LYNNFIELD — Promising to focus on the long-term financial health of the town, Selectman Richard Dalton was named the board’s new chair following Tuesday’s town election.
“At the core of my proposed agenda for the upcoming year will be the creation of a long-term budget plan for Lynnfield that allows us to better understand and manage our town in the years ahead,” said Dalton. “On more than one occasion, I’ve stated during the fiscal year ’19 budget process about where we are headed (with the budget). It’s time for us as a community not to kick the can down the road, but rather, we must initiate discussions and debate that will be necessary if we are to continue to maintain a fiscally strong town that provides its residents with the services and amenities that they expect and deserve.”
Dalton takes the helm of the three-person board from Christopher Barrett, who won re-election this year after running unopposed.
Barrett said he is confident Dalton will continue to lead the board in a positive direction. The selectmen also thanked all those who came out to vote Tuesday, as well as all the candidates who made a run this year.
In the two contested races on the ballot, Philip McQueen and Timothy Doyle earned three-year terms on the school committee and John Gioioso won a two-year seat on the planning board.
As he accepted his chairmanship, Dalton thanked his family, town leaders past and present, department heads, and his fellow board members, Barrett and Philip Crawford.
“The three of us work very well together, and when we do disagree, we do it in a professional manner,” said the new chairman. “There is never a doubt in my mind that we have the best interest of the town as our primary objective.”
Dalton also had high praise for new Town Administrator Robert Dolan.
“I’ve been very much impressed with his performance to date, and to be quite honest, he represents a major upgrade in this most critical position,” Dalton said. The former Melrose mayor replaced the departing James Boudreau earlier this year. “He’s been very responsive and he’s demonstrated a real commitment to the position and to the community.”
One of Dalton’s first orders of business, he said, is to set up a meeting between now and the April 30 Annual Town Meeting to hash out the board’s objectives and goals.
