LYNNFIELD — The Select Board appointed new members to the Council on Aging, the Lynnfield Initiative for Elders (L.I.F.E.) Board of Directors, and the Finance Committee at a meeting Monday evening.
Louise Pellegrino was appointed to the Council on Aging Executive Board. Pellegrino, who has lived in the town since 1985, was on the Finance Committee for Our Lady of the Assumption. She and her husband Paul are longtime Eucharist ministers at Ava Maria Parish and are annual contributors to the Friends of the Lynnfield Senior Center. She said she has extensive experience at the center, having volunteered for “several years.”
“I’m very involved with the Senior Center. We do painting, yoga, mind improvement, exercise classes,” said Pellegrino, who serves as an auxiliary member of the board. “The professional staff (there) is a gift to this town. I would be honored to serve.”
Upon appointing Pellegrino, Select Board Chair Phil Crawford praised the important role of volunteers in Lynnfield.
“We run our town primarily on volunteers. You would be a perfect candidate for this position and I thank you for stepping forward,” he said.
“You’ve done some great things for the town and church,” Select Board member Joe Connell said.
“I’ve seen your contributions at Ava Maria for several years and I know you will carry that skill set and enthusiasm to this position,” added fellow board member Dick Dalton.
The volunteer spirit continued as George Paris was appointed to the L.I.F.E. board. Paris said he has lived in Lynnfield for 34 years and has been involved with youth and adult sports programs. A self-employed small business owner, Paris has experience with budgets and is a member of the Essex Village Board of Directors. After 40 years of owning and operating his own printing company, Paris wants to “wind down business and look to contribute.”
“I like to get involved and give back,” Paris said. “I want to stay busy and involved.”
Dalton said Paris will be a great addition to the board.
“I’ve heard so many good things about you,” he said.
Alexis Leahy, president and past treasurer of the Summer Street School Parent Teacher Organization, was appointed to the Finance Committee. Leahy, who has lived in town for 10 years, has also served as treasurer of Townscape, which runs Geraniumfest, and has a background in financial risk management.
“I am looking for a way to get involved and to be honest, to bring some diversity to some of the boards we see,” said Leahy.
Leahy speaks Mandarin, which Connell said was “truly remarkable.”
“The Finance Committee is stacked with talent,” Connell said. “You have a truly remarkable resume. It’s amazing what you have accomplished in such a short time.”
Crawford agreed.
“You have a fantastic resume and you will be a great fit with your background, education and extensive experience,” he said.
Pellegrino will serve a two-year term through June 2024. Paris and Leahy will serve three-year terms through June 2025.
Dorothy Irrera can be reached at [email protected].
