September 13, 2017 minutes

Chairman Barrett called the meeting 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.

Appointments/interviews for Town committees

The Board interviewed several candidates for Town boards and committees. The Board thanked each resident for coming forward and volunteering their time on behalf of the Town.

Town Meeting Study Committee: Residents Bella Travaglini and Laurie Perino reviewed their work, education and volunteer experience.

The Board has previously interviewed residents Jack Adelson, Gary Hathaway, Robert MacKendrick and Richard Regitano Jr. Resident Jill Giugliano was unable to attend but Chairman Barrett said she is well known ball the Board members.

On the motion of Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford, the Board voted unanimously to expand the membership of the Town Meeting Study Committee from five to seven members.

On the motion of Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford, the Board voted unanimously to appoint the following residents to the Town Meeting Study Committee: Laurie Perino; Malka Travaglini., Jill Giugliano, Jack Adelson, Gary Hathaway, Bob MacKendrick, Richard Regitano Jr.

On the motion of Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford, the Board voted unanimously to name Mr. Adelson as temporary chairman of the Town Meeting Study Committee.

Finance Committee: Daniel Curran and Nancy Piotrowski Alexander reviewed their work, education and volunteer experiences. Chairman Barrett said he expects that another candidate will come forward and he said the matter will be considered at the Board’s next meeting.

Senior Citizen Advisory Committee: Patricia Campbell, Katherine Flaws, Pam Fine, Beverley Tecce, Bob Zwolinski, Georgann Lieb appeared before the Board and reviewed their educational, work and volunteer experiences and discussed their interest in serving on the newly formed newly Senior Citizen Advisory Committee.

Chairman Barrett recommended that the number of at-large positions on the committee be increased from five to six, and that a representative from the Recreation Commission be added.

On the motion of Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford, the Board voted unanimously to increase the number of at-large members on the SCAC from five to six and to add a member from the Recreation Commission.

On the motion of Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford, the Board voted unanimously to appoint the following members to the Senior Citizen Advisory Committee: Christopher Goguen, Katherine Flaws, Pam Fine, Bob Zwolinski, Georgann Lieb and Patricia Campbell.

On the motion of Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Christopher Goguen as acting chairman of the committee.

Reading Municipal Light Citizens Advisory Committee: On the motion of Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Vivek Soni, who had interviewed with the Board at a previous meeting, as Lynnfield’s representative on the Reading Municipal Light Citizens Advisory Committee for a term expiring on June 30, 2020.

Recreational Path Committee: Chairman Barrett recused himself from this portion of the meeting as he has a sibling who owns property abutting the proposed rail trail.

Resident Gerard Noumi reviewed his work, educational and volunteer experiences and said his is neutral on this issue, and said he would wish to hear from all sides on the issue and consider all trail options.

Selectman Dalton said the committee is in need of new members.

On the motion of Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Gerard Noumi, Matt DiVirgilio and Joel Steiner to the Recreation Path Committee.

Chairman Barrett rejoined the Board.

Petition for change of officers and directors and change of beneficial interest, Whole Foods Market Group, Inc., dba Whole Foods, 427 Walnut Street

Attorney Karen Simao of McDermott, Quilty & Miller, LLP, representing Whole Foods Market Group, explained the change in officers and director resulting from the sale of the Whole Foods business. This affects all stores and the change has been pre-approved by the state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission. There is no change in the management of the Lynnfield location.

On the motion of Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford, the Board voted unanimously to approve the change of change of officers and directors and change of beneficial interest petition as submitted by Whole Foods Market Group, Inc., dba Whole Foods, 427 Walnut Street.

Proposed warrant article to change annual Town election date to Tuesday

Town Clerk Trudy Reid reviewed a proposed warrant article for the Fall town meeting that would seek a change in the charter to move the annual Town election in April from the second Monday in April to the second Tuesday. This is intended to allow for set-up on Monday during the work week to avoid conflicts with religious observances and paying of double time to DPW employees. She noted Tuesday elections are also the state and federal practice. She said she did not see any downside to the change. Board members expressed their agreement.

On the motion of Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford, the Board voted unanimously to include the warrant article for the proposed charter amendment to change the date of the Town election in the fall town meeting warrant.

Personnel Board proposed personnel bylaw revision

Personnel Board member Michael Griffin reviewed changes made to the proposed new personnel bylaw made since the discussion on this matter at the August 21 meeting. Substantial changes include adding to the town administrator’s role responsibility for training, development and performance review of department heads who directly report to that position, simplified language regarding employee signing of performance reviews, and the addition of domestic violence leave, sexual harassment, Town computer use and social media policies to the bylaw. Workplace violence and whistleblower protection policies are being drafted. Future policies may include policies on transgender employees. There is no state law on which to base such a policy yet.

Chairman Barrett thanked Mr. Griffin for the update and asked if a one-page summary could be prepared to be handed out at town meeting. Mr. Griffin said the entire package is about 70 pages.

Kenneth McNulty, a former Personnel Board member, asked about a proposed change in the sick-time buyback provision. He asked why employees should be able to cash out unused sick days. Mr. Boudreau said it only affected current employees and would being non-union employees in line with union employees. It will not be extended to future employees. Selectman Dalton said he shared Mr. McNulty’s concerns but said equitable treatment of all employees was an overriding factor. Mr. McNulty said these provisions could be revisited during future union contract negotiations. Resident Katherine Flaws said that the Town should offer similar benefits to the private sector in order to attract good workers.

