Category Archives: Information

Thanksgiving tradition – the Norfolk Hunt Club

Posted on November 22, 2011 | 1 comment

Starting around 8:00 AM on Thanksgiving morning, the riders and the hounds of the Norfolk Hunt Club gather at the race course on North Street.  There are usually three dozen riders and just as many dogs.  I am told that there is a blessing of the hounds, but I have never seen it.  There is, however, plenty on which to feast the eyes and lots of activity of interest, as the dogs expectantly and jitteringly bunch together, while all the while eager to start running, surrounded by four riders assigned to keep them in place.  Riders milling near and at times amongst the grounded people.

Then around 9:00 AM the hounds are released by the Master of the Hounds and the hounds are off down the hill towards Dover, followed by all the riders, and both disappear only make a big loop and reappear back in front of the assembled crowd, and before disappear again, this time down a trail into the town’s Sawmill Brook Conservation land.

The Hunt can then be meet across from the Medfield State Hospital, where they often stop.

A wonderful and special Medfield Thanksgiving tradition.

1 Comment

Posted in Environmental, Information, Medfield State Hospital, Open space

FEMA test to interrupt TV & radio for 3 minutes around 2PM next Thursday

Posted on November 3, 2011 | Comments Off on FEMA test to interrupt TV & radio for 3 minutes around 2PM next Thursday

FEMA message follows –

===========================

On Wednesday, November 9, at approximately 2:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will conduct the country’s first nationwide Emergency Alert System (EAS) test.

While in progress, programming will be temporarily interrupted during this three-minute test.  As a result, cable providers have been working diligently to make this experience as least impactful for their customers as possible by informing and preparing them for the test through multiple channels.

What is it?
This national-level EAS is a national public alert and warning system that enables the President of the United States to address the American public during extreme emergencies.  The purpose of the test is to assess the readiness and effectiveness of the EAS and identify incremental improvements to better serve our communities in the preservation of life and property.

How are customers impacted?

  • All EAS participants, including broadcast radio and television, cable, satellite radio and television and wire-line video services will participate. Thus, the test will be seen on all local, cable, and satellite TV stations across the country and heard on the radio.  For Comcast customers – during the three-minute test, all channels in each of the cable systems will force tune to the EAS messaging channel.

As a result of the test interruption, any scheduled DVR recordings during this time will be interrupted, and in some cases, lost.  However, as soon as the test ends, customers will be returned to their regularly scheduled programming.  Additionally, Video OnDemand will be interrupted as well during the test, but customers can continue viewing where they left off following the test by accessing their programming clicking “resume PLAY.”

In some rare cases, customers may need to use their remote control to channel up and then channel down or power down their set top box to fully restore programming.

Customers will be notified of this national test through multiple customer channels to include, bill messaging, IVR messaging, On Demand, email, as well as through our social media channels.  But, we can also use your help with being in the know.

Help us Help Customers – Be Prepared and Informed
In your daily interactions, if a customer approaches you with concerns about returning to their regular programming after the test on November 9, be prepared.

Here are two easy steps to help customers resume service after the test.  They can:

1. Use their remote control to channel up and then channel down to restore programming

2. Power down their set top box to restore programming

 

Megan T. DiPrete, AICP

Manager, Community Dev. and Planning

Central Mass. Regional Planning Commission

2 Washington Square – Union Station

Worcester, MA 01604 – 4016

 

Ph: 508-756-7717 ext 115

Direct:   508 459-3315

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Posted in Information, Safety

Town opts to postpone Halloween

Posted on October 31, 2011 | 2 comments

The town opted this morning to postpone Medfield’s celebration of Halloween until Friday, because of the ongoing issues related to the storm.  I was told that the administrators, public safety and department heads were conferring and felt that prudence and safety should control.  There apparently continue to be downed and leaning tree limbs, downed wires, and widespread electrical outages.  The safety of the children has to be the the paramount underlying consideration, as we cannot afford even one unexpected event.  However. that does not avoid the fact that any such change is bound to inconvenience people  and their children, for which effects the town should be sorry.

2 Comments

Posted in Children, Information

Follow Town of Medfield on Twitter

Posted on October 31, 2011 | Comments Off on Follow Town of Medfield on Twitter

The Town of Medfield has created a Twitter account to notify residents of important issues.  To follow @TownofMedfield, go to  https://twitter.com/#!/search/realtime/TownofMedfield%20  Yesterday the schools website was down, and not all town workers had power to get notices posted on the town’s website, so the situation highlighted the need for a way to communicate with residents in an emergency.  Twitter should be a good vehicle, as people can access it from cell phones even when their power is out.

Since learning of Twitter, I have been using @Medfield to inform people of what I learn as a selectman, and I offered to give that name to the Town of Medfield to use, if they wanted it.

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Posted in Information

Warrant Committee members for this year

Posted on October 24, 2011 | Comments Off on Warrant Committee members for this year

Moderator Scott McDermott’s letter from yesterday setting forth his appointments to the Warrant Committee for this upcoming fiscal year –

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October 23, 2011

Carol Mayer, Town Clerk
Town of Medfield
Medfield MA 02052

Re: 2011-2012 Appointments to the Warrant Committee

Dear Ms. Mayer:

I am very pleased to confirm the appointment of Joanna Hilvert of 14 Pueblo Road and Edward P. Doherty of 17 Belknap Road to the Warrant Committee of the Town of Medfield. Ms. Hilvert will succeed Diane Hallisey and her term shall expire in 2014. Mr. Doherty shall succeed Deborah Mozer and his term shall expire in 2013.

