LYNNFIELD — It did not take long for one resident to throw his hat in the ring after Board of Selectmen Chair Chris Barrett announced Saturday that he will not seek another term.
Decorated military veteran Joseph R. Connell showed up Monday at Town Hall and pulled signature papers to run for Barrett’s seat. The deadline to submit signatures (50 are required) is Feb. 23 at 5 p.m.. The town election is scheduled for Tuesday, April 13.
“I had planned on this a couple of years ago to do this sometime down the road, but when Chris made that announcement, I started talking to my wife (Kate) and she talked me into it,” said Connell. “She said, ‘Why wait till later.’
“I feel like I touch upon all the age groups with my age, too, so hopefully it will work out, and that’s pretty much why I am here this morning to pull my papers. Our town leaders are A-grade people, and I have enjoyed working with so many talented people. It’s only natural I want to get more involved.”
Connell served in the U.S. Army for 30 years before retiring as a colonel in September 2014. At the time of his retirement, he was the senior advisor to the Massachusetts National Guard.
Connell said he has served at every level, from a platoon leader at Fort Lewis, Washington, to the chief of staff for U.S. Forces Afghanistan. He did combat tours in Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan, served in Korea, and received 23 awards and decorations during his service, including the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, a Bronze Star, and Iraq and Afghanistan Combat Campaign Medals.
Following his retirement, Connell worked in the private sector as New England regional operations officer for Stanley Black & Decker, senior projects manager for Siemens Industrial Technologies, and he is currently the director of global security for Thermo Fisher Scientific.
A Wakefield native, Connell graduated from Norwich College. He received a master’s degree in strategic studies at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and a master’s degree in public administration from Central Michigan University.
Connell said he had always planned to get more involved with Lynnfield community affairs following his retirement from the military.
He is currently chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee (his wife serves as an administrative assistant), and also serves on the War Memorial Committee. He is the equipment and fields manager for Lynnfield Youth Lacrosse.
Connell cited several key issues that he feels the town needs to address in the future, the first being the addition of new classrooms in the elementary schools, which Connell said is a “done deal” following the town’s vote at the December town meeting to approve a $17 million debt exclusion.
His other top concerns include replacing or renovating the police and fire stations, and library, and resolving certain quality-of-water issues that he said are currently plaguing some Lynnfield residents.
Connell said the Strategic Planning Committee is leaving no stone unturned in determining a long-term plan that will stretch into the next decade and address the community’s needs.
“There could be so many unconnected pieces of the puzzle, depending on whether we need new facilities or can renovate or repurpose existing facilities to meet our needs,” Connell said. “There are many fascinating options, depending on the direction we take.”
Prior to moving to Lynnfield, Connell lived at the Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford. Before that, he lived at Fort Campbell in Kentucky. He said moving to Lynnfield was the right choice.
“We looked at several towns and we were fortunate that we found a home in the best town, Lynnfield — a perfect place to raise a family with first-class schools, stand-up sports programs at every level and recreational facilities, beautiful natural resources, and culture to raise my family that I think is best,” Connell said.
“It has been humbling and rewarding, to say the least, to be part of these great boards and committees and to work with the best people. Our town has so many talented volunteers and makes this town stand out for their hard work. It has been so rewarding to me and my family.
“I believe volunteering is essential in making a town great. It is important for me to teach my children these virtues. From now, until the day I die, I will continue to support Lynnfield,” he said.
Anne Marie Tobin can be reached at [email protected].
