Monthly Archives: November 2020

SB 12/1/2020

TOWN OF MEDFIELD
MEETING
NOTICE
Posted in accordance with the provisions of MGL Chapter 39 Section 23A, as amended
Due to the COVID-19 emergency, this meeting will take place remotely. Members of the public
who wish to view or listen to the meeting may do so by joining via the web, or a conference call.
1. To join online, use this link:
a. https://medfieldnet.
zoom.us/j/82095363190?pwd=b2hpMW9oSVk5ZGpSRmlwSjFhTjFBQT09
b. Enter Password: 171914
2. To join through a conference call, dial 929-436-2866 or 312-626-6799 or 253-215-8782
or 301-715-8592 or 346-248-7799 or 669-900-6833
a. Enter the Webinar ID: 820 9536 3190
b. Enter the password: 171914
The packet for this meeting can be found at this link:
https://www.town.medfield.net/DocumentCenter/View/4699/BOS-Meeting-Packet-December-1-
2020
Board of Selectmen
Board or Committee
PLACE OF MEETING DAY, DATE, AND TIME
Remote Meeting held on Zoom Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at 7:00 pm
Agenda (Subject to Change)
Call to Order
Disclosure of video recording
We want to take a moment of appreciation for our Troops serving around the globe in defense of
our country
Appointments
1. John Porter, Clean Footprint, to discuss solar project at the Kingsbury Club, Alternative
On-Bill Credit Agreement, and tax agreement
Posted:
2. Fred Davis, Medfield Energy Committee, to introduce Susan McPhee to discuss
Sustainability Manager services
3. Medfield businesses to provide update on impact of COVID-19
4. Jean Mineo and Jerry Potts to discuss proposal for outdoor music series at the Medfield
State Hospital
5. Lauren Zembron to discuss request to install free little library at Straw Hat Park
6. Mohammed Akrouche to discuss request to film music video at the Medfield State
Hospital
Discussion (potential votes)
7. Update on COVID-19 status/operations and CARES Funding
8. Medfield Youth Outreach logo
Action Items
9. Annual Committee Appointments – list of appointments is included in the meeting packet
10. Annual License Renewals
11. Rail Trail insurance update
Consent Agenda
12. Sign Requests:
a. Lowell Mason House Holiday Concert to be broadcast on MedfieldTV on
December 5, 2020 at 7 pm
Citizen Comment
Town Administrator Updates
Next Meeting Dates
Board of Selectmen: December 15, 2020
Meeting Minutes
April 16, 2020
May 5, 2020
Selectmen Reports
Informational

Taxation of PPP

Greg Reibman, President of the Newton-Needham Regional Chamber has been sending a daily e-newsletter since COVID started in March, and this was in his one today –

IRS PPP ruling adds another 2020 hurdle 

I hate to spoil your appetite one day before the big event but here’s the latest on the PPP.

Earlier this year, the IRS ruled that expenses (like payroll) that businesses typically deduct from their taxes aren’t tax deductible if they used PPP dollars to pay for them.

Last week, the IRS issued new guidance prohibiting any small business that has a reasonable expectation of eventually receiving PPP loan forgiveness from deducting those expenses in 2020, even if it takes until 2021 or 2022 to be granted forgiveness, or if the business hasn’t submitted a forgiveness application yet, writes Andy Medici for the BBJ.

In other words: The IRS has just made it harder for businesses that are desperately trying to survive this pandemic by eliminating a potential strategy to defer their 2020 tax liabilities for one year while waiting for the economy to rebound.

Or as one expert tells Medici: “Without the PPP, small businesses would have laid off staff, saving on expenses and saving cash. The only reason they kept staffing levels is because of the PPP, and the IRS is effectively punishing that action by pretending it wasn’t a legitimate business expense.”

Interested in a sharp stick in the other eye (related to federal COVID relief support for our businesses)? Try this.

Eversource says its 46 customers should be back up by noon

Email from Kristine Trierweiler –

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

FYI. They are reporting to have the remaining 46 customers back on by Noon. 

———-

Good Morning Christine,

No, this was not a planned outage. We had a few phases come down which affected some customers in the area. Currently, we have crews on-site and there are 46 customers that remain out. The remaining customers should be picked up no later than noon today but may be restored sooner.

I’ll send you another update once I have it.

Thank you,  

Jared

—————————

Jared M. Blandino

Community Relations & Economic Development Specialist

logo_color

Quiz

What Medfield personage lists his/her occupation on the official annual town census that he/she is a “RODEO CLOWN?”

Maintaining the integrity of the town records requires me to inquire, Sir/Madam, when was your last rodeo?

Noticed while using the town census to send out the Medfield Foundation’ first annual appeal.

The Medfield Foundation hopes to have 100% of the town’s rodeo clowns supporting its first annual appeal.

