By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The town’s department heads outlined their priorities for fiscal year 2024 and provided updates about each department’s current spending plan during the Finance Committee’s Dec. 14 meeting.
Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Tom Geary said the School Department has experienced challenges in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as increased special education and transportation costs.
“The state’s Operational Services Division (OSD) sets tuition prices for out-of-district special education private schools,” said Geary in an email sent to the Villager. “The office is required to estimate the anticipated rate of inflation each year so that districts are able to prepare their budgets. That office has set and approved a 14 percent inflation factor for these schools in FY24. Historically, these increases have been 1-3 percent annually. Obviously, we’ll continue to monitor any developments throughout the budget process, but as of now, this is what has been communicated to us.”
Superintendent Kristen Vogel said the School Department will be requesting a capital budget once again. In addition to funding technology expenses, Vogel said the School Department will be looking to purchase new curriculum and textbook materials as well.
“We used Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds to purchase some of those materials this year, but those funds are now gone,” said Vogel. “We are going to be asking the town to support that.”
Vogel also said there are issues at the Lynnfield Middle School and Lynnfield High School gyms that need to be addressed.
“Both gym floors need to be stripped and repainted,” said Vogel. “We also have basketball hoops at the high school that have caution tape on them because they cannot be lifted because they could fall out of the wall. Most basketball hoops can be lifted. It’s a safety issue.”
Director John Tomasz said the DPW’s busing contract represented an 18 percent in FY23 instead of the projected 5 percent increase. He also said gas and diesel costs have increased this year. He said the ESCO energy efficiency and infrastructure improvement plan has resulted in energy savings.
“The rebates we have had coming in are more than we expected,” said Tomasz.
Tomasz said the DPW’s trash and recycling costs will be “very manageable” in FY24 and FY25 after a large spike occurred this fiscal year. He is also looking to fill four vacant positions, including the town engineer job.
“We are working on that,” said Tomasz.
Chief Nick Secatore said the Police Department’s FY23 operating budget has been “a little bit strained” due to increased equipment costs. He said the cost to outfit police cruisers has “gone up substantially,” and the Police Department was forced to use money in the operating budget to help finance those expenses.
“It’s not horrible, but it’s a little over than we would like to be,” said Secatore.
Secatore also noted that the Police Department is down two officers, and recalled that Fall Town Meeting voted to transfer $100,000 into the department’s overtime line item. He said the time has come to revaluate the Police Department’s staffing model.
“The Lynnfield Police Department is understaffed,” said Secatore. “We are going to be asking for an officer this year just as we did last year. Our staffing model is lower than surrounding communities and what should be offered to the residents of Lynnfield.”
Chief/Emergency Management Director Glenn Davis said the Fire Department’s budget is on track even though overtime costs are “running a little bit high” due to two full-time firefighters currently attending the fire academy.
“They are my last two career firefighters who will be attending the academy,” said Davis.
Davis anticipates the Fire Department will respond to 2,350 calls in calendar year 2022, which will surpass last year’s 1,910 calls.
“We are busier than we have ever been,” said Davis. “We have had a 23 percent increase in calls for service this year, most of which are for emergency medical services. There is currently an EMT staffing crisis, and the private companies do not have enough EMTs to fulfill the contracts they have signed. We have been providing mutual aid to a lot of these surrounding communities because we are able to do so. We are not the only Fire Department doing that. In calendar year 2021, we provided mutual aid to other communities 66 times. As of Dec. 14, we have been out of town 290 times. The calls for service are also up in Lynnfield.”
Davis said the increase in mutual aid calls has not negatively impacted the Fire Department’s budget because the EMS budget is funded by an enterprise account.
“When we bring a patient to the hospital, we submit a bill to insurance companies,” said Davis. “We are able to bring those funds back into the town. We are up 30 percent this year.”
Looking ahead to FY24, Davis will be requesting a new ambulance to replace a 2006 ambulance that is in “poor condition.” He hopes the Emergency Medical Service Enterprise Fund’s Retained Earnings will finance the new ambulance’s cost.
“The cost has gone up considerably,” said Davis. “They are approximately $385,000. We bought one with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, which was substantially less than that.”
