Author Archives: Select Board member Osler "Pete" Peterson

TOWN ELECTION TODAY – please vote on leaving civil service

Posted on March 25, 2024 | Comments Off on TOWN ELECTION TODAY – please vote on leaving civil service

POLLS OPEN UNTIL 8PM AT THE CENTER

LEAVING CIVIL SERVICE ON BALLOT

I just voted and can report that the voting is extremely light when I was there. Please vote.

Civil service is on our ballot. The Select Board has asked to have the town removed from the civil service system. The Medfield Police Department’s police union supports the town leaving civil service. In fact, the union has created signs that make the somewhat confusing question clear –

SUPPORT MEDFIELD POLICE VOTE YES

Additionally, the union members will be holding those signs at the polls all day. This writer thanks the union and its members for their support and their activity at the polls.

ONE EXAMPLE IS ALL THE REASON WE NEED

The example of why Medfield would be better out of civil service is shown by the MPD’s recent attempt to hire of a new officer having been nixed by another town who civil service states controlled the officer. That town that cancelled our hire is not even the town where the officer currently works, but rather the town the officer left 4 years and 9 months ago, but which town under the archaic civil service rules still controls that officer and has to approve our hiring.

I am told that if Medfield votes today to leave civil service (a YES vote), then Medfield will be able to proceed with our hiring of that new officer tomorrow.

Please vote also to affirm that we believe that Mike Pastore will be a great moderator, and support all our other fellow residents volunteering to make out town run.

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Posted in Elections

Town election Monday – Please consider a vote for me!

Posted on March 24, 2024 | 1 comment

Tweet from Town of Medfield –

Town of Medfield

@TownofMedfield

The Annual Town Election will be held on Monday, March 25, 2024 from 6AM-8PM at the CENTER at Medfield, 1 Ice House Road. The Specimen Ballot can be viewed here: https://town.medfield.net/DocumentCenter/View/7691/Specimen-Ballot-Local-Election_03252024…

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Posted in Elections

Select Board 3/26/2024

Posted on March 23, 2024 | Comments Off on Select Board 3/26/2024
  1. To join online, use this link:
    https://medfield-net.zoom.us/j/88530366678?pwd=clhLODVKcnlDN3dFTDJWQjBCVzJ5Zz09
    a. Webinar ID: 885 3036 6678
    b. Password: 637025
  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: 885 3036 6678
    b. Enter the password: 637025
    The packet with meeting materials for this meeting is available at this link:
    https://www.town.medfield.net/DocumentCenter/View/7766/Select-Board-Meeting-Packet_03262024
TOWN OF MEDFIELD MEETING NOTICE Posted in accordance with the provisions of M.G.L. c. 30A, §§18-25 This meeting will be held in a hybrid format. The Select Board will attend in person and members of the public may attend in person. In addition, members of the public who wish to participate via Zoom may do so by joining by one of the following options: 1. To join online, use this link: https://medfield-net.zoom.us/j/88530366678?pwd=clhLODVKcnlDN3dFTDJWQjBCVzJ5Zz09 a. Webinar ID: 885 3036 6678 b. Password: 637025 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: 885 3036 6678 b. Enter the password: 637025 The packet with meeting materials for this meeting is available at this link: https://www.town.medfield.net/DocumentCenter/View/7766/Select-Board-Meeting-Packet_03262024 Select Board Board or Committee PLACE OF MEETING DAY, DATE, AND TIME Chenery Hall, Medfield Town House Remote participation available through Zoom Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at 6:00 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 6:00 pm: Reorganization of the Select Board Appointments 1. Kerry Dunnell, Charles River Health District, to provide update to the Select Board 2. 6:30PM Dog Control Bylaw Committee to discuss proposed Dog Control Bylaw warrant article for the 2024 Town Meeting and to request a potential vote on the bylaw proposal Discussion Items (Potential Votes) 2024 Town Meeting and FY25 Budget Items 3. Review and potential vote on Warrant Articles 1-34 4. Vote to submit Article 33, Zoning Enforcement Fees; Article 35, Authorize Select Board name change in Town Bylaws; and Article 37, MBTA Communities Zoning District to the Planning Board for review Action Items 5. Board and Committee Appointments a. Vote to appoint Ramaa Rao as an associate member of the Board of Health 6. Vote to authorize the Town Administrator to sign a contract with Clear Span Fabric Structures, Inc. for the replacement of two clarifier covers at the wastewater treatment plant, the cost of which will primarily be paid for through insurance proceeds 7. Vote to sign the contract with Kraft Power Corporation for a new generator for the wastewater treatment plant for $272,891 8. Vote to sign the contract with Truax Corporation for our annual catch basin cleaning at $19.95/catch basin for a total of $41,895 (2100 catch basins) 9. Vote to sign the contract with Rise Engineering for rooftop heat pump units at the Library for $31,918 10. Vote to sign the contract with Norel for the replacement of the sprinkler heads at the Medfield Public Library for $27,302.93 11. Vote to sign the contract with Suburban Glass and Mirror for ceiling repairs at the Parks and Recreation Center for $7,840 12. Vote to sign the Schedule Z for the solar array at the DPW Garage 13. Vote to approve a sandwich board request to advertise the opening of the Medfield Community Market at North/Main from May 5 through May 19 and a request for the additional weeks of April 1 through April 15 Citizen Comment Consent Agenda 14. Request to place signs at the usual locations to advertise the Medfield Garden Club’s Spring Plant Sale from April 20 to May 4 15. Request to place signs at the usual locations to advertise the Medfield Energy Committee’s EV car show from April 21 through May 5 16. Request to place signs at the Transfer Station, intersection of Main/North and intersection of South/Rte. 27 advertising Climate Week from April 20 to May 4 Meeting Minutes January, 16, 2024 January 23, 2024 Town Administrator Updates Next Meeting Dates April 2, 2024 April 16, 2024 April 30, 2024 May 6, 2024 - Annual Town Meeting Select Board Member Reports Actions Taken on Bills and Warrants for Payments Informational ● Impact of non-compliance with MBTA Communities Act Zoning on the Medfield State Hospital Project