And in fact 100% of all of our hometown’s residents – together building our shared community – https://www.medfieldfoundation.org/give

MFi’s first annual appeal

Exciting news! Check your mail for the first ever MFi annual appeal letter!  A dozen of our neighbors have already responded. You can also donate on-line here – https://www.medfieldfoundation.org/give






	



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Proceeds from our annual Angel Run benet Medeld residents in need. This year, more than
ever, your donation is critical for our ability to continue our 15th year of supporting the local
community.
I would love to share that I am a single mom of four
children... I’ve been out of work for three weeks, still
waiting on my unemployment, and it is so nice to
know that this program is there and helping so
many. I can’t say enough good about this amazing
program. God bless and thank you so very much.
When you are told that there are people that care
about their community to donate something they
have that others don’t, it means so much. It really
took a lot of pressure off me so I thank you with
all my heart. . .my guardian angel.
The Medeld Foundation Legacy Fund is an endowment created to support community driven
projects to ensure a strong and vibrant Medeld, now and in the future.
Friends of the Medeld Rail Trail
First ever MFi Legacy Fund grant recipients
The Friends of the Medeld Rail Trail was a recipient of a $5,000 grant, which they
felt was key to showing community support as they applied for state funding. Since
that time, the Rail Trail has received a total of $200,000 in additional grants from the
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation for the creation of the
Medeld Rail Trail. Recently the Medeld Select Board signed a lease with the MBTA
for the rail righ-of-way and construction on the project should begin in the spring
of 2021. Visit them at medeld.baycolonyrailtrail.org
Medeld Cares About Prevention (MCAP) was a recipient of a $5,000 grant
to enlist the services of Bright Solutions Consulting to help them apply for a
federal “Drug-Free Communities” grant. The grant request was successful and
Medeld was awarded $625,000 to be used over a ve-year period to implement
comprehensive strategies to reduce youth substance use in Medeld.
Visit them at MedeldCares.org
The Cultural Alliance of Medeld (CAM) was a recipient of a $10,000 grant from the
MFi Legacy Fund. Under the guidance of Jean Mineo, The Cultural Alliance is working
to develop an Arts Center at the Medeld State Hospital. The Medeld Select Board
and the State of Massachusetts have approved a long-term lease with the Cultural
Alliance which is now in the process of raising additional funds for the renovation and
operations of the Arts Center from private resources.
The MCAP coalition owes the success of the $625,000 DFC grant application to the
Medfield Foundation Legacy Fund grant, which allowed MCAP to hire an experienced
grant writer,” said Chelsea Goldstein-Walsh LICSW, of Medfield Outreach. “We are
looking forward to launching a proactive and comprehensive effort to decrease youth
substance use and promote wellness in the community.
I don’t know what to say. You saved 3 people.
Testimonials from some of the people helped through your donations
.
MedeldFoundation MedeldFoundation MedeldFndn medeld-foundation
Follow Medeld Foundation on social media

CPA base state match at 28.6%

The Division of Local Services (DLS) newsletter had the following article about the Massachusetts Community Preservation Act (CPA) base state matching monies coming in this year at 28.6% for the 3% CPA communities.

Medfield residents continue to pay in to fund the state payments to other towns, because Medfield has not adopted the CPA – i.e Medfield is leaving free state monies on the table. See https://www.communitypreservation.org/ for information.

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The map below shows all the communities that have adopted the Community Preservation Act, including those recently adopted.

FY2021 Community Preservation State Match Distributed
Donnette Benvenuto and Lisa Krzywicki – Data Analytics and Resources Bureau

On November 13th, the Data Analytics and Resources Bureau (DARB) distributed the FY2021 state match of Community Preservation (CPA) funds. The CPA trust fund receives revenues from surcharges on documents filed at the Registry of Deeds.  Effective January 1, 2020 the registry of deeds increased fees on most documents from $20 to $50 and on municipal lien certificates from $10 to $25. In FY2021, there are 176 communities eligible for the CPA state match and as of November, the CPA state trust fund recorded revenues totaling $61.1 million.

Of the 176 communities eligible, 76 have adopted the surcharge at the maximum 3% making them eligible for base distribution match of 28.6% of the local CPA surcharge committed.  They are also eligible for the 2nd round distribution (equity) and 3rd round distribution (surplus), which can result in an increased percentage match, up to 100%.  The remaining 100 communities that did not adopt the CPA at 3% are only eligible for the first-round match of 28.6% of the local CPA surcharge committed.

Number of communities eligible for the FY2021 state match by percentage adopted:

The full distribution breakdown and decile ranking by community can be found here on the DLS website.

