Lynnfield Villager Q&A - Joe Gallagher responses

The following Q&A responses were sent to the Lynnfield Villager for the front page article in their April 8 edition.

1. Why do you want to serve on the Select Board?

I want to serve on the Select Board to help guide the strategic direction of the town, and to empower our community to have a greater voice in shaping the future of Lynnfield.

This includes providing greater transparency around the budget process, improving town communication, and encouraging as well as practicing respectful collaboration among Lynnfield’s many boards, committees, volunteers, and fellow residents.

2. What should be some of the town’s top priorities over the next three years?

First and foremost - we need a clearly communicated strategic plan for Lynnfield, which includes a clear sense of the financial forecast for the town. We need to publicly discuss the town’s “Three-year Budget Projection” as soon as possible, so that we can determine future revenue needs. As a member of the Select Board, I would seek to create a budget process that every resident has the opportunity to contribute to and influence at the appropriate decision points.

The second (related) priority is looking at that financial forecast, and determining the point at which our town’s expenses are expected to exceed our revenue. We can’t have informed discussions regarding potential overrides, capital investments, budget cuts, and other topics until our community has a shared understanding of the ability (or lack thereof) to fund our basic needs and planned initiatives. Ideally I would like to expand the “Three Year Projection” to a 5 Year Projection, so that we could have as much advance notice as possible of upcoming challenges (debt dropping off, expiring grants, etc) and plan appropriately to minimize the impact on Lynnfield taxpayers.

The third priority is developing, presenting, and monitoring a publicly available schedule for the town’s budgeting process, including all deadlines for feedback and final approval on the budget. There is currently confusion over when the budget is actually finalized, how the town is planning to spend its budget, and what the deadlines are for the public to provide feedback. I believe that creating a detailed schedule, as well as a more high-level schedule with major milestones, would allow residents to better understand how their input could shape their budget and the town’s future.

3. What is your position on the town’s budget process the past couple of years? What areas have you supported in the budget process and what areas would you change?

I am glad the town started its first ever Capital Improvement Planning (CIP) process in 2024, even though towns like Needham have been providing CIP reports since 2008. When I was a Finance Committee member this was a constant point of discussion, since a CIP can give residents a clear picture of the town’s capital needs (for assets like property or equipment). I would like the town’s CIP to include more detail on each capital expense - currently you can see the proposed cost, recommended cost, and title of each capital project, but you can’t see details like a project description, photos, priority ranking, funding sources, and other information.

As noted in the previous question - I would like the town to provide a clearer picture of the budget process, specifically the appropriate points where the public gets to see the planned budget and can provide feedback. As a project manager working with clients I found it extremely helpful to develop a detailed schedule listing out every step in the process as well as a high level schedule with major milestones, to ensure that no steps were being missed and that we were on track to meet our milestones. I would also monitor the schedule to ensure that all volunteer committees and departments were getting the necessary budgeting information on time, allowing residents and volunteer committees to have a greater say in the financial direction of the town.

4. What is your vision for Lynnfield’s future?

I envision a future where every Lynnfield resident feels a sense of safety and belonging, and where every resident has a stronger voice in helping to guide our town’s future.

I envision a Lynnfield where respectful discussion is promoted and encouraged, and all staff, residents, and volunteers are given enough information to make informed decisions at Town Meeting and the ballot box.

I envision a Lynnfield where residents understand the budget process and the financial challenges facing our town, and feel empowered and encouraged to take an active role in town government.

I encourage any Lynnfield residents who share this vision to vote Joe Gallagher for Lynnfield Select Board.