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Posted in Select Board matters

MFi Legacy Fund grant requests due by 3/25

Posted on March 22, 2024 | Comments Off on MFi Legacy Fund grant requests due by 3/25

MEDFIELD FOUNDATION LEGACY FUND NOW ACCEPTING GRANT APPLICATIONS

The Medfield Foundation Legacy Fund has announced that applications are now being accepted for its 2024 Community Impact Grants. Up to $40,000 in grants will be awarded, and any Medfield-based nonprofit or Town department is eligible. Applicants are welcome to submit a grant request online at https://www.medfieldfoundation.org/ by March 25, 2024.

The Medfield Foundation Legacy Fund Community Board will review all submissions and select the finalists who will be invited to PITCH IT!, a Shark Tank-type event to be held in person in April, 2024. At PITCH IT!, applicants present their proposal, goals, and financial needs and directly engage with the Community Board on their projects. The Community Board will make its final selection of grant recipients for the 2024 funding round in May, 2024.  

This year marks the fourth round of Legacy Fund Community Impact grants. To date over $78,000 has been awarded to eleven organizations, including the Cultural Alliance of Medfield, the Friends of the MHS Theatre Society, the Friends of the Medfield Rail Trail, Medfield Cares About Prevention, Medfield Outreach, The Peak House Heritage Center, Sustainable Medfield, Hinkley Helpers, Medfield TV, Kingsbury Pond Gristmill Committee, and Zullo Gallery Center for Arts.

Grantees have used their awards to further important projects in Medfield and in some cases to leverage significant additional resources such as matching grants or federal or state funding. This year’s applicants should be prepared to illustrate a strong and compelling current need for funds, and possibly present how those funds may generate additional investments in the Medfield community as well. 

Act fast to take advantage of this spectacular opportunity!

ABOUT THE MEDFIELD FOUNDATION LEGACY FUND

The Medfield Foundation Legacy Fund is a professionally-managed endowment created to support community-driven projects. Volunteer-run and designed to complement the initiatives of Medfield organizations, the Medfield Foundation Legacy Fund raises private funds for public good. The Legacy Fund invests for the long term while also helping to address current community needs through annual competitive grantmaking for immediate positive impact.

For more information or to contribute to the Medfield Foundation Legacy Fund, please visit www.medfieldfoundation.org/legacy-fund.

Make an impact. Leave a Legacy!

