Monthly Archives: February 2015

FY16 budget calendar

Posted on February 25, 2015 | Leave a comment

The annual budget calendar countdown to the town meeting, plus the Special Town Meeting and Election dates for the public safety building –

FY2016 TIME TABLE

November 4, 2014 – Budget meeting with Warrant Committee All Town Department Heads

December 2, 2014 – FY16 budgets due in Accountant’s Office

December 16, 2014 – Selectmen vote to open Annual Town Meeting Warrant

January 6, 2015 – Warrant articles needing legal review are due

January 15, 2015 – Annual reports are due in the Selectmen’s Office.  This date is a Town Bylaw voted at Town Meeting, May 4, 1981

January 27, 2015 – Selectmen vote to close Annual Town Meeting Warrant

March 17, 2015 – Warrant Hearing. Selectmen sign Town Election Warrant for posting

MARCH 23, 2015 – SPECIAL TOWN MEETING on public safety building and solar photovoltaic installation at the Waste Water Treatment Facility

March 26, 2015 – Warrant Report and Town Report mailed to printer Selectmen sign Town

MARCH 30, 2015 – TOWN ELECTION on override for the public safety building and me for selectman (Re-Pete!)

April 7, 2014 – Meeting Warrant for posting

April 16, 2015 – Warrant Report mailed to residents

MONDAY MARCH 30, 2015 TOWN ELECTION

MONDAY APR IL 27, 2015 TOWN MEETING
(if needed, second night of Town Meeting on Tuesday April 28, 2015)

 

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Posted in Budgets, Elections, Town Meeting

The Reps are coming!

Posted on February 25, 2015 | Leave a comment

The selectmen try to have regular visits/reports/consultations with our representatives in the legislature, but those visits seem to have become increasingly difficult to schedule.  They are no longer occurring on the quarterly basis as in the past.  Several recent scheduled dates had to be cancelled.

Evelyn emailed the selectmen this morning that they have next been scheduled to attend our March 24 meeting.  This was the email from Evelyn –

 

Good morning,

 

I received confirmation this morning that Senator Timilty and Representatives Garlick and Dooley will attend the Selectmen’s March 24 meeting.

 

Let’s keep our fingers crossed!!

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Posted in Legislature, Selectmen matters

Clark Tavern hearing this week

Posted on February 24, 2015 | Leave a comment

The Land Court is holding a hearing on the cross motions for summary judgment this week on the pending appeal of the ZBA permit issued to the Linnerts to turn the Clark Tavern into a restaurant.

Summary judgment is a mechanism that is applicable only when there is “no material fact in dispute,” such that the judge can decide the case on the legal issues alone, without needing to conduct a trial to determine the factual issues.  A party seeking to defeat summary judgment will attempt to show that there really is a “material fact” in dispute that must be determined via a trial.

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Posted in History, Permitting

Pi Day

Posted on February 20, 2015 | Leave a comment

This year pi day is even more appropriate, as it come on 3.14.15, a once in a century pi day occurrence.  Hope the snow does not ruin it.

 

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Posted in Uncategorized

BoS agenda for 2/24

Posted on February 20, 2015 | Leave a comment

Tuesday February 24, 2015 @ 7:00 PM
AGENDA (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

7:00 PM Andrew Seaman, Energy I Facilities Manager
Discuss solar voltaic array contracts and request Selectmen vote to sign

Review preliminary 2015 Warrant Articles

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Posted in Selectmen matters

Establishment of Massachusetts Income Tax

Posted on February 19, 2015 | Leave a comment

This article was in the Massachusetts Dept. of Revenue’s Div. of Local Services’ newsletter today-

 

A Brief Look Back: The Establishment of the Massachusetts Income Tax
Tony Rassias – Bureau of Accounts Deputy Director

City & Town is pleased to announce a new feature. “A Brief Look Back” will review issues that affected municipal finance in the early twentieth century as written in the Annual Reports of what is now known as the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. This month, City & Town features a brief history of the events that led to the Massachusetts income tax.

Introduction

The high cost of the Civil War and the rapid growth of cities thereafter increased public expenditures and strained the Massachusetts property tax system, especially in the taxation of intangible personal property. Taxation of personal property was vexing. Taxpayers concealed their ownership of it and even moved their property out of state to avoid payment. The problem plagued assessors around the country.

