March 7 2022 meeting

Chair Dalton called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. He announced that the meeting was being recorded for cable television and led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of conservation restriction on two parcels of land at 1452 Main Street known as the Richardson Green property

Town Counsel Thomas Mullen discussed the mechanics of approving the purchase of a conservation restriction on these two parcels as discussed at previous meetings of the Board. He said this transaction, in which the Town assigned the right of first refusal on the property to Essex Greenbelt, and the Town will assist with the purchase through the purchase of a conservation restriction on the property, which will preserve it in its pristine condition in perpetuity.

MOTION by Mr. Crawford, duly seconded by Mr. Connell: I move that the Board vote to approve the grant of a conservation restriction by Essex County Greenbelt to the Town of Lynnfield of two parcels of land at 1452 Main Street as presented. Vote was unanimous. The Board signed the document.

Joint meeting with the Lynnfield Center Water District Board of Water Commissioners to set the compensation for the Tax Collector and Board of Assessors for Fiscal Year 2023 Pursuant to Section 108B, Chapter 41, of the General Laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, this Annual Joint Meeting between the Select Board and the Water Commissioners is called to set the salary to be paid to the Tax Collector and the Board of Assessors for work performed for the District. Lynnfield Center Water District Commissioners Joseph Maney, Jack Adelson and Anders Youngren were in attendance.

MOTION by Mr. Maney, duly seconded by Mr. Adelson: I moved that the joint meeting be

chaired by Mr. Dalton. Vote was unanimous.

MOTION by Mr. Adelson, duly seconded by Mr. Youngren: I move that the joint meeting vote

to waive the reading of the minutes from the 2021 joint meeting. Vote was unanimous.

MOTION by Mr. Youngren, duly seconded by Mr. Maney: I move that the joint meeting vote

to approve compensation for Fiscal Year 2022 annual compensation for services rendered to the

Lynnfield Water District to be set as follows: Tax Collector, $550, and Assessors, $300 each.

Vote was unanimous.

MOTION by Mr. Maney, duly seconded by Mr. Adelson: I move that the joint meeting be

adjourned the meeting sine die. Vote was unanimous. The meeting was adjourned at 6:09 p.m.

Public Safety Building Committee presentation

Chair John Scenna narrated a Power Point presentation and the committee recommended the project to the Board.  A warrant article to fund the design is being drafted for the annual town meeting in May.

Mr. Dolan said the Strategic Planning Committee presented a report that indicated that school space needs was the top priority of capital needs facing the Town, with a public safety building project as the second priority. The Public Safety Building Committee was appointed to recommend a program to the Board and the Town. Chair John Scenna said the existing buildings and programming and space needs were reviewed for both police and fire departments. He thanked Fire Chief Glenn Davis and Police Chief Nick Secatore for their efforts.

Chief Davis noted that turnout gear for firefighters is stored in the open where they are exposed to the carcinogens from the truck exhaust. He noted that the two fire stations date from the early 1960s and were not built to house the ambulance service or modern firefighting operations. Supplies and hazardous materials do not have adequate storage space. There is no adequate office space. Used kitchen equipment was donated years ago. There are not adequate facilities for firefighters to sleep during overnight shifts. There is no provision for shower, bathroom or segregated sleeping facilities for female firefighters. There are a number of code compliance issues. The existing space is cramped in both stations and does not allow for increased functionality.

Chief Secatore said that the station entrance does not provide an adequate interface with the public. The kitchen is original to the building and also serves as the break room and roll-call room. There is inadequate storage space and no facilities for female officers. The female prisoner holding cell is locate din the locker space that would be provided for female officers.  There is no shower for female employees. The booking area for criminal and citizens license application is the same space, and is inadequate without proper storage of shelf space. Dedicated offices in which officers can write reports is lacking. Existing space is not adequate for modern technology and modern police operations.

Mr. Scenna said the problems are clear. The committee looked first at programming space. A team of architects sat with police and fire staff to find what facilities would be needed for modern operations. A feasibility study was completed last summer that review the programming needs. The chiefs looked into what space could be shared and purposed for multiple functions. The committee is recommending a two-part program: the creation of an improved and expanded shared public safety facility at the existing site adjoining Town Hall. The additional space would come in the rear of the building, with a smaller addition in the front to make the stations handicapped accessible. A completely new facility with two floors and four bays would be created at the South Fire site on Summer Street at Salem Street. The existing fire building would be razed once the new facility is completed. The work at the south location would begin first. This would allow for the police and fire operations to continue without interruption.