I am also pleased to affirm the re-appointment of the following Medfield residents to the Warrant Committee:

James O’Shaughnessy of 21 Indian Hill Road [term expires 2014];
Maryalice Whalen of 260 South Street [term expires 2014].

Finally, I am pleased to report that the following five members of the Committee are continuing in the service of the Town:

Gustave H. Murby of 122 Harding Street [term expires 2012];
Catherine Steever of 7 Acorn Circle [term expires 2012];
David Fischer of 22 Stagecoach road [term expires 2012];
Gregory Sullivan of 73 South Street [term expires 2013];
Thomas J. Schlesinger of 7 Country Way [term expires 2013].

I have asked each new and re-appointed member to contact you to arrange to take the oath of office at your earliest mutual convenience.

As always, thank you for your assistance.

Very truly yours,
Scott F. McDermott

cc: Board of Selectman
Warrant Committee
Town Administrator

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Posted in Budgets, Information

FEMA declares Irene a disaster, we get 75% federal reimbursement

Posted on October 21, 2011 | Comments Off on FEMA declares Irene a disaster, we get 75% federal reimbursement

Email received from MEMA

===============================

Sent: Thursday, October 20, 2011 2:51 PM
Subject: Major Disaster Declaration Expansion Announcement

To all EMD’s, Deputy EMD’s, and Chief Municipal Officers in Plymouth, Norfolk, Bristol, Barnstable, and Dukes Counties,

We have just been advised by FEMA that it has approved the Governor’s request to add five counties (Plymouth, Norfolk, Bristol, Barnstable, Dukes) to the existing Major Disaster Declaration for Tropical Storm Irene.  This will make Public Assistance available to all communities in these 5 counties. Public Assistance allows for a 75% Federal Reimbursement for allowable response and recovery costs due to the Tropical Storm.

At this time, MEMA is working to identify locations at which Applicant Briefings can be held. These briefings will be information sessions for officials in all communities in the designated Counties.  After this initial meeting, individual Kickoff Meetings will be able to be scheduled with FEMA personnel.  Further, the applicant process will be able to be explained in detail to those attending.

 

Expect an email as early as tomorrow morning announcing the dates, times, and locations at which these Applicant Briefings will be held.  Thank you for your hard work in compiling the necessary figures and data which was needed to achieve this important step in the recovery process.

Thank you for your efforts, and you will be hearing from us soon,

Richard LaTour, Jr.
Regional Planner
Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
Region II, Bridgewater, MA

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Posted in Budgets, Information

10/15 walking tour re Civil War by Vine Lake Cemetery Trust

Posted on September 29, 2011 | Comments Off on 10/15 walking tour re Civil War by Vine Lake Cemetery Trust

The Trust has rescheduled the Civil War Walking Tour for:

                                          Saturday, October 15th, from 10:00am to 1:00pm

Derby
Captain Richard Crowninshield Derby

[1834 – 1862]

This Tour will still include visits to 24 gravesites of the 53 Civil War veterans interred in the Old Section.   As well, we’ll welcome the commander, a color guard and a drummer, and civilian reenactors from the 28th Massachusetts Voluntary Infantry Regiment.

This is the first in a series of Walking Tours at Vine Lake Cemetery to commemorate our nation’s 150th anniversary of the Civil War.

You will enjoy this one-a-kind event. Read more about the October 15th event in the next newsletter.  For now, please schedule the Tour on your calendar.  You’ll be glad you did!

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I suggest that those who have not done so sign up for the Trust’s monthly e-newsletter at http://www.vinelakepreservationtrust.org/about%20vine%20lake%20cemetery.html

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Posted in Information, Vine Lake Cemetery

CVS Expanding

Posted on September 21, 2011 | 5 comments

CVS has filed plans with the Conservation Commission to expand at its current location.  CVS will take over the whole building, including the part now occupied by the D’Angelo sandwich shop, and it will have a drive through pharmacy at the rear.

5 Comments

Posted in Downtown, Information

You Can Put Medfield on the MMA’s 2012 Calendar

Posted on September 20, 2011 | Comments Off on You Can Put Medfield on the MMA’s 2012 Calendar

The Massachusetts Municipal Association is running a contest for photos of significant spots in towns for its 2012.  Winning photos get you ten calendars   –  http://www.mma.org/about-mma-mainmenu-62/mma-news/5888-mma-launches-9th-calendar-photo-contest

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Posted in Information

NSTAR’s response to Irene

Posted on September 16, 2011 | 2 comments

When I was called about the double pole issue,I took the opportunity to get information about the NSTAR response to tropical storm Irene. The representative told me that it was the worst storm he has seen in his career, and he is at retirement age.  He said they had 193,000 calls that Sunday, and that they just could not keep up with them all. He did say that they wanted residents to call 800-592-2000, instead of calling the police and fire, and asking the public safety people to relay the message. He also said that NSTAR does give special dedicated telephone numbers to the police and fire departments, that they do not give out to the public at large.  He said that they will work off of a priority list provided by the town, but said it does not help them if the priority list is too long, such as 60 items. There is also a critical medical care list, which is generated by doctors providing information to them. Finally, he said that they did have crews coming in from Kentucky, Canada, Minnesota and municipal companies, and that those crews got there in the middle of the storm on Sunday.

Medfield will be meeting with NSTAR in the near future to make sure that the communication problems we had during Irene do not happen in the next storm.

2 Comments

Posted in Information