After considerable discussion and review by special commissions, a Constitutional amendment and other legislation on the matter, the old system of taxing intangible personal property was scrapped and a state income tax, in some ways similar to the one already in effect in Wisconsin, was approved.

Revenue from the new tax, to be distributed to cities, towns and districts, was projected to replace the loss of revenue from the old personal property tax. In 1917, the first year of implementation, the new tax raised about $11.2 million, a significant jump when compared to the $8.8 million raised the previous year under the old tax system.

On January 23rd, 1918, Tax Commissioner William D. Trefry gave his annual report for 1917 to Speaker of the House of Representatives Channing Cox. The Tax Commissioner began his report with a brief history of the state’s early form of taxation after which he presented a summary of the new income tax law.

The following are excerpts from his full report.

By the Commissioner

In 1634 there was enacted in the Colony of Massachusetts Bay the first general tax law in any American colony, and included in this act was a provision for the assessment of each man “according to his estate and with the consideration of all other his abilityes whatsoever.” From that date to the present there has been at all times upon the statute books of Massachusetts legislation providing in some form or other for a partial tax upon incomes, although the colonial faculty tax, as this earlier form was called, bears little relation to the modern income tax.

Under the law, therefore, as it had existed for many decades, the income of intangible property, although this class of property had rapidly grown in amount and importance, was not subject to taxation, but in theory the property itself was subject to the varying local rates. With no provision for a compulsory return of this or any other class of property, local assessors were peculiarly at a disadvantage in discovering it for taxation, and there was a great incentive to overlook this class of property, when the usual result of taxing it at its full value at the local rate was either to drive the taxpayer to some other more favorable community with a low rate of taxation, or even to force him to remove his domicile from the Commonwealth.

These two evil results of attempting to apply the general property tax to this class of property gradually assumed alarming proportions.

The movement for a reform was furthered in the Governor’s inaugural in 1911, and after the determination that a constitutional amendment was necessary the proper amendment was enacted and ratified in 1915 by an overwhelming majority of the voters.

To view the Tax Commissioner’s entire piece, click here.

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Posted in History

New MFi Lifetime Achievement Award

Posted on February 17, 2015 | Leave a comment

This year there was one volunteer recognition nomination, that while made timely, was not received until after the deadline and selections.  To correct for that, the Medfield Foundation has decided that it will include the couple who were together jointly nominated for a Lifetime Achievement Award in that errant nomination.

Therefore this year the MFi will jointly honor Mike and Caroline Standley, along with the previously announced Jeanne Bastanier Sullivan, together as the three honorees this year for the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Awards for volunteer services in and to the Town of Medfield.

Mike and Caroline Standley

Primarily for over 60 years of active citizenship to protect the town’s historic sites and open spaces, as well as serving on the following boards:  Library Board, Planning Board, Historical Commission, Historical Society, Historic District Commission, Master Plan Implementation Committee, Medfield State Hospital Reuse Committee, Medfield State Hospital Preservation Committee, Town Hall Renovation Committee, Conservation Commission, Open Space Planning Committee, Long Range Planning Committee, Committee to Evaluate Senior Tax Work Off Program, and Zoning Board of Appeals.

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Posted in Medfield Foundation, Volunteers

Mailbox knock downs

Posted on February 17, 2015 | 2 comments

The issue of whether the town should pay for mailboxes our DPW plows knock down is probably a current concern of several residents.  One resident did recently email me about it, and since other residents may be wondering these days during this endless snow February about the town policy on the matter, I thought I should post my email response to that resident.

I did get your email about your mailbox being knocked down by a town plow. Please know that I rarely look at my Gmail account, and that it is better to get to me via Osler.Peterson@OslerPeterson.com.

First, let me apologize if it was in fact a town DPW truck that knocked down your mailbox.

Second, let me explain that the town used to pay for mailboxes that got knocked down, then first limited the amount paid from memory to about $50, and then even later about ten years ago the Board of Selectmen opted not to pay at all, on advice of the town administration, because:

  1. A survey of other towns showed that most did not pay
  2. the prices varied so much, and some were expensive
  3. liability was never certain (it could have been done by the driveway plow people), and
  4. the mailboxes are generally placed on the town’s property (the public way).

The Board of Selectmen just made a policy decision about how to spend our tax money. If the residents of the town want the town to pay for those mailboxes, they are free to have it done. Anyone can submit an annual town meeting (ATM) warrant article asking to have it done.