There are some traffic challenges at the south site. Intersection improvements are in the works under the direction of the town engineer. The building program would be phased, with work beginning at the Town Hall complex.

Mr. Scenna said that the code implications for the Town hall complex are significant, as the three functions are considered one building site. Town Hall would need an elevator and improved ramps. An additional on the back of Town hall would also address these needs and provide with some additional meeting space, much needed by the Town. This room could be accessible when Town Hall is closed. Connectivity to the police, fire and Town Hall segments would be provided, with all security measures incorporated.

A cost estimator has been engaged and provided cost estimates on the school project, which proved accurate. The estimated cost of the program is $42,150,000. This includes soft costs for technology and dispatch and a 10 percent contingency for construction. The committee recommends entering into design this year through 2-023, with bidding for the south station in 2023, with construction in 2023-24. The Town Hall would be bid in 20024, with construction in 2024-25.

Mr. Scenna said the committee will continue to explore options to retain the existing south post office, which has a lease that runs through 2026. The Town is seeking a new long-term lease from the post office if it will not release its lease. This remains an open question.

Mr. Dolan said the major school building project was 20 years ago; the debt for that program will be retired in 2025-26. The program outlined tonight is aimed at meeting programmatic needs in a way that considers the impact on taxpayers. This program is timed to incur the additional debt when the school building program, debt is retired. The current projection is that this program would replace the school debt with this project debt, which could result in no additional tax burden to taxpayers above their current commitment. This program has been reviewed with the Town’s financial consultant.

Mr. Scenna the program presented tonight is the recommendation of the committee, with a request to town meeting for a $3.85 million appropriation for full design of the project. The committee would prepare a request for proposals with a design architect, with the program to begin this summer.

Mr. Connell said that these buildings have exceeded their useful lives in their current condition. He said the timing of the debt retirement is fortunate. He said two fire stations are needed. He praised the work of Mr. Scenna and his committee. He said this is the time to do these projects. The project would also meet the community’s needs for meetings of committees and boards and to make it Americans with Disabilities Act compliance.

Mr. Scenna thanked Finance Committee member Kristin Elsworthy for her contributions. He said her financial background and her work serving as liaison to the Finance Committee has been helpful. He also thanked Mr. Tomasz and Town Engineer Patrick McAlpine.

Chair Dalton thanked the two chiefs for working closely together and with the committee, and Mr. Scenna for his work with the school and public safety projects. He noted the school building project is not only on time and under budget, but delivering more than what was expected in terms of site improvements. He thanked Mr. Connell for his work with the Strategic Planning Committee. He said no motion is required from the Board, which will consider the inclusion of an article in the annual town meeting warrant, at which time the Board will take a vote whether to recommend.

Mr. Crawford agreed the timing is now right to address these infrastructure issues due to the debt coming off the Town’s books. He urged people to rally behind this effort.

FY23 Budget Presentation, Police Department

Chief Secatore presented his proposed FY23 operating and capital budgets. He said there were some challenges presented in the development of the budget but he believes there are some innovative solutions. Since union contracts have not been negotiated, this budget does not include any salary increases that may be granted. He noted there has been some retirements and departures from the department. Through aggressive hiring, there are 2 officers hired, with one at the police academy and one in training on the street. This budget seeks one additional officer due to additional need for administrative and investigative services, and to fill shifts now being filled through overtime.

Hiring a full-time investigator will give the detective supervisor time for administrative and supervisory work. The department only has two administrative officers, the chief and the captain. There has been some savings in the budget through changes in personnel, so the additional position would cost only $58,000 above the current budget. He said this will help with all operations as there is no redundancy in the department.

The capital budget includes a request for $47,500 for one unmarked vehicle, as patrol vehicles are included in the ARPA budget. The budget includes $15,000 for the shared fiber optic network for the Market Street police office. $30,000 has been requested for portable audio and video recorders for interviews in the field, and $75,000 for a dispatch console replacement, which is shared with the fire department. This would be the first year of a two-year program to make the console integrative and accessible through a network cable. The center is about 12 years old. There is also a $30,000 for mobile radios for police and fire vehicles to replaces radios 10-14 years old, and $10,000 for replacement cruiser radios.

Chair Dalton asked for a long-term vehicle replacement plan. Chief Secatore said he has discussed putting together such a plan with the town administrator.

Mr. Crawford asked if all these capital items would be able to be integrated into the building project. Chief Secatore said it would be.

