January 24 2022 meeting

Chair Dalton called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. He announced that the meeting was being recorded for cable television and led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Chair Dolan expressed the condolences of the Board and the Town to the family of Assistant Town Administrator Robert Curtin on the death of his father, Edward Curtin.

Appointment of Library Building Committee 

Proposed members of a new Library Building Committee, as recommended by the Board of Library Trustees, were presented for your consideration by Trustees Chair Russ Boekenkroeger.

Mr. Boekenkroeger said these recommendations were voted by the Board of Trustees. This new committee would supersede the previous committee, membership. Some of the members had served previously. Mr. Barrett previously served as the Select Board representative. Mr. Kayola is a Finance Committee member, as is Chris Mattia. Mr. Kenneally is a Library Trustee. Ms. DePrizio is a School Committee member but will not represent that committee, but serve as an at-large member, along with Ms. Bates and Ms. Kelly, who were supporters of the school building project. He said the committee is a good cross-section of the community and will be holding several public meetings.

He also presented the proposed liaisons and ex-officio members, who will not need to be appointed by the Board as they will not have voting power. Liaisons are Brian Charville - Chair, Planning Board; John Tomasz – Director Department Public Works. Ex-officio and non-voting members are: Abigail Porter – Acting Library Director; Phil Crawford – Select Board; Joseph Markey – Town Moderator; John Scenna – Town Administrator Consultant, Capital Projects.

Mr. Boekenkroeger said that the Trustees are seeking $30,000 to review the original cost estimate in light of changes. The state grant will not be affected. The Town is ninth on the state grant waiting list. One of the communities ahead of Lynnfield has self-funded and has already built its library. The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners is seeking additional funding for the building program, which if granted could accelerate the timeframe in which Lynnfield would have to decide whether to accept the grant and fund the entire project. He said the Town must be prepared for this.

Mr. Crawford and Mr. Connell thanked those who have volunteered.

MOTION by Mr. Crawford, duly seconded by Mr. Connell: I move that the following be appointed to the Library Building Committee: Russell Boekenkroeger, Andrew Kenneally, Alison Squadrito Bates, Kate DePrizio, Sarah Kelly, Kate Flaws, Steve Todisco, Nick Conners, Chris Mattia, Chris Barrett, Tom Kayola. Vote was unanimous.

Amendment of liquor license for Change of Manager, LSF Lynnfield, LLC, dba Legal C Bar, 220 Market Street 

On Saturday, the attorney for LSF Lynnfield advised that the manager would be unavailable and asked that this item be deferred to our next meeting. 

Proposed change of date for 2022 annual town meeting to Monday, May 16 

Chair Dalton explained that under Massachusetts General Law, the Select Board is empowered to choose a date for annual town meeting even if the charter specifies a date. As it would be advantageous to prepare budgets with actual amounts rather than estimates in areas such as state aid, insurance and other variables, the Board is asked to consider setting the date for the annual town meeting in 2022 for Monday, May 16. 

Town Administrator Robert Dolan said that approval of the state budget is taking longer, and the state General Insurance Commission is taking longer to set health insurance rates for the employee program. He said this will give the Town a better chance to understand these factors. Mr. Crawford and Mr. Connell agreed,

MOTION by Mr. Crawford, duly seconded by Mr. Connell I move that pursuant to Mass. General Law Chapter 39, Section 9, the Select Board set the date and time for the 2002 annual town meeting for Monday, May 16 at 7:00 p.m. Vote was unanimous.

Town Administrator contract 

Chair Dalton explained that at the anniversary of the hiring of the town administrator, it has been customary for the Board to address the term of contract and the compensation of the position. A proposed amendment to the current contract has been drafted, calling for an extension of the contract by one year to the full two years allowed under the Town Charter, and a two-percent annual increase in salary. All other aspects of the contract would not be altered.

Mr., Crawford said Mr. Dolan has done an exceptional job, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Connell said that it has been amazing what the Town has accomplished under his direction.

MOTION by Mr. Crawford, duly seconded by Mr. Connell: I move that the Board approve the proposed amendment to the contract between the Town of Lynnfield and Town Administrator Robert Dolan. Vote was unanimous.

Mr. Dolan thanked Mr. Curtin, the team appointed by the Board, and the Board, which holds the Town government to high standards but also provides the support and guidance that has made the Town an outstanding community.

Use of Facilities requests: 

a. Common, June 1, 2022, Library Concert 

b. South Hall lot, January 30, 2022, Girl Scouts cookie drive 

MOTION: I move that the Board vote to approve the Use of Facilities applications, subject to any restrictions placed on it by the Police Chief and Director of Public Works. 

MOTION by Mr. Crawford, duly seconded by Mr. Connell: I move that the Board vote to adjourn. Vote was unanimous.

 The meeting was adjourned at 6:20 p.m.