LYN NF IELD
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Vol. 3, No. 52 - FREE - www.advocatenews.net Lynnfield@advocatenews.net 978-777-6397 Friday, December 29, 2017
~A Year in Review~
New Town Manager hire, Rail Trail vote highlight 2017 By Christopher Roberson
P
erhaps one of the most memorable Town Meetings in Lynnfield’s history took place in 2017, when residents voted 342-341 in favor of the controversial Wakefield-Lynnfield Rail Trail project. The vote allowed the Board of Selectmen to sign a 99-year lease, for $1 per year, with the MBTA, the owner of the abandoned Newburyport Rail Line. During the April 24 meeting, Patrick Curley of the Friends of the Lynnfield Rail Trail reminded residents that the rail trail would essentially come at no cost to the town and would offer a myriad of recreation and transportation benefits. In response, James Gerace of the Citizens Against the Lynnfield Rail Trail cited the potential for traffic problems, an uptick in crime and hidden costs that would ultimately fall on the
taxpayers. Rober t Almy and Leah Hook of the Lynnfield Recreational Path Committee said they had objectively studied the project proposal at length. “Our mission is to be objective with everyone,” Hook said. They also said the $7.1 million project would be covered by the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). However, the rail trail was not supported by the Board of Selectmen. Vice Chairman Richard Dalton cited a “lack of due diligence” on important parts of the proposal. “Let’s not abandon process and due diligence on such an important decision,” he said. Lynnfielder Keith Noble returned the volley. “We need a place where people can safely recreate,” he said. “Many people I speak to are afraid just to ride their bikes in town.”
Lynnfielder Stephen Sorrentino then countered Noble’s argument. “I am concerned about the value of my home,” he said. “Would you gamble with the value of your home? Will you reimburse me if the value of my home decreases? I doubt it.” Library project There has also been much discussion about the possibility of a new library. In a presentation to the selectmen, Library Director Holly Mercer said a new library should be built in a way that would prevent voices from echoing throughout the building. She also said the current space constraints require that furniture be rearranged an average of three times a day. Board of Selectmen Chairman Christopher Barrett spoke in support of build-
2017 YEAR | SEE PAGE 5
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Selectmen tap Dolan as new town administrator
Robert Dolan By Christopher Roberson
T
he Board of Selectmen voted unanimously, on Dec. 20, to hire Melrose Mayor Robert Dolan as the next town administrator pending contract negotiations. During his interview, Dolan remembered when he was first elected as mayor in 2001, saying Melrose was “incredibly divided” at that time. He also said the school district was “almost in receivership” and the city was facing a $1.4 million free cash deficit. Since then, Dolan said, he has presented 16 budgets to the Board of Aldermen, all of which were passed unanimously without a Proposition 2 ½ Override. “I understand tight budgets because I’ve never not had one,” he said, adding that he also took the city’s bond rating from A to AA+. Speaking more about the budget process, Dolan said that in prior years, his budgets were already completed when other communities were just getting started. “We’re one year ahead of everyone else,” he said, adding that he has used at 30-year debt plan. Dolan also said that by working with the MassWorks Infrastructure Program, Melrose has one of the premier business districts in the state. “We’ve had significant growth in Melrose in the past 10 years,” he said. Regarding employee relations, Dolan said his philosophy is to “hire the best people and let them do their jobs.” “People need to believe in their government; they stay because they feel valued,” he said. Dolan also highlighted the importance of being transparent. “If you don’t have trans-
parency, you have nothing,” he said. Before taking the corner office at Melrose City Hall, Dolan served on the Board of Aldermen from 1998 to 2002 and was on the School Committee from 1994 to 1998. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Fordham University and a master’s degree from Northeastern University. Assistant to the Administration Robert Curtin was also interviewed for the job. Curtin is doubling as Lynnfield’s interim town administrator until negotiations with Dolan are completed. Before joining the ranks at Town Hall eight years ago, Curtin was a reporter and editor for The Peabody-Lynnfield Weekly News for 25 years. Curtin said he covered Lynnfield’s budget process extensively every year. “I used to call it my Castor Oil articles,” he said. “I’d always been interested in local government.” Regarding the fiscal year 2019 budget, Curtin said it was a smart move to begin the budget process one month early this year. He also said that the town’s department heads are aware that new growth revenue from MarketStreet Lynnfield has leveled off, adding that they have budgets that are either level funded or have a “modest increase.” He said two unavoidable challenges will be the rising cost of health insurance and continuing to fund the town’s Other Post-Employment Benefits account. In addition, Curtin said collaboration, leading by example and communication are the pillars of a solid management style. “Keeping everyone in the loop is the most important thing you can do,” he said. Following the two interviews, Board of Selectmen Chairman Christopher Barrett said one of primary goals for Lynnfield is to achieve an AAA bond rating, which would certainly be possible with Dolan as the town administrator. He also said that under Dolan’s leadership, Melrose was the first community in the state to subscribe to the Group Insurance Commission. Selectman Philip Crawford
DOLAN | SEE PAGE 5