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Vol. 4, No. 1 - FREE - www.advocatenews.net Lynnfield@advocatenews.net 978-777-6397 Friday, January 5, 2018
Neck and Neck
Dolan set to start work in February
Pioneer Tyler Murphy (left) and a North Reading defender dash for the puck during the Pioneers’ 1-0 victory over the Hornets last Saturday. See story and photos inside on pages 10&11. (Advocate photo by Laura Jolly)
Town considering adoption of 311 service By Christopher Roberson
I
n an effort to streamline residents’ concerns and complaints, Lynnfield officials are pondering the implementation of the 311 Non-Emergency Hotline. Board of Selectmen Chairman Christopher Barrett said he has witnessed how well 311 has worked in Everett, where he is the vice principal of the city’s high school. “One of the main goals of the Board of Selectmen is to strengthen communication between residents and the Town of Lynnfield and to provide superior constituent services,” he said. “I think this service is a great next step to continuing our efforts to accomplish both of these important goals.” In addition to Everett, 311 is also used in Boston, Newton, Somerville, Springfield, Malden and Haverhill. Barrett said he asked interim Town Administrator Robert Curtin to investigate the
cost and process of bringing the service to Lynnfield. “I think this tool will help the Town of Lynnfield effectively serve all residents for many years to come,” said Barrett. “This service is also a great tool to help keep the Board of Selectmen and Town Hall fully accountable to the residents.” Barrett introduced the idea for 311 during the board’s meeting on Dec. 20, 2017. “This is not to be confused with 911,” he said during that meeting. Curtin said it would be beneficial to have an organized way receiving and responding to residents’ concerns. “I think it will be a valuable asset to have some sort of tracking system,” he said. In a follow up interview, John Tomasz, director of the Department of Public Works (DPW), said his only concern about 311 is having the funds and personnel available to resolve problems as they arise. “When people report
something, they expect it to be fixed immediately, which sometimes you can do, but sometimes you can’t,” he said. “It can be good and bad as far as the DPW is concerned.” Tomasz said a major benefit of 311 would be the ability to bundle related issues together and prioritize them on a spreadsheet. Tomasz said that when he was employed by the City of Salem, that municipality used the SeeClickFix service, which received 2,000 DPW-related issues over the course of three years. Police Chief David Breen did not wish to comment on how 311 would affect his department as the process is only in the preliminary stages. The service also extends far beyond the Bay State. In 1996, Baltimore became the first city to use 311. On a national level, 311 is currently used in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., New York City and Albuquerque, N.M.
Shown, from left to right, are Board of Selectmen Chairman Christopher Barrett, Selectman Philip Crawford and Vice Chairman Richard Dalton with former Melrose Mayor Robert Dolan as he signed his contract to be Lynnfield’s new town administrator. (Advocate photo by Christopher Roberson)
By Christopher Roberson
H
aving signed a six-page employment contrac t with the Board of Selectmen, Melrose Mayor Robert Dolan will officially assume his new title of town administrator on Feb. 5. “This is my honor, I’ll give you every ounce of my energy to make Lynnfield the best community in the Commonwealth,” said Dolan during the board’s Dec. 27 meeting. According to the terms stated in the contract, Dolan will receive an annual base salar y of $170,000. When compared to the annual base salary of former Town Administrator James Boudreau, this figure will save the town $17,536. In addition to a full benefits package, Dolan will also receive a monthly vehicle stipend of $325. The contract will remain in effect until Feb. 4, 2020. Board of Selectmen Chairman Christopher Barrett said
a number of elected officials from surrounding communities had reached out to congratulate the board on hiring Dolan. Selectman Philip Crawford said he was impressed with how well the process went considering that everything was accomplished in six weeks. “This had to be one of the quickest turnarounds in the history of job searches,” he said. Other Board of Selectmen news In other news, the board voted unanimously to accept the donation of a triangular piece of property on Parsons Avenue Extension. Attorney Jay Kimball said the land was owned by the Rumbolt family for a number of years. He said that after Julius and Lillian Rumbolt passed away, the property was inherited by their nephew Peter Rum-
DOLAN | SEE PAGE 3