Monthly Archives: July 2016

Town data comparisons

I am always interested in how we in Medfield do things relative to other towns, and therefore found this data below instructive.  Lexington has clearly worked at getting to 10% affordable housing.

Data Year Town Wellesley Lexington Southborough Medfield
2014 Population 28,858 32,306 9,869 12,236
2014 Median Income 145,280 139,561 140,184 128,446
2014 % Elderly (65+) 14 12 12 12
2016 # Housing Units 9,090 11,946 2,310 4,220
2016 # Subsidized Units 560 1,329 44 191
2016 % Subsidized 6 11 2 5
2014 Median House Price 1,180,000 950,000 580,000 568,250
2012 # Businesses 4,364 4,284 1,115 1,384
2013 # Millionaires 726 344 93 101
2013 # Millionaires per 1000 25.47 10.79 9.48 8.32
2013 Square Miles of Town 10.20 16.43 14.20 14.50
2013 # Millionaires per sq mile 71.18 20.94 6.55 6.97

Many of our other fellow Metrowest towns are over 10% as well. Look at this map to see how we compare on affordable housing http://www.massaffordablehomes.org/mahamap.html

Energy use by building

MEC

The Medfield Energy Committee is working on crafting a plan to reduce town energy consumption by 20%, in order to qualify as a Green Community (and thereby pick up our $148,000 state DOER grant monies).  As part of that process, the MEC is gathering the data on what buildings and uses use what amounts of energy, and also asking departments for recommendations on how to their reduce usage.

The MEC reports the following current existing energy use by building or use:

Facility (copy) Use (MMBTU) Cumulative MMBTU % of Total
Medfield High  14,030 14030.15 26%
Blake Middle  8,766 22795.707 43%
Dale Street Elementary  5,423 28219.128 53%
Diesel  4,366 32584.979 61%
Memorial Elementary  4,268 36853.056 69%
Wheelock Elementary  3,497 40350.473 75%
Water Pump Stations  3,213 43563.181 81%
Wastewater Treatment Plant  2,959 46522.418 87%
Gasoline  2,952 49474.362 93%
Library  1,003 50477.793 94%
Pfaff Center  905 51382.908 96%
Town Hall  801 52183.684 98%
The Center at Medfield  639 52822.457 99%
Sewer Pump Stations  451 53273.46 99.7%
Transfer Station  107 53380.948 99.9%
Outdoor Parks  53 53434.178 99.95%
Traffic Lights  26 53460.095 100%

MSH watertower filled

water towers at MSH

Photo by Richard DeSorgher

 

FYI. Update on hospital water tower. Mike S

 

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Paul C. Millett
Date: Fri, Jul 1, 2016 at 1:29 PM
Subject: Hospital Road Tank Status and DEP Communication
To:
Ken, Mike and Jeremy:

 

Tank filling started last week (Friday June 24) and it took almost a full week to fill the tank, due to high water demand in the system, warm weather and lack of rain.

 

I spoke with Dave O’Toole. I also left a message for Paula Caron at MADEP-Central Region.

I stated that the new tank is nearly complete, and that samples were taken this morning.

I also offered to meet her or any other DEP representative on site if necessary, and asked for a return call today or on Tuesday.

 

We will have the lab results back on Tuesday July 5.

 

The altitude valve was adjusted on Tuesday by the field representative.  The electric service and meter have been energized. The SCADA work is scheduled for Tuesday.

 

Fencing will happen after the paving work around the outside of the tank. We will get a schedule from Oliveira construction for the paving.

 

We will generate a punch list next week.

 

Overall, I am hoping that the tank will be ready to be placed in service by next Friday July 8 and be deemed substantially complete.

 

Thereafter, the existing tank demolition can be scheduled.

 

Regards,

 

Paul

 

Paul C. Millett, P.E.

Project Manager

 

Environmental Partners Group, Inc.,

 

MEC June minutes

MEC

MEC Meeting Minutes – June 9th, 2016
Attendance: Fred Bunger, Cynthia Green, Paul Fechtelkotter, Lee Alinsky, Pete Peterson, Fred Davis, Marie Nolan,  Andrew Seaman .
1.    May 12th meeting minutes accepted with corrections.

2.     Energy Manager’s Report
a.    Presented energy baseline data to Selectmen June 7 noting major energy users and energy users with high energy use index (EUI).  Selectmen support 5 year 20% improvement goal
b.    WWTP Solar at full capacity with bad inverter replaced.
c.     Public Safety Building solar change order issued.
d.     DPW solar RFP being prepared by New Ecology using funds from OATA. Target RFP issued 7/5 with award in August.
e.    Andrew to meet 6/14 with Kelly Brown of DOER and Steve Gratton of Eversource to clarify what is needed for 20% improvement plan submission and discuss areas where Eversource can provide help.
f.    LED streetlights still on hold pending getting evidence from other towns on LED maintenance experience.  –Fred Davis volunteered to draft letter to send to other towns asking for information.

3.    Discussed Andrew’s leaving.  Hopes to leave in July.  Job description to be updated and more Facilities Manager content added.  Asked Energy Committee members for recommendations where to recruit for Andrew’s replacement.

4.    Solarize Medfield: RFP  sent out to select installers,  replies due June 13th.  Will review by June 22nd and select in early July.  A “meet the installer” will be held in July/August and September.  Marie will reserve space for Medfield Day with Energy Committee to help man the booth.

5.    Stretch Energy Code Support:  Energy Committee will urge the Selectmen to write to the State to support a strong Stretch Energy code.  Fred B to draft a letter, circulate via e-mail to Committee members for editing.

6.    Green Communities 20% Energy Reduction Plan
a.    Charts prepared to show major energy users: MHS, Middle School, Town Garage,  Dale School, Memorial School, Wheelock School and diesel fuel account for 80% of Town energy.
b.    Chart of Energy Use Index(EUI) shows excessive energy use in Town Garage, Pfaff center, Dale School, MHS, COA, Memorial, Middle School.  All are more than 20% above US medians for similar buildings.
c.    Andrew will add police & fire buildings and streetlights into baseline data
d.     Committee discussed focusing energy reduction efforts on Town Garage, MHS, Middle School, Memorial and Wheelock.
e.    An energy conservation program will be developed for each Town Department/major energy user.  Fred recommended that every effort be made to have the individual departments and personnel participate in preparing their own energy reduction plan so that there will be commitment to execute the plan.
f.    Andrew and Fred scheduled meeting June 20th with School Superintendent and School Committee to review the energy baseline and get support for the department to develop a schools energy reduction plan.
g.    Development of 20% improvement plan:

i.    Schools – Paul and Fred D. work with Alan Peterson to review earlier projects and add detail to 20% energy  improvement plan.
ii.    Department of Public Works, diesel & gasoline – will discuss with new Superintendent of Works when hired.
iii.    Water & Sewer Department   –  energy committee volunteer: Fred Bunger
iv.    Street lighting proposal already developed
v.    Town House, Library, The Center and Parks and Recreation – no action planned at this time
vi.    Recommended MassSave energy audits on COA, Pfaff and Dale to see if there are low cost quick fixes available.  Dale’s age and uncertain future may preclude doing much to lower energy use.
vii.

6.  Meeting was adjourned at 9:27

Next Meeting:  Thursday July 14th