Meeting Minutes
August 18, 2015
Chenery Meeting Room draft
PRESENT: Selectmen DeSorgher, Fisher, Peterson; Town Administrator Sullivan; Assistant
Town Administrator Trierweiler; Administrative Assistant Clarke
Chairman DeSorgher called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM and read the announcements.
Mr. DeSorgher said that he wants to make the audience aware that we have updated water ban restrictions. Effective immediately watering is permitted only one day per week; even numbered houses may water on Monday; Thursday is odd numbered houses. There is absolutely no watering between 9 AM and 5 PM. He hopes that the community will cooperate and adhere to the restrictions to help the Town during these serious drought conditions.
SUPERINTENDENT KENNETH FEENEY
Selectman DeSorgher queried how the word is getting out to the public about the updated water ban restrictions to which Mr. Feeney responded that notices were handed out at the Transfer Station, the notice will appear in the newspaper and it is on the Town’s website.
On tonight’s agenda there are two requests for permission to have fundraising car wash behind Town Hall. Mr. Feeney remarked that these requests are considered to be for “charity events” according to state regulations and exempt. Following a brief discussion, it was VOTED unanimously to grant permission to the Medfield Student Council to hold a Car wash behind Town Hall on Sunday August 22 9AM to noon
VOTED unanimously to grant permission to the Medfield High School Football team to hold A car wash behind Town Hall on Sunday August 30 Noon to 3:00 PM
Mr. Feeney referenced a letter from consultant HNTB regarding their research on available grants to conduct a feasibility study for single level parking structure. The Town is giving consideration to this type of project to help with the downtown parking issue. Mr. DeSorgher commented that we should contact our representatives for their assistance. Selectman Peterson remarked that we should consider buying a parcel or two in the downtown area to create parking. A brief discussion followed and concluded without a plan to move forward at this time.
It was noted that residents should not look to see the construction, if at all, of a parking structure in the near future; it will not happen for one to two years.
The Board is requested to vote to authorize Chairman DeSorgher sign a contract for the Causeway Street Water Main Replacement Project; contractor is CJP and Sons Construction in the amount of $103,500.00. Mr. Feeney explained that the damaged pipe needs to be August 18, 2015
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replaced. Difficult job as the pipe goes under the Causeway Street bridge. Funds were encumbered from the Water Enterprise Fund and additional monies from the DPW budget.
VOTE: Selectman Fisher made a motion to authorize Chairman DeSorgher execute contract for the Causeway Street Water Main Replacement Project, seconded by Selectman
Peterson. Vote was unanimous
The Selectmen asked Superintendent Feeney for an update on sidewalk projects to which he replied that right now the Green Street project is our focus, however, it is planned to construct the Metacomet Street sidewalk this year. The Board thanked Mr. Feeney for attending the meeting this evening.
PLANNING BOARD – SPECIAL ELECTION
Member Elissa Franco resigned her position from the Planning Board due to her moving out of Town. Planning Board members Keith Diggans, Wright Dickinson, George Lester and Stephen Browne are present this evening to vote jointly with the Selectmen to fill the vacancy. The Planning Board nominates Associate member Paul McKechnie as their candidate. According to General Laws Chapter 41, Section 11 election is by roll call vote.
By unanimous roll call vote the Board of Selectmen and the members of the Planning Board elected Paul McKechnie as a full member of the Planning Board
The Selectmen offered congratulations to Paul McKechnie.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN GOALS
Mr. Peterson submitted a draft of goals for 2015-2016 for consideration. Selectmen fisher and DeSorgher will also draft their ideas for goals and discuss at September 1st meeting.
MEETING MINUTES
VOTED unanimously to approve the August 4, 2015 meeting minutes with amendment
CHAPTER90
VOTED unanimously to sign Chapter 90 Reimbursement Form in the amount of
$152,394.00 pertaining to DPW’s purchase of a Milton caterpillar model 930M and as
recommended by superintendent Feeney
August 18, 2015
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RESIGNATION
The Selectmen received a resignation notice from Medfield Historic District Commission member Barbara Jacobs who has moved out of Town. She has been a member of the commission for almost 20 years.
COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
VOTED unanimously to appoint John Mee as additional alternate Building Inspector and as recommended by Building Commissioner John Naff
VOTED unanimously to appoint Ted Pidock to the Bay Colony Rail trail Study Committee and as recommended by Selectman Richard DeSorgher
PEDESTRIAN TRAIL EASEMENT
Keith Mozer, 29 Hospital Road grants to the Town a trail easement that will connect at Canal Street and the hospital property. Mr. Mozer proposes a four lot single family subdivision, known as Country Estates, in that area. The Selectmen are requested to vote to sign the document which will be recorded at the registry. VOTE: Selectman Fisher made a motion, seconded by Selectman Peterson to execute Grant of Pedestrian Trail Easement given by Keith Mozer to the Town. Vote was unanimous
DISMANTLE RAILROAD TRACKS
The Town has been in contact with the MBTA regarding the removal of the railroad tracks at Farm Street and at Harding Street. In their current state the tracks and the slope of the roads have made for hazardous driving. The Harding Street project will involve removing the rails and paving. Farm Street is a more complicated project because the road will need to be reconstructed. Mr. Sullivan has done research on the removal and discovered the Town will need to file for a license with the MBTA in order for the work to be done. He requests the Selectmen vote to authorize him to execute and file the necessary documents. The Selectmen as pleased that steps are being taken to make some headway with this project.
VOTE: On a motion made and seconded it was voted unanimously to authorize
Town Administrator Michael Sullivan execute necessary documents relating to applying for a license with MBTA for removal of Farm Street and Harding Street railroad tracks
MEDFIELD STATE HOSPITAL BUILDING AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE
Chairman John Thompson gave a summary of their activities for the past several months. They have hired some crews to board up windows, install fencing, new gates, changing locks, grass cutting and removal of brush around the buildings. DPW has helped tremendously. He continued saying that the security issues are manageable and are not as very serious as we first August 18, 2015
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thought. The same security company that the state hired remains on the property during night time shifts which gives some relief to our own police department. Police Chief Meaney remarked that the company who worked on boarding up the buildings did a great job and we plan to secure the chapel clock to deter any serious damage. He feels that having the large number of people walking their dogs around the campus is very helpful; they are vigilant in reporting anything they feel should be investigated. Police cruisers do patrol the campus. Chief Meaney continued saying that our DPW guys have been right there when we need them, extremely helpful.
LICENSES AND PERMITS
VOTED unanimously to grant the Medfield Public Library permission to use the Gazebo Park to hold the annual Teen summer’s end reading event on Tuesday
August 25, 2015
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
SELECTMEN REPORT
Mr. Fisher remarked that MEMO’s summer concert series has come to the end. It was a good season, one of the best with great attendance each week.
Mr. Peterson attended the State Hospital Master Planning Committee meeting and is pleased to see them very organized and moving forward exploring ideas for the property. He went on to explain that he is involved working on a grant application specifically for communications. The amount of the grant is $35,000.00.
Mr. DeSorgher queried about Lot 3 RFP; where do we stand with interested proponents. He asked about the status of the gas company repairs to our sidewalks/ roads where they have worked. Ms. Trierweiler responded that Superintendent Feeney has been in contact with them to return and repair those areas. Columbia Gas has assured that they will be returning.
Mr. Sullivan reported that the Green Street construction project is moving forward and by the end of this week all of the underground work will be completed. The area should be in good shape for the opening of school.
ADJOURNMENT
At 8:35 PM Mr. Fisher moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Peterson. The vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.
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