October 5, 2020 meeting

Chairman Barrett called meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. He announced it was being recorded via Zoom, for cable television transmission.

Report of the Strategic Planning Committee

Chairman Barrett introduced the presentation:

The Strategic Planning Committee was formed in May of 2018 by the Board of Selectmen at the suggestion of then-Chairman Dick Dalton, who saw the need for a new committee to evaluate long-term capital projects and ongoing operating challenges facing the Town and advise the Board on these matters.

While calling such committees a “blue-ribbon panel” has become a cliché, the residents appointed to the committee certainly merit this title.  Its members – Col. Joseph Connell, Lauren George, John Scenna, David Basile, Eugene Covino and Richard O’Neil – have distinguished themselves in both the professional world and through their involvement with Lynnfield Town government and community organizations. For the sake of time I will spare those participating in and watching this meeting a recitation of their accomplishments.

Part of the charge to the Committee from the Board was “to advise the Board on the scope of upcoming capital projects, to examine and evaluate options regarding these projects, assist in the prioritization of these projects, examination of funding sources and strategies, and to analyze how these projects will fit in with the Town’s spending plan.” The Committee has been focused on that portion of the charge, which is a herculean task.

In performance of its duties, the Committee has worked with existing committees working on individual capital facilities projects – the Library Building Committee and the School Enrollment and Capacity Exploration Committee and its successor, the School Building Study Committee.

It has also worked with consultants hired by the Town to examine the state of the Town’s facilities. After countless committee meetings and interviews with elected and appointed officials, department heads, Town employees and other community members, the Committee is ready to present its initial report to the Board of Selectmen.

Chairman Connell, the Board and this community owe you and your committee members an immeasurable debt of gratitude for the expertise and dedication you have brought to this task. We thank you personally and on behalf of the Town.

Selectman Dalton said the Town is fortunate to have the service of the volunteers who have served on this committee over the last two years.

Chairman Connell presented a slide show presentation on the Committee’s report. He reviewed the charge of the committee and noted that it focused quickly on the capital and infrastructure needs of the community. The committee will recommend and prioritize projects that were considered during the committee’s many meetings. The second and third phases of the committee’s work will be to look at items not addressed in this first phase of the committee’s work. The committee report will be posted to the Town website, including the backup data.

Mr. Connell said that the Town will have to weigh the implementation of the recommendations against the available resources and other town needs. Priority 1A addresses the elementary schools, the police and fire stations, and the library project. Priority 1B addresses the Town Hall building, the cemeteries and water supply and infrastructure.

The public safety infrastructure includes the police station, fire headquarters and the south fire station. He said the committee looked at renovations, building on the current sites, and building on a new site. He reviewed issues with the police station, including inadequate spaces for dispatch operations, lack of a juvenile or female lock-up, heating and air conditioning issues, and lack of adequate facilities for female employees.

The fire headquarters has an antiquated dispatch office and radio and communication systems. There are not adequate male and female bathrooms, training space, storage area for gear. There is lack of compliance to handicapped access and safety regulations. He said that it is unlikely that grant or state funds will be available for this work.

Mr. Connell said the findings on the school needs mirror the findings of the School Building Study Committee. A study projects increased enrollment at the elementary schools and indicates a need for additional space for that grade level. He illustrated how enrollment will increase for several years and how the need is imminent. He showed where the proposed elementary school expansions would take place on the site. An additional gymnasium is proposed by Huckleberry Hill School. He said that alternatives to building, including eliminating art and music rooms, and larger class sizes, are not acceptable to the community.

On the library building project, Mr. Connell noted this project has been ongoing for several years, with the proposal sent to the state having been submitted by the Town through the work of the Library Building Committee. He said the library serves all ages and that the proposed new library would address the lack of dedicated space for events, programs and meetings. He said the additional space could provide space for recreational programs as well. He reviewed problems with the existing building, including rodent and water issues due to the age of the building. He said there are also access issues.

The proposed new library would be located on the Reedy Meadow Golf Course site, coexisting with the golf course. The total cost would be $21.4 million, with the library building grant reducing that amount to about $13 million in Town funds.

He said the creation of the gymnasium at the library and the new gymnasium at Huckleberry Hill School will provide space for recreational activities. He said the outstanding outdoor recreational facilities meet the Town’s needs, but gymnasium space is at capacity. The Recreation Commission has presented a vision for a recreational center, which the committee is continuing to study. He praised the Recreation Commission for its varied quality programming.

