LYNN NEWS ROUND-UP
AUGUST 24, 2020

See our other COVID-19 related posts by clicking here.

Baker-Polito Administration to Replace Railings Along Lynn Shore Drive

Seeking to continue making infrastructure improvements within the state parks system, the Baker-Polito Administration today announced a $423,000 project to replace the railing along Lynn Shore Drive in the City of Lynn. The project, which is expected to start the week of Monday, August 24, 2020 and be completed in fall 2020, will replace 2,200 feet of deteriorated railings.

“Each year, thousands of people take advantage of historic Lynn Shore Drive’s picturesque views and easy access to the Atlantic Ocean coastline,” said Department of Conservation and Recreation Commissioner Jim Montgomery. “This railing project is an excellent example of the Baker-Polito Administration’s commitment to state park improvements across the Commonwealth.”

“It is great news that the project to replace the deteriorated railings around Lynn Shore Drive will be beginning next week,” said Mayor Thomas M. McGee. “Lynn Shore Drive is a major attraction in the City of Lynn for residents and visitors alike to walk, run, bike or engage in other recreational activities. These improvements will enhance their experience along our oceanfront.”

The existing railings were installed in 1994 and need to be replaced following years of wear and tear. Due to the close proximity to the ocean, the railings are subjected to saltwater during high tides that occur twice a day, a constant ocean mist, and additional major storm events. The majority of the rail replacement work will be conducted in areas where tidal waters impact the structure the most.

“Lynn Shore Reservation is a precious resource that is enjoyed year round by residents from the North Shore and beyond. We must do all that we can to maintain its beauty,” said State Senator Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn). “I would like to thank the Friends of Lynn and Nahant Beach for their years of tireless advocacy for this project and the DCR for making it a priority.”

“It’s always great to see the State and local communities working together,” said State Representative Donald Wong (R-Saugus). “For the beauty and safety of the public, I want to thank the Baker-Polito Administration for moving this project forward. The new railing will be a great improvement.”

“I am very pleased to learn that the Department of Conservation and Recreation will be replacing thousands of feet of deteriorated railings along Lynn Shore Drive,” said State Representative Peter Capano (D-Lynn). “Thank you to the Administration for their continued investment into state parks improvements across the Commonwealth.”

“Every year, residents of the North Shore flock to Lynn Shore Drive to take advantage of its amazing views and accessible walkway,” said State Representative Dan Cahill (D-Lynn). “These improvements combined with the hard work by the Friends of Lynn and Nahant Beach will maintain the safety and beauty of our coastline.”

The new railings, which will occupy the same footprint as the existing railings, will be placed on top of the seawall. The railings will be 18 inches in height and 4 inches in diameter and will be painted federal color green. Furthermore, the rail replacement work will be scheduled around high tides and other tidal conditions.

COVID-19 testing this week in Lynn

The City of Lynn has been selected to be a part of the state’s “Stop the Spread” Initiative. The program began on Friday, July 10th and will last until September 12th. Please call the Lynn Community Health Center at (781) 581-3900 to make an appointment at the Health Center. Walk-ins are also welcome.

• Fallon Ambulance offers testing at the following locations. Walk up Only:
  • Parking lot at Lynn English High School
    • Mon – Sat from 11 AM until 5 PM
  • Parking Lot across from Sacred Heart Church on Boston Street
    • Mon, Wed, and Friday 7 AM until 11 AM
    • Tues & Thurs 2 PM until 6 PM

• Call Lynn Community Health Center (581) 3900 to make a COVID-19 test appointment at 9 Buffum Street location

• Call Health Innovations at (774)-264-0604 to schedule a test at their mobile van location at Lynn School Administration Building at 100 Bennett Street. Walk-ins are also welcome.
  • Mon: 10 AM until 2 PM
  • Tues: 1 PM until 5 PM
  • Wed: 10 AM until 2 PM
  • Thurs: 1 PM until 5 PM

Early voting this week in Lynn, Mail-in Ballot drop box at City Hall

This week early voting is happening at Lynn City Hall during the following days and times:

If you do not want to mail your Ballot, please drop it in the official ballot “Drop Box” located outside of Lynn City Hall on the Johnson Street side. You may also go to the Elections Office in Room 203 and hand deliver your ballot.

