Monthly Archives: March 2012

Weekly Political Report – Week Ending March 23, 2012

Posted on March 23, 2012 | Comments Off on Weekly Political Report – Week Ending March 23, 2012

The Weekly Political Report is prepared by a political consulting group, Rasky/Baerlein, and shared with me by John Nunnari.

According to Recent Poll-Warren Leads Brown in US Senate Race

In a recent poll, Senator Scott Brown is behind Democratic opponent Elizabeth Warren by 5 points in the upcoming United States Senate election in Massachusetts. The Public Policy Polling survey results released Tuesday showed Elizabeth Warren with 46% and Senator Brown with 41%.  The Public Policy Polling surveyed 936 voters from March 16th to 18th. From those surveyed, 41% were Democrats, 14% self-identified as Republicans and 45% were independents or from another party.

 

Bill Endorsed to Allow Bidding in Renewable Energy Contracts
On Tuesday, the Joint Committee on Utilities, Telecommunications, and Energy endorsed a bill that would introduce competitive bidding to the renewable energy marketplace while more than doubling the amount of renewably energy utilities must purchase. The redrafted bill would require utility companies over the next four years to purchase an additional 4% of power needs from renewable sources through a competitive bidding process. The bill was updated to allow the Department of Public Utilities to consider whether a contract enhances electricity reliability, helps moderate system peak load requirements, is cost effective to ratepayers over the life of the contract, and, where feasible, creates additional employment and economic development. Under the bill, utilities will be required to complete two procurements by December 2016 for the additional power, entering into 15 to 20-year contracts, instead of the previous 10 to 15-year timeframe.

 

Auto Repair Bill Hearing at State House

Debate over the proposal known as “right to repair” continued at the Massachusetts State House as the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure held a hearing on the ballot question Wednesday. Auto manufacturers and independent repair shop owners looking for car makers to release more repair codes have failed to reach a settlement, increasing the likelihood that Massachusetts voters will be asked to settle the dispute on the November ballot. Auto makers say they already share essential diagnostic information with repair shops that are willing to pay for it, and that the policy change is driven by car part dealers seeking select data to make parts that do not cost as much. Repair shop owners say they are prohibited from obtaining manufacturer-specific codes, and without the codes the problems in increasingly computerized vehicles cannot be fixed.

 

John Nunnari, Assoc AIA

Executive Director, AIA MA

jnunnari@architects.org

617-951-1433 x263

617-951-0845 (fax)

 

MA Chapter of American Institute of Architects

290 Congress Street, Suite 200, Boston MA 02110

http://www.architects.org

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Posted in Weekly Mass Political Summaries

COA Adult Respite Care Program has started

Posted on March 23, 2012 | Comments Off on COA Adult Respite Care Program has started

The COA April newsletter relates the start up of Roberta Lynch’s new Adult Respite Care Program on March 20, and introduces the two new employees, Grace Nuziato and Kathy Powers.  Roberta obtained a Metrowest Healthcare Foundation grant to cover the start up costs of outfitting the room and ramping up the operation.  Earlier this week Roberta gave me a tour of the room that is being used by the respite program, and it has nicely done built-ins and fixtures made possible by the grant.

Congratulations to Roberta for getting this great new initiative up and running.  She has been planning for years on providing this respite care.

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Posted in Council on Aging

Medfield Press endorses Pete Peterson

Posted on March 23, 2012 | Comments Off on Medfield Press endorses Pete Peterson

Medfield Press endorsement follows –
===========================
Our choice

Peterson brings a wealth of experience, a keen memory for details, and a consensus-building approach to the office. His successes as a selectman are many, and we have no doubt he would continue to serve in exemplary fashion. . .

In the end, what impress us most about Pete Peterson are his outstanding communication skills. He has practically single-handedly opened the process of government to all the citizens of Medfield; and his personal efforts at disseminating information — especially his use of social media — are admirable. An informed citizenry is the cornerstone of a strong democracy, and Peterson’s efforts support that entirely.

The Medfield Press endorses Osler Peterson for reelection to the board of selectmen. His command of the issues and his passion for democracy make him an essential part of town government at this time.

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Posted in Elections

Medfield State Hospital meeting last night

Posted on March 23, 2012 | Comments Off on Medfield State Hospital meeting last night

The DCAM meeting at the Town House was attended by an overflowing, hot, and angry crowd of what I estimate to be 80-100 residents last night.  DCAM was presenting its final analysis of the issues and the clean up options it has chosen, but the meeting quickly got sidetracked from the planned agenda to deal with citizen anger over DCAM failing to totally remove the toxic materials dumped along the river over decades by DMH.  The C&D area is about 3.2 acres in size, and the materials are up to fifteen feet deep.

