Lynn adds more allegations to Salem Planning Board suit

LYNN – City attorneys Thursday amended a complaint against Salem by alleging a member of its Planning Board attempted to convince two outspoken Lynn residents to withdraw their opposition to a proposed big box retail development on Highland Avenue.According to documents filed at Salem Superior Court, Lynn residents Katerina Panagiotakis and Calvin Anderson claimed Salem Planning Board member Timothy Ready advised them to side with the project.Panagiotakis in a sworn statement told the Lynn Law Department this week that Ready motioned to her with a finger at the close of a hearing in Salem, suggesting he wanted to speak with her privately in a nearby hallway.She quoted Ready as saying, “You are very good in what you say and are very persistent, but will not win on this. It is better if you ask them what they (the developer) or this project can do for you instead,” according to the lawsuit.Panagiotakis said Ready indicated the hearing’s outcome was a foregone conclusion. “I left that conversation with Mr. Ready certain that (he) and the Salem Planning Board had already determined that the project was going to be approved,” she stated.Attempts to contact Ready for comment through the Salem Planning and Community Development Department were unsuccessful.Anderson offered a similar account in his sworn affidavit.”Mr. Ready recommended that rather than opposing the project, we should each attempt to elicit concessions and benefits from the developer on behalf of the city of Lynn and the neighbors to the project,” he stated.Attorney James Lamanna, a Lynn Law Department staffer, said Thursday that Panagiotakis and Anderson “signed statements under the pains and penalties of perjury. Both swore they were called out by a member of the Salem Planning Board and told the deal was going through, one way or another, and that nothing would stop approval, so they would be better off supporting the project.”Lamanna said the amended complaint restarts the clock, giving the defendants – the city of Salem, the Salem Planning Board and the Kennedy Development Group – 20 days to respond. The original complaint will be disregarded.The controversial project near the Lynn-Salem line includes construction of a Lowe’s Home Improvement Center, expansion of the existing Walmart store and the Meineke automotive repair shop, erecting a municipal water tower for the city of Salem and making improvements to Camp Lion. A series of public hearings has discussed concerns over potential drainage and traffic problems, the decrease of property values for nearby residents and quality of life issues.”These are new allegations,” said Lamanna, noting the fresh complaint also amends the charges related to Salem Planning Board Chairman Charles Puleo.The original complaint alleged Puleo should not have presided or participated in the hearings on the project because he owns a restaurant and other properties nearby, and as a result could benefit from its construction.Puleo owns a dairy bar and restaurant on Highland Avenue and the land on which the adjacent St. Jean’s Credit Union stands. The lawsuit contends a conflict-of-interest exists because Puleo could benefit from proximity of the retail development.Puleo has not returned calls from the Daily Item.