Find out more about voting & the candidates by clicking here.

2020 U.S. Census updates, Questionnaire Assistance for Lynn families

City Clerk/Chief of Elections Janet Rowe is reporting that Lynn is now at an estimated 59.9% response rate for the 2020 United States Census. The state of MA as a whole is at 66.5%. With the Census now ending a month earlier, the race to make sure everyone is counted is in full gear.

“Census Numerators are out in our “hard to count areas” now trying to get more families to answer”, said Rowe. “Our Lynn Public Schools Compliance Officer Charlie Gallo, working with Superintendent Pat Tutwiler, has scheduled additional days for Census workers to work with parents registering their children this week”

According to Gallo, the Lynn Public Schools have Census Mobile Questionnaire Assistance times available this week at the following days, times, & locations.

Monday, August 24th

• From 9am-12PM at 100 Bennett Street | LPS Admin. building, outside the parent registration center

Tuesday,August 25th

• From 4-7PM at 100 Bennett Street | LPS Admin. building, outside the parent registration center

Thursday, August 27th

• From 9am-12PM at 100 Bennett Street | LPS Admin. building, outside the parent registration center
• From 8:30am-2pm at 235 O’Callaghan Way | Classical High School’s laptop distribution site
• From 8:30am-2pm at 100 Brookline Street| Marshall Middle School’s laptop distribution site

Friday, August 28th

• From 9am-12PM at 100 Bennett Street | LPS Admin. building, outside the parent registration center

Find out more about why it’s important to fill out the Census, the questions asked, and how your information is protected for 70+ years in this short video we produced earlier this year with the City of Lynn.

Please click here to be brought to the Census website for more info., or to fill out the 5-10 minute questionnaire online.

Severe thunderstorm risk for today

Last night the National Weather Service of Boston released preliminary rainfall amounts from the storms that impacted the area on Sunday. Shaded colors represent radar-estimated rainfall, while point values are observed amounts.

The only official report from Lynn yesterday was 0.75 inch hail, but locals reported down trees and flooding on social media. Today (Monday) severe storms are again expected to impact the area. from the NWS:

…SCATTERED STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE BETWEEN 2 AND 8 PM THIS EVENING WITH THE GREATEST RISK NEAR AND SOUTH OF THE MASSACHUSETTS TURNPIKE…

Scattered thunderstorms are once again expected to develop after 2 or 3 pm this afternoon. Some of the storms may become strong to severe with the main threat being localized damaging wind gusts. A secondary concern will be for isolated large hail. Heavy rain and brief urban street flooding will also be possible.

The threat for scattered strong to severe storms is possible across the entire region, but the highest risk appears to be near and south of the Massachusetts turnpike.

Dangerous cloud to ground lightning will be possible with any of the thunderstorms this afternoon and early this evening. Those with outdoor plans should keep an eye to the sky and prepare to seek an indoor shelter if threatening weather approaches.

The forecast for the rest of the week looks promising. Tomorrow will be cloudy & in the 80s & mugginess sticks around, but then the mugginess goes away for the rest of the week and through Sunday you can expect highs in the 70s. the next rain chances are Thursday, with a 40% chance of showers, & Saturday, with a 50% chance of scattered thunderstorms.

From Mayor McGee’s office: The Lynn Public Health Department has confirmed that as of today, the number of active, confirmed positive COVID-19 cases is 683 with 10 new cases today. 3,687 Lynn residents have recovered and 113 have died. The total number of confirmed positive COVID-19 cases in Lynn since March 21, 2020, including those who have died and recovered, is 4,483. Please visit the new City of Lynn COVID-19 Data Dashboard which is updated daily.

Please visit http://www.ci.lynn.ma.us/covid19/resources.shtml#p7GPc1_2 for more information on how you can get a free COVID-19 test in the City of Lynn until September 12.

We will continue to provide regular updates on COVID-19 through the City website (www.lynnma.gov), social media, and the Smart 911 emergency notification system (sign up at www.smart911.com).