On being a selectman

MCAP meeting this morning postponed.  The Federal grant application was circulated, and I am still working my way through it.  Interesting piece pointed out on Fox two nights ago about need to secure prescription meds, as that may well be where our children start their drug uses.  There is a correlation between heroin use and degree of prescription drug use, as dealers look to areas of heavy prescription drug use to promote heroin, as heroin is cheaper.

Building Committee meeting about moving forward with plans for a tweaked DPW garage, and the master plan for the Dale Street campus, to include a new public safety facility, Medfield Park & Recreation Commission facility, and a school to serve the current Dale Street school children.   Look for the committee’s an informational public meeting at 7:30 PM on June 7.  They are planning on bringing the DPW garage forward at a special town meeting in November.

I mainly missed the Medfield Foundation meeting last night so as to attend the ZBA hearing #2 on the Gatehouse 40B.  MFi is (1) gearing up to take over running the Angel Run, (2) looking for volunteers to assist on various MFi projects, (3) planning a Monday night Patriots game fund raiser come football season, (4) has celebrated its tenth anniversary year successfully raising over $1.3 m . for public purposes in Medfield, and (5) hopes to establish an endowment by means of planned gifts..

The Board of Selectmen met yesterday evening to grant Bob Sylvia a waiver from his technical conflict of interest (his son works for a law firm that has represented Gatehouse), to allow him to continue his participation in the 40B hearings.  We also discussed our letter comments to the ZBA about the 40B – I suggested that we ask to have it be a tobacco free site.

At the ZBA hearing #2 on the Gatehouse 40B, the ZBA lined up their consultants and heard from four town departments.  Small attendance, perhaps due to the fact that Medfield.TV broadcast the hearing live – look for the repeats.  Most concerning to me was the report that the facility is in an area that is subject to flooding.

Good account circulated by Shawn Collins follows –

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The meeting was called to order with ZBA Chair Robert Sylvia, Russ Hallisey and Charles Peck in attendance for the ZBA.

Future meetings on June 18, July 9 and July 23 were announced.  It was pointed out that the “hearing” must be concluded 180 days from the application date, which would be a conclusion by October 9^th.

Intended for tonight was the selection of consultants and the reporting of  Paul Costello (Water and Sewer Commission), Bob Maguire (Superintendent of Med Schools), Fire Chief Kingsbury and Police Chief Meaney.

Mr. Sylvia pointed out that they relied primarily on recommendations of the existing Town consultants, Mark Brobowski (40B Attorney) and Judy Barrett (Planning Consultant) to evaluate consultant candidates.  Mark Cerel would be responsible for facilitating consulting agreements.

The ZBA chose the following:

Traffic Engineer – Douglas Prentiss

Civil Engineer – Mr. Houston (didn’t catch first name)

Financial Advisor – Michael Jacobs

The Water and Sewer Commission reported (Paul Costello) that they have concerns centered on drainage issues.  Test boring showed the parcel is mostly sand/gravel.  There is a “lower pond” on the site that may not be adequately categorized by FEMA Flood Plain mapping.  He contends that it should be categorized differently than what the developer says.  Further the Commission is concerned about the developers plan for an irrigation well.  They are requesting more information on its location and pumping capacity.

Bob Maguire reported that he had reviewed enrollment projections given by the developer that were based on their other community developments.  He felt that the methodology was flawed because the other towns did not have school systems similar to Medfield’s.  These numbers will be verified against an independently verifiable methodology reflective of Medfield specifically.

Chief Bob Meaney addressed three principal concerns.

• A safe spot for children to wait for the bus including a barrier to the street

• An alternative access to the complex that would accommodate police vehicles (and fire trucks)

• The lack of a sidewalk to at least Marsh Drive, along with a pedestrian crossing/light as well as the addressing of the lack of sidewalk on Dale Street near Charlesdale and Grove Street

Chief Kingsbury spoke about the alternative access issue and the height of the buildings along with their setbacks.  The Town’s ladder truck has a 75’ ladder and that would not reach the roof.  Stationary ladders are only 24’, so they wouldn’t be appropriate either.

Gatehouse did not speak at all and there was no other comment.  The next meeting is scheduled for June 18^th at 7:30p.

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