🌱 Patch AM: How Essex Tech’s new lottery could hit Lynnfield families and taxpayers.

Coffee in hand, Lynnfield? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How Essex Tech’s new lottery could hit Lynnfield families and taxpayers.
• How Lynnfield’s early FY27 budget could affect your taxes and services
• How a Lynnfield forward led her team to a tournament title

Also on today's calendar: International Folk Dancing for Beginners and 1 more event.

Today's riddle: After dinner, my parents asked if I could clear the table. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 45 and low of 25 degrees.
• Friday: Cloudy; p.m. rain, breezy, temps: high: 46, low: 39.
• Saturday: Mostly cloudy, afternoon rain, with a high of 45 and low of 38 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Essex Tech implementing blind lottery admissions process (localheadlinenews.com) — Lynnfield families eyeing Essex Tech should prepare for a new blind lottery admissions system starting in the 2026–27 school year, with at least 14 seats reserved for local students. Superintendent Tom Geary warns the change could significantly increase Lynnfield’s assessment costs, even as state leaders tout fairer access to career technical education.
   

• Lynnfield presents FY27 budget early (itemlive.com) — Lynnfield officials have rolled out the proposed FY27 town budget months earlier than usual, giving residents more time to weigh in. Town Administrator Rob Dolan highlighted higher property tax revenue, record new growth from the Sagamore project, and a sharp 14% jump in employee health insurance costs that will strain finances.
   

• 14 standout forwards from 2026 New Year's Prep Puck Drop (hockeyjournal.com) — A Lynnfield native, forward Mia Daley, powered Williston Northampton’s girls hockey team to a 3–0 championship win at the New Year’s Prep Puck Drop with a goal and two assists. The tournament in Easthampton featured several top prep programs and showcased 14 standout forwards from the final day’s games.
   

📸 Around Lynnfield

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Lynnfield

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Friday January 9

• International Folk Dancing for Beginners
  Unitarian Universalist Church, 239 Woburn St, Reading
  12:30 pm

Sunday January 11

• Admissions Open House
  Shore Country Day School, 545 Cabot St, Beverly
  10:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Sunday January 11

• Galapagos Puppets & the Jimmy Zhao Chinese Music Ensemble: ICE RIVER
  Temple Emmanuel of Wakefield , 120 Chestnut St , Wakefield
  2:00 pm

Thursday January 15

• Guest Speaker: AI at Home and School - Navigating Generative AI with Your Child Presented
  Shore Country Day School , 545 Cabot St , Beverly
  6:30 pm

📣 Lynnfield Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday January 8

• Baby Storytime
  Peabody Institute Library , 82 Main St , Peabody
  10:00 am
• Getting Started with Facebook
  Flint Memorial Library , 147 Park Street , North Reading
  10:00 am
• Music and Mother Goose with Miss Amy (ages 0-4) (REGISTRATION REQUIRED)
  Saugus Public Library , 295 Central Street , Saugus
  10:30 am
• Babies with Books
  Flint Public Library , 1 S Main St , Middleton
  11:00 am
• Toddler Storytime
  Tech Lab Main Library , 82 Main Street , Peabody
  11:00 am
• Social Workers Drop In
  Public Computers Main Library , 82 Main Street , Peabody
  2:00 pm
• Sutton Room Drop In
  Sutton Room Main Library , 82 Main Street , Peabody
  2:00 pm
• West Branch Library Fiction Book Group
  Community Room West Branch , 603 Lowell Street , Peabody
  2:00 pm
• 5th Grade Book Buddies
  Peabody Institute Library South Branch , 78 Lynn St , Peabody
  3:30 pm
• TACO Thursday - West Branch
  Community Room West Branch , 603 Lowell Street , Peabody
  4:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Lynnfield PatchAM possible:

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
• Austin Preparatory School — (781) 944-4900
  Choose an Austin Prep Education Rooted in Augustinian Values
• Buyers Brokers Only — (978) 835-5906
  We Protect Home Buyers – Exclusive Buyer Agents
• Blackdog Design/Build/Remodel — (603) 898-0868
  Making Your Dream Home a Reality Since 1989

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. posted a job opening for Crew Member in Lynnfield. Apply here.
• Ninety Nine Restaurant & Pub posted a job opening for Line Cook in Lynnfield. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Lynnfield here.

🗞 Nearby News

Peabody

• Peabody 'Mad Grannies' Raise Nearly $10K Amid SNAP Benefit Suspension For Food-Insecure (patch.com)

North Reading

• Massachusetts Hockey Players on Team USA 2026 Winter Olympics (fun107.com)

Saugus

Ok Lynnfield! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I needed a running start, but I made it!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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