Monthly Archives: January 2015

ZBA position open

Posted on January 16, 2015 | Comments Off on ZBA position open

This today from town planner, Sarah Raposa.  I spent 10 years on the ZBA before becoming a selectman, and I found it a wonderful and rewarding way to use my legal background to volunteer for our town government.  Other backgrounds can work equally well. –

Contact Information:

Sarah Raposa, Town Planner

508-906-3027

sraposa@medield.net

 

Medfield Zoning Board of Appeals Vacancy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Town of Medfield Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) is seeking to fill a vacant Associate Member position.  Anyone who may be interested should submit a letter of interest to Evelyn Clarke at eclarke@medfield.net in the Board of Selectmen’s office by March 1, 2015.   For questions regarding the ZBA or this specific position please contact Sarah Raposa, Town Planner at sraposa@medfield.net.

The Zoning Board of Appeals is an appointed board and acts as a quasi-judicial body deciding whether or not to vary from the Zoning By-Laws. The Zoning Board is empowered to act on appeals, special permits, variances, modifications and comprehensive permits, in accordance with applicable sections of Massachusetts General Laws and the Town of Medfield Zoning By-Laws.

Virtually all matters which come before the Board are initiated by residents or businesses seeking relief from the Zoning By-Law. Each application is processed in accordance with the legal requirements and timetables established under the Massachusetts Zoning Act, the ZBA Rules and Regulations and the Medfield Zoning By-Laws.

The Zoning Board of Appeals holds public hearings on applications for zoning variances, special permits and decides appeals of administrative decisions of the Building Commissioner. Hearings are generally held on the second Wednesday of the month at 7:30 pm in the Chenery Room in Town Hall, 459 Main Street.

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Posted in Town Services, Volunteers

Jack Cadigan is SI HS athlete of the month

Posted on January 15, 2015 | Comments Off on Jack Cadigan is SI HS athlete of the month

Medfield High School senior Jack Cadigan is featured as Sports Illustrated’s high school athlete of the month – what a great story, with both a really special and a happy ending.

http://www.si.com/high-school/2015/01/13/hs-athlete-january-jack-cadigan-medfield-celtics-jeff-green-haiti

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Posted in Medfield High School, Sports, Volunteers

Lyme Disease Committee seeks membere

Posted on January 13, 2015 | Comments Off on Lyme Disease Committee seeks membere

This from Lyme Disease Study Committee chair Chris Kaldy –

Chris Cole Kaldy posted in Medfield Lyme Disease Study Committee Information site

Chris Cole Kaldy 8:43am Jan 13

Looking for community involvement in 2015? The committee needs a new member or two to help keep our educational efforts up in town. Please consider and spread the word. (And always add more Medfield friends to the group please!) Contact me directly by sending a message, and thanks! Chris Kaldy

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Posted in Wildlife Management & Lyme disease

Ticks may be out

Posted on January 12, 2015 | Comments Off on Ticks may be out

Chris Cole Kaldy posted in Medfield Lyme Disease Study Committee Information site

Chris Cole Kaldy 1:57pm Jan 12

Q: Don’t ticks die after the first frost? Unfortunately, no! This is a common misconception.

The Blacklegged (deer) tick can remain active in their adult stage from fall to spring as long as the temperature is above freezing and the ground is not covered with snow. So stay alert and check for ticks after being outdoors.

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Posted in Wildlife Management & Lyme disease

MMA annual meeting in two weeks

Posted on January 12, 2015 | Comments Off on MMA annual meeting in two weeks

I will again attend two days of the Massachusetts Municipal Association’s annual meeting, in an effort to gain and bring back new ideas to Medfield.  This from the MMA today  –

 

Monday, January 12, 2015

GOV. CHARLIE BAKER TO ADDRESS ANNUAL MEETING
Governor will Speak at the Opening Session on Friday, Jan. 23
Register Today to Hear the Governor’s Speech to Municipal Leaders

Governor Charlie Baker will address local officials from every corner of the state at the opening session of the MMA’s Annual Meeting and Trade Show on Friday morning, January 23rd. This will be our new Governor’s first address to municipal leaders since taking the oath of office last week.

