LYNNFIELD — There may not have been any real surprises at Saturday’s Town Meeting, but there certainly were a few residents who expressed concerns about the town’s spending when it comes to schools.
Meeting highlights included the approval of $1.75 million in additional funds for the $17 million elementary school project (Article 13), approval of the FY 22 $60,843,604.35 operating budget (Article 6), approval of a FY22 $1,045,431 capital budget (Article 7), and approval of a $6 million bond for energy improvements (Article 15).
“It’s always a pleasure to have a fair and open Town Meeting,” said Town Moderator Joe Markey, presiding over his seventh meeting. “This is the purest form of democracy and you saw that today. Town Meeting is a process that is great when it works like it does here every year.”
As expected, Article 13, which was recommended by both the Finance Committee and Select Board and endorsed by the School Committee, generated the most discussion. The article proposed adding $1.75 million to the elementary school expansion project for drainage ($700,000), sidewalks ($70,000), security ($110,000), additional parking lot improvements ($100,000) and contingency reserve ($770,000).
“If this isn’t passed, the school expansion plan will be in serious jeopardy,” said Town Administrator Rob Dolan. “There will be no additional taxation to pay for this and there needs to be this contingency to remain on budget.”
According to Dolan, the cost of building materials has been “a massive roller coaster over the last few months.
“We need to protect this project in such an unstable economic environment. This was unforeseen and is not in our control.”
Pat Campbell questioned the number of classrooms in the project, saying “the town approved the building project but didn’t know how much it would cost. We only need 48 classrooms, but they put in 52. They are building more classrooms than they actually need.”
Campbell declined to say who “they” are.
Kenneth Peterson said that the project should be revisited.
“The need for that contingency indicates that the original budget was rushed to judgement,” he said.
Jack Dalhstedt and Paige Wilkins disagreed with Campbell and Peterson, with each receiving loud applause.
Dahlstedt urged residents to “reaffirm our commitment to our community.
“Rob Dolan talked about this. A contingency between five and 10 percent is common and a contingency of three percent is prudent.”
“I’m a newcomer to Lynnfield, but the town did not rush to judgement,” Wilkins said. “There was a clear mandate at Town Meeting.This is a big problem and we need to fix it.”
After Campbell’s motion to vote by ballot failed, the article passed by an overwhelming margin of 98-14.
Article 15, which sought approval for funding a $5.7 million project to upgrade energy efficiency at town buildings, passed unanimously. Dolan said the estimated energy savings over the next 20 years will pay for the project..
“This is an incredible way to do this work without spending any operating funds,” Dolan said. “Savings are guaranteed. If the savings come up short, we get reimbursed by the contractor.”
Other articles passing muster included Article 10, spending limits on revolving funds expenditures of $50,000 (Council on Aging), $15,000 (Board of Health), $10,000 (Library), $325,000 (Recreation), $75,000 (Public Works – fields), and $10,000 (Public Works – Merritt Center); Article 11, $811,371 appropriation from the Emergency Medical Services Enterprise; Article 12, $1,008,300 appropriation from the Golf Enterprise Fund; Article 14, rescission of unused borrowing authority for several initiatives including the Reedy Meadow and Centre Farm purchases, septic loans and the Senior Center van; and Article 16, fee changes.
Articles 17 and 18 were unanimously approved. Article 17 increases the number of senior service hours to obtain real estate tax reductions to 125, while Article 18 doubled state exemption amounts for seniors, disabled veterans and 100 percent disabled veterans to $1,500, $800 and 2,000, respectively.
Article 19 (acceptance of Zepaj Lane as a public way) and Article 20 (the method by which Stormwater Management bylaw changes are noted) passed.
Article 3, which proposed modest increases in compensation for elected officials, also passed, which Campbell questioned.
“It used to be called a stipend and is now called salary,” she said. “Do they get health insurance, life insurance and retirement benefits?”
Assistant Town Administrator Bob Curtin corrected Campbell, saying the compensation has been referred to as “salary” for the past 36 years.
“Since 1985, it’s always been called salary, and if it’s a salary, you pay into retirement based upon the amount of the salary.”