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Posted in Medfield Foundation

Select Board 3/19/2024

Posted on March 18, 2024 | Comments Off on Select Board 3/19/2024
  1. To join online, use this link:
    https://medfield-net.zoom.us/j/88530366678?pwd=clhLODVKcnlDN3dFTDJWQjBCVzJ5Zz09
    a. Webinar ID: 885 3036 6678
    b. Password: 637025
  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: 885 3036 6678
    b. Enter the password: 637025
    The packet with meeting materials for this meeting is available at this link:
    https://town.medfield.net/DocumentCenter/View/7724/Select-Board-Meeting-Packet_03192024
TOWN OF MEDFIELD MEETING NOTICE Posted in accordance with the provisions of M.G.L. c. 30A, §§18-25 This meeting will be held in a hybrid format. The Select Board will attend in person and members of the public may attend in person. In addition, members of the public who wish to participate via Zoom may do so by joining by one of the following options: 1. To join online, use this link: https://medfield-net.zoom.us/j/88530366678?pwd=clhLODVKcnlDN3dFTDJWQjBCVzJ5Zz09 a. Webinar ID: 885 3036 6678 b. Password: 637025 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: 885 3036 6678 b. Enter the password: 637025 The packet with meeting materials for this meeting is available at this link: https://town.medfield.net/DocumentCenter/View/7724/Select-Board-Meeting-Packet_03192024 Select Board Board or Committee PLACE OF MEETING DAY, DATE, AND TIME Chenery Hall, Medfield Town House Remote participation available through Zoom Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at 6:00 pm Revised 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. Presentation by Bellforge on Citizen Petition a. Sale of Land: Medfield State Hospital Chapel 2. Police Chief Guerette requests the board to vote to conditionally appoint William Crisafulli to the position of Police Officer (transfer) effective March 22 pending transfer approval 3. Robert Winograd to provide an update on the launch of the Medfield Community Electricity Program 4. Maurice Goulet, Director of the Department of Public Works to request the following: a. Vote to authorize the Town Administrator to sign a contract with Clear Span Fabric Structures, Inc. for the replacement of two clarifier covers at the wastewater treatment plant, the cost of which will primarily be paid for through insurance proceeds b. Vote to award the contracts for the Department of Public Works contracts through the Southeastern Regional Services Group c. Vote to authorize the DPW Director to sign contracts awarded through the Southeastern Regional Services Group (SSERG) for various public works services and supplies d. Vote to sign the contract with Nardone Electric for a new generator for the wastewater treatment plant for $272,891 Discussion Items (Potential Votes) 5. Discuss and potential vote on Select Board policy for handling routine communications, not involving Board deliberations, to comply with Open Meeting Law requirements (e.g., administrative reviews of meeting minutes, employee contracts) 2024 Town Meeting and FY25 Budget Items 6. Vote to review and approve the FY2025 Budget 7. Discussion and potential vote on Warrant Articles Action Items 8. Board and Committee Appointments: a. Accept the resignation of Ann Thompson from the Board of Trustees of the Affordable Housing Trust as a full member and appoint her as an associate member 9. Vote to sign the affiliation agreement between Worcester State University and the Town of Medfield for clinical educational experiences for nursing, speech language pathology, and occupational therapy students 10. Vote to sign the contract with Rise Engineering for rooftop heat pump units at the Library for $31,918 11. Vote to sign the contract with Norel for the replacement of the sprinkler heads at the Medfield Public Library for $27,302.93 12. Vote to sign the contract with Suburban Glass and Mirror for ceiling repairs at the Parks and Recreation Center for $7,840 13. Request for a waiver of the building permit fees for the rooftop heat pump units at the Library, replacement sprinkler heads at the Medfield Public Library, and ceiling repairs at the Parks and Recreation Center 14. Request for a waiver of the building permit fee for the emergency repair of a relay that controlled the air vac system to remove diesel exhaust from the apparatus bay at the public safety building 15. Request from MEMO to hold the 44th Annual Discover Medfield Day on Saturday, September 28, 2024 from 10am - 4 pm and to do the following: a. Request to use the town-owned land at Meetinghouse Pond and portions of North and Frairy Streets and Upham Road b. Request to approve the Common Victualler license and application and waive the $50 fee c. Request to hang the banner announcing Discover Medfield Day across Main Street at Baxter Park from around August 18th through Discover Medfield Day 16. Request from MEMO to hold their annual Summer Concert Series on Thursdays June 6th - August 15th at the Gazebo a. Request to use the town-owned land around the Gazebo b. Request to hand the banner announcing the Summer Concert Series across Main Street at Baxter Park from around June 2nd through the last concert 17. Vote to approve and sign the 2024-2027 Employment Agreement with Town Administrator Kristine Trierweiler Citizen Comment Consent Agenda 18. Request to post a sign advertising basketball training camps from March 20th until April 3rd at the intersection of Main/North Street 19. Request to post an informational sandwich board regarding the launch of Medfield Community Electricity from March 26 to April 9 at North/Main and then from April 10 to April 24 at the Transfer Station 20. Request from Medfield Youth Little League to hold the annual Opening Day festivities and parade on Sunday, April 28th, 2024 21. Request to approve the annual Maverick 5K on May 5, 2024 which will begin and end at Montrose School Meeting Minutes January, 16, 2024 January 23, 2024 Town Administrator Updates Next Meeting Dates March 25, 2024 - Annual Town Election March 26, 2024 April 2, 2024 April 16, 2024 April 30, 2024 May 6, 2024 - Annual Town Meeting Select Board Member Reports Actions Taken on Bills and Warrants for Payments ● Vendor Warrant, March 5, 2024 ● Vendor Warrant, March 12, 2024 ● Payroll Warrant, March 14, 2024 Informational