Town Accountant Julianne McCarthy was of great help in looking at financing options. The committee looked at the impact of Proposition 2-1/2 debt exclusions being retired in the years between Fiscal Year 2022 and 2026, including those for the Reedy Meadow golf course purchase and the school building project. This would reduce annual taxes for an average home by over $400 per year. On a 20-year financing for the school, public safety and library building projects, the total Town costs will likely be $74 million. Two of the projects could be funded without additional taxes as those older bonds will be paid off. He said that the projections call for an interest rate of 3 percent, although current rates are below that. The additional cost for the owner of the average home would be $864 per year, less the $416 per year in retiring debt for previous projects, or $448 in additional taxes per year.

The proposed timetable would be to address the schools long-term debt in fiscal year 2023, public safety in 2024, the library in 2026, and the repurpose old library repurposing after that.

Chairman Barrett thanked Mr. Connell and his committee for this work and agreed that the elementary school expansion project is of need right now. He agreed that the public safety and library projects are also worthwhile and the needs have been demonstrated.

Selectman Dalton said this report is what he had envisioned when he suggested the creation of this committee in 2017. He said that two of the most common topics raised to him as a selectman are street and sidewalk infrastructure and traffic. He said the Town has put more funds into streets and sidewalks in recent years, but he sees some dissatisfaction on that issue. Mr. Dolan said that these once these building infrastructure needs are addressed, capacity will be freed up in the operating budget for street and sidewalk issues.

Selectman Crawford thanked Mr. Connell for the comprehensive report. He said the library project is the only project likely to receive significant state funding. He agreed that the elementary school and public safety needs have been well demonstrated. He said the schools must be the first priority due to overcrowding at the elementary schools. On the financing piece, he said short-term debt can be used to finance projects until the debt exclusions for past projects fall off.  Chairman Barrett agreed the school project is the most urgent and that the Town has always supported the schools. He said that an educational effort must take place to communicate this need to the residents. He also recognized the work of Russ Boekenkroeger on the library building project.

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that the Board accept the report of the Strategic Planning Committee. Vote was unanimous.

Use of Town facilities: common, America Needs Fatima, October 10, 2020

Chairman Barrett praised the organizers of this event for the community involvement. He noted that the common is now under construction and asked if an alternative could be found. Assistant Town Administrator Robert Curtin said he had spoken to the organizer, who will be willing to use the lawn in front of the Historical Center on South Common Street instead.

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that the Board vote to approve the use of the area I front of the Historical Center by America Needs Fatima on October 10, subject to any restrictions imposed by the Director of Public Works.

COVID-19 update

Chairman Barrett said he is disappointed that the Town is now designated a “red” community. He said all Town residents have to work together to stop the spread of COVID and maintain the Town’s hybrid educational model. Mr. Dolans aid the emergency management team is meeting and talking every day. A Frequently Asked Questions sheet has been developed.

Emergency Management Director Glenn Davis presented the Frequently Asked Questions document, reviewing topics including social distancing, masks, social gatherings, and free testing sites in the region. This information is available on the Town website. He said anyone with questions can call the COVID information phone line at 781-334-8141. Violations should be reported to the Police Department non-emergency number.

Mr. Dolan said he is hopeful the Town can move from red status to yellow status a week from Wednesday. He said that the Town does not wish to alter the school hybrid model or shut down youth sports, playgrounds and access to public buildings, or further limit local business operations. He asked all residents to comply with the COVID guidelines. Chairman Barrett said some of these changes may be required if Lynnfield remains in the “red” category.
 

Request for executive session under Mass. General Laws Chapter 30A, Section 21 (A) (3) to discuss bargaining strategy with non-union personnel for which an open discussion may adversely affect the Town’s negotiating position

MOTION by Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford: I move that the Board enter executive session under Mass. General Laws Chapter 30A, Section 21 (A) (3) to discuss bargaining strategy with non-union personnel for which an open discussion may adversely affect the Town’s negotiating position.

Roll call vote: Crawford – yes; Dalton – yes; Barrett – yes.

The chairman s announced the Board will not resume regular session. The Board entered executive session at 7:04 p.m. and adjourned at 7:21 p.m.