None of what DCAM presented last night was a surprise, as DCAM has been holding meetings with the parties over the past several weeks.  Mike, Kris and I heard the same results when we met with the Commissioner two weeks ago.  I had already reported on what we were then told at the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday this week, and also the big news that the Commissioner is now willing to sell the Medfield State Hospital to the town.  The details of what that would cost and how the payments would be made over time, with a balloon at the time of its development will all come later as we explore that purchase option further with DCAM.

The Medfield Selectmen have taken the position that the toxic materials should be removed up to the gas pipeline,  and DCAM last night confirmed its plan to cap and cover most of those materials in place.  DCAM did announce that the armored bank in prior plans had been changed to a bio-engineered bank, making for a more natural looking river bank, which was universally praised by those in attendance.

I was interested to see that the cost of the town sought option does not appear to be that different than the DCAM option (see slide 33 on the attached materials, if you can read the fine print), however, the cost were not discussed in any detail last night, so that discussion will have to happen another time.  DCAM’s option seems to top out at $3.9 m. versus the town option at $7.4 m., but DCAM’s option requires thirty years at least of monitoring, as cost that bridges a lot of that cost difference.    From memory I think the monitoring was going to cost upwards of $1.6 m.  Senator Timilty said last night that the state just needs to step up an pay to do the clean up right, whatever it costs, so if the legislature authorizes the monies, we can get it done.

I have attached the DCAM handout materials, for your information and review – https://medfield02052.blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/20120322-dcam-meeting-meterials.pdf

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Posted in Environmental, Medfield State Hospital

Consultant hired for 40B and MSH

Posted on March 22, 2012 | Comments Off on Consultant hired for 40B and MSH

Kristine Trierweiler, Assistant Town Administrator, just notified me that the Town of Medfield has retained  as our consultant on 40B issues (and MSH issues) the person she had recommended:   “Judi Barrett and the firm she works for Community Opportunities Group. They are very interested in assisting the Town in the review of the 40B and will attend the meeting with Gatehouse . . . I have also had discussions with her firm regarding assistance with the feasibility study/impact analysis review of the State Hospital project and they are interested in consulting with us on that as well.”

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Posted in Affordable housing / 40B, Medfield State Hospital

Town Election is Next Monday

Posted on March 20, 2012 | Comments Off on Town Election is Next Monday

I just sent this email out to those on my list –

Fellow Medfield Residents,

There is less than a week until the town election on Monday, March 26.  I ask for your vote. 

This week I want to mention some Fun Stuff and Important Volunteer Work Outside of Medfield that I have done.

My other letters and letters endorsing me can be read at my blog https://medfield02052.wordpress.com/.

FUN STUFF
  1. Medfield Day.  Ran the town’s annual street fair four times, and enlarged it substantially.  Created what is the current kids alley.
  2. Medfield Night Fireworks.  Initiated the fireworks in 2001 and raised the monies for them.
  3. 350th Anniversary Committee.  Acted as a committee volunteer and as the pro bono legal counsel to the committee that celebrated the 350th anniversary of the town.
  4. Medfield Youth Soccer.  Coach; attended coaching school three times to improve coaching skills.
  5. Medfield Youth Basketball. Coach.
  6. Brown University.  Alumni interviewer for Medfield applicants for ten years.
IMPORTANT VOLUNTEER WORK OUTSIDE OF MEDFIELD
  1. Riverside Community Care.  Our community mental health agency.  President 1984-89, Director 1977 – 1996.
  2. Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital – Needham.  Director 2001 – 2005.
  3. Lasell College.  Trustee 1982 – 2008.  
  4. Lasell Village.  Chair 1992 – 2000, Director 1990 – 2008. Oversaw the planning and building of Lasell Village.


I hope that my letters, and more importantly, my record, give you the confidence to vote for my proven leadership as your selectman.  The Medfield town election is on Monday, March 26.  Voting is at The Center. 

Let the work begun continue!

Sincerely,
Selectman, Osler L. Peterson

To help the campaign –

  • Tell your friends that there is a contested election for selectman happening on Monday 3/26/12, and tell them that you are voting to re-elect Pete Peterson (“RE-PETE on 3/26“), and why,
  • Forward this email to your contacts, and tell them how you are voting
  • Call and/or email people on 3/26 to remind them to vote, and telling them for whom you feel they should vote and why
  • Let me know that you want to publicly endorse me
  • You can contact me at osler.peterson@oslerpeterson.com
PLEASE JOIN ME FOR COFFEEPlease join me for coffee this coming Saturday mornings at the corner of North and Main – I can provide you coffee for one hand and a sign to hold in your other hand, and together we can wave to our fellow residents.  Stop by and we can outfit you.

