Lynnfield Town Meeting approves fire truck, denies cinema

LYNNFIELD – Lynnfield held its Fall Town Meeting Monday night and, for the most part, the process went smoothly.The issue that stirred things up a bit was Article 5, which proposed amending the Zoning Bylaw to allow the construction of a “boutique theater-restaurant” at the Meadow Walk development off Walnut Street.The current zoning law permits recreational use of land or structures for “relaxation, entertainment, amusement, sports or the like, whether on a fee or no-fee basis, but not including a cinema.”The proposed amendment would alter the bylaw to allow the said boutique theater-restaurant provided it stays within the limits of 38,000 square feet of gross leaseable floor area and contains no more than 360 spectator seats.Residents voted against the change not once, but twice, said Town Clerk Amy Summers. After it failed the first time, there was a motion to reconsider. The second vote resulted in 182 in favor and 131 opposed.”It was a two-thirds vote and it didn’t have the majority,” said Summers. “This was a real hot issue, but that was expected.”The proposal may have to wait two years before it can be brought to the table again.The other debated item pertained to Article 3 – the approval of funds to purchase a new aerial platform fire truck. The sum of $650,000 would be needed, either by borrowing, transferring funds, or other various sources. The value of the older equipment would be used to offset the cost.”There was a lot of discussion on this,” said Summers. “More than I thought there would be.”Summers attributes the back and forth session to the large amount of money at stake.”I think that was concerning to some people,” she said.But minds were easily made up after all with a nearly unanimous vote of approval. A total of 459 people proposed the plan, while only 16 opposed it.The town also voted to adopt the amended version of the general bylaws pertaining to the preservation of historically or architecturally significant structures. The amendment seeks to protect historically, economically, culturally and politically significant sites throughout the town from demolition.Under the advisory of the Lynnfield Historical Commission, the “bylaw promotes the welfare by making the town a more attractive and desirable place in which to live and work.”The Commission will create a list of structures protected from demolition, except during an emergency, and provide that list to the building inspector. Any applications for demolition must go before the Commission during a public hearing.Residents also voted to accept the Community Preservation Act, but the issue must be placed on the warrant for the April town meeting before all is said and done.