Street signs for Gold Star veterans

Chairman Barrett said that resident Louis Trapasso has worked on research about the Todd Brothers, who died in service to their country during World War II, and the Board is considering honoring them with a special sign on Todd Lane, which is named for them. Similar signs would be planned for Townsend Road and Jordan Road, named for Daniel Townsend, who died in the Revolution, and Allen Jordan, who died in the Viet Nam Conflict.

Mr. Boudreau said that designs are under consideration and that they should be ready for dedication ceremonies on Veterans Day. It was suggested that the Historical Society and family members of those being honored be included.

Ratification of contract with custodians and bus drivers bargaining unit

Mr. Boudreau presented final contracts for the Public Works and Clerical bargaining units, provisions of which were previously approved by the Board when they ratified the Memoranda of Understanding between these bargaining units and the Town.

On the motion of Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford, the Board voted unanimously to approve the contract between the Town of Lynnfield and the School Custodians and Bus Drivers bargaining unit for the period July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2019 as presented.

Meeting schedule for 2017-2018

On the motion of Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford, the Board voted unanimously to approve the meeting schedule for September 2017-June 2018.

Selectmen Update:

Townsend Award: Chairman Barrett said he had reviewed several nominations for the Daniel Townsend Award for Excellence, established this year. He nominated Arthur J. Bourque III, nominated by resident Kathryn Price, as the first recipient, and reviewed his lengthy service to the Town as a youth sports coach and board member, call firefighter, selectman, moderator, fields committee chair, and president of Townscape, Inc. He is also a retired state police officer and veteran of the National Guard whose charitable activities include the Reid Sacco Foundation and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Selectman Dalton commented that the Town saved thousands of dollars through Mr. Bourque’s service as project manager on the fields program. He said Mr. Bourque was the best choice for the honor. Selectman Crawford said that no one in Town has done what he has done over years of service.

On the motion of Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford, the Board voted unanimously to honor Arthur J. Bourque III as the 2017 recipient of the Daniel Townsend Award for Excellence.

Recreational path project: Selectman Dalton said that there have been some resignations and one person has been removed from the Recreational Path Committee, but the remaining members are committed individuals. They are drafting a mission statement and are not to be an advocacy group, but a fact-finding group servicing in an advisory capacity to the Board. Selectman Crawford said that previous path proposals were voted down due to abutter objections. He said other recreational paths, such as a dog park, should be looked at along with the rail path under consideration.

Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition/A Healthy Lynnfield: Selectman Crawford said that a Hidden in plain sight” child’s bedroom was set up at the middle school and high school for open houses to instruct parents on how to find signs of substance abuse among their children. It will be on display at the Fire Department open house and will be set up at Town Hall. Lahey Health has committed funds to undertake the Youth Risk survey in the high school and middle school. A parent survey will follow.

Fields project: Selectman Crawford said the work at the middle school is ongoing and the grading on the new track began today. The final coat may be applied in late October if weather cooperated. If not, it will be completed in the spring.

Master Plan Survey review – senior citizen response

Planning Board member Heather Sievers reviewed the results of a community survey undertaken as part of the master plan project. The results will be posted on the website dedicated to this project.

Ms. Sievers said that larger themes include the following: seniors view the Town as their legacy to pas son to future generations, and see that legacy as a quiet New England town with open space and a community based on volunteerism. They feel more strongly about protecting historic resources than other residents, and are somewhat more resistant to change.

They want open space and wetlands preserved but are less likely to support additional funding for playgrounds and fields. They are concerned about high taxes and cists of services and over-development. They ant to renovate existing buildings instead of building new. They on the whole oppose moving the public works facility and repurposing the golf course. They want more affordable housing in Town, including in-law apartments, but do not want more new construction of single-family homes.

Seniors are more interested than their counterparts in having roadway and sidewalk maintenance addressed and want taxi, bus or shuttle services to shopping centers, the Senior Center and the airport. They are split on whether to develop the rail trail.

Chairman Barrett said that these results will be useful to the newly formed Senior Citizen Advisory Committee.

Town Administrator Update

Mr. Boudreau gave brief updates on several projects. He said the Town should consider having the Department of Revenue review the Town’s financial procedures. Board members agreed with the outside financial review. He said that he will look at outsourcing the Town-side information technology services and said the Town needs a technology plan similar to that used by the schools. Chairman Barrett asked if the Town and schools should share a technology committee. Selectman Dalton said an emphasis must be out on Town-side needs. In response to resident comments, Mr. Boudreau said firewall and antivirus protection is robust.

Mr. Boudreau said that he is working with Town Accountant Julianne McCarthy and the Finance Committee on the budget document. He said work has begun on a request for proposals for the Perley Burrill property for the sale of the property; clean-up work there is done. The Reedy Meadow flooding issue was the subject of a recent meeting with Town officials, State Rep. Bradley Jones and MBTA representatives. An estimate of engineering cost will be ready by fall town meeting. Cost estimates for engineering work for flood issues in the Ledge Road and Canterbury Road area should be ready by December, with funding to be considered in the development of the budget. On the fields project, the track must sit for 21 days before a final surface is applied, which may not happen until the spring.

Public Comment

Resident Patricia Campbell suggested that the budget summit be televised on local cable. She was informed it has been for several years.

Use of Town Facilities

On the motion of Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford, the Board voted unanimously to move that a banner be raised above the common from October 28 to November 4, 2017 for the Lynnfield Art Guild’s fall show

On the motion of Selectman Dalton, duly seconded by Selectman Crawford, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 9:01 p.m.