Category Archives: Safety

WEST & RTE 27

Posted on August 24, 2024 | 9 comments

Town Administrator, Kristine Trierweiler shared her Summer 2024 TOWN ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE with Select Board at our meeting on Tuesday, and I especially wanted to share the part below in blue font which is a follow up about the planned improvements to the West Street and RTE 27 intersection. At the Select Board meeting, Kris shared that in her meeting with MASSDOT that the state said that if Medfield builds the roundabout, as the state wants, that the state would find the town all of the monies to construct the roundabout. Whereas if we opt to install a traffic light, we will have to pay the entire $1.9m. cost on out own dime, as we will lose the $1.3m. Federal earmark.

To be clear, this Select Board member preferred the roundabout from the outset. It was the other two Select Board members who said they preferred the traffic light and who asked to have Kris pursue the traffic light option with the state.

The town now has the roundabout, which the MASSDOT traffic engineers say is the safest alternative, available to the town at no cost, versus a less safe traffic light option that will cost the town $1.9m. – should be an easy choice. If the town builds the traffic lights, your family’s share would be $4-5,000.

West Street and Route 27 Project Update

Maurice Goulet, Director of Public Works and I met with Beta Engineering and the MADOT engineering team to discuss the two different paths forward for the project as requested by the Select Board. For the first path, MADOT has confirmed that if we would like to utilize the 1.3 million dollar earmark we would have to continue with the MADOT process and that would include the consideration of a roundabout for this location. The total cost of that project is $1.9, however, MADOT indicated they would assist the Town in securing the remaining funding. MADOT believes that this location would benefit from a roundabout design. The next step if the Select Board elects this option is to go to the 25% design threshold.

9 Comments

Posted in Development, DPW, Federal Government, Planning, Safety, State, Transportation

David Temple’s roundabout information for RTE 27 & West

Posted on June 12, 2024 | 5 comments

The email below is from David Temple to follow up on his Tuesday Select Board meeting comments in support of installing a roundabout at RTE 27 and West Street instead of new traffic lights and to share his data sources (NB- David did not include a reference to the Roman philosopher Cicero materials he cited). David noted that all who study the issue seem to agree that roundabouts are safer and significant improvements over lights for multiple reasons.

MassDOT prefers we install a roundabout thereso much that we would lose our Federal earmark for $1.3m. and it would cost the town over a $1m. more to install traffic lights instead.:

I spoke in support of installing roundabouts instead of traffic lights in Medfield, and I presented documents from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Massachusetts Dept, of Transportation, and the North Carolina Dept. of Transportation. They asked for electronic copies, for which I have attached links. Please forward them to the board and Kristine.  Thanks.

https://www.iihs.org/topics/roundabouts

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/what-are-roundabouts#:~:text=Roundabouts%20are%20more%20efficient%20than,shorter%20than%20at%20traffic%20signals.

https://movingnorthcarolina.net/roundabout/

5 Comments

Posted in DPW, Safety, State, Transportation

Henri

Posted on August 22, 2021 | Comments Off on Henri

Email today from Town Administrator, Kristine Trierweiler, also sharing the Eversource storm update –

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Chief Carrico is closely monitoring the storm as Emergency Management Director. We have staffed additional public safety personnel including the DPW through Monday. 

8/22 8:30am Eversource Hurricane Henri Update

Good morning,

As of 8:30 a.m., the company does not have storm-related outages on its Massachusetts system. Eversource has crews staged throughout its service area Sunday morning in preparation for any damage caused by the high winds and heavy rain of Hurricane Henri.

The storm has changed track several times in its approach to New England and is now tracking further to the east, which could increase wind impacts in Eastern Massachusetts. Eversource is prepared to shift resources as necessary to respond to hardest-hit areas. Rainfall of 2 to 5 inches is predicted for Western Massachusetts, with up to 1½ inches forecasted for eastern areas. Peak wind gusts could reach 70 mph on the South Shore, Cape Cod and Islands; 55 mph in Boston and other areas of Eastern Massachusetts; and 45 mph in Western Massachusetts. Winds are expected to peak Sunday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. in eastern areas, and between 3 p.m. and midnight in western areas.

