December 13 2021 meeting

Chair Dalton called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. He announced that the meeting was being recorded for cable television and led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Appointment of Assistant Plumbing Inspector and Assistant Electrical Inspector

Mr. Dalton said that from time to time, due to vacation or illness, the Town has need to employ fill-in personnel in our Inspectional Services department.

Building Inspector Joseph O’Callaghan is recommending that Thomas Minnerva of Lynnfield be named Assistant Electrical and Wiring Inspector and that Kurt Romano of Revere be named Assistant Plumbing Inspector. Both have performed inspections in their field for other Massachusetts municipalities.

MOTION by Mr. Crawford, duly seconded by Mr. Dalton: I move that the Board vote to appoint Thomas Minnerva of Lynnfield Assistant Electrical and Wiring Inspector. Vote was 2-0 (Mr. Connell absent).

MOTION by Mr. Crawford, duly seconded by Mr. Connell: I move that the Board vote to appoint Kurt Romano of Revere as Assistant Plumbing Inspector. Vote was unanimous.

Police Chief contract

Mr. Dalton said that subsequent to the appointment of Police Chief Nicholas Secatore, the Town Administrator and the Chief negotiated am employment contract, drafted by Town Counsel Thomas Mullen on the basis of the requirements of the Board. The contract has been agreed to by the parties.

Mr. Crawford thanked all the parties for their work on the contract.

MOTION by Mr. Crawford, duly seconded by Mr. Dalton: I move that the Board vote to approve the Employment Agreement between the Town and Police Chief Nicholas Secatore. Vote was 2-0 (Mr. Connell absent).

Appointment of police captain

Mr. Dalton said that with the appointment of Chief Secatore, a vacancy in the position of captain was created. The Town had an active captain’s list provided by the state Human Resources Division’s Civil Service unit, following a comprehensive assessment center held in 2020.

Three candidates participated, one of whom, Nicholas Secatore, was promoted to captain in 2020 following the retirement of Karl Johnson.

Much like the more recent chief assessment center, this assessment center required candidates to perform various tasks and cope with various management and police challenges. Candidates were graded by police professionals on their responses, and the civil service unit provided the Town with a ranked list based on these scores and education and experience points. Of the two remaining candidates, Sgt. Christopher DeCarlo achieved the highest score. His promotion is recommended by Chief Secatore, and Town Administrator Robert Dolan, as appointing authority, is requesting the Board’s approval of his promotion as well.

Mr. Dalton said he has every confidence that Mr. DeCarlo is the right person and will excel in this role. Mr. Crawford agreed.

MOTION by Mr. Crawford, duly seconded by Mr. Dalton: I move that the Board vote to appoint Christopher DeCarlo as captain of the Lynnfield Police Department, effective December 13, 2021. Vote was 2-0 (Mr. Connell absent).

Appointment of police patrolman

Mr. Dalton explained that Chief Secatore is also recommending that Gianfranco Pisano, who has served in the Police Department as a part-time dispatcher, be appointed as a police patrolman. Mr. Pisano has the highest score on the most recent Civil Service patrolman list, from 2019. As that list was due to expire, the Town at the recommendation of then-Acting Chief Secatore, made a conditional offer employment to Mr. Pisano, based on his ranking as the highest candidate willing to accept the position who has passed a pre-screening by the Department, as his character and quality of work was known to be exemplary from his employment by the Department Town Administrator Robert Dolan as appointing authority, is requesting the Board’s approval of his conditional appointment, subject to Mr. Piano successfully completing the Police Academy, which he will begin next month..

MOTION by Mr. Crawford, duly seconded by Mr. Dalton: I move that the Board vote to appoint Gianfranco Pisano as a patrolman in the Lynnfield Police Department, subject to his successful completion of the Police Academy, with a starting date of January 16, 2022. Vote was 2-0 (Mr. Connell absent).

Announcement

At 6:30 p.m., a brief ceremony will be held in which Chief Secatore and Captain DeCarlo will be sworn in and Town Clerk Linda Emerson will administer the oath of office. We invite their colleagues, state and town officials, fellow Town employees and their invited friends and family to stay for that ceremony.

MOTION by Mr. Crawford, duly seconded by Mr. Dalton: I move that the Board adjourn. Vote was 2-0 (Mr. Connell absent).

The meeting was adjourned at 6:12 p.m.