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Posted in Budgets, DPW, Selectmen matters

Gas company on safety

Posted on February 13, 2015 | Leave a comment

This to the MFD Chief from the gas company –

Safety Concerns from Columbia Gas of Massachusetts

Serious Snow and Ice Safety Risks for Natural Gas Meters

Westborough, MA – Columbia Gas of Massachusetts is concerned with recent incidents involving large icicles and snow accumulation falling from rooftops onto natural gas meters. This can cause a rupture in the gas line and result in a serious gas leak. Also, snow and ice covered natural gas meters, and snow removing equipment striking gas meters has caused the release of natural gas.

 

With significant snowfall and frigid temperatures in the forecast, it is extremely important to make sure that your natural gas meter, and the exhaust vents for your heating equipment and other appliances are free of snow and ice. Gas equipment requires adequate airflow for safe combustion and proper venting of appliances to prevent a dangerous carbon monoxide situation.

 

The build-up of ice and snow around or over a natural gas meter poses a serious safety risk. Ice and snow falling from the eaves and gutters above your gas meter can damage the meter or service connections, potentially resulting in a gas leak. Please use a broom instead of a shovel to clear ice and snow from your gas meter. Don’t kick or hit the gas meter to break away snow and ice. Don’t shovel snow up against your meter. Be careful when using a snow blower or snow plow near your meter. Where possible, have a clear path to your gas meter in the event a technician or emergency responder should require access.

 

If your meter is encased in ice which you cannot remove, contact Columbia Gas for assistance at 1-800-677-5052. If you think there’s a problem with the gas piping or equipment, or if you smell gas, call Columbia’s 24-hour emergency line at 1-800-525-8222.

 

“The safety and comfort of our customers and communities is our number one priority,” said Steve Bryant, President of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts. “We ask that you be diligent in removing snow and ice from above and around your natural gas meter, keep your appliance vents clear and your gas meter accessible. With record snowfall over the past month and continuing in the next couple days, this winter season continues to be a challenge for us all.”

 

For more safety tips and information visit http://www.ColumbiaGasMA.com

 

Subject: Urgent Safety Message to CMA Customers
From: tstefanowicz@nisource.com
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2015 13:19:25 -0600

Dear Chief,

Due to the continuing forecast of frigid temperatures and snow accumulation, we have sent out the attached press release to our local media asking that they communicate this important message cautioning customers about large icicles and snow accumulation falling from rooftops onto natural gas meters.  We are also urging customer to remove ice and snow from their natural gas meters and gas appliance vents.

We have also cautioned customers to not use shovels to clear ice and snow from the natural gas meters.  We have also asked that they keep a clear, accessible path to the gas meter in the event a technician or emergency responder should require access.

Wherever possible we ask that you share this communication.  If you have the capabilities of posting this to your website, social media, or reverse 911 communications we would be most appreciative in assisting us in reaching as many customers as possible.

We have also sent an email blast to over 127,360 customers to whom we have email addresses.

We thank you for your support in our efforts to alert our customers to the safety risks associated with the accumulation of snow and ice around natural gas meters and gas appliance vents.

Andrea M. Luppi                                                                Don DiNunno
Manager Communications & Community Relations                                Manager Communications & Community Relations
Columbia Gas of Massachusetts                                                Columbia Gas of Massachusetts
2025 Roosevelt Avenue                                                                995 Belmont Avenue
Springfield, MA 01104                                                                Brockton, MA 02301
Office:  413-784-2145                                                                Office:  508-580-0100 ext. 1311
Cell:  413-530-0907                                                                Cell:  508-864-7099
Fax: 413-731-7788
www.columbiagasma.com

Tracy Stefanowicz
External Affairs Specialist
External Communications
(413)784-2130 – Work
(413)276-5822 – Cell
tstefanowicz@nisource.com

 

 

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Posted in Safety, Utilities

MEMA on coming storm

Posted on February 13, 2015 | Leave a comment

Mike Sullivan forwarded this email from MEMA about the Saturday to Sunday storm.  Interestingly, if you page down far enough you see to which towns the equipment from NY, PA, NJ, and other states has been deployed (none to Medfield that I saw) –

FYI. Mike

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: MEMA State Control (CDA)
Date: Fri, Feb 13, 2015 at 12:27 PM
Subject: Situational Awareness Statement #18 – Winter Storm Recovery Operations and Weekend Snowstorm
To: “Schwartz, Kurt (EPS)” “Packard, Christine (CDA)”
Cc: CDA-DL – Dispatchers <

DATE: February 13th, 2015

TIME: 12:00 PM

SUBJECT: Winter Storm Recovery Operations and Weekend Snowstorm

 

Forecast Summary from the National Weather Service

Saturday into Saturday evening, low pressure out of the Great Lakes will sweep southeast of New England during which time light to moderate snow will spread across the region.

