Published in the April 25, 2018 edition

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — Voters will be asked to approve only one of the two proposed Main Street elderly housing developments during Town Meeting on Monday, April 30.

In a surprising turn of events, developer Angus Bruce requested that the selectmen refer Article 23, known as the Wills Brook Village development, to the Planning Board for further review during the Board of Selectmen’s meeting on Monday.

Local attorney Jay Kimball submitted Article 23, which would have asked voters to amend a parcel of land located on Main Street and Janet Way from Residence D to Elderly Housing. Article 23 is unrelated to the proposed Fairways Edge at Sagamore Spring development that will be voted on at Town Meeting.

The Wills Brook Village project entails building 66 over-55 duplexes, including one affordable unit for a veteran, at 1480 Main Street. Twelve wells for water and a Title V septic system would be constructed for the development.

“I would like to respectfully request that (the selectmen) refer this back to the Planning Board,” said Bruce. “I would like to do further review of the traffic study, especially in regards to the Lowell Street intersection. I haven’t completed it to date. I would like the opportunity to do perks as well as mitigation if necessary. I would like to look at the wells more just to make sure there is no impact on the town’s water. I feel that moving it six months forward in the scope of things is not a long time.”

The selectmen expressed their support for Bruce’s request.

“I have no problem doing that,” said Selectman Phil Crawford.

Capital budget

In addition to approving Bruce’s request to refer Article 23 to the Planning Board for further review, the selectmen agreed to continue discussing the proposed capital budget for fiscal year 2019 during the board’s meeting before Town Meeting.

Article 8 is the proposed FY’19 capital budget, totaling 1,753,731. The Finance Committee recently approved a capital budget that is $40,000 higher than the capital budget recommended by Town Administrator Rob Dolan. The Finance Committee voted to increase the capital budget by $40,000 in order to make repairs to the Lynnfield Public Library’s basement as well as replace damaged books in the wake of a recent septic problem caused by a person clogging a toilet.

“The Finance Committee and Board of Selectmen have adopted different capital budget recommendations,” said Selectmen Chairman Dick Dalton. “After discussions with the library director and DPW director, there has been some progress made on this particular issue. I am very disappointed that the policies and procedures we have laid out were not followed.”

In addition to making repairs to the library’s basement and replacing damaged books in the wake of the septic problem, Dalton said the funds would be allocated for repairs to the library’s sidewalk, stairs and windows.

“Obviously, this is not related to an emergency condition,” said Dalton. “I am going to make a motion that we defer this to our next meeting in order to give us more time to research this issue and make sure we do our due diligence, and that we get further input from our DPW director, who will be responsible for pricing this out. I will also add that it will be my motion to have this put as part of the Public Works capital expenditures if and what amounts might be allocated so that we make certain what is approved is done in a cost effective manner.”

Selectman Chris Barrett concurred with Dalton’s viewpoint.

“It’s important for us to do our due diligence,” said Barrett. “The backup happened during the (budget) process. I think it’s important we get to a conclusion by Town Meeting, and hopefully have a recommendation from the board.”

Crawford agreed.

“I would like to take a look at what these other expenses are,” said Crawford. “Bathroom repairs and the flooding prevention piece are only a few thousand dollars. I would certainly like to make sure we are taking care of all the safety issues there and we are making sure we take care of everything that is needed. We have time, and we will take a look at it this week.”

Library Director Holly Mercer and Library Trustees Bob Calamari, Faith Honer-Coakley and Russell Boekenkroeger were present at the meeting but did not speak.