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Posted in Select Board matters

New Dwight-Derby House e-newsletter

Posted on March 16, 2024 | Comments Off on New Dwight-Derby House e-newsletter

Worth a read, and looks better in the version I received by email. Subscribe to get your own. –

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

You don’t want to miss this.

     

March 2024  

President’s Message  

Welcome!   During the Holiday Stroll on December 1st, I was approached by a number of people who had moved to Medfield over the last few years and knew nothing about the history of the Dwight-Derby House or its significance. Given the demands of families, careers, and other social obligations, it’s no surprise that people who are new to the area (and even many who aren’t!) have overlooked the little yellow garrison colonial house on Baker’s Pond at 7 Frairy Street. It seems that The Friends of the Dwight-Derby House can and must do a better job of keeping everyone up to date, whether they are new in town or were in Medfield in 1996 when the property was acquired by the Town of Medfield.   And there is so much to say. Since 1997, The Friends of the Dwight-Derby House has managed, maintained, operated and funded the house in order to keep it preserved and open both as a museum and an event rental.   And thus, the birth of this newsletter, the Squibob Herald.    
President, Friends of the Dwight-Derby House    

Squibob Musings  

Who Is This Squibob?  

Some of you have never heard of Squibob, which was a nom de plume of George Horatio Derby (1832-1861), the most famous resident of the Dwight-Derby House, and a man considered by many to be one of the original satirists in the United States. George’s writings were admired by both Abraham Lincoln and Samuel Clemens.   It is therefore in honor of George and the San Diego Herald, who published his work, that we call this newsletter the Squibob Herald.
 
A drawing of “Squibob,” who was one of George Horatio Derby’s most popular characters. (From SQUIBOB An Early California Humorist by George Horatio Derby.)      

Inside the Dwight-Derby House  

Touring the House
 
We want to accommodate everyone who wants to tour the house and realize that two Saturday mornings a month are not always convenient. By prior arrangement and subject to docent availability we will offer free tours seven days a week during daylight hours. To request a tour, fill out a Contact Us form on our website.   We will be open on April 27th and 28th from 10 am to 4 pm for guided tours during Medfield History Weekend. We look forward to seeing you then!    

The East Parlor Project  
As March is National Women in History month, there couldn’t be a more appropriate time to unveil an exciting new exhibit in the works, the “East Parlor Project.” This new exhibit will recreate the women’s millinery shop that Mary Townsend Derby set up in the east parlor of the house in 1825.   The redecorated east parlor will essentially be a tribute to Mary Townsend Derby who, as a young single mother of two children, launched a business at home to support her family and the small farm on the “road to Wheeler’s Bottom” as Frairy Street was called in those days.   While there is scant historical information available as to exactly what wares were offered, there is ample evidence that bonnets were a mainstay. According to Electa Kane Tritsch in her book Medfield’s Dwight-Derby House, published in 2009, Mary and her friend Julia Butterfield established “an in-house commercial operation in Medfield that would provide income for her own family and respectable employment for other women short on funds.” And, as we know, this occurred in a period where women could neither own property nor vote.
 
 
Volunteers Needed!  
We will also need volunteers to decorate and perhaps even make hats. The bottom line is that we would love to hear from you if you are interested in being part of this effort.   You can contact me, Geoff Sauter, via email or just stop in when you see the “Open” flag displayed at the end of our driveway.      

The Last Word  
If any of you have kept track, this is at least the third attempt by The Friends of the Dwight-Derby House to reach out to the community with a newsletter to keep you all in touch with our activities. The first two newsletters preceded the Internet, in 1999 and again in 2001.    

Hopefully, the Squibob Herald will endure a little longer! As they say, “third time’s the charm!”       774-478-5262 info@dwightderbyhouse.org www.dwightderbyhouse.org   Donate   Facebook
Friends of the Dwight-Derby House | 7 Frairy Street, Medfield, MA 02052 www.dwightderbyhouse.org Unsubscribe osler.peterson@oslerpeterson.com Update Profile | Our Privacy Policy | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by info@dwightderbyhouse.org powered by Trusted Email from Constant Contact - Try it FREE today. Try email marketing for free today!

