Lynnfield budgetary reviews conclude

LYNNFIELD – The yearly budget reviews of all town departments in Lynnfield for the next fiscal year concluded Monday night at the Board of Selectmen meeting, with the funding for more than 10 departments discussed.The Historical Commission was the only department to have a representative present, and commission member Linda Gillon offered a $27,500 budget for fiscal year 2013. The budget included $4,000 for gravestone conservation materials and repairs in the Old Burying Ground.After Gillon?s presentation, Town Administrator William Gustus recommended a reduced budget of $8,000, suggesting that other town departments cover some of the Historical Commission?s budget items. For example, Gustus said that the $9,000 for work in the Willow Cemetery, Forest Hill Cemetery and West Cemetery should come instead out of the Department of Public Works? budget.Within the new $8,000 budget, Gustus said, $2,500 would be allocated for the commission to start planning for the 2014 town bicentennial celebration. Board of Selectmen Chairman Arthur Bourque said this is the first effort he has seen to prepare for the bicentennial commemoration.?I give credit to the Historical Commission for trying to anticipate for 2014,” he said.Assistant Fire Chief John Walsh came before the board prior to Gillon to discuss open burning permits. The current regulations stipulate that anyone seeking to burn brush or garden debris can only do so from Jan. 15 to May 1 after obtaining a $5, two-day permit from the fire department. There is a $2 renewal fee for the permit that lasts an additional two days. The person also must contact the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection on the day he or she plans to burn and make sure the weather conditions are appropriate and there are no hazards, like high winds.Walsh and the selectmen went back-and-forth discussing possible adjustments to the regulations, such as electronically monitoring residents in town with burning permits and waiving the permit fee. Selectman Al Merritt then moved to delay the issue and have Walsh come back before the board before next January with a new proposal.?I?ve got two meetings left. It sounds great to me,” said Bourque, who is not seeking another term as selectman in the April town election. Selectman Robert MacKendrick then seconded Merritt?s motion.Following Gillon, Gustus quickly gave an overview of the rest of the town?s departmental budgets for fiscal year 2013 and said that most budgets are up by 3 percent from last fiscal year because of contractual salary increases. Those departments included the Planning Board, the Finance Committee, Veterans Services and the Recreation Commission.The Board of Selectmen will meet again at Town Hall on March 19.Sarah Mupo can be reached at [email protected].