Davis is hoping that FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant program will fund the Fire Department’s request to replace the 39-year-old Engine 4.
“Last year was the closest we ever got to receiving funding for an engine,” said Davis. “We got to the peer review status, but we were not funded. It could be funded this year.”
Davis also noted that the Fire Department has struggled with recruiting and retaining call firefighters. He anticipates that will continue in the next fiscal year.
“We are always taking applications,” said Davis.
Veterans Services Officer Bruce Siegel said his department’s budget is a “small but reasonable,” and funds the town’s Memorial Day and Veterans Day celebrations. He also said he has worked to make sure veterans get the benefits they deserve.
Planning and Conservation Director Emilie Cademartori said her department’s budget for FY23 is “on target.” She said the Planning and Conservation Department has received a $52,000 Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) grant that will be used to develop a new Master Plan for the town. She will be applying for additional grants in the near future.
“I don’t anticipate any major expenses in FY24,” said Cademartori.
Executive Director Eric Hamlin recalled that Public, Educational and Government (PEG) fees paid by Comcast and Verizon fund Lynnfield Media Studios’ budget. He said Lynnfield Media Studios will be looking to upgrade “outdated” equipment in FY24.
“This year has been our busiest year since the Al Merritt Media and Cultural Center opened in November 2014,” said Hamlin. “In 2022, we have produced over 97 programs and meetings and populated our on-demand Vimeo service with over 700 programs covering graduation, sporting events and other celebrations around town.”
Building Inspector Joe O’Callaghan anticipates no major changes to his department’s budget in FY24.
Chairman Kirk Mansfield said 83 percent of the $15,000 the Historical Commission will be receiving in FY24 will be used to undertake the South Lynnfield Survey project.
“We are working with the state to identify the homes that should be put on the state preservation list,” said Mansfield.
Director Coral Hope said the Health Department’s budget for FY24 will be similar to the department’s current spending plan. She will be applying for grants to “help the Health Department move forward.” She has received a $300,000 grant that will be used for “new technology, a shared inspector and a public health nurse.”
Senior Center Director Linda Naccara said rising food costs have been a major challenge for the Council on Aging.
“It doesn’t seem to be leveling off at all,” said Naccara. “We did increase meal fees for seniors, and we are only making the exact number of meals ordered so there is no waste. We have done much better this year.”
Naccara also noted that more people are using the Senior Center this year.
“We are back to offering 15 or 16 programs a day,” said Naccara. “I don’t anticipate any significant increases for FY24.”
Substance Use Prevention Coordinator Peg Sallade recalled that A Healthy Lynnfield’s budget is funded exclusively by grants. She said A Healthy Lynnfield will continue offering a variety of community programs.
Town Treasurer/Tax Collector Leslie Davidson anticipates no major changes to her department’s budget for FY24.
Assessing Manager Victor Santaniello said his department’s FY24 budget will be level funded, but said some costs might rise due to inflation.
Town Clerk Linda Emerson said the town will be reimbursed for early voting and voting-by-mail costs for the State Primary and State Election this fall.
“The State Legislature passed the VOTES Act in June, which includes mandatory requirements and challenges that need to be addressed,” said Emerson. “The one thing that I will be asking for is a permanent part-time person. With what is required from the VOTES Act, we really need the extra help.”
Golf Director Donnie Lyons recalled that the town’s two golf courses are funded by an enterprise account. He anticipates no major changes in FY24.
“We do very well,” said Lyons.
Assistant Town Administrator Bob Curtin read a statement from Library Director Abigail Porter that outlined her department’s priorities for FY24. She noted that the library is fully staffed for the first time in several years, and is not anticipating any staffing or capital requests in FY24 unless “the Library Trustees decide to make adjustments.”
Porter has requested that the DPW capital budget includes funds to replace a door leading to the courtyard by the Children’s Room. She has also requested that the DPW install security lighting for the parking lot.
“This is a safety concern for both staff and patrons,” Porter wrote.
Curtin said operating budgets are due on Friday, Jan. 13. He said capital budgets are due on Friday, Jan. 20.