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Posted in DPW, Events, Fire Department, Police Department, Safety, Utilities

PROTECT TEEN DRIVERS

Posted on May 10, 2021 | Comments Off on PROTECT TEEN DRIVERS
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PETERSON | Law
Osler “Pete” Peterson
617-969-1500
May 2021
Attorney Photo

Parents Key to Safe Teen Drivers

Every parent knows that feeling of dread when handing over car keys to a teenager. Rightfully so, as the number one threat to a teen’s safety is driving or riding in a car with a teen driver. The good news: Research shows teens actually listen to their parents more than peers when it comes to driving. Thus, parents can play a significant role in protecting teen drivers from serious injury or death. Leading by example, driving with your teen, understanding the eight danger zones, and creating a parent-teen driving agreement – all covered in this month’s newsletter – are a great place to start. Continue reading.

teens in car
Protect Teen Drivers This Summer with Our Safety Tips

School’s out for summer
School’s out forever
School’s out with fever
School’s out completely

Summer mania – as immortalized in this iconic 70‘s teen anthem by rocker Alice Cooper – is almost here. Along with it will come a flood of teen drivers anxious to hang out with friends, start summer jobs and make up for all those good times lost to COVID-19 restrictions. Many challenges here for parents, but especially motor vehicle crashes – the leading cause of accidental death for teens. READ MORE


BY THE NUMBERS
6-a-Day

Six teens 16 to 19 die every day from motor vehicle crash injuries and are three times more likely to be in a fatal crash than older drivers. READ MORE


VIDEO BOOKMARK
Best Vehicles for Teens

Best choices, good choices ranging from $5,000 to nearly $20,000 from IIHS and Consumer Reports. VIEW VIDEO


TEENS DRIVING DISTRACTED
Young adult and teen drivers are most at risk for distracted driving, according to the Centers for Disease Control. READ MORE
 

THE DOCKET
GET TOWN OF MEDFIELD INFORMATION AT MY BLOG

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Posted in Safety, Teens

MCSP funds another year of Interface Referral Service

Posted on December 19, 2020 | Comments Off on MCSP funds another year of Interface Referral Service

The raising of the funds to renew the Interface Referral Service annual membership (off of the town’s property taxes) was championed by MCSP stalwart Andreea Cazacu Hagood, MD.

This from the Medfield Patch –

MCSP funds another year of Interface Referral Service

The Medfield Coalition for Suicide Prevention is proud to announce the renewal of Interface Referral Service for 2020-2021.

By Colleen M. Sullivan, Patch MayorVerified User Badge
Dec 18, 2020 9:00 pm ET|Updated Dec 18, 2020 9:02 pm ET
  • https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/321386/20201214/034720/styles/patch_image/public/medfield-interface-card-front___14154315676.jpg
  • https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/321386/20201214/034720/styles/patch_image/public/interface-card-back___14154333211.jpgInterface Referral and Resource Card. (Courtesy photo)
Interface Referral and Resource Card.
Interface Referral and Resource Card.

MCSP funds another year of Interface Referral Service

The Medfield Coalition for Suicide Prevention (MCSP) is proud to announce successfully funding the renewal of Interface Referral Service for the Town of Medfield for 2020-2021. In a year as emotionally trying as 2020, MCSP hopes to increase the awareness of this valuable service for any resident of Medfield.

The William James INTERFACE Referral Service, offered through the Freedman Center, is a mental health and wellness referral Helpline available Monday through Friday, 9 am-5 pm, at 888-244-6843 (toll free). This is a free, confidential referral service for residents of participating communities. Callers from these participating communities are matched with licensed mental health providers from an extensive database, on average, within 2 weeks of their call to INTERFACE. Each referral best meets the location, insurance, and specialty needs of the caller.

MCSP would like to thank the following organizations for their support and generous contributions that allow for the continued service: Norwood Hospital/Steward Health Care, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital – Needham, and CHNA7 – Community Health Coalition of Metrowest.

In addition to the aforementioned health partners, there are others to thank. Several local businesses and many community members have supported programming that raises funds for the coalition; others have shown their support by making donations. Special thanks to long time supporters: Tracy Buckley of Medfield Yoga Studio, Burning Wheel Yoga, and Karen Johnson.

MCSP is an initiative of Medfield Foundation, Inc. (MFi), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization administered by Medfield Outreach. For more information, visit medfieldfoundation.org. To donate, visit the Medfield Foundation’s Network for Good page. When making a donation through Network for Good, please be sure to include the name of the coalition (Medfield Coalition for Suicide Prevention) in the designation of the online form.

