September 13 2023 meeting

Present:            Joseph Connell, Chair

                        Richard Dalton

Absent:            Philip Crawford

Chair Connell 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.

Appointment of Joseph Gallagher to the Library Building Committee

Joe Gallagher is a recent appointee to the Finance Committee and has been working with library project team members. His appointment is recommended by Library Building Committee Chair Russ Boekenkroeger.

Mr. Gallagher said he would like top communicate the value of the new library and be part of the team working on this project.

Mr. Connell said Mr. Gallager will be a good addition to this committee.

MOTION by Mr. Dalton, duly seconded by Mr. Connell: I move that the Board appoint Joseph Gallagher to the Library Building Committee. Vote was 2-0 (Mr. Crawford absent).

Lynnfield Historical Commission presentation on 2026 Celebration       

Historical Commission Chair Kirk Mansfield and member Abigail Kilgore were on hand to discuss plans for the 2026 celebration, the 250th anniversary of the Nation’s founding.

Ms. Kilgore says the Commission is recommending that the Board create a new committee to plan for a series of events celebrating this milestone, allowing residents to have fun learning about the Town’s history. She said the Town has undergone many changes since the Bicentennial celebration of 1976. The Commission is suggesting this new committee have representation from Town boards and commissions, schools, clubs, churches, historical organizations.

Mr. Connell commended the Commission for bringing this idea forward and said there will be future discussions about creating an inclusive committee and events. Mr. Dalton also said that planning such an undertaking will take time.

Use of Facilities requests

a. Banner, Night of Hope

b. Use of common, Night of Hope

c. Pillings Pond block party

d. Banner, See the Good walk

e. Use of common, Lynnfield Library Freedom to Read, Sept. 30/ f. Use of common, First Responders Day

g. Use of common, Lynnfield Historical Society, April 18, 2024

h. South Fire, LHS soccer car wash

MOTION by Mr. Dalton, duly seconded by Mr. Connell: I move that the use of facilities requests be approved subject to any conditions placed on them by the Director of Public Works and Police Chief. Vote was 2-0 (Mr. Crawford absent).

Opening of town meeting article for acceptance of articles

MOTION by Mr. Dalton, duly seconded by Mr. Connell: I move that the Board open the fall town meeting warrant for acceptance of articles. The warrant will close on Tuesday, September 26 at 6:00 p.m. Petition articles must be submitted to the Town Clerk no later than 10 a.m. on Friday, September 22 for validation of signatures. Vote was 2-0 (Mr. Crawford absent).

MOTION by Mr. Dalton, duly seconded by Mr. Connell: I move that the Board refer to the Planning Board for public hearing an article submitted by that Board that would revise the Town’s zoning bylaws. Vote was 2-0 (Mr. Crawford absent).

6:15 p.m. Public hearing, petition of Verizon New England and Reading Municipal Light Department: Relocate one (1) JO pole, P.2/34, located on the southerly side of Main Street (near 271 Main Street) to a point approximately 19’ southwesterly from its existing location.

The Chair declared the public hearing open. It has been duly advertised and posted, and abutters have been notified. Alex Marrero, an engineer from Pike Telecom, a contractor for Verizon New England, represented the petitioner. He explained the pole is being relocated due to the construction of a new home at the location.

William Thompson of 272 Main Street said he and his wife live across the street from the proposed pole location.  He said the new pole will be closer to his home than the existing pole and the light would shine into his upstairs bedroom window. He said it would also increase the distance between the nearest pole. The current light does not shine into his window in part because it is blocked by foliage. He asked that the pole be moved 19 feet further down Main Street.

Elaine Howard of 259 Main Street said she already has one pole in front of her house and this would be a second. She said there are no trees in front of 271 Main Street.

Board members suggested that with the assistance of Town officials, the utility companies meet with the affected residents to attempt to reach an accommodation, and bring the matter back to the Board at that time.

MOTION by Mr. Dalton, duly seconded by Mr. Connell: I move that the public hearing be closed. Vote was 2-0 (Mr. Crawford absent

Update on public safety building project

Town Administrator Robert Doland explained the process by which the public safety project team was built. He introduced Charles Haye of Tappe, the project architect, Brian DeFilippo’s of PMA, the owner’s project management firm, and James DiMarzio of Commodore Construction, the general contractor.

He said Public Safety Building Committee Chair John Scenna, Police Chief Nick Secatore and Fire Chief Glenn Davis have been incredible during this process. Design is 90 percent done and is being reviewed by inspectional services departments. The process of bidding and procurement of subcontractors is underway. Work is expected to begin in January. Preparations have included moving of technology. The Town has rented space at the center stores on main Street and will be using Town-owned space at the Senior Center and the Merritt Center at market Street to relocate Town Hall departments during the Town Hall addition project. Departments will be moving in November. The former South Library on Salem Street will be used for Fire Department offices and the Pope-Richard Lynnfield Historical Center will be used for temporary police headquarters. He reviewed the upgrades that each facility will receive.

Mr. Haye narrated a slide show showing the plans for Town Hall, the existing police/fire facility on Summer Street, and the new Fire Headquarters to be built at the South Fire Station site. The new building will be fully code compliant. Town hall will have a greatly expanded Maney Room for public meetings and will have an elevator and a brand-new entrance. The police station will have new roll call and training rooms and upgrades to its locker rooms to address proper facilities for female officers, a safer means from bringing prisoners into the facility, and private meeting spaces to allow for confidentiality. The two fire stations will protect firefighters from exhaust and other contaminants, have officers, conference rooms and bunk space, and separate facilities for male and female firefighters.

Mr. DiMarzio said his firm has a deep team with over two decades of experience. He reviewed the qualifications of team members and past projects, including the Arlington public safety building.

A resident asked if the South Library Building had previously been promised to the American Legion. Mr. Dolan said that the Town had approved the use of the building by the American Legion, but that the Legion withdrew its plans. He said once the building project is completed, this building will be available for other uses.

Mr. Connell thanked the presenters and all involved with the project. Mr. Dolan said an ancillary benefit from this project is that Town rental fees for the center stores will result in significant improvements to that property.

Mr. Dalton said Mr. Scenna was a leader on the elementary school building project, which was completed on time and under budget. Mr. Dolan said there ill also be improvements to the Salem Street/Summer Street intersection.

Ratification of the memorandum of understanding and contract with the Lynnfield Police Association, Massachusetts Coalition of Police Local 414, AFL-CIO

The police union and the Town negotiating team have reached a three-year agreement calling for a 2 percent increase in salary in each of the three years. The agreement also addresses the education incentive program by putting all officers on the same plan, incorporation of longevity payments into the base, and changes to the language for EMT stipends, vacation accrual timing, and clarification that gives the police chief latitude on the assignment of court overtime.

Mr. Dalton thanked Mr. Dolan, Assistant Town Administrator Robert Curtin, and the police officers for their work on this “win-win” agreement.

MOTION by Mr. Dalton, duly seconded by Mr. Connell: I move that the Board ratify the agreement between the Town and the Lynnfield Police Association, Massachusetts Coalition of Police Local 414, AFL CIO, for the period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2025. Vote was 2-0 (Mr. Crawford absent).

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

The Board adjourned at 6:58 p.m.