 

Saturday night into Sunday, low pressure will strengthen quickly into the Gulf of Maine the proximity of which will present the potential for blizzard conditions across east/southeast-coastal New England with snowfall amounts in excess of a foot along with strong to damaging winds possibly up to hurricane force. Combination of increasing winds and the Sunday morning high tide presents the threat of minor to moderate coastal flooding.

 

Possible hazards associated with this storm include; poor travel conditions, power outages, strong wind gusts, extreme cold, minor to moderate coastal flooding, and beach erosion.

 

Sunday night into Monday morning some of the coldest air of the season arrives delivering the potential of high temperatures on Monday barely breaking the teens.

 

Updated highlights for the weekend storm include:

  • Potential for a significant snowfall of over a foot with blizzard conditions across east/southeast-coastal New England.
  • Significant impacts to travel.
  • Northerly winds will be gusting 35 to 45 mph Sunday into Sunday night with 50+ gusts possible for Cape / Islands.
  • Snow will be fluffy and combined with winds expect blowing and drifting of snow.
  • Expect visibilities of a quarter mile or less, especially for east/southeast-coastal New England
  • Tides above 10 feet in Boston Sunday morning; surge likely; threat to north-facing beaches (i.e., Cape Cod Bay).

 

Coastal Flooding Highlights:

  • Salisbury to Cape Ann (including Plum Island)

o   Most at risk for moderate coastal flooding and beach erosion

  • Cape Cod Bay Shoreline (Sandwich to Dennis)

o   Significant beach erosion also a concern with minor coastal flooding

  • South Shore (including Hull, Scituate, Marshfield)

o   Risk of some overwash, especially in susceptible areas that were hard hit in the previous blizzard

  • Storm Surge

o   Expecting a 2.0 to 2.5 foot storm surge

o   Highest from Salisbury to Cape Ann

o   Waves approaching 20 feet just offshore for the Sunday morning high tide

 

Storm Total Snow Map

 

 

Maximum Wind Gusts (Midday Sunday Map):

 

 

Coastal Flooding Headlines Map:

 

 

Monday Morning Lows Map:

 

 

Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories:

 

  • Blizzard Watch for east coastal Massachusetts from Saturday evening to Sunday evening.
  • Winter Storm Watch for central and eastern Massachusetts from Saturday afternoon to Sunday evening.
  • Wind Chill Advisory for central and western Massachusetts until 1 PM.
  • Coastal Flood Watch for east coastal Massachusetts, including Nantucket, from late Saturday night through Sunday afternoon.

 

 

MEMA Operations

The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) is at Level 2 (Partial Activation) with MEMA staff and state agencies including MassDOT, DCR, DEP, MANG, and MSP. The SEOC continues to provide situational awareness and coordinate assistance to ongoing local and regional snow removal and cleanup efforts.

 

The MEMA Regional offices in Tewksbury, Bridgewater, and Agawam are open and staffed, and are working to fulfill local requests for assistance.

 

Mutual Aid via the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC)

Pursuant to a request from MEMA through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, the states of Maine, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont have agreed to send a total of 28 front end loaders, 76 dump trucks, 14 backhoes, and 36 skid-steer loaders, together with operators and maintenance personnel, to support ongoing snow removal operations.

 

MEMA secured an agreement with New York and deployed 2 snow melters from the City of New York to Boston via EMAC.

 

Pennsylvania is sending 10 personnel to support SEOC operations.

 

MEMA has stood up a State Staging Area (SSA) on the MassPort owned portion of Hanscom Air Force Base, with overflow capacity at Middlesex Community College in Bedford, to receive and support all out-of-state equipment and personnel.  The SSA will operate on a 24/7 basis. Out-of-state resources began arriving at the SSA Tuesday and will continue to arrive through today. Heavy equipment and personnel that arrived yesterday from Pennsylvania and Vermont will deploy today to cities and towns to assist in snow removal operations. Crews and equipment that arrive at the SSA today from Maine and Pennsylvania will deploy tomorrow to cities and towns.

