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Vol. 3, No. 48 - FREE - www.advocatenews.net Lynnfield@advocatenews.net 978-777-6397 Friday, December 1, 2017
Selectmen approve 20 percent tax shift By Christopher Roberson
I
n a unanimous decision, the Board of Selectmen recently voted to deviate from the 18.4 percent tax shift, which the town has had for the past two years, and go with a 20 percent shift for fiscal year 2018. Under this shift, the new tax rate is $13.77 per $1,000 for residential properties and $17.09 per $1,000 for commercial, industrial and personal property (CIP). Last year the town’s residential rate was $13.78 and the CIP rate was $16.80. During the Nov. 20 meeting, Assessing Manager Raymond Boly said residential
values have gone up by two percent and commercial values have climbed by eight percent. Speaking about the new residential rate, Boly said the tax bill for a single-family home would go up by $155.13 and the bill for a condominium will increase by $810.06. “That was due to the value increasing,” Boly said of the new condominium tax, adding that much of the increase was caused by the $1.1 and $1.2 million sales at Windsor Estates. According to the town’s tax documents, there are now 4,001 single-family homes and condominiums in Lynnfield, which is up slightly
from last year’s figure of 3,990. In contrast, Reading re cently approved a residential rate of $13.86 and a CIP rate of $13.91. In fiscal year 2017, Wakefield passed a residential rate of $13.03 and a CIP rate of $25.95. Peabody’s residential rate is currently $11.76 and its CIP rate is $24.29. The 2017 residential rate in Saugus is $12.05 and the CIP rate is $25.78. Perley-Burrill discussion In other news, Town Council Thomas Mullen spoke about the town putting restrictions on the Perley Burrill property.
SELECTMEN | SEE PAGE 14
FIXED RATE
MORTGAGES NO POINTS
15 YEAR
30 YEAR
3. 4. 584% 108% 3. 4. 500% RATE
Injuries hold Pioneers back in T-Day showdown
060%
APR*
RATE
APR*
Mortgage Department 617.381.3615 or 617.381.3616 419 Broadway • Everett 771 Salem Street • Lynnfield
For more rates visit our website at everettbank.com **Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is effective November 28, 2017 and is subject to change. All Rates and APR’s are calculated based on a $250,000 loan for an owner occupied single family dwelling with 20% down payment. Rates are also based on Loan to Value and Credit Scores. The monthly principal and interest payment for 15 Year Fixed Rate Mortgage is $7.15 per $1,000 borrowed. Monthly principal and interest payment for 30 Year Fixed Rate Mortgage is $4.81 per $1,000 borrowed. These payments do not include taxes and insurance. Your payment may be greater if the loan is secured by a first lien. Loans subject to credit approval. NMLS #443050
Brett Cohee (15) dodges a pileup on his way downfield as Harry Collins (53) and Ken Babine (66) clear his path during Lynnfield’s Thanksgiving Day game against North Reading. Cohee was called on to replace QB Matt Mortellite after the starter was injured in the first half. Cohee was able to keep the Pioneers only a touchdown away from victory until the Hornets scored a touchdown in the last five minutes of the game. See story inside on page 11. (Advocate photo by Mike Kearney)
YRBS results are too high for Lynnfield By Christopher Roberson
A
lthough many of the percentages from the 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) were lower than the averages of the Middlesex League, Lynnfield school officials are still concerned about their students. Director of Teaching and Learning Kevin Cyr said the YRBS was administered online during the first week of October to students in grades 7-12. He said there were 75 questions for middle school students and 124 questions for high school students. Cyr emphasized that the surveys will remain completely anonymous. “We made it loud and clear that no names would be revealed,” he said during the Nov. 28 joint meeting of the School Committee and the Board of Selectmen. Lynnfield High School Assistant Principal Brian Bates said although the number of students smoking marijuana has decreased since the last
survey was administered in 2014, vaping has become the new nemesis. YRBS results showed that 22.3 percent of high school students currently use vaping products compared to the Middlesex League average of 23.4 percent. “This is the biggest concern we’re facing at the high school right now,” said Bates. He said the problem is that the vaping devices look strikingly similar to a flash drive, which makes them difficult to identify. He also said students use the devices with flavored water, vaping oils or cannabis oils. Bates said that while the cannabis oils have the same effect as marijuana, the smell is masked by that of fruit or flowers. High School Adjustment Counselor Ella Bitman said stress and anxiety are the two greatest challenges that her students face on a daily basis – 7.6 percent of stu-
YRBS | SEE PAGE 6