By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The Select Board unanimously voted to appoint several new members to different committees during recent meetings.
Pyburn Road resident Allison Donahue was recently appointed to the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC).
“I have been a lifelong resident of Lynnfield,” said Donahue. “I am raising my family here. My kids are in middle school and high school. I have always been committed to my community, and have wanted to help the community by giving back in some sort of way. I have been a member of the board of directors of the North Suburban Jewish Community Center (NSJCC). I was on the Lynnfield Little League board for six years, serving as the secretary. That was while my son was playing Little League, and he has since moved on.”
Donahue said she is interested in improving traffic safety in town.
“I have a son who is 16,” said Donahue. “Both of my kids mentioned their Civics Action Projects coincidently, and were talking about the roads and safety. I just wanted to take this opportunity to participate in the town and help the community.”
Select Board Vice Chair Phil Crawford thanked Donahue for volunteering to serve on the TSAC.
“I know you have been here forever, and I know you, your sister and your family,” said Crawford. “I am sure you know the roads as well as anyone in town.”
Select Board member Alexis Leahy also thanked Donahue for volunteering to serve on the TSAC. She asked her “what are the biggest challenges this committee should be tackling.”
“Speed is number one,” said Donahue.
Select Board Chair Dick Dalton thanked Donahue for volunteering to serve on the TSAC.
“As we always say, this town is reliant on volunteers in order for us to be the town that we are,” said Dalton. “Thank you for stepping forward.”
Dalton noted that Conservation Commission member/Historical Commission alternate member Erin Hohmann and Main Street resident Bob Gillon interviewed to serve on the TSAC last summer.
“They have indicated they are still interested in being appointed,” said Dalton.
The Select Board unanimously voted to appoint Donahue to the TSAC.
“Congratulations Allison,” said Dalton. “Thank you for stepping up.”
Open Space Working Group
The Select Board unanimously voted to appoint Bellevue Island resident James Macdonald to the Open Space and Recreation Plan Working Group.
“James Macdonald has been working with the Open Space and Recreation Plan Working Group for some time,” said Dalton. “The group requested that he be made a formal member of the committee. There is no term, as it is an ad hoc committee. And for those of you on Facebook, James takes some great pictures of wildlife throughout the community. I always enjoy seeing what he posts.”
Conservation Commission
The Select Board recently appointed Drury Lane resident John Michalski to the Conservation Commission.
“I have lived in town for about 15 years,” said Michalski. “I am very interested in the position on the commission because I have a lot of interest in the outdoors and natural resources. Many moons ago, I got an associate’s degree in Forestry up at the Aggie. Around that same time, I worked for the state parks system and NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) up in Gloucester for a little while. I did a lot of wetland restorations. During the winter when we couldn’t do wetland work, we cleared land and established a Christmas tree farm.”
Michalski said his interest in preserving natural resources has continued after he made a career change.
“Being on a Conservation Commission is something I always had a desire to do since I was in my 20s,” said Michalski.
In response to a question from Dalton, Michalski said he has served on the Historical Commission for several years.
Crawford said he has volunteered with Michalski during town events.
“He doesn’t say a word, and asks what you need him to do,” said Crawford. “I appreciate everything you have done for the town so far. I think you would be a great candidate for the Conservation Commission.”
Leahy thanked Michalski for volunteering to serve on the Conservation Commission.
“I feel like your background and motivation for wanting to join the commission checks out,” said Leahy. “I appreciate you applying.”
Longbow Circle resident Gianfranco Sacco was appointed as an alternate member on the Conservation Commission.
“I want to thank the Select Board for allowing me to apply for this position,” said Sacco. “I have always been passionate about politics. Any political process is of interest to me. In May, I will be graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a Concentration in Public Policy and Law. I have done the relevant coursework over the years.”
Sacco said he graduated from Lynnfield High School.
“I grew up in town and have lived in town for all of my life,” said Sacco. “I played football. My major interest in joining the commission is I saw all of the major projects growing up. I saw MarketStreet, and I used to slide down the hill at the Colonial. I saw the high school field, which used to be a dirty field that used to have so many trees there. Granted we needed the new field, but I think we could have kept a few more trees up. I have always had that interest.”
Sacco said he is “very active in town.”
“I am a Eucharistic Minister at Ave Maria Parish,” said Sacco. “I serve at both churches, Saint Maria Goretti and Our Lady of the Assumption. I love this town. It is a nice small town. Everybody knows everybody.”
Crawford said he appreciates Sacco’s volunteerism.
“I think this is a nice stepping stone for you to get involved,” said Crawford.
Leahy also thanked Sacco for volunteering to serve on the Conservation Commission.
Recreation Commission
The Select Board voted to appoint Summer Street resident Joe Attubato to the Recreation Commission.
Attubato said he has three daughters attending Lynnfield Public Schools.
“I have an eighth-grader, a sixth-grader and a third-grader,” said Attubato. “I heard there was a vacant position on the Recreation Commission, and I am just expressing interest in filling that spot.”
Attubato said he serves on the board of directors for the Lynnfield Youth Soccer Club and Lynnfield Youth Softball.
“I am also on the Huckleberry Hill and Lynnfield Middle School Parent Councils,” said Attubato. “I like to be involved and I like to keep myself busy. I figured that the Recreation Commission would be a great opportunity to give back to the town.”
Dalton thanked Attubato for “all that you do.”
“Thank you for coming forward,” said Dalton. “You have been very active in the community. We certainly appreciate that.”
Crawford concurred with Dalton’s viewpoint.
“I think you would be a great fit,” said Crawford.
Leahy agreed.
“Thanks for stepping forward,” said Leahy. “The amount you have already put into the town is very well recognized.”
After the discussion, the Select Board unanimously voted to appoint Attubato to the Recreation Commission.
The Select Board also unanimously approved Recreation Commission member Kimberlee Kossover Hansen’s request to switch from a regular member to an alternate member.
Committee changes
Additionally, the Select Board unanimously voted to accept Bruce Siegel’s resignation from the Lynnfield Initiatives for Elders (L.I.F.E.) Board of Directors on March 10.
“We thank him for his service,” said Crawford.
In addition to seeking a permanent member to serve on the L.I.F.E. Board of Directors, the town is also seeking a permanent member to serve on the Reading Municipal Light Department Citizens’ Advisory Board and an alternate member to serve on the Zoning Board of Appeals.
If residents are interested in serving on one of those two committees, they can send a letter of interest and/or resume to Assistant Town Administrator Bob Curtin at rcurtin@town.lynnfield.ma.us.