On the November 3rd ballot an additional 9 communities voted and approved the CPA and West Stockbridge adopted it earlier in the year.  Municipal Clerks in these communities are reminded to send in the Specimen ballot, results and notification of acceptance form to DARB at databank@dor.state.ma.us as soon as possible.

List of additional communities and percentage adopted eligible for the FY2022 CPA state match in November of 2022:

For questions about the distribution or to notify us of local adoption, please email databank@dor.state.ma.us.

35 cases in last two weeks

LATEST UPDATE:

November 20, 2020 9:50 AM

Medfield’s COVID-19 Data Dashboard has been updated with case and testing data as of 11/19. Medfield remains in the yellow category and has a case count of 35 cases over the last 14 days.

Click here to open the dashboard.

COVID-19 Data Dashboard on Town’s website

The Town of Medfield and the Medfield Board of Health has announced that a new COVID-19 Data Dashboard is now available on the Town’s website. The dashboard was created utilizing the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s weekly COVID-19 data and will be released every Friday. The new dashboard will also provide a breakdown of cases by age group as well as regional COVID-19 information.

UPDATEView all updates
November 13, 2020 12:32 PM
The Town of Medfield and the Medfield Board of Health has announced that a new COVID-19 Data Dashboard is now available on the Town’s website. The dashboard was… Read on
Click here to open the dashboard

November 6, 2020 9:18 AM

The Board of Health has announced the following case numbers of COVID-19 in Medfield: 78 confirmed, 12 active

Click here for more information

Forum – 7:30 PM this Monday

MEA – MEDFIELD DECARBONIZERS – 7:30PM Monday

MEA was founded in June and has quickly gained momentum.  We are committed to helping Medfield and Medfield residents learn how to reduce their impact on the environment.  We plan to hold at least one educational program a month.

We have some great ideas and plans for the future and would welcome more.  Please get involved in a small or big (or medium) way.   Feel free to reach out to meamedfield@gmail.com and/or consider attending the Steering Committee meeting in December.  Details below.  
   

Monday, November 16th
Learn from Your Neighbors
Monday November 16th 7:30 – 8:30 pm on Zoom

MEDFIELD DECARBONIZERS


Are you thinking of installing solar panels or heat pumps but don’t know where to start?  Are you curious about the logistics of driving an electric car?  We thought it would be great to have a session about these carbon-reducing products where you can talk to other Medfield residents who have already adopted them.  

Hear from these Medfield residents about their experiences:
Jim James will talk about his solar panels.
Kirsten & Glen D’Abate will discuss their electric vehicles.
Jim Nail will tell us about how he installed a heat pump system for his home.

Also, we will share how to calculate your own carbon footprint.
There will be plenty of time for questions.
Register in advance for this webinar: https://tinyurl.com/meamedfield-Nov16    

Have you taken our survey?  Please do!
We hope to learn what you and other Medfield residents think about environmental issues. 
Please take our survey and then share the link with your friends and family.  If you include your email, you will be registered for a raffle to win a $50 gift certificate to a Medfield store.   
Find the survey here:   https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/J7NFCHW


      The next meeting of the Medfield Environment Action Steering Committee will be Wednesday December 2nd at 7:30pm via Zoom.  Please join us at a meeting– we welcome everyone and anyone — and see what we’re about.   
 
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85017266125?pwd=WldkMHI5QU5QQksxN2h2djVHc01yUT09
 
Meeting ID: 850 1726 6125
Passcode: 388020
      It’s Easy to Calculate
Your Household Carbon Footprint!
• Use the EPA Carbon Footprint Calculator
• Fill in just these two sections: Home Energy (electricity, gas/oil), and Transportation (your vehicles).
• Save your work and bring in the number– your household carbon footprint in lbs of annual CO2 emissions– to the Nov. 16 forum.
• This is a starter approach to carbon-footprint; we can always go deeper later. Please contact Fred Davis with any questions at fred@freddaviscorp.com.    

The Zero Carbon Home forum from last month was terrific.  Lots of good information about how to get started on insulating your home, installing solar panels, choosing replacement windows and considering heat pumps.  The recording is now on the MEA website,  meamedfield.org.  Check it out!
          Want to save money?  Want to know more about home energy assessments, rebates, incentives, and more?  Go to Mass Save and check out the possibilities.    

Our Mission Medfield Environment Action (MEA) is a grassroots organization of residents.  We share information about the accelerating environmental destruction and climate emergency to empower local action.  We seek to build a movement of informed citizens, dedicated to the preservation of a living environment in Medfield and beyond. Our goal is that those informed citizens support each other and work together for solutions.
 
MEA will work to: initiate and support measures by our town and state governments that will positively impact our environment; help reduce energy consumption and render the consumed energy renewable/sustainable reduce other environmental impacts in our community.  
Adopted July 9, 2020

Take the Medfield Environmental Action’s Survey