For Rail Trail Supporters, Another Hurdle Is Cleared

LYNNFIELD, Ma. - That sigh of relief Tuesday night coming from Town Hall probably sounded well rehearsed. It was. Once again the supporters of the Wakefield-Lynnfield Rail Trail project saw a town-wide vote go their way, but not by much.

Residents Tuesday voted Yes 1,858, with 1,677 voting No. The vote was non-binding so nothing was immediately at stake, but coming on the heals of the 2017 Town Meeting vote in which the rail trail won by a single vote, 342-341 , supporters needed a win.

"This was a significant step to proceed to Final Design and we look forward to this next phase as well as being one step closer to this rail trail built," said Vince Inglese, President of the Friends of the Lynnfield Rail Trail. "We are confident that this rail trail will be viewed as a treasured asset for both Lynnfield and Wakefield communities. One that is accessible to all ages and abilities, will foster a more connected community both physically and socially, and make us a safer and healthier community.

"Lastly, we see the election result as a clear mandate expressed by the citizens of Lynnfield and we look forward to the Selectmen supporting this project through its next phase without needless delay."

With Dick Dalton's re-election and subsequent handing of the chair baton to Phil Crawford, it was Crawford's turn to answer "what's next" with the rail trail.

"We will bring this vote to our state officials, both Brad Jones and Brendan Crighton, and ask if we can get the funding for the bond bill at the state level for the final design engineering cost," explained Crawford. "That's the next thing we have to look into. That may take up to a year before that gets funded. Where the vote was fairly close, I have to see if they will pursue that on our behalf. Otherwise the town would have to fund it in a different manner, either through tax dollars or through private funding and fund raising."

So supporters know construction isn't starting tomorrow. Opponents know Reedy Meadow is safe for the time being. As Crawford said, "we're probably 2-3 years away minimum" from shovels going in the ground.

Before the rail trail, before news that Thomas Wallace won a seat on the Planning Board, and Joseph Markey is Lynnfield's new Moderator, there was hockey. The board gave certificates to the Saugus/Lynnfield Bantam Hockey team for winning its first state championship. The Stars were congratulated for their efforts and took a group picture in the packed Maney Room.

Town Administrator Rob Dolan received a two-year contract extension from the Select Board. Dalton called Dolan, "a breath of fresh air," and said he was "a great communicator." Fellow board members Crawford and Chris Barrett agreed.

In his Chairman's update, Dalton informed those in the room that Monday the town received a letter from National Development and he said "there we will be no theater this year." Dalton, who supported the idea of a movie theater at MarketStreet, said the town was losing millions of dollars in traffic improvements with the loss of the theater project and its associated taxes. Dolan then read a letter from National that said the "idea of civil discourse was not embraced by all."