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Posted in Elections

Weekly Political Report – Week Ending March 16, 2012

Posted on March 19, 2012 | Comments Off on Weekly Political Report – Week Ending March 16, 2012

Implementation of Expanded Gaming Law Continuing

The implementation of a law allowing for up to three resort style casinos continued this week with the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe officially requesting that the Governor enter into Compact negotiations with the tribe.  Also this week, the tribe officially requested that the City of Taunton schedule a citywide referendum on the tribe’s proposal to build a casino in Taunton.  The new state law requires the scheduling of a referendum before the tribe and the Commonwealth can commence official Compact negotiations.  Under law, Taunton must schedule the referendum within 60 to 90 days of the tribe’s request, giving the city until June 10 to hold a vote.

 

In addition this week, Foxborough Selectmen debated appointing a team to determine the effects of a casino and to negotiate compensation from Las Vegas casino entrepreneur Steve Wynn. Selectmen previously rejected such a move but were urged by a Foxborough business leader to return to the casino issue. A vote on the matter will be decided in the next couple of weeks.

 

Senator Kerry Seeks Relief for Boston Businesses with No Power

On Tuesday night, an NStar electrical substation caught fire in Boston’s Back Bay causing power outages for 17,000 customers.  By Thursday, about 4,000 NStar customers in Boston remained without power. Utility crews from throughout New England and New York worked to help restore power. Senator John Kerry on Thursday asked federal officials to provide economic relief to small business owners in the Back Bay that have been closed and lost business due to the power outage.

 

Approach of Committee Deadlines Force Legislative Movement

The Joint Rules (specifically Joint Rule 10) governing the Massachusetts Legislature requires most Joint Committees to take action on bills that have been referred to them by Wednesday, March 21st.  This deadline has created a fury of activity over the past week with committees holding executive sessions to take action on bills before the deadline. The Joint Committee on Financial Services for example disposed of more than 200 bills on Thursday during a short executive session.  The Committee gave a favorable recommendation to 35 bills while sending 185 bills to study.

 

Next week, Committees such as the Joint Committee on Public Health; the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure and the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy all have scheduled executive sessions for the middle of the week.

 

 

John Nunnari, Assoc AIA

Executive Director, AIA MA

jnunnari@architects.org

617-951-1433 x263

617-951-0845 (fax)

 

MA Chapter of American Institute of Architects

290 Congress Street, Suite 200, Boston MA 02110

http://www.architects.org

Comments Off on Weekly Political Report – Week Ending March 16, 2012

Posted in Weekly Mass Political Summaries

Energy Committee gets notice of effecting 31.7% savings

Posted on March 19, 2012 | Comments Off on Energy Committee gets notice of effecting 31.7% savings

At the Energy Committee meeting last Thursday, Mike Sullivan handed out the attached spreadsheet, which documents a total of 31.7% savings by the Town of Medfield from 12/31/08 to date in its energy use.  Town electric use was down 40.7% and gas use was down 35.2% over those time periods.

The Medfield High School took the prize with a total energy reduction of 44.3%.  The Energy Committee’s initial baseline studies of the MHS had determined that the HVAC at the MHS had been set to run seven days a week, instead of the five days it was occupied, and that savings alone was estimated to the town to be between $40-60,000 per year.

Since there is an election next Monday, I will point out that the Energy Committee was formed at my request and initiative, when I asked the question of what Medfield should be doing to deal with global warming.

20120315-Energy savings-1-1-09 to date

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Posted in Energy Committee

Bob Luttman & Rick Abecunas endorse Pete Peterson

Posted on March 19, 2012 | Comments Off on Bob Luttman & Rick Abecunas endorse Pete Peterson

Dear Editor,

We are writing to urge Medfield voters to reelect selectman Pete Peterson. Pete’s record as a selectman is commendable. Medfield has weathered the financial storms of the last several years without disastrous cuts in town services and Pete is part of the reason for that.

He has also shown a concern for, and worked hard to address, long term issues that face us, from affordable housing to the state hospital to the declining commercial base. He has worked to bring new ideas to the Board of Selectmen discussion on these and other issues.

He has been outfront on the 40B issue, helping organize and lead meetings and discussions. He has been active in several town groups. His work on the Medfield Foundation over the years has helped support many important initiatives in town, from playing fields to the Angel Run. He has helped champion volunteerism, a critical component of what makes Medfield great, through the Volunteers of the Year Award program.

We believe that Pete’s intelligence, experience, creativity, hard work, and dedication make him a strong selectman. We urge our fellow Medfield voters to Reelect Pete Peterson.

Sincerely,

Bob Luttman
Rick Abecunas

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Posted in Elections

Aside

With the selectman election quickly approaching, we would like to express our support for Osler “Pete” Peterson for reelection. Among the many attributes that have made him such an extraordinary selectman for the past 12 years are his vast know-how … Continue reading →

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Posted on March 19, 2012