Politics & Government

Town Sets Policies For Reverse 911 System

Also at this week's selectmen's meeting: a couple of new building permits, and a new roast beef/pizza place may be coming to town.

Town officials are putting the finishing touches on a formal policy to govern the Reverse 911 System that was introduced back in March.

At this week's selectmen's meeting, Town Administrator Bill Gustus laid out some of the reasons the Reverse 911 System can be activated in town. Examples included police, fire and other safety emergencies, evacuations, including of specified parts of town, due to hazards or spills, and notification of a lost child or a dangerous criminal at large.

"One thing I think we ought to be very careful of is not to overuse this system," said Gustus. With that in mind, the town administrator added that Reverse 911 alerts will focus on matters of emergencies and of public convenience – but not of public interest such as event information.

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The town's formal policy will also require the board of selectmen be notified before an announcement is sent out via Reverse 911. The town administrator will be the one to approve the messages before they are sent out.

The town policy states that if the town administrator is not available to approve a Reverse 911 message, that authority will fall to the chairman of the board of selectmen. If neither option were available, the police and fire chief would hold joint approval responsibilities.

Find out what's happening in Lynnfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

To learn more about the town's Reverse 911 system, the fire department released back in March urging residents to sign up for announcements.

 Also At This Month's Meeting...

The next couple of selectmen's meetings will also see a focus on the town's building fees, some of which could also be amended at the fall town meeting.

"Our fees for building permits have not been reviewed or updated for over three fiscal years," Gustus told selectmen. He also reported that electrical fees have not been adjusted for closer to 10 years.

There are also two new building fees in town – a sheet metal permit for duct work installation, and a separate building permit for HVAC alterations.

The selectmen handled several other matters during their July meeting. Members approved Chris Barrett, a father of two who grew up in Lynnfield, to the Recreation Commission.

Selectmen had also been set to consider an application for a common victualer's license for a planned eatery in the Route 1 vicinity to be called Louie's Pizza and Roast Beef. However, the owner apparently chose not to have it addressed at the July meeting.

Finally, selectmen also approved the use of town streets for the 8th annual OD's Run and Walk, in memory of to be held on September 25 at 10 a.m. starting at Lynnfield High School.


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