October 24 2022 meeting

Chair Crawford called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. He stated that the meeting is being recorded for cable television transmission. He asked those in attendance to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.

MOTION by Mr. Connell, duly seconded by Mr. Dalton: I move that the Board enter into joint session with the Finance Committee. Vote was unanimous.

MOTION by Mr. Connell, duly seconded by Mr. Dalton:  I move that Phil Crawford be appointed chair of the joint meeting. Vote was unanimous.

Presentation on Public Safety Building Project

Public Safety Building Committee Chair John Scenna, members of the committee, and Charles Haye of Tappe Architects will be on hand to present the proposed public safety building project.

Fire Chief Glenn Davis said that the current fire stations were merely garages when they were built. He said that 70 percent of calls responded to by the department are emergency medical calls, which was not part of the department’s responsibilities when the stations were built. He said the current stations are inadequate as they lack proper storage space, and space to segregate clean from dirty materials. He said that the stations do not have adequate facilities for female firefighters or incident space for emergency management operations. He said the new stations will be built not only for today’s standards but for the needs of the upcoming decades.

Police Chief Nick Secatore said that since the station was built in the mid-1960s, it has had only one small renovated almost 40 years ago. The proposed station design addresses safety, equity and accessibility issues. He said in the current station, officers must walk prisoners up a staircase into the booking room, which presents a safety issue. There are no facilities for female officers or female prisoners. The lobby is not welcoming and in the spirit of community policing. The design also addresses handicapped accessibility issues.

Public Safety Building Committee Chair John Scenna reviewed the lengthy review process by which the current plan was proposed, including work f=done by the Strategic Planning Committee, which studies all Town capital needs and placed the addressing of public safety facilities second only to elementary school expansion, a project that is already underway. A feasibility study was conducted in 0221, looking at locations, options, and renovation verses building new. In 2022, a conceptual study was funded, and the decision was made to build a new fire headquarters on the site of the South Fire location, with the current police/fire headquarters in the Town center to be expanded, along with an expansion of Town Hall to create additional meting space. Professional consultants worked with the police and fire chiefs to develop the plan being presented tonight.

Charles Haye of Tappe Associates reviewed the proposed plans and how they address the issues raised by the police and fire chiefs. He showed a presentation of the layouts of the buildings, along with exterior views. He said Town Hall would have an enlarged meeting space that could hold 50 people.

Mr. Scenna reviewed the project timeline, with departments moving into temporary locations during the renovations. He said building would begin in the fall of 2023 followed by construction in 2024 and occupancy in late 2025. He said the plan is to seek to bid this project as one project, with a single contractor. He noted that improvements in the Summer-Salem streets intersection will be designed for the future station layout there. The project will be presented to voters for approval at the town meeting on November 14, followed by a vote at a special election on December 6.

The estimated cost of the project is $52 million, plus an 8 percent contingency and a 7.5 percent escalation factor. He said a very detailed cost estimate will be completed by October 3, and reviewed by the architect firm. The estimate includes $11.5 million in soft costs, including technology, furniture, fixtures and equipment, moving, and architecture and design services.

Mr. Scenna said the market escalation factor was based on the quickly rising construction costs of the current market, based on labor issues and product shortages. He said postponing the project would only lead to higher costs.

Town Administrator Robert Dolan agreed and said that municipal bond rates are stable versus other markets in a recession. He said the project has been thoroughly reviewed and scaled back to achieve cost savings after consultation with the project team, including the chiefs. Further reductions were made during the design phase. The biggest decision made was not to phase the project. While this approach may be more work, it will be less costly, and will allow the project to be completed in less than four years. He said this approach should make the project highly desirable for major contractors. H said he is confident the final project will meet the goal and will address needs, not wants. He said the Town will seek to bid the project through the construction manager at risk approach.

Mr. Haye explained the bidding process and relevant state law., He said this approach is the best way to attract good contractors, who will then be active partners in getting the best results for the Town.

Mr. Dolan said that the Town has shown the ability to manage these projects, as the elementary school project is coming in substantially under budget.

