September 12 2022

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.

Vote to postpone fall town meeting to November 14

Chair Crawford said that to give adequate time to review the development proposal at the Sagamore golf course and to allow for time to obtain comprehensive cost estimates for the proposed public safety building project, we are recommending that the fall town meeting be held on Monday, November 14, at 7:00 p.m., at the Middle School.

MOTION by Mr. Connell, duly seconded by Mr. Dalton: I move that the Board vote to hold the fall town meeting on Monday, November 14, 2022 at Lynnfield Middle School, 5050 Main Street. Vote was unanimous.

Open warrant for submission of articles

MOTION by Mr. Connell, duly seconded by Mr. Dalton: I move that the Board vote to open the fall town meeting warrant for acceptance of articles and set as the closing date for the warrant as Monday, October 24, at 6:00 p.m. Town Boards and departments should submit articles to the Town Administrator’s office no later than Monday, October 17. Petition articles must be submitted no later than Thursday, October 20 at noon for certification of signatures.

Zoning Board of Appeals appointments

Sean Riley, familiar to many as a former member of the Finance Committee, has applied to serve as an alternate member of the Board of Appeals. Board chair Anthony Moccia has discussed the position with Mr. Riley and is recommending his appointment. Alternate member Elizabeth Gaskins has agreed to serve as a full member with the vacancy created by Eric Chisholm, who did not seek reappointment. Chair Crawford thanked Mr. Chisholm for serving and said he has known Mr. Riley, an attorney who also owns a mortgage company, for many years. He said he agreed with Mr. Moccia that he will make an excellent addition to the Board of Appeals. Mr. Connell said he has demonstrated commitment to the Town and has an excellent reputation. Mr. Dalton said his experience in Town government and his skill set will serve him well.

MOTION by Mr. Connell, duly seconded by Mr. Dalton: I move that the Board vote to appoint Elizabeth Gaskins as a full member of the Board of Appeals and to appoint Sean Riley as an alternate member of the Board of Appeals with a term to conclude on June 30, 2025. Vote was unanimous.

LIFE, Inc. Board of Directors appointment

Longtime LIFE, Inc. Board of Directors member Joe Maney did not seek reappointment to a new term. Former Board of Directors member Fred Santangelo, well known to all of his for his service on several Town boards, most recently Council on Aging, has indicated an interest in rejoining the Board of Directors. Due to his past service on that Board, Mr. Santangelo was not asked to appear tonight, as he known to the Board members, who praised him for his many years of service.

MOTION by Mr. Connell, duly seconded by Mr. Dalton: I move that the Board vote to appoint Fred Santangelo as a member of the LIFE, Inc. Board of Directors with a term to conclude on June 30, 2025. Vote was unanimous.

Initial presentation of public safety building project

This item was postponed to the September 19 meeting.

War memorial project update

Mr. Connell, chair of the War Memorial Committee, gave an update on the status of that project. He said the list of those the committee has already identified as qualifying for the memorial is running in the local newspapers, and asked anyone who has knowledge of someone who is eligible for inclusion but who was not listed to get in contact with the Committee, which will make the determination on eligibility. In the past, one had to be a resident of Lynnfield at the time of enlisting to be included. He said this Committee will look at each application on a case-by-case basis.

Mr. Connell said that the Committee made its initial presentation of plans for the new war memorial in 2016. The existing memorial will not be moved or altered. The new memorial will be located in front of the Pope -Richard Lynnfield Historical Center on South Common Street. It will feature granite plaques with the names of those who served, as well as text to put each war in historical context. It will meet all handicapped accessible criteria.

Work on the site to raise the area in which the memorial will be placed has been completed, and was funded by the Commonwealth. The memorial will be 90 feet wide and 55 feet in depth. The Conservation Commission and the town engineer reviewed the design due to its proximity to wetlands in 2020. Committee members visited memorials around the state. Each name will be 3/8” and will be laser-etched on granite plates. The estimated cost is $68,000. Four granite benches will face the memorial, and a flag will eb located in the center of the site. Pavers which can be purchased to defray the cost of the monument will be available. He thanked the Committee members for their work, and recognized members Thomas Bogart and Bruce Siegel, who were present.

Chair Crawford thanked Mr. Connell for the presentation. In response to questions from Board members, Mr. Connell said that there will be a blank plaque between each war and four additional plaques available for future expansion.

Chair Crawford noted that the space to be occupied by the memorial is often used for activities, often as additional space for events occurring on the common. Mr. Connell said the memorial will take up most of the space now used, but said it could be moved back to allow 45 feet between the street and the memorial. He said an area that was planned to be landscaped could be left open. Chair Crawford suggested that there might be a way to scale down the memorial.

Mr. Connell said that the planned area could be staked out so people can get a better sense of its size and location. He said the Town has received another $50,000 from the Commonwealth to help pay for the memorial. Inflation has affected the cost. He said a local Boy Scout, Matthew Squadrito, is assisting the Committee’s efforts to identify candidates for inclusion on the memorial.

Mr. Dalton said he shared some of the concerns about the size of the area to be used. He said he would like to plan a site visit with the town engineer and planning and conservation administrator. He said that it is important that the scale of the memorial fits with the historic common area. He said it will be a balancing act between all handicapped access requirements, the design, and the surrounding historic area.

Historical Commission Chair Kirk Mansfield asked if the memorial would block the view of the Pope-Richard Lynnfield Historic Center from the Meeting House. Mr. Connell said it would not. He asked if the historic sign can remain. Mr. Connell said it could. He offered resources that would help identify eligible service members for inclusion.

Mr., Siegel said he wished to acknowledge the work Mr. Connell has put into this project, as well as his dedication and enthusiasm. Mr. Bogart agreed, saying that he has done an incredible job. And has thought through the most minute details. Chair Crawford agreed that he has put hi heart and soul into this project.

Appointment of special police officers

Police Chief Nick Secatore is recommending the appointment of two special police officers, Alfred Scotina, recently retired Lynnfield police sergeant, and Timothy Foley, a recently retired state trooper.

MOTION by Mr. Connell, duly seconded by Mr. Dalton: I move that the Board appoint Alfred Scotina and Timothy Foley as special police officers. Vote was unanimous.

Disclosure from ZBA member

Zoning Board Chair Anthony Moccia has filed a disclosure regarding a case before his Board as required by state law. Town Counsel Thomas Mullen has reviewed the filing and said no action is required of the Board other than voting to accept the disclosure as his appointing authority. Chair Crawford said such conflicts often occur in a small Town in which people tend to know each other. He said Mr. Moccia disclosed that an applicant before the Board was a friend of his family.

MOTION by Mr. Connell, duly seconded by Mr. Dalton: I move that the Board vote to accept the Disclosure of Appearance of Conflict of Interest filed by Anthony Moccia. Vote was unanimous.

Use of Facilities applications

• 4K For Inclusion, Northeast ARC, September 6, 2022
• Common: Library event, September 21, 2022
• Common: Library book sale October 15, 2022

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.

Proclamations

Chair Crawford read a proclamation.

MOTION by Mr. Connell, duly seconded by Mr. Dalton: I move that the Board vote to proclaim September 2022 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Vote was unanimous.

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

The Board adjourned at 6:18 p.m.