Board of Selectmen Minutes
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
7PM
Present: Ann Thompson, Osler Peterson, Michael Sullivan, Kristine Trierweiler
Meeting was called to order at 7PM. Ms. Thompson made a motion to appoint Osler Peterson as Clerk, in the absence of Mark Fisher.
Action Items
Medfield Coalition requesting signs for town wide fund raising appeal in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Coalition. Coalition is requesting:
- Nov 5th to Nov 19th at Route 27/South Street, North Street/109, and MTS
- Dec 3rd to Dec 21st at Route 27/South Street, North Street/109, and Hartford Street/109
VOTE: Osler Peterson made a motion to approve the request, seconded by Ann Thompson. Vote was unanimous.
Memo from the Medfield Energy Committee in response to Selectmen’s memo regarding potential revisions/updates for the Bylaw Review Committee. Memo will be forwarded to the Charter Bylaw Review Committee.
MEMO announces the Annual Holiday Parade will be Saturday, December 8, 2012 at 1PM, Selectmen are invited to participate in the parade. Annual Tree Lighting will take place on December 7, 2012 at 7PM in Baxter Park. MEMO requests a Parade Permit to be issued for December 8th
VOTE: Osler Peterson made a motion to approve the request, seconded by Ann Thompson. Vote was unanimous.
New ‘N Towne request a permit to establish a booth at the MEMO Tree Lighting Ceremony.
VOTE: Osler Peterson made a motion to approve the request, seconded by Ann Thompson. Vote was unanimous.
Request for a one day beer and wine permit for an event entitled Raising a Reader at the CENTER 10/20 from 7-11:30PM
VOTE: Osler Peterson made a motion to approve the request, seconded by Ann Thompson. Ms. Thompson voted as a rule of necessity, her daughter in law is running the event. Vote was unanimous.
COA Request for a one day beer and wine permit for an event entitled Supper Club at the CENTER 10/24 from 4-7PM
VOTE: Osler Peterson made a motion to approve the request, seconded by Ann Thompson. Ms. Vote was unanimous.
COA Request for a one day beer and wine permit for an event entitled Halloween Ball at the CENTER 10/26 from 7 to 10PM
VOTE: Osler Peterson made a motion to approve the request, seconded by Ann Thompson. Ms. Vote was unanimous.
Appointments
7:00 PM Housing Authority
Mr. Jack Hurd, Executive Director of the Housing Authority for the past thirteen months. Authority had written a letter to the BOS, to open a discussion of the expansion of senior housing at Tilden Village. Currently there are no plans and no funding but wanted to start discussing the idea. Wanted to provide an official notification that the Housing Authority is interested in helping the town provide housing. The Housing Authority has lost the travelling vouchers that were administered for Wilkins Glenn. It is a loss of revenue to the Housing Authority. Selectmen Peterson thanked the Authority for coming in and expanding opportunities. Selectmen Thompson asked if there were grant funds available for expansion. Mr. Hurd stated that it was not realistic for our community. Ms. DeSorgher, a member of the Authority stated that the group had toured the Medway facility which was funded 60% by the state and 40% by federal funding. Any new facilities would have to be built to new ADA standards and would most likely be one floor units. Mr. Hurd will discuss funding opportunities with Mass Housing Partnership and the opportunities for expansion on the land adjacent to Tilden Village.
7:30 PM Discussion of Medical Marijuana Ballot Question
Letter from Attorney Cerel regarding BOS Participation – Town Counsel was requested to write an opinion regarding BOS participating in a discussion and support for a state wide ballot question. Town Counsel has stated that they are permitted to discuss/take a vote but there can be NO expending of funds or distribution of information to other towns.
A discussion was held with Superintendent Bob Maguire, Police Chief Robert Meaney and Carol Reed, a resident and employee of Needham. Discussion included the ballot question. Concern was raised this would signal that marijuana use was okay for everyone just not those in medical need. While the intent is for those seeking its use for medical conditions there will be an impact on the youth . Everyone agreed that the decriminalization on the last ballot snuck up on those in leadership and an opportunity to voice concern was missed. The concern will be the introduction of marijuana shops into towns that are not prepared to handle them.