Governor Baker is off to a fast start, having released $100 million in Chapter 90 funds on his first day in office, and pledging to protect local aid from further cuts as the state grapples with a massive mid-year budget deficit. By attending the opening session of Annual Meeting at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, January 23, you will hear the latest from Governor Baker on his plans for a strong state-local partnership.

The MMA’s Annual Meeting will take place at the Hynes Convention Center and Sheraton Boston Hotel, and it is a must-attend event! You will hear many other distinguished speakers on key municipal and national issues, too. Choose from 20 information-packed educational workshops. Attend emerging issues forums on the opioid addiction crisis, economic development and modernizing employee benefits. Take advantage of invaluable networking opportunities. Attend the largest trade show in New England, there’s no better way to launch 2015 and prepare for the challenges ahead.

The line-up of renowned speakers is impressive. In addition to Gov. Charlie Baker, our opening session keynote speaker will be futurist and business leader Mike Walsh at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, January 23. Newly elected Lt. Governor Karyn Polito will be the WEMO luncheon speaker at noon. The Friday evening dinner speaker is Peter Sagal of NPR’s Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me! U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren will address the members at the MMA’s Annual Business Meeting on Saturday, January 24. The closing session will feature renowned presidential historian and author Michael Beschloss. The Annual Meeting’s Saturday dinner will feature the original Jersey Boys, now performing as Under the Streetlamp. Top state officials and legislators will be present through the conference, meeting with local officials on major issues.

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Posted in Massachusetts Municipal Association

2014 in review

Posted on January 12, 2015 | Comments Off on 2014 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2014 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 24,000 times in 2014. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 9 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

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Posted in Uncategorized

Angel Run video

Posted on January 12, 2015 | Comments Off on Angel Run video

The Medfield.TV video of the Angel Run is now online, per the email below this AM from Rose Colleran, co-chair of the Angel Run –

Hi All – I thought you may be interested in checking out the video Medfield TV created for us.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xj_W2OmLjLo&feature=em-upload_owner

Rose Colleran

Nutrition & Fitness Counseling
www.rosecolleran.com

 

617-947-4896
Check out my blog: Healthy Food for Hectic Lives

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Posted in Entertainment, Events, Medfield Foundation, Sports

Climate change forums

Posted on January 12, 2015 | Comments Off on Climate change forums

 

 

Fred Davis of Medfield and our town Energy Committee, has organized a series of forums on how we can deal with climate change, which take place on four Sundays at 11:15am at Temple Beth David in Westwood, the first of which was yesterday.  This is the email from Fred –

 

Hello Medfielders —
Just a reminder that the Acting on Climate Concerns workshop series begins tomorrow Sunday 11:15am at Temple Beth David in Westwood. This program is open to all, and any house of worship might benefit. I notice there are a number of members of Westwood Environmental Action Coalition attending, but no MEC members beside myself.
It’s an exciting and ambitious undertaking: our challenge is to explore actions which can achieve an 80% reduction in fossil fuel use.
There is still room for last-minute attendees, all are welcome.
— Fred Davis

Acting on Climate Concerns

Climate science is alarming; some call the potential for ecological calamity “the undoing of Creation.” Jewish values guide us to a new environmentalism informed by a need for an 80% reduction in fossil-fuel use. Such a goal is radical yet feasible with changes that are ethically just and economically sound. Coordinated by efficient-lighting expert Fred Davis, this workshop-style course will review actions we can take now to ameliorate climate change. We’ll also address exciting projects happening now. A series of top experts will advise us on three action areas of the crisis:

 

Jan. 11:  What is our responsibility as stewards of our congregational facility?


Jim Nail, President, Massachusetts Interfaith Power & Light; also Medfield resident

Vincent Maraventano, Executive Director, Mass. Interfaith Power & Light

 

Jan. 25: How can we significantly reduce the carbon footprint of our individual households (assessing opportunities for energy conservation and solar)?


Rachel White, Performance Manager at Byggmeister Design/Build; also former Meah instructor, vice-chair of BuildingEnergy15 Conference of Northeast Sustainable Energy Association

 

Haskell Werlin, Director of Business Development and Government Relations, Solar Design Associates

 

Feb. 1:  What actions can we take in the greater community (carbon tax/fee, ethical investing)?


