DAVID CASTELLARIN
New Finance Committee member
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The Finance Committee has a new member.
The Select Board unanimously voted to appoint Lincoln Avenue resident David Castellarin to the Finance Committee during a May 20 meeting. He succeeds Select Board member Alexis Leahy, who resigned from the FinCom after being elected to the Select Board last month.
Castellarin said he began his career working as a field representative/accountant for the Massachusetts Department of Revenue’s Division of Local Services’ Bureau of Accounts from June 1989 to March 1997.
“I took care of 20 cities and towns with their municipal finance, setting tax rates and setting balance sheets,” said Castellarin.
Castellarin worked as Winthrop’s town accountant from March 1997 to June 2000. He served as Swampscott’s assistant town administrator/town accountant from June 2000 to May 20017.
“I was also a parking clerk and I was the business manager for the school district for a few years,” said Castellarin.
Castellarin said he decided to make a “career change” and worked as the deputy director of the Somerville Retirement Board from May 2017 to January 2018. He served as the town accountant for the town of Stoneham from January 2018 to June 2021. Castellarin has worked as Bedford’s finance director since June 2021.
“I have 34 years of experience,” said Castellarin.
Select Board Chair Dick Dalton said Lynnfield Town Accountant/Assistant Finance Director Julie McCarthy “highly recommended” Castellarin’s appointment to the Finance Committee.
“Dave has significant experience in municipal finance and accounting,” said Dalton.
Select Board member Phil Crawford thanked Castellarin for volunteering to serve on the Finance Committee.
“I know it takes time away from your family, but it’s a very important position,” said Crawford. “I don’t think I have seen a resume that is more qualified to be on the Finance Committee than yours. Thank you for stepping forward.”
Leahy agreed.
“Thank you for stepping forward as well,” said Leahy. “I think your municipal background would really benefit the Finance Committee. I think you would bring something that is not there currently.”
Leahy asked Castellarin about his experience with obtaining state and federal grants for municipalities.
“I don’t write grants in my position, but I have to sign off on them,” said Castellarin. “I have to create all of the accountants and know all of the laws.”
After the discussion, the Select Board unanimously voted to appoint Castellarin to the Finance Committee. Castellarin’s term will expire on June 30, 2025.
“Congratulations,” said Dalton.
Castellarin thanked the Select Board for appointing him to the Finance Committee.
Dalton noted that the Select Board will need to appoint another member to the FinCom due to current Finance Committee member Chris Caprio deciding to step down at the end of June.
“Chris has been a very engaged and effective member of the Finance Committee,” said Dalton during a prior Select Board meeting. “It is a real loss, but on the other hand, I am happy for Chris because his professional career is going gangbusters. Good luck to Chris and his future endeavors.”
Seeking other committee members
The Select Board is also looking to appoint four residents to the newly created Traffic Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC). Spring Town Meeting voted 86-65 to form the TSAC late last month. The new committee will consist of four residents as well as three town employees who live in Lynnfield who are involved with traffic safety.
Trickett Road resident Wayne Perry recently commended the Select Board for supporting Main Street resident Tom Manning’s citizens’ petition seeking to form the TSAC at Spring Town Meeting. He called Town Meeting’s decision to approve an amendment that required the TSAC to include three town employees who live in Lynnfield “absurd.”
“I am sure time will prove me right that it was an absurdity,” said Perry.
The Select Board is also seeking a new alternate member to serve on the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Residents wishing to be considered for appointment to the four committees should send a letter of interest and/or resume to Assistant Town Administrator Robert Curtin at rcurtin@town.lynnfield.ma.us. Townspeople should reference which board and committee they are applying to serve on in the email they send Curtin.
Yard House change OK’d
The Select Board unanimously approved the Yard House’s application to change its liquor license hours on Sundays from noon to 11 a.m.
“As a matter of background, the board a few years ago voted to accept provisions of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 138, Section 33B, which allows the board to authorize a restaurant, hotel, club or veterans club to open as early as 10 a.m. for the service of alcohol on Sundays,” said Dalton. “The board and the state’s Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) must approve the alteration of hours.”
Upton Connell and Devlin, LLP attorney Elizabeth Pisano said the Yard House is looking to change its hours from 12 p.m. to 11 a.m.
“All other operations are going to remain the same,” said Pisano. “The Yard House will have the same opening time and closing time for the rest of the week.”
In response to a question from Dalton, Pisano said the Yard House offers brunch hours at other locations such as Legacy Place in Dedham.
After the discussion, the Select Board approved the Yard House’s request to alter its Sunday hours from 12 p.m. to 11 a.m.
