LYNNFIELD — There is only one contested race in Lynnfield’s Annual Town Election on Tuesday.
Select Board Chair Phil Crawford will face off against challenger Bob Gillon. The following is a summary of the candidates’ stances on current issues facing the town and their accomplishments.
Phil Crawford
Crawford has lived in Lynnfield for 36 years with his wife, Ellen Rubbico Crawford, where they raised four children. He is the co-owner of A.A. Dority, a family-owned surety bond business started by his great-great-grandfather in 1899. He has served on the Select Board for 10 years and previously served on the Finance Committee for five years.
Crawford touts his financial management skills. In his time on the Select Board he mentions balanced and fiscally responsible budgets, no overrides, the realization of major energy efficiencies through the ESCO program, and the opening of MarketStreet Lynnfield as major accomplishments.
He says he has been a part of a board that has assembled a strong management team with a new town administrator, town accountant, clerk and treasurer. Under his leadership new police and fire chiefs, a new Department of Public Works director, and a full-time building inspector were also hired, while a new planning and conservation director position was created.
Regarding public safety, Crawford points to significant road improvements, a planned public safety and Town Hall complex, and a new South Lynnfield fire station.
Crawford says he’s been part of a board that delivered successful COVID-19 oversight and management. Crawford founded A Healthy Lynnfield, an organization that has brought education and awareness programs while providing access to resources regarding substance use disorder and mental health issues.
Crawford says he has also been instrumental in the elementary schools expansion project, which was completed on time and under budget; a new addition at the high school; and the renovation of the high school workout center. Most recently, Crawford served as master of ceremonies at Serving Lynnfield’s Craig Stone Gala, which raised more than $110,000 for a new high school tennis complex.
Crawford also mentions the renovation of all town parks and recreational fields, the purchase of Centre Farm, the cleanup and sale of the former Perley Burrill property, stepped-up Rail Trail efforts, the purchase of the Richardson Green property, the restoration and revitalization of the Pope-Richard Family Historical House, Town Common and Meeting House kitchen, and a planned clubhouse at King Rail Golf Course.
Crawford’s candidate statement says that he has spent the 10 years “making improvements throughout the town in a fiscally responsible manner.”
“I have the knowledge, integrity and leadership skills to keep us all heading in the right direction,” Crawford said.
Bob Gillon
Gillon has lived in Lynnfield with his wife Linda for 45 years, where they raised a daughter. He has worked in the government contractor business for 35 years in corporate finance, reporting, and budgeting control. He’s spent the last six years in mergers and acquisitions integration, and is the treasurer of the Lynnfield Historical Society.
Gillon’s candidate statement says he is “tired of the same Select Board.” He is in favor of a five-member board because he says the current three-member model does not allow voters “fair representation.”
“We need to have more diverse opinions which would allow for more informed decisions,” Gillon said.
He notes that Crawford opposed this expansion several years ago because “it would limit his power.” Gillon says the current board doesn’t permit public comment and doesn’t bring forward issues raised by residents, and describes speaking with “other town’s Select Board members (who) are shocked that any board be allowed to conduct meetings in this manner.”
He says he would allow more public discussion at meetings.
In terms of Town Meeting, Gillon was “embarrassed” by the way the last meeting was run. He objected to Town Moderator Joe Markey’s treatment of a resident when he threatened to have an armed police officer remove him. He questioned why the Select Board didn’t intervene and said he will look to the Town Charter for a solution to “ensure the moderator is unbiased.”
Gillon also says the town has failed to deal with water quality issues within the Center Water District, and that he was “shocked” when he received notice in a postcard regarding PFAS failures.
“Even more egregious is the fact that the public was not notified immediately,” Gillon said.
Gillon believes he will bring a greater sense of fiscal responsibility to the board by “working with the Finance Committee to reevaluate a base for developing the annual budget” rather than automatic increases of 2.5 percent every year. He believes the town needs to move toward “more effective cost containment.”
“I know this would be a big challenge, but most of our residents come from moderate means and need to know that their taxes are being spent wisely,” Gillon said. “I come from a corporate financial background that works under stringent budgets that strive for competitiveness and success.”
This is the second straight year that Gillon has sought a seat on the board. Last year, he challenged then-Chair Richard Dalton. Dalton was re-elected to another three-year term after defeating Gillon by a 967-386 margin.
All voting will take place at Lynnfield High School. The polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.