The Medfield Coalition for Suicide Prevention welcomes you to join monthly meetings and learn more about what we do! If you’re interested please email medfieldoutreach@medfield.net to be added to MCSP’s email list. Be sure to check out our social media and website at www.facebook.com/medfieldcsp and www.medfieldcsp.org

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Posted in Financial, health, MCSP - Medfield Coalition for Suicide Prevention, Medfield Foundation, Safety

Fireworks Sales Up, Injuries May Follow

Posted on July 3, 2020 | Comments Off on Fireworks Sales Up, Injuries May Follow

 

PETERSON | Law

Osler “Pete” Peterson

617-969-1500 – Newton

July 2020

Fireworks Sales Up …

Dock Fireworks

… Injuries May Follow

Every year thousands of Americans are injured by fireworks, and this year will likely be no exception. In fact, purchases of personal fireworks are soaring as organizers cut the fuse on traditional Fourth of July celebrations and fireworks displays. Here just in time for the holiday are tips on fireworks safety to better protect you, your friends and family, and all freedom-loving Americans from sea to shining sea.

BY THE NUMBERS

73%

Last year, 73% of fireworks injuries requiring an emergency room visit happened between June 21 and July 21.

VIDEO BOOKMARK

Red, White and BOOM

We think of fireworks as a burn hazard, but the explosions can also cause hearing loss. Protect yourself and enjoy the show!

THE DOCKET

SPARKLERS CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES

Sparklers may seem safe, but they cause one-third of emergency room injuries from fireworks each year.

 
Attorney Photo

Enjoy a Safe and Hopeful Fourth of July

With most Fourth of July celebrations canceled this year due to the pandemic, many Americans will stage their own fireworks show at home. After everything we’ve been through in 2020, it’s no surprise that we’re all looking forward to Independence Day fun and traditions. But before you stage your own ooh- and ahh- inspiring fireworks display, note the safety tips featured in this newsletter. And join us as we reflect on the ideals this country was founded on with confidence that together, we will overcome the challenges we face. Enjoy a safe and hopeful Fourth of July!

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Posted in Safety

Cobalt Cover-Up 

Posted on May 11, 2020 | Comments Off on Cobalt Cover-Up 

SRS tracks information about the automotive industry.  I like this lawyer as hero story –

SRS logo

Cobalt Cover-Up 
Cobalt Cover-Up Why did Brooke Melton die at the wheel of her 2005 Chevy Cobalt on a rainy night in March 2010? It took Marietta, Georgia, lawyer Lance Cooper 18 months to solve that mystery, eventually forcing GM to recall millions of vehicles with defective ignition switches and to pay billions in compensation and fines. There are many stories about the scandal, but none so close to the action as Cooper’s new, first-person account. It’s also a reminder that but for Cooper’s work, Brooke Melton’s death – and many others – would have been chalked up as yet another tragic case of “driver error.”  Read our review at The Safety Record Blog.

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Posted in Legal, Safety

MCAP gets $625K Federal grant

Posted on October 30, 2019 | 1 comment

MCAP Logo with URL_1C_300

Chelsea Goldstein-WalshChelsea Goldstein-Walsh, Interim Director of Medfield Youth Outreach announced this afternoon that Medfield Cares About Prevention (MCAP) (www.MedfieldCares.org) was today awarded a Drug-Free Communities grant of $625,000, to fund a Substance Use Prevention Coordinator who will run MCAP’s  prevention efforts.  The Federal grant will pay MCAP $125,000 per year for five years,  with the hope that the Substance Use Prevention Coordinator position will become permanent after five years.  About 150 DFC grants nation wide were awarded this year.  Towns that have received past DFC grants have seen a statistical decrease is substance abuse.

Medfield Youth Outreach, first through Dawn Alcott and now Chelsea, initiated, oversee, and manage the MCAP coalition.  MCAP had come exceedingly close to getting the Federal grant in prior years it applied. 

This year, however, MCAP had the added benefit of having received a $5,000 grant from the Medfield Foundation Legacy Fund’s 2018 inaugural round of grants, which monies MCAP used to hire a grant writer, thereby parlaying the Legacy Fund grant into the $625,000 of benefit for the Town of Medfield. 