Chair Dalton said he understands the need for administrative support, but said he questions whether it is timely for any department to be adding staff. He said it is the Board’s responsibility to challenge any such requests. Chief Secatore said that this would eliminate standing overtime shifts, and allow all scheduled shifts to be filled at regular pay. Currently, the investigator handles many non-investigatory duties, such as court duties. He said this can require an officer to be pulled off the street. Mr. Crawford asked if the chief could state with confidence that this hiring would reduce overtime. He said if fully staffed there would be no overtime shifts built into the regular schedule.

FY23 Budget Presentation, Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services

Chief Glenn Davis presented his proposed FY23 operating and capital budgets. He reviewed his departmental goals, including work on the COVID epidemic, the building program, capturing all eligible reimbursements and grants. He said his chief goal is recruiting and retaining the call firefighting force, which is extremely challenging. In his three years as chief, 23 members have left the department for other positions, relocation, or finding call firefighting no longer fits in their lifestyle. It demands 16 weeks in the call fire academy and 16 weeks of emergency medical technician training. They also must respond to 10 percent of all calls, and complete annual training requirements. Lynnfield is not alone in these challenges. Many call firefighters are not available for daily shift work due to other work commitments. Less than half of the 23 call firefighters are meeting that 10 percent requirement. He said he is committed to this model for the foreseeable future.

Another factor is the regional EMT staffing crisis. The pay for an EMT is now similar to that of a supermarket cashier. Private ambulance services find they cannot staff their shifts, which creates an additional burden on municipal services. The Town has three fully stocked advances life support (ALS) ambulances. Surrounding communities are increasingly calling on Lynnfield for aid, often because they rely on private ambulance services.

In response to Chair Dalton’s question, Chief Davis says the Town can bill for any ambulance runs in other communities to the patient’s insurance.

In the operating budget, all salaries were increased by two percent, although the fire union contract has yet to be settled. Additional funds have been added to the expense budget for training and technology costs, which have been level funded for serval years. Some of the service contracts for technology are increasing. Telephone and service contract subscription costs are also increasing.

Mr. Crawford asked if the closing of Union Hospital has increased run times. Chief Davis said that Melrose-Wakefield Hospital is the closest hospital. Lahey Clinic in Bedford is the most accessible trauma location. COVID disinfection protocols and the overcrowding of emergency rooms due to COVID have made a major difference in the time in which apparatus is returned to service.

The capital budget includes $11,258 for mobile data terminals for all apparatus to allow for greater access to data during emergencies, such as hydrant locations. $10,000 for video laryngoscopes will assist with intubation of patients, which is safer for patients and firefighters. The fire department’s share of the fiber optic program shared with police is also included in the request. Replacement of 15-year-old tires on the ladder truck is $7,000. The annual hose replacement request of $5,000 is included. This program prevents all hose being replaced at once. The largest request is for a pumper truck, at $651,000. A $95,000 request for renovations at fire headquarters would provide dedicated sleeping space for female firefighters.

There was some discussion of the preparation of the former South Library for fire and emergency management office space. Chief Davis will provide a vehicle and equipment replacement program.

Under the Emergency Medical Services account, due to the COVID pandemic, ambulance use for non-COVID issues was greatly reduced, affecting revenues negatively. The retained earnings balance in the EMS account is over $200,000 which could go toward purchase of a new ambulance. Billing has been returning to normal levels in recent months. A new initiative has reduced costs for equipment and medication replacement.

Mr. Dolan noted that an ambulance at a cost of $308,000 was purchased through federal ARPA funds, as was $115,000 in turnout gear. Mr. Dolan said a new study about cancer and carcinogens in firefighter turnout gear is frightening.

Approval of annual town election warrant

MOTION by Mr. Crawford, duly seconded by Mr. Connell:  I move that the warrant for the annual town election be approved as presented by the Town Clerk. The vote was unanimous.

Appointment of election workers

MOTION by Mr. Crawford, duly seconded by Mr. Connell:  I move that the election workers recommended by the Town Clerk be appointed. The vote was unanimous.

Use of Facilities requests:

a. Common, Memorial Day, annual observance

b. Newhall Park, Centre Congregational Church, Easter service

MOTION by Mr. Crawford, duly seconded by Mr. Connell:  I move that the Board vote to approve the Use of Facilities requests as presented subject to any conditions that may be placed on them by the Police Chief or Public Works Director. The vote was unanimous.

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

The meeting was adjourned at 7:59 p.m.