LYNNFIELD — The town released the results of its 2040 vision survey this week as part of the Lynnfield 2040: Shaping Our Future Today initiative.
The findings of the survey, which received 855 responses, highlighted the priorities community members want addressed in the next two decades. The survey is just one aspect of the project, which is the first time the town has undertaken a large effort to get community feedback about its future since developing a master plan in 2002, according to the initiative’s website.
Respondents said one of the largest concerns that has risen up since the last survey was public health and safety, which 79% of 739 respondents said is important to address in the coming years.
One of the less important issues identified by respondents was diversifying the local economy. 24% of 738 respondents identified it as an issue of no importance.
Desired outcomes listed in the survey’s results centered around the areas of community development, town government, and concerns about the growth and direction of the town.
However, there were several recurring themes in the survey’s responses, one of which was revitalizing the center of town with businesses and community gathering places.
“The town center is hurting,” one response read. “We need a local gathering spot, i.e. a coffee shop or restaurant.”
In 679 responses, 66% of respondents said improvements are necessary to create a vibrant Lynnfield Center.
“More gathering space, vital ‘small town’ feel in the center with a local coffee shop or restaurant,” one response read. “Something that embodies small-town values. That’s really missing right now.”
Another repeated point was distaste with the town’s management and distrust in its leadership. 70% of 623 respondents listed issues with town governance as a key challenge Lynnfield faces.
“It seems the town leadership doesn’t necessarily listen to its citizens, which is concerning,” one response read. “I was hopeful there would be more transparency to the decision-making, but I was shocked at what happened at the last several Town Meetings.”
42% of 678 respondents said the town government needed at least some improvement. 92% of 620 respondents also listed having a functioning town government as important or very important.
“There needs to be a leadership change… Boards aren’t working for the well-being of the town,” another response read. “There has to be more honesty and transparency from leadership who are actively working to represent the town residents and listening to what is being asked.”
Many referenced large increases in their tax bills in recent years as a major issue.
“Taxes are getting out of control and making it difficult for regular, longtime residents to live here,” one respondent wrote.
Respondents pointed to infrastructure improvements as key for the town’s development, emphasizing an increased need for more and improved sidewalks, as well as an acceleration of the bike-trail project.
“Sidewalks and bike paths are so important,” a response read. “Children and bike riders are regularly in actual traffic, which can be a major hazard.”
62% of 628 respondents called a lack of sidewalks an important or very important challenge the town faces, while 52% of 635 respondents said the same about bike paths.
“More sidewalks are needed,” a response read. “The town is not very walkable.”
“Bike paths are incredibly important due to close calls on the main roads with children and adult bike riders,” another response read.
Many respondents pointed to maintaining the town’s character as essential in the coming decades, expressing concern about development changing its landscape. 44% of 855 respondents said that they had lived in Lynnfield for more than 20 years, and 92% of 494 respondents expect to remain in Lynnfield for at least the next five years.
“Stop trying to make [Lynnfield] a small city,” one response read. “It’s never enough for the developers and there’s always another phase coming.”
“I’d like to keep it the way I found it,” another response read. “Some improvements, but nothing radical or destructive to its New England charm.”
While many respondents said the town is inviting to many populations, 60% of 640 respondents said the town is not welcoming or could be more welcoming to people with lower incomes.
Out of 614 respondents, 14% said they made less than $100,000 annually, while 35% said they made $200,000 or more.
“Lynnfield might need to increase ethnic and economic diversity to thrive in the future,” a response read. “Maybe not be snobby about lower-income families/seniors.”
53% of 641 respondents said that the town is not welcoming or could be more welcoming toward people of color, with many sharing their experiences or those of their families.
“I would love to see more racial diversity in Lynnfield,” a response read. “This is a wonderful town and racial diversity will only make it better.”
“Lynnfield doesn’t feel inclusive still. Even though we have more diversity, it’s still a struggle,” another response read.
Of 619 respondents, 77% identified as white, while 8% identified as Black, Asian, Hispanic, or another race.
For a few respondents, the answer to the idea of change was simple: If you don’t like the town, go somewhere else.
“Most of us like Lynnfield just as it is. If they do not, they should move to a city,” was one response.
“Maybe some people need to move somewhere else if they don’t like it here,” a different response read.
“Go disrupt some other town,” another respondent wrote.
Lynnfield 2040: Shaping Our Future Today was launched earlier this year by the Lynnfield Planning Board and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. The initiative seeks to identify the town’s priorities and opportunities in the coming decades.
The survey was open from mid-April to mid-June this year, allowing community members to chime in on the state of the town and its direction.
The survey is part of the community-engagement stage of the initiative, featuring opportunities for residents to provide their input in different ways from spring until early fall. Then, the town will begin to finalize the initiative’s vision and goals.