Town Accountant and Assistant Finance Director Julianne McCarthy showed that the Town’s total debt obligation will decline significantly in the next three years as it will have paid off the original school renovation project from 2003-04 and the purchase of Reedy Meadow Golf Course. She said that the plan is top replace the retiring debt with new debt to minimize the impact on the tax rate. Mr. Dolan noted that the federal and state governments do not provide assistant for public safety building projects as they do for libraries and schools. He explained the process of a debt exclusion from Proposition 2-1/2 and said the project cost for the owner of a single -family home will be $385 per year, or $32 a month. Information about the project will be uploaded to lynnfieldbuildingprojects.com. He said the Town will again look at programs available to reduce the tax burdens of seniors and veterans.

Mr. Crawford congratulated the team on a great presentation. Finance Committee chair Christopher Mattia asked about the ability of the new building to handle any future changes to the fire staffing structure and the impact on the service if the project is not done. Chief Davis said that the impact would be huge from a function, morale and liability standpoint. He discussed cancer risks to firefighters related to exposure to gear exposed to smoke, which will be isolated in the new designs, and the manner in which female firefighters will have their own space. Mr. Dolan said there will be similar liability and safety problems at the police station and discussed the lack of private meeting spaces in the station for victims of crime and residents discussing often very private issues.

In response to questions, Mr. Dolan and Mr. Scenna discussed the plans for temporary space for Town Hall departments at the former Village Pharmacy, the Senior Center and the Merritt Center.

Mr. Haye answered questions about the incentives provided in the contract to ensure the contractors meet deadlines and Mr. Dolan discussed how the Town has planned the new police and fire stations to meet the changes in the fire service and in community policing. Finance Committee member Thomas Kayola asked if the fire buildings would be able to accommodate a full-time fire service if that is required in the future. Mr. Dolan said the Town is doing everything it can to ensure the hybrid professional/call fire department will thrive, but he and Chief Davis said the new stations could accommodate full-time around-the-clock staffing models. Chief Davis said the reductions to the original plans would not affect this.

Finance Committee member Eugene Covino said the proposal is expensive but fiscally responsible, and a necessity, not a luxury. He said the Town is on borrowed time with the current facilities.

In response to questions, Mr. Scenna said the project will be environment-friendly and meet all current codes. Mr. Dolan said that he believes the project will be adequate to any foreseen growth in the Town’s population. Resident Patricia Campbell questioned whether 15 parking spaces would be adequate for the South Fire/Post Office site. Mr. Haye said that will be during construction only, and that there will be 40 or more spaces available after completion. Town Hall parking will be relatively stable.

MOTION by Mr. Connell, duly seconded by Mr. Dalton: I move that the joint meeting be adjourned. Vote was unanimous.

The Board resumed its regular session.

Closing of special town meeting warrant

Assistant Town Administrator Robert Curtin will review the 13 warrant articles presented for approval. These articles were reviewed at the previous meeting.

MOTION by Mr. Connell, duly seconded by Mr. Dalton:  I move that the Board approve the special town meeting warrant as presented. Vote was unanimous.

Approval of agreement between Town of Lynnfield and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, Council 93, Bus Drivers and School Custodians

Mr. Dolan said an agreement has been reached between the Town negotiating team and the School Custodians and Bus Drivers union for a three-year contract that calls for a 2 percent cost-of-living adjustment in each of the three years, as well as adjustments to uniform allowance, longevity payments, and overtime pay and procedures. The agreement also includes the May memorandum of understanding regarding the High School athletic complex.

MOTION by Mr. Connell, duly seconded by Mr. Dalton:  I move that the Board vote to ratify the agreement between Town of Lynnfield and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, Council 93, Bus Drivers and School Custodians for the period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2025. Vote was unanimous.

Use of Facilities

            a. Common, November 5 and 6, Friends of Lynnfield Library and Lynnfield for Love Used Book Sale

            b. Common and streets, November 20, Lynnfield Rotary Turkey Trot

            c. Common, June 11, 2023, Lynnfield for Love Race Amity Day

MOTION by Mr. Connell, duly seconded by Mr. Dalton:  I move that the Board vote to approve the applications of use of Town facilities subject to any restrictions requested by the Public Works Director and Chief of Police. Vote was unanimous.

MOTION by Mr. Connell, duly seconded by Mr. Dalton:  I move that the meeting be adjourned. Vote was unanimous.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:57 p.m.