 

Resources that arrived in Worcester Tuesday and are staged/working in Worcester:

  • 3 front end loaders and 4 dump trucks from the NY State Thruway

 

Resources that have arrived at the SSA through last night:

  • 15 front end loaders, 14 dump trucks, and 18 skid-steer loaders from NY DOT
  • 6 front end loaders, 10 dump trucks, and 10 skid-steer loaders from NJ DOT
  • 2  5-yard Loaders, 2 Back Hoe Loaders, 2 Skid steers, 6  20-ton Dump trucks, 6  10-ton Dump trucks from VT National Guard
  • 15 dump trucks and 2 backhoes from PA DOT

 

Resources that arrived yesterday and are staged/working in Boston:

  • 2 snow melters from New York City

 

Resources scheduled to arrive at the SEOC today:

  • 10 personnel from Pennsylvania Emergency Management to support SEOC operations

 

Resources scheduled to arrive at the SSA today:

  • 5 dump trucks and 5 backhoes from PA Turnpike
  • 6 Skid Steer Loaders, 13  10-Ton Dumps, 3  20-Ton Dumps, 3 Back Hoe Loaders, 1  5-Yard Loader and 1  2.5-Yard Loaders from ME National Guard

Resource Requests

Since Monday, February 9, MEMA has received a total of 258 requests for assistance.

 

As of 11 AM, MEMA is coordinating a total of 158 active resource requests from 103 communities for snow removal assistance, including heavy equipment, snow melters, digging out fire hydrants and storm drains, and deliveries of salt.

 

The following heavy equipment missions were in progress or deployed as of 11:00 AM:

 

Please note: All heavy equipment is deployed with operators.

 

  • Acton: MassDOT: 2 Front End Loaders and 2 Dump Trucks
  • Amesbury: DCR: 1 Dump Truck
  • Arlington: MassDOT: 1 Dump Truck, 1 Skid Steer and 1 Front End Loader
  • Athol: MassDOT: 1 Front End Loader, 3 Dump Trucks
  • Auburn: MassDOT: 1 Front End Loader, 1 Dump Truck
  • Berlin: DCR: 1 Dump Truck
  • Boston: PA DOT: 1 Backhoe; MANG: 4 skid steers; CT Contractor deployed 5 Teams (1 Front End Loader, 1 Bobcat, 1 Backhoe, 3 Dump Trucks per team)
  • Boylston: PA DOT: 2 dump trucks
  • Brockton: VT NG: 6 Dump Trucks
  • Braintree: MANG: 4 Front End Loaders
  • Chelsea: MANG: 1 Dump Truck
  • Cohasset: NY DOT: 1 Front End Loader; VT NG: 2 Dump Trucks
  • Essex: NY DOT: 2 Front End Loaders, 3 Skid Steers, 3 Dump Trucks
  • Fall River: PA DOT: 8 Dump Trucks; MassDOT: 2 Front End Loaders, 1 Backhoe
  • Gloucester: MANG: 6 Front End Loaders, 6 Dump Trucks
  • Hanover: MassDOT: 1 Front End Loader
  • Ipswich: MassDOT: 2 Front End Loaders, 2 Dump Trucks; NY DOT: 1 Front End Loader
  • Lawrence: NY DOT: 1 Bobcat, 1 Dump Truck
  • Leominster: MassDOT: 1 Backhoe, 1 Dump Truck; NY DOT: 1 Front End Loader; VT NG: 4 Dump Trucks
  • Lunenburg: Northern Tree: 2 Dump Trucks and 2 Front End Loaders
  • Malden: MassDOT: 1 Front End Loader; NJ DOT: 1 Bobcat, NY DOT: 2 Front End Loaders, 1 Dump Truck
  • Millville: MassDOT: 1 Front End Loader, 1 Dump Truck, 1 Wing Plow
  • Nahant: NJ DOT: 2 Front End Loaders, 2 Dump Trucks
  • Newburyport: PA DOT: 1 Front End Loader, 5 Dump Trucks
  • Newton: NY DOT: 3 Front End Loaders, 3 Bobcats and 3 Dump Trucks
  • Norwell: NJ DOT: 4 Front End Loaders
  • Phillipston: MassDOT: 1 Grader with Wing Plow
  • Revere: NY DOT: 2 Front End Loaders, 1 Dump Truck
  • Salem: MANG: 1 front end loader, 3 dump trucks and 2 skid steers
  • Scituate: NY DOT: 2 Bobcats, 2 Dump Trucks
  • Somerville: NY DOT: 1 Front End Loader; NJ DOT: 6 Bobcats, 6 Dump Trucks; MassDOT: 2 FELs, 1 Dump Truck
  • Topsfield: MassDOT: 1 wing plow
  • West Boylston: DOT: 1 Backhoe
  • West Bridgewater: NY DOT: 1 Bobcat, 1 Dump Truck
  • Weymouth: NY DOT: 3 Bobcats, 3 Dump Trucks
  • Worcester: Northern Tree:  3 Front End Loaders and 11 Dump Trucks; NY State Thruway: 3 Front End Loaders and 4 Dump Trucks; PA DOT: 1 Backhoe, 3 Dump Trucks

