Monthly Archives: April 2015

ATM on 4/27

Posted on April 13, 2015 | Comments Off on ATM on 4/27

Two weeks to the Annual Town Meeting – at 7:30 PM in the gym at MHS.  This today from the Moderator –

Hello All: Two weeks to go to our Annual Town Meeting. This is my
regular appeal to ask everyone to take the usual steps to promote
participation and attendance at Town Meeting. (We have our usual challenge
of holding the meeting on the Monday following the school’s spring break.)
So please think about banners, school packets, blogs, emails, etc. And
thanks for your consideration. Best, Scott

Scott F. McDermott

Town Moderator

Town of Medfield

781.799.1285

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Posted in Town Meeting

MFi volunteer awards

Posted on April 13, 2015 | Comments Off on MFi volunteer awards

The Medfield Foundation’s recent volunteer awards reception is now online.  Hear the inspiring stories about the volunteer work and why the people do it. –

Pete,

Medfield Foundation Awards – Medfield TV You tube link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fllDZnOO0KI

Thanks,

Aditi

———

Aditi Thatte

Executive Director

Medfield.TV

2015 VOTY Nominees

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Posted in Medfield Foundation, Medfield TV, Volunteers

Road $ is done

Posted on April 9, 2015 | Comments Off on Road $ is done

This from John Nunnari –

ROAD REPAIR $$ SENT TO BAKER’S DESK

House and Senate lawmakers gave the final approval on Wednesday afternoon to legislation that will provide municipalities with $200 million for road and bridge repairs.

City and town officials, who press each year to see the so-called Chapter 90 money authorized by April 1, hoped again to get the money quickly this year to begin road repairs early after severe winter weather pummeled roadways. The bill (H 3187) required a two-thirds vote in both branches, and was enacted unanimously in the House and Senate. Both branches had previously passed the bill, but needed to take final votes to send the bill to the governor’s desk.

The $200 million in Chapter 90 funding will be added to the $100 million Gov. Charlie Baker authorized in borrowing after taking office in January, making a total of $300 million available to cities and towns for the spring and fall construction seasons. Baker separately created a $30 million fund to help repair potholes. – Colleen Quinn/SHNS

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Posted in Budgets, State

MCAP

Posted on April 9, 2015 | Comments Off on MCAP

The Medfield Cares About Prevention (MCAP) meeting this morning saw three positive results:

  • Tip Line – Establishment of a local tip line was advanced with news that everyone was in agreement with the script for call answering outlined by David Traub and news that the Norfolk District Attorney’s office will probably fund the cost of the telephone line.  The tip line idea is to provide an anonymous telephone line that anyone can call with information that can then be passed along to third parties, such as, “we hear you are planning to be at the Cape for the long weekend, and we are also hearing that there is a large party planned for your house on Saturday night.  We just thought you would want to know.”
  • Age 21 to buy tobacco – MCAP voted to recommend to the selectmen that the town increase the age to buy tobacco products from the current age 18 to age 21.
  • Marijuana education – MCAP decided to recommend early education in the elementary schools about the issues related to marijuana use be provided in conjunction with the tobacco use education that is already occurring.

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Posted in MCAP - Medfeild Cares About Prevention, Police Department, Teens

Library gas leak / Ace & Acme closing

Posted on April 9, 2015 | Comments Off on Library gas leak / Ace & Acme closing

Heard a couple of interesting stories this morning from Chief Meaney.

Library – Apparently as a result of clearing snow off the roof of the library this winter, a gas leak was caused and the gas was flowing down into the building by means of a small vent.

When the two chiefs were there investigating (if I got the numbers right), the gas is dangerous if over 5% concentrations, and that day in the library it was about 40%.  Chief Kingsbury instructed all to keep their arms raised to avoid static electricity and to walk out of the building right away.

Ace & Acme – The drivers have been on strike for more than a week, supporting teamsters arrived to picket from out of the area, and the police have been present 24/7.  Lots of bad language being used, which the Chief asked cease when the school buses of kids passed by.  The owner has reportedly opted to close the business.

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Posted in Business, Library

State road $

Posted on April 8, 2015 | Comments Off on State road $

This alert this afternoon from the Massachusetts Municipal Association-

April 8, 2015

LEGISLATURE ENACTS $200M CH. 90 BOND BILL
GOVERNOR’S SIGNATURE EXPECTED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY
Cities and Towns Now Have a Total of $330M Available for 2015 Construction Season

This afternoon, the House and Senate both enacted a one-year, $200 million Chapter 90 bond bill, which gives cities and towns access to a total of $330 million to repair and maintain local roads during the 2015 spring-to-fall construction season.

