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Select Board reviews police and fire budget requests, concurs with sergeant appointment
Summary
The Select Board concurred in the appointment of Marco DePalma to police sergeant, reviewed Police and Fire Department FY2027 requests (including a 3% salary increase and capital needs), and approved a dispatchers contract covering 2025—1028.
The Lynnfield Select Board on Jan. 28 heard presentations from Police Chief Nick Secatore and Fire Chief Glenn Davis on their Fiscal Year 2027 operating and capital requests, and concurred with the recommended police sergeant appointment.
Chief Secatore said the police operating request reflects a 3% increase to salary schedules as provided in collective bargaining agreements and outlined capital needs including vehicle replacements (two cruisers per year). He reported that the department is moving back into renovated headquarters in phases and that overtime pressures have eased with staffing stability, although the department continues to recruit for an additional patrol officer.
The Board concurred in the appointing authority's recommendation of Officer Marco DePalma to the sergeant position after DePalma scored highest in the civil service process and had served as acting sergeant for more than nine months. Chair Philip Crawford said he knows DePalma personally and praised him; the motion to concur passed unanimously.
Fire Chief Glenn Davis summarized his department's budget and capital priorities, noting grants that have supplemented equipment needs and a request for a new brush fire apparatus. Regarding Ladder 1 and Engine 2, Chief Davis asked for a $65,000 motor replacement for Engine 2 and $135,000 in repairs for Ladder 1, arguing repair is cost-effective because a new truck would cost about $2.5 million and have a two-year lead time. "This is a great return on investment as a new truck would cost $2.5 million, and there is a two-year wait on orders," Chief Davis said.
The Board also approved a three-year collective bargaining agreement with the Lynnfield Dispatchers Association (July 1, 2025—1June 30, 2028) that provides a 3% increase to the salary table each year; the motion passed unanimously.
What's next: The departments will work with town staff during the budget process to refine requests and identify funding sources. The appointment of Marco DePalma to sergeant will proceed through the appointing authority's procedures.