 

Shoveling Missions:

MANG teams are deploying to the following communities today:

  • Ashland: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Attleboro: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Auburn: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Beverly: 2 teams of 4 MANG troops
  • Billerica: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Bridgewater: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Brockton: 4 teams of 4 MANG troops
  • Dudley: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Easton: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Gardner: 2 teams of 4 MANG troops
  • Hanover: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Holbrook: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Ipswich: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Leominster: 2 teams of 4 MANG troops
  • Lynnfield: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Malden: 2 teams of 4 MANG troops
  • Marshfield: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Medford: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Medway: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Mendon: 2 teams of 4 MANG troops
  • Middleton: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Milton: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Natick: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Newton: 2 teams of 4 MANG troops
  • Norton: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Norwell: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Oxford: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Pembroke: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Sharon: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Shrewsbury: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Spencer: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Sterling: 2 teams of 4 MANG troops
  • Stoughton: 2 teams of 4 MANG troops
  • Taunton: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Topsfield: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Uxbridge: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • West Bridgewater: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Westford: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Weymouth: 1 team of 4 MANG troops

 

Salt Missions:

MEMA continues to work with salt vendors to provide salt to the following communities:

  • Avon
  • Bridgewater
  • Bedford
  • Fitchburg
  • Leominister
  • Lunenburg
  • Princeton
  • Rehoboth
  • Sharon

 

MA National Guard Deployments

MA National Guard (MANG) teams continue to be deployed throughout the Commonwealth to support local public safety and public works personnel with critical public and life safety issues and enhancing critical services. These teams have been instructed to work with local officials to define specific missions. Examples of permissible missions include: digging out fire hydrants, opening storm drains and catch basins to prevent flooding, clearing snow from HVAC vents at public facilities and critical infrastructure, and ensuring access to critical infrastructure such as police and fire stations, pumping stations, and public facilities that provide necessary health and social services.  While cities and towns may have other snow removal needs, it is important that MANG teams first address these types of public and life safety missions across the Commonwealth before taking on secondary missions. Once these teams complete critical missions in a community, they will move on to other communities. MEMA and the MANG ask that communities that receive these teams work with them, and the soldiers, to assign missions that meet the specific criteria.

 

MassDOT / MBTA Update

 

Transit
General Conditions and Impacts
Due to weather-related Orange Line delays, Haverhill Line passengers are strongly encouraged to transfer to the Orange Line at North Station, not Malden Center.

The Commuter Rail will continue to operate on published weekday schedules on Friday, February 13. Some trains may be cancelled due to weather-related issues.

See line specific details below.
Service Conditions
Mode/Line Status
MBTA
▬ Blue Line The Blue Line will operate today, but with fewer cars and less frequent service.
▬ Orange Line The Orange Line will resume regular weekday service today, Friday, February 13. Customers should continue to anticipate weather-related delays in service.
▬ Red Line ·         Limited Red Line service will be available between Alewife and Ashmont Stations. Red Line trains will also resume on the Braintree branch to North Quincy Station with shuttle bus replacement of Red Line trains between North Quincy and Braintree Stations through Sunday, February 15. This means that Braintree branch subway service between North Quincy and Braintree Stations is replaced with shuttle buses through the end of service on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Customers are strongly encouraged to use Commuter Rail service that will stop at Braintree and Quincy Center.