David Schreiber, David Schreiber, Progressive Asset Management Group/FWG

 

Rabbi Judy Weiss, Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Boston Chapter Co-leader

 

The task is great…but we are not free to abandon it.

Course co-sponsored by Boston Jewish Climate Action Network.

Dates: 1/11, 1/25 and 2/1. 11:15 a.m.  (Optional fee for book)

All are welcome. Part of Limmud Temple Beth David, Westwood.

Simply register by emailing info@templebethdavid.net.

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Posted in Energy Committee, Environmental

Uber issues

Posted on January 10, 2015 | Comments Off on Uber issues

From my monthly legal newsletter, “You Should Know“-

Be Aware of Safety Issues Before Hailing a Ride

To Uber or Not to Uber? Ridesharing Faces Controversy

Uber Call
Downloads of the Uber app continue at a brisk pace, ranking #41 on the Apple App Store. Read more.

With one tap of a smartphone app, Uber is upending the taxi business and changing the way people around the world commute. The meteoric rise of Uber, and other ridesharing services like Lyft and Sidecar, offer convenience and savings for riders while creating new work opportunities for drivers. But concerns about oversight, safety, pricing and worker rights have made 2014 a bumpy ride for Uber. You should know the risks of ridesharing and your rights (or lack thereof) as a passenger. E-hail for more. >>>
BY THE NUMBERS /
$10
Billion		 After just five years in business, Uber is expected to hit $10 billion in annual revenues by the end of 2015. Uber’s take is 20 percent after paying drivers, or an estimated $2 billion.
200
Cities		 Uber is now available in more than 200 cities in 53 countries. But rapid growth has also fueled an anti-Uber backlash throughout the world.
“F”
Rating		 Uber recently received an “F” from the Better Business Bureau, stemming from 200 complaints in the past three years due to problems with billing and customer service.

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Posted in Legal

Gov Baker on road $

Posted on January 9, 2015 | Comments Off on Gov Baker on road $

This was the Mass Municipal Assoc alert that came this afternoon –

 

Friday, January 9, 2015

GOV. BAKER RELEASES $100 MILLION IN CH. 90 FUNDS FOR LOCAL ROADS, PLEDGES NO CUTS TO MUNICIPAL AID

Just hours after taking the oath of office on Thursday, Gov. Charlie Baker directed the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to follow through on his campaign promise to release immediately $100 million in Chapter 90 bond authorizations that had been withheld by the previous administration.

In his inaugural address, Gov. Baker also declared that he would oppose further cuts to local aid, even as his administration grapples with an inherited mid-year budget deficit that could reach $750 million, according to the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation and other budget experts.

The Massachusetts Municipal Association and local officials from across the state applaud Governor Baker for recognizing the importance of investing in our local transportation systems, and understanding the damage that would be caused by mid-year cuts to local aid. Releasing the $100 million in withheld Chapter 90 funds and protecting municipal aid are important elements of a strong state-local partnership to improve our economy, enhance public safety, and build stronger communities.

A letter from Gov. Baker was issued yesterday informing local officials of his decision to release the funds, meaning that cities and towns will now receive the full $300 million in Chapter 90 funding authorized for fiscal 2015 – a record level of funding.

A $300 million Chapter 90 authorization for fiscal 2015 was included in a $13 billion transportation bond bill enacted last year. Decisions about how much funding to actually release are made by the governor’s office, however, and the Patrick administration decided to release just $200 million.

At the 2014 MMA Annual Meeting last January, then-candidate Baker famously declared that he would release the full $300 million “before I take my jacket off on my first day,” a statement that was met with loud applause from the hundreds of local officials in the audience. The MMA is currently compiling the results of an updated local road funding needs survey, which will be used to document the need for a $300 million annual authorization for Chapter 90 in a multi-year bond bill that needs to pass early this year to ensure that Chapter 90 funding will continue in fiscal years 2016 and beyond.

Please click on this link to read Gov. Baker’s Chapter 90 announcement and letter to municipalities: http://www.mass.gov/governor/press-office/press-releases/governor-directs-massdot-to-release-100-million.html

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Posted in Budgets, State