duly posted and advertised.

MOTION by Selectman Crawford, duly seconded by Selectman Barrett: I move that the Board open the public hearing on tax classification. Vote was unanimous.

Assessing Director Raymond Boly reviewed the changes in valuations for the classes of property. Over the past several years, the Board has chosen a split tax rate, and has chosen to adjust the rate to address variations in the relative rates of appreciation in properties in the various classes. To maintain the past policy of equalizing to the extent possible the percentage increase on the average residential and commercial property, the Board would have to adopt a residential shift factor of 1.24. He said this is the recommendation of the Board of Assessors. He noted that the Board has never chosen to adopt the residential exemption and small business exemption options. He said that due to changes in sales data, the valuation of condominiums will see an increase4 of 7 to 8 percent. He said this change reflects market forces and comports with full and fair value.

Thomas DeSimone of WS Development, which leases space to tenants in the Market Street development, asked the Board to reduce the shift factor to 1.2 in order to provide some relief to commercial taxpayers. He said that his firm picks up increases in taxes that cannot be passed on to tenants, and said that the tax payment for the average tenant in the development is a challenge. He said that the amount of taxes being paid by Market Street far exceeds the projections made when the development was approved. He said the Town nets about $3 million annually in tax revenue above the amount of additional expenses the Town incurs due to the presence of the development.

Patrick Lyons, co-owner of Kings, said his company is happy to be in Lynnfield. He said that the taxes paid in Lynnfield are about 30 percent higher for his business than in its Burlington and Dedham, locations. He said price increases cannot be implemented to offset this cost because of the competitive entertainment environment.

MOTION by Selectman Crawford, duly seconded by Selectman Barrett: I move that the Board vote to adopt the residential shift factor of 1.24 as recommended by the Board of Assessors and Assessing Director. Vote was unanimous.

Chairman Crawford declared the public hearing adjourned.

Approval of Fire Chief contract

Town Counsel Thomas Mullen has drafted a contract agreement for newly appointed Fire Chief Glenn Davis, who was appointed as chief starting on January 1. That contract is acceptable to Mr. Davis and has been reviewed by the town administrator.

MOTION by Selectman Crawford, duly seconded by Selectman Barrett: I move that the Board approve the contract for Fire Chief Glenn Davis for a term commencing on January 1, 2019 and concluding on December 31, 2021. Vote was unanimous.

Board members expressed their confidence that Chief Davis will do an outstanding job.

Town Counsel compensation

Town Counsel Thomas Mullen has requested an adjustment in his rate, the first such adjustment in five years and the second during his 15 years as town counsel. The change would affect only the work performed by Mr. Mullen; the rate for his associate would not change.

Chairman Dalton said the town counsel has served Lynnfield very well over the years, and is respected by boards and committees and recognized as one of the finest municipal law practitioners in the state. he said his rate is very reasonable. Selectman Crawford and Selectman Barrett agreed.

MOTION by Selectman Crawford, duly seconded by Selectman Barrett: I move that the Board approve a rate of $175 per hour for Town Counsel Thomas Mullen, effective January 1, 2018, with the rate for associates to remain at $150 per hour. Vote was unanimous.

Appointment of Board of Selectmen designee to the North Suburban Planning Council

MOTION by Selectman Crawford, duly seconded by Selectman Barrett: I move that Emilie Cademartori be designated as the Board’s designee to the North Suburban Planning Council. Vote was unanimous.

Appointment of Board of Selectmen representative and alternate to the Massachusetts Area Planning Council

MOTION by Selectman Crawford, duly seconded by Selectman Barrett: I move that Robert Dolan be named Board’s representative to the Massachusetts Area Planning Council and that Emilie Cademartori be designated as the alternate representative. Vote was unanimous.

Town Administrator Update:

Town Administrator Robert Dolan gave very brief updates on several ongoing goals and projects, including department head evaluation tools, the upcoming auction of the Perley Burrill property, the Perry Avenue area flood prevention work at the railroad culvert, the King Rail clubhouse project, school space and enrollment studies, and the Complete Streets program application.

Public participation

There was none.

MOTION by Selectman Crawford, duly seconded by Selectman Barrett: I move that the Board adjourn. Vote was unanimous. The Board adjourned at 7:30 p.m.