Mr. Peterson thanked all those that spoke for their time. Mr. Peteron has become educated on the subject thanks to Dawn Alcott and Ms. Reed. Mr. Peterson strongly urged that this ballot question not be passed due to the harm it could inflict on our youth and our society as a whole.
VOTE: Osler Peterson made a motion to that the Board of Selectmen oppose passage of ballot question number 3 for medical marijuana as it is too dangerous and detrimental to our youth. Ms. Thompson did not second the motion. No vote was taken.
Ms. Thompson stated that regardless of all the statements made this evening that she did not think it was appropriate for the Board of Selectmen to take a position on the state wide ballot issue. Ms. Thompson and Mr. Peterson debated the appropriateness of such a motion. Ms. Thompson stated that the voters will decide themselves; the Selectmen are not experts in this area.
Ms. Reed addressed the board again urging a second to the motion and a vote be taken. Further discussion ensued regarding protection of the town’s youth. No second was made.
Discussion with Garden Club Regarding Improvements and Maintenance Projects
Ms. Tella from the Medfield Garden Club was present to talk about several improvement projects. The first project is at the entrance to town coming from Sherborn into Medfield on Route 27. The Garden Club does plantings at this site but they would like to have a more permanent planting area around the site erected by DPW.
The second site is a bit harder and it’s the island on Hospital Road at 27. Garden Club would like to raise that up with better plantings which would be easier if a water line could be installed to the site similar to the one at Hartford Street. Would like to pull up the pavement at the island and put a more naturalized planting.
Work would need to be completed by mid-November in order to get the winter plantings competed.
Mike will talk with Ken about both these projects.
Request for a one day beer and wine permit for an event entitled Supper Club at the CENTER 10/24 from 4-7PM
VOTE: Osler Peterson made a motion to send the request to the DPW, seconded by Ann Thompson. Ms. Vote was unanimous.
Pending Items
The following pending items will be placed on hold due to Mark Fisher’s absence tonight:
- Annual Selectmen’s Calendar
- Selectmen’s Goals and Objectives for 2013
Medfield State Hospital Update
Kristine informed the board that mediation dates have been scheduled for October 29, 2012 and November 20, 2012. A Public Meeting to provide an update on mediation status is set for November 8, 2012 7PM, Chenery Hall.
Selectmen’s Reports
Mr. Peterson reported that he had met with Ms. Tella from the Garden Club at the Transfer Station and that meeting had led to her appearing before the Board for assistance. The Garden Club currently maintains 21 sites in town. Mr. Peterson conducted an interview with Ms. Pam Jones regarding the Neil Sanders book. MCAP met last week and that is how Mr. Peterson was made aware of the concerns on ballot question #3. Mr. Peterson attended the ZBA hearing on 10/15 where it seemed like Gatehouse has been making some changes to their plan including deleting four (4) of the three bedroom units, agreed to a sidewalk, emergency access and several other concessions that were requested. One of the requirements will be to build the common buildings first to ensure that they are constructed. Mr. Peterson wished that there were bylaws in place to address noise, vibration, dust and sedimentation. Mr. Peterson attended the Eagle Scout Ceremony for Mr. Sam Marble.
Ms. Thompson attended a Lions Club meeting recognizing Janet Larkin. Attended the 6:30AM meeting of the building committee, and the conservation commission committee meeting. Ms. Thompson was able to attend the Zullo Gallery Thursday evening event. Ms. Thompson stated that she attended the energy committee meeting on Tuesday that reviewed the WWTP. Ms. Thompson was pleased to report that there were great reviews of the plant and Mr. Feeney, of the 23 plants reviewed ours was the most efficient.
Informational
- Report from Sovereign Consulting , 26 Spring Street Medfield, MA
- Report from MassDOT regarding Bridge Inspection Standards
- Email from a resident regarding Double Utility Poles
- ComCom Legal Notice 10/12/12
- Letter from Xfinity regarding changes to cable packages
- MIIA Wellness Program for Town Employees—Back Injury Prevention
- Con Com Extension Permit 10/4/2012
- ZBA Decision 10/4/2012, 312 South Street
- Letter from MAPC regarding municipal elections to the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization
- Notice of peer review report for the Drug-Free Communities Support Program Grant submitted by Youth Outreach
Medfield02052's Blog 