LYNNFIELD — He’ll be back.
The “he” is Town Administrator Rob Dolan, who has received a two-year extension of his contract with the town along with a 2-percent increase in his base annual salary for the upcoming year.
“I thank the Select Board for their vote of confidence. I am honored to work for the Town of Lynnfield and I am very excited about the future,” Dolan said. “I am fortunate to have a really outstanding team here in Lynnfield. I’ve worked with a number of city councils and select boards in the past and am lucky that here in Lynnfield we all are held to an incredible high standard.”
The term of the amended employment agreement commences on Feb. 1 and expires on Jan. 31, 2024.
The salary increase applies to the period from Feb. 1 to Jan. 31, 2023, bringing Dolan’s base annual salary to $182,214. The increase is in line with the terms of the original agreement dated Dec. 20, 2017 (as amended in April 2019, February 2020 and Jan 25, 2021) that says “the annual base salary may increase in an amount to be determined by the board, on the basis of merit and/or market conditions affecting town administrator salaries in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”
Select Board Chair Dick Dalton said the amendment has been reviewed by Town Counsel Thomas Mullen and that the two-year extension “is in line with other town positions.” He thanked Dolan for all he has done and “will continue to do in the future.”
“I agree with Dick on this,” said Select Board member Phil Crawford. “Our town administrator has done an exceptional job and I can’t think of any reasons why we can’t go forward with this. If I could, I would go to three years.”
“It’s been an absolute pleasure working with him, we are lucky to have him,” said Select Board member Joe Connell, adding he knows people in other communities where Dolan has worked “who still say we stole him.”
Dolan said much of the town’s success since he arrived has been due to responsible governance on the part of the Select Board.
“This success is not about the town administrator, it is about the formation of a team that includes every volunteer that serves on a board or commission, every town employee and manager, our business community and houses of worship, every citizen that participates at town meeting or volunteers as a coach or on a PTO and led by our elected official, most directly the Select Board,” Dolan said. “It has set bold goals that focus on needed infrastructure improvements for schools, public safety and library, as well as energy-efficiency upgrades throughout all municipal buildings to save tax dollars.”
Dolan said the board has consistently focused on responsible development and planning as well as open-space preservation that protects residents’ quality of life. He highlighted the board’s strong long-term and transparent budgeting, which have been proven by the town’s receipt of a national award (Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (COA) Program) over the past two fiscal years as well as an independent review from Standard & Poors giving Lynnfield an excellent bond rating and positive outlook.
Dolan singled out the efforts of Assistant Town Administrator Bob Curtin, referring to him as a “steadfast leader and presence in the community.”
“I believe in local government because it is a level of government that has the most direct impact, it is the most accountable, and it allows you to work with a team. A team of all citizens and staff of the personal and professional commitment and standards of Assistant Town Administrator Bob Curtin. A team that unlike some other levels of government can get things done for the citizens of this great town.”