The Chapter 90 bond bill for fiscal 2016 was filed by Gov. Charlie Baker on March 12 and was passed unanimously by the House and Senate on March 25 and April 1, respectively. The Massachusetts Constitution, however, requires a two-thirds vote of each branch to enact all bond bills, which necessitated the votes cast today.

The Governor is expected to sign the bill immediately.

The funding will be combined with $100 million in new Chapter 90 authorizations that the Governor released in January, as well as the $30 million fund announced last month to help cities and towns repair potholes and other winter damage. Municipalities look forward to putting the money to work to repair local roads that took a beating during an historic winter.

The MMA applauds the Baker Administration and all members of the Legislature for moving swiftly on this critical funding bill. This year more than ever, cities and towns need to be able to get to work early in the construction season.

The Chapter 90 local road and bridge program provides cities and towns with a source of funding to maintain, repair and rebuild 30,000 miles of local roads in every corner of the state. Adequate and timely funding for Chapter 90 is essential for public safety, economic growth, and quality of life in Massachusetts.

With the state working to erase a $1 billion mid-year budget deficit in fiscal 2015 and a $1.8 billion structural budget gap for fiscal 2016, the Baker-Polito Administration decided to file a one-year Chapter 90 bond bill. Now that it has been enacted, the MMA and local officials will work in partnership with the Governor and legislators to achieve long-range funding for Chapter 90 that is both adequate for cities and towns and sustainable for the Commonwealth.

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Posted in Budgets, DPW

Martindale-Hubbell

Posted on April 8, 2015 | 1 comment

Martindale-Hubbell (www.martindale.com) was the first entity that rated attorneys, and before the Internet their directory was how attorneys found an attorney in another part of the country.  Martindale-Hubbell rated attorneys by randomly asking other lawyers their opinions of you and your legal abilities, so I have always been proud that my attorney colleagues told Martindale-Hubbell to give me its highest rating when I was still a relatively new attorney.

1 Comment

Posted in Legal

Computer keyboard shortcuts

Posted on April 6, 2015 | Comments Off on Computer keyboard shortcuts

These are good computer keyboard shortcut keys to work into your tool box.  I only used about half of them, but will add the others..

The more you stay on the keyboard and keep your eyes on the screen, the faster and more efficient you will be.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/20-pc-shortcuts

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Posted in Technology

Trees save towns $

Posted on April 6, 2015 | 1 comment

This came in today on the benefits of trees to a town, some of which are economic in ways that had not occurred to me.  For instance, one benefit is extended roadway asphalt life due to the shading and temperature control.

Medfield needs better data on all our town trees by means of an inventory, and then a thoughtful plan on where and when to plant more trees.

Also, I noticed while jogging at the former MSH site this weekend that many of the sugar maples that line the main entrance driveway that crosses the front view scape are now looking like they are beyond saving, and since they are now the town’s responsibility, we should probably cut many down and trim the rest, to reduce the safety risk and prolong the life of those we can save.  In years past someone has taped the trees for their sap to make maple syrup, which is a great synergy, especially if the sugar shack could be located in town –  Weston has one attached to its middle school and the kids help out.

Finally, the DPW was at the former MSH site this weekend taking collapsed porches off some buildings.

Below is an excerpt from the tree article –

 

Everyone knows trees are good for the environment – they generate oxygen, filter air pollutants and absorb rainwater during storms. A growing volume of research indicates trees are also providing perks to local transit, quality of life and property values.

According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, for every single street planted – at a cost of around $300 – the city will enjoy more than $90,000 in direct benefits throughout the lifetime of the tree. The research suggests adding trees to urban landscapes can bring about a significant number of benefits to the local community including:

  • Increased motorized traffic and pedestrian safety through reduced speeds
  • Creating safer walking environments
  • Increased access to green space
  • Boosted security
  • Economic growth and sustainability
  • Less drainage infrastructure
  • Protection from rain, sun and heat
  • Reduced impact of tailpipe emissions
  • Gas transformation efficiency
  • Lower urban air temperatures
  • Reduced blood pressure, improved overall emotional and psychological health
  • Added value to adjacent homes, businesses and taxes

 

1 Comment

Posted in Budgets, Environmental, Planning

VHB to do MSH planning

Posted on April 3, 2015 | Comments Off on VHB to do MSH planning

VHB has been awarded the contract to do the planning for the former Medfeild State Hospital site, for $193,700.  The following are the payment terms from the contract:
PROPOSER:     Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.
101 Walnut Street
Watertown, Massachusetts  02472

PROJECT: Consultant Services for MSH Strategic Reuse Master Plan
Price
Phase I – Create Conceptual Plans & Economic
Analysis for the Land Reuse                                                          $100,000

Phase II – Develop Zoning Modifications and Design Guidelines       $ 40,500

Phase III -Disposition Plan                                                            $  53,200

Total of All Phases                                                                            $193,70o’

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Posted in Medfield State Hospital