Published in the July 5, 2017 edition

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — Last week, the Board of Selectmen voted to reappoint a slate of people to various committees and departments, with one notable exception.

The selectmen voted not to reappoint Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman Thomas Aylward to another three-year term. Aylward served on the ZBA for around 10 years.

Selectman Dick Dalton made a motion to approve the slate of reappointments with the exception of Aylward, which was seconded by Selectman Phil Crawford. Dalton and Crawford did not comment on the amended motion.

Selectmen Chairman Chris Barrett, who voted in favor of the slate of reappointments, provided the following statement to the Villager.

“I am thankful for his service to the town of Lynnfield,” said Barrett. “He served Lynnfield for many years and we greatly appreciate it.”

In an interview with the Villager, Aylward said he was “not really sure” why he was not reappointed to the ZBA.

“I was quite surprised,” said Aylward. “I attended the volunteer meeting at MarketStreet, and I talked to (Assistant to Administration) Bob Curtin, who told me I was up for renewal. I was just elected chair by my colleagues, and I thought it was appropriate to stay on.”

Aylward said he was proud of his tenure on the ZBA. He said the ZBA helped upgrade the town’s tax base by allowing the “teardowns of depilated properties” in order for new homes to be constructed. He also stated the ZBA helped the town “exceed the state’s requirements for 40B.”

“The board has been amazingly stable and very productive,” said Aylward.

In August 2016, Dalton urged the ZBA to uphold Building Inspector Jack Roberto’s cease and desist order forbidding 8 Needham Rd. homeowner Alexander Styller from renting out his home via sites such as Airbnb following the murder of 33-year-old Keivan Heath at a house party on May 29, 2016. Dalton’s daughter lives near Styller’s home, and he told the ZBA that his grandchildren were so afraid following Heath’s murder that they were not able to sleep in their own home.

After continuing the matter on two separate occasions, the ZBA voted in November 2016 to uphold, in part, the cease and desist order issued by Roberto. Aylward and ZBA members Patrick Rondeau and John Fallon agreed with Mullen not to include references made in the original letter to Styller forbidding him to advertise the rental of his single-family home, which is located in a residential district.

During last year’s October Town Meeting, townspeople approved Article 6, which amended the town’s Zoning Bylaw to prohibit the rental or leasing of a home in the residential district for a period of 30 days or less.

Styller has appealed the ZBA’s decision in Land Court, and oral arguments are going to be heard on Tuesday, July 18 at 10 a.m.

Stepping down

In addition to the selectmen’s decision not to reappoint Aylward to the ZBA, four residents are stepping down from their respective boards.

Tom Kennedy has stepped down from the Finance Committee. Faith Honer-Coakley is bidding farewell to the Historical Commission. Rod Boone has left the Recreation Commission. Robert Casoli is moving on from the Board of Registrars.

“I would like to thank them for their service,” said Barrett. “The strength of this community certainly falls to its volunteer base. I would like to thank Rod Boone for his impressive service on the Recreation Commission. Robert Casoli has done a wonderful job on the Board of Registrars. I would like to thank Faith Honer-Coakley for her service to the Historical Commission. Tom Kennedy has done a wonderful job on the Finance Committee.”

Reappointments

The following people were reappointed to their respective boards and positions.

Jack Bittner and Annie Lane were reappointed to three-year terms on the Council on Aging. Jack Roberto was reappointed as the town’s building inspector. John Luther, Richard Colatuoni and Stephen Melanson were reappointed as assistant building inspectors. Town Clerk Trudy Reid and Assistant Town Clerk Diane Hammerbeck were reappointed to their respective positions.

Paul Martindale and Angelo Salamone were reappointed to three-year terms on the Conversation Commission. Paul Minksy, John Ruerwhein and Ronald Small were reappointed as constables. Erin Howard and Katianne Williams were reappointed to three-year terms on the Cultural Council. John Santos was reappointed as the town’s dog officer. Fire Chief Mark Tetreault was reappointed as the town’s emergency management director. Lynnfield Center Water District Superintendent Kenneth Burnham was reappointed assistant emergency management director.

Paul Donohoe was reappointed as the town’s gas and plumbing inspector. Donald LoConte, Stanley Kulacz and Paul Flores were reappointed assistant gas and plumbing inspectors. Roy Sorli was reappointed to a three-year term on the Historical Commission. Jerry Pezzella was appointed to the Ipswich River Watershed Advisory Board once again. Gail McCausland was appointed to a three-year term on the Board of Health. Jack Adelson and Bruce Siegel were reappointed to the LIFE Board of Directors.

Police Chief David Breen was reappointed lock-up keeper. Veterans’ Services Officer Bruce Siegel was reappointed to a three-year term on the Memorial Day Parade Committee. Richard Lamusta and Charles Peabody were reappointed as special police officers. Matt Monkiewicz was reappointed to the Recreation Commission.

Town Counsel Tom Mullen was reappointed to his position for another two years. Christine O’Sullivan was tapped as the town’s tax collector, treasurer and pretax plan administrator once again. Wire Inspector David Sardella was reappointed to his position. Alfred Metell and Arthur Skinner were reappointed as assistant wire inspectors.