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Posted in Dwight-Derby House

Dwight-Derby House update – tours available

Posted on March 15, 2024 | Comments Off on Dwight-Derby House update – tours available

From Geoff Sauter, President Friends of the Dwight-Derby House, Inc. –

Hi Pete,

I was pleased to make your acquaintance last night and especially pleased with your offer to add updates regarding the Dwight-Derby  House to your blog.

I am in the process of putting together a quarterly newsletter to keep your electorate abreast of the goings on at 7 Frairy St. and will let you know when it’s finally available for distribution.  Your support will help me develop an email list so that we get it out to as many interested residents as possible.

More importantly, you can report on your next blog that I am making the Dwight-Derby House open by appointment for guided tours 7 days a week. We have found that being open two Saturdays a month from 10:00 to 12:00 was not adequate and did not meet with everyone’s schedules. I can be reached directly at Coptersauter@gmail.com or through the Contact Us tab on our website, which is dwightderbyhouse.org.   The tours typically take about an hour. 

Attached are some current pictures to spice up your blog.

Best,

Geoff Sauter, President

Friends of the Dwight-Derby House

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Posted in Dwight-Derby House, History

Office Hours tomorrow – 9-10AM at The Center

Posted on March 7, 2024 | Comments Off on Office Hours tomorrow – 9-10AM at The Center

Select Board Office Hours this Friday

My first Friday office hours are being held tomorrow at The Center, having been put over for a week out of an abundance of caution due to my exposure at a meeting last week to someone who later tested positive for COVID. I fortunately tested negative.

I usually hold regular monthly office hours at The Center on the first Friday of every month from 9:00 to 10:00 AM. 
Residents are welcome to stop by to talk in person about any town matters.
Residents can also have coffee and see the Council on Aging in action (a vibrant organization with lots going on).
I can be reached via 508-359-9190 or this blog about Medfield matters https://medfield02052.wordpress.com, where any schedule changes will be posted. 

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Posted in Select Board matters

MEA Webinar on Environmentally Friendly Lawns & Yards – 3/13

Posted on March 7, 2024 | Comments Off on MEA Webinar on Environmentally Friendly Lawns & Yards – 3/13

From Helen Dewey –

Medfield Environment Action to Host a Webinar on Environmentally Friendly Lawns and Yards

Homeowners and landscapers are invited to attend a webinar on Wed. Mar 13 at 7:30 pm on Low Impact, Sustainable Yard Care. Included will be presentations on pesticide and chemical free native gardens, use of earth- friendly lawn equipment and information on equipment that is harmful to humans and the earth. In addition, representatives from the Charles River Watershed Association will speak about how to prevent contaminating water and how to conserve fresh water.  Other presenters include Monique Allen, The Garden Continuum in Medfield, George Carrette, Ecoquiet Lawn Care in Concord and Tricia Glass from Quiet Communities. Jeff Hyman, Medfield homeowner, will walk us through how he has transformed his yard into a clean, sustainable and welcoming yard and he will explain how Medfielders can do it in their own yards.

Why is a sustainable yard which has a low impact on the environment so important? Gardening and lawn care techniques have evolved from natural landscapes to green, lush, manicured lawns and trimmed flower beds. The problem is that the fertilizers and pesticides used to create those lawns and gardens degrade the soil, contaminate groundwater, harm microbial life and have safety concerns. In addition, it takes a lot of time, money and lots of fresh water to maintain them. Some of the high-powered equipment used for yard care has very high carbon emissions and the loud, high velocity wind created raises fine particulate matter which is a respiratory and auditory health threat. It is time to return to the garden that flourishes with native plants that are accustomed  to growing in Zone 6 yards and need less water and less maintenance. The result is a beautiful, colorful garden that attracts a lot of beneficial insects and small animals without any negative impact on the environment.

The webinar is presented by Medfield Environment Action in support of Sustainable Medfield’s Action of the Quarter, Low Impact, Sustainable Yard Care.  Preregister at tinyurl.com/YardCareMar13. Any questions, email meamedfield@gmail.com. More tips can be found on the Action Portal at sustainablemedfield.org.

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Posted in Medfield Environmental Action

VOTE TODAY

Posted on March 5, 2024 | Comments Off on VOTE TODAY

STATE PRIAMRY ELECTION TODAY

Polls at The Center are open until 8PM.

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Posted in Elections, State