·         Buses will replace service on the Mattapan Trolley Line from start to end of service on Friday, February 13.
▬ Green Line The Green Line will operate today, but with fewer cars and less frequent service.
▬ Silver Line Operating; delays possible due to road conditions.
▬ Bus All bus routes will operate a regular weekday schedule on Friday, February 13. Many bus routes will experience weather related delays and may operate on snow route.
▬ Commuter Rail The Commuter Rail will operate on published weekday schedules beginning at the start of service on Friday, February 13, 2015 with the exception of the following cancelled trips:

·         Providence Line 800

·         Franklin Line 702

·         Fairmount Line: 734/744

·         Stoughton Line: 901/902

·         Worcester Express: 582

·         Anderson/Woburn Line 351/352 & 355/356 & 357/358

·         Reading Line 259/260 & 263/264

·         Beverly 051/052 & 053/054
▬ Commuter Boat ·         Due to icing conditions at Hingham Shipyard, all Hingham vessel departures and arrivals on Friday, February 13, will operate between Hingham and Rowes Wharf exclusively.

·         Hull Ferry service to Hull, Logan Airport, and Long Wharf will operate as scheduled on Friday, February 13, but with no connections in Hingham. Connections to Hingham from Long Wharf, Logan Airport, and Hull are currently suspended and will resume when icing conditions improve.

·         Charlestown Ferry service will operate on a weekday schedule on Friday, February 13.
▬ The RIDE Operating; however delays and cancellations are likely; customers should check with the operator.
REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITIES
All Other No impacts reported
OTHER SERVICES
Concord Coach No impacts reported
Dartmouth Coach No impacts reported
Boston Express Bus Boston Express Bus is extending the suspension of “Commuter Loop” stops through next Friday, February 20, 2015.  Commuter loop trips will go directly to South Station.
Peter Pan Bus No impacts reported
Plymouth & Brockton No impacts reported
Amtrak No impacts reported
Logan Express No impacts reported
Steamship Authority No impacts reported

 

DCR Update

  • DCR employees will be training with MassDOT on the newly acquired snow melting machines today.
  • DCR and DEP are providing 64 traffic cones/delineators to supplemental State Staging Area ‘Springs’ with delivery around noon.
  • DCR is continuing snow removal operations at DCR facilities and roadways. Rehab and repairs are being done today in preparation for tomorrow’s storm.
  • DCR salt supplies remain low.
  • The Central MA Mosquito Control Project dump truck returned to Berlin to assist with snow removal today.
  • The NE Mass Mosquito Control Project’s dump truck returned to Amesbury to assist with snow removal today.

 

DEP Guidance on Snow Disposal in Open Waterways

Due to the extraordinary weather experienced by the Commonwealth in the past several weeks, municipalities throughout the Commonwealth are facing significant challenges in their efforts to clear, remove and dispose of historic accumulations of snow. MassDEP recognizes that cities and towns may need to undertake emergency measures to ensure protection of public safety.

 

As communities proceed with necessary emergency snow disposal, it is recommended you use the best management guidelines included in MassDEP’s Emergency Disposal Guidance (http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/massdep/water/regulations/snow-disposal-guidance.html), including:

 

  • Dispose of snow in open water with adequate flow and mixing to prevent ice dams from forming.
  • Do not dispose of snow in saltmarshes, vegetated wetlands, certified vernal pools, shellfish beds, mudflats, drinking water reservoirs and their tributaries, Zone IIs or IWPAs of public water supply wells, Outstanding Resource Waters, or Areas of Critical Environmental Concern.
  • Do not dispose of snow where trucks may cause shoreline damage or erosion.
  • Consult with the municipal Conservation Commission to ensure that snow disposal in open water complies with local ordinances and bylaws.

 

Communities that intend to dispose of snow in open water as outlined above must provide advance notification to DEP by calling (888) 304-1133. Communities must also consult with their Conservation Commission prior to disposing of snow in open water.

 

Stay Informed

Online Resources

For additional information and resources, visit:

 

 

 

Kurt Schwartz

Undersecretary, Homeland Security & Emergency Management

Director, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency

Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security

508-820-2010 (Office)

508-820-2000 (24/7 Communications Center)

 

 

 

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