Minutes
A meeting of the Planning Board (PB) was held on Monday, April 24, 2017 at 6:00 prior to the Lynnfield Town Meeting. Present were: Vice-chairman Heather Sievers, Clerk Charlie Wills, Mr. Brian Charville, and Mr. Michael Sheehan. Chairman John Faria was absent.
Vice-chairman Sievers called the meeting to order and reopened the public hearing regarding all the articles discussed at the prior meeting on April 12, 2017; she then requested a motion to close the public hearing, which was made by Mr. Sheehan and seconded by Mr. Wills, then unanimously agreed to.
- Article #24
Leasing of Massachusetts Bay Transportation authority (MBTA) land for a 99 year term; the land is the former Newburyport Branch railroad right-of-way, for the purpose of creating a multi-use recreational path.
Mr. Randy Russell and Mrs. Marion Orfeo of the Town’s Recreational Path Committee (RPC) said the Board of Selectmen (BOS) had appointed the RPC, a recently revamped group of 9 residents, and charged them with collecting all relevant data and information about any recreational path which may be proposed in town. The current most significant potential development is the Wakefield Lynnfield Rail Trail (WLRT). After reviewing Article #24, the RPC voted unanimously to recommend it to Town Meeting. Mr. Russell noted that the group is usually of very diverse opinions and that their job is to present facts and let the townspeople make the decisions. Mr. Russell added that the article does not obligate the town to approve any future projects or allocate funding for them, but it will allow the town more time to research the potential project.
Vice-chairman Sievers asked if the article was approved, and subsequently, the WLRT project failed, could the town still use the portion of land between the middle school and proposed new library. Mr. Russell said he could not predict what the MBTA would say in such a case. Mr. Charville asked if the town could vote to authorize the BOS to lease “all or any portion” of the land for a rail trail; Mr. Russell said the lease Wakefield signed with the MBTA could be reviewed to try and determine this. Mr. Wills asked why National Grid was going to use the land in Wakefield for electricity if Wakefield has its own electric department; Mr. Russell said he did not know their specific use plans. Mr. Charville asked what the RPC had learned about security and crime on rail trails. Mr. Russell said they looked at data from the National Rail Trail Conservancy and found that crime is almost nonexistent on rail trails. Mr. Charville asked where the RPC would suggest parking be located. Mr. Russell said the current plan does not have parking in place yet, but churches have volunteered their lots and the schools could be used. Mr. Russell said traffic studies should be done. Mr. Charville asked about the 2 road crossings and felt there should be signs warning cyclists riding the recreational path to slow down as well as flashing yellow lights for cars. Mr. Charville also asked about environmental impact on Reedy Meadow, and Mr. Russell thought there would be an extensive period of environmental testing. Mrs. Orfeo said there would be a 120 day review period which would include public hearings. Mr. Sheehan asked if progress on the WLRT could still move forward in the event of a “no” vote on Article #24; Mr. Russell said the RPC’s current agenda extends through the fall. Mr. Wills asked if a “no” vote would be a detriment to outside funding sources; Mrs. Orfeo thought yes, it would be.
- Master Plan Survey
Resident Gil Giugliano said she had been asking for results of the Master Plan Survey to no avail. Vice-chairman Sievers said the data would be available at the Master Plan meeting the following Thursday and invited the resident to come.
- Public Comments
Resident Gil Giugliano stated that she was against the rail trail project. She stated that Mr. Russell had not discussed what would happen if once entered into the agreement with the MBTA, the soil was found to be contaminated. Ms. Giugliano said the town would then be liable for cleaning up the property, as it was for the Mill Pond several years ago.
- Planning Board Recommendation on Article #24
Vice-chairman Sievers asked if the PB wanted to make a recommendation on the article; Ms. Randele said they could make no recommendation and Mr. Charville agreed. Mr. Wills said he would be in favor of authorizing the BOS to enter into the agreement and they could decide. Ms. Randele said that the BOS had voted against it. Mr. Charville motioned that the PB recommend that Town Meeting support Article #24 as printed in the warrant; Ms. Sievers seconded the motion. The motion carried 3 – 1, with Vice-chairman Sievers, Mr. Wills and Mr. Charville voting in favor and Mr. Sheehan voting against.
Signing of recommendation letters took place. Vice-chairman Sievers requested a motion to continue the meeting until the close of town meeting. Mr. Sheehan made the motion; Mr. Charville seconded it, and the motion was unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Lambe, Planning Office