 

mfi-legacy-fund

The Medfield Foundation Legacy Fund is an endowment, created and being funded to make life better in Medfield.

mfilf-20191129-event

Above photo was from the inaugural Medfield Foundation Legacy Fund grant awards celebration. From L to R are Todd Trehubenko, Christian Donner of the Medfield Rail Trail, Dawn Alcott of MCAP, Jean Mineo of the Cultural Alliance, and Chris Cahill (Todd and Chris are the Co-chairs of the Medfield Foundation Legacy Fund’s Community Board).

 

The following was Chelsea’s email announcing her good news to MCAP –

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I am happy to report that Medfield Cares About Prevention was selected as one of the Drug-Free Communities grant recipients for this funding cycle! Our town will receive $125,000 a year for 5 years ($625,000 total) to implement prevention strategies aimed at reducing youth substance use. You can see the list of recipients here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/FY-2019-DFC-New-Grant-Award-Recipients-10.29.2019.pdf

Thank you all for your hard work in making our grant application a success! Our next step is to solidify the hiring process for a full-time coalition coordinator with the grant funding to help us implement this work. Our next MCAP meeting on Monday, November 4th at 11:30 am will largely be dedicated to coming up with a hiring plan. I’ve attached a copy of the job description for the coalition coordinator for your reference.

Congratulations to you all for this successful team effort!

Warmly,

Chelsea

Medfield Youth Outreach

 

 

 

1 Comment

Posted in Federal Government, health, MCAP - Medfeild Cares About Prevention, Medfield Foundation, Medfield Outreach, Safety, Teens

ISO rating upped

Posted on September 2, 2019 | Comments Off on ISO rating upped

MFD-patch

Town ISO rating upped

This email this past week from Fire Chief/EMD, William C. Carrico II

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I am pleased to announce that the Town of Medfield ISO rating for structural fire suppression has changed from Public Protection Class 4 to Public Protection Class 3.  The ISO Public Protection Classification program plays an important role in the underwriting of insurance companies when dealing with personnel or commercial property insurance.  The lower the rating the better the delivery of services.  The new rating was made possible by the hard work of the Medfield Fire Department firefighters and fire officers.

William C. Carrico II

Fire Chief/EMD

Medfield Fire

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Posted in Fire Department, Safety

Help in dealing with the shootings

Posted on August 7, 2019 | Comments Off on Help in dealing with the shootings

Received this afternoon from Carol Read, who appeared to get it from Larry Berkowitz, Director of the Riverside Trauma Center, who is also a frequent lecturer in town for the Medfield Coalition for Suicide Prevention –

******************************************************************

Trauma response resources: (1) ChildMind Institute (2) Riverside Trauma Center

Child Mind Institute:

 https://childmind.org/about-us/  Child Mind homepage

https://childmind.org/guide/helping-children-cope-traumatic-event/ Guide to Helping Children Cope After a Traumatic Event, PDF attached

 

 riverside-community-care

Riverside Trauma Center: Children and trauma, resource links, article, attached and post from Larry Berkowitz, Director, copied below.

https://riversidetraumacenter.org/  Trauma Center homepage

https://riversidetraumacenter.org/trauma-center-resources/  Resources, talking to children, youth and adolescents, coping strategies and practicing self-care after traumatic events.  Talking with children…PDF attached

 

Larry Berkowitz

Yesterday at 6:41 AM

One again we are confronted by the horror and tragedy of mass killing… See More Below

One again we are confronted by the horror and tragedy of mass killings. The news from Ohio and Texas leads to a wide range of reactions: fear, anger, sadness, distress, confusion, disgust, to name just a few emotions. But it is not just emotions- our reactions take on many forms including recurrent thoughts about the events, shattered assumptions about our safety, concentration difficulties, bodily reactions such as feeling exhausted or whatever our “usual” somatic reactions are. For people who have been directly impacted by violence, we know their reactions may be more pronounced, and we have many resources on our website that we hope people will find helpful and suggestions on how to talk with children about these awful events. http://riversidetraumacenter.org/trauma-center-resources/

My greatest concern in these past two days has been the frequency with which I’ve heard people say “we’re not safe anywhere” or “this is the new normal.” I strongly believe we must reject the attitude that we live a new normal, as that implies a sense of learned helplessness, a conviction that nothing can be done. While we may feel vulnerable, we are certainly not helpless. I urge each of us to take personal responsibility for taking some action in response to these latest mass killings. Use your voice! Write a letter, write an email, make phone calls, use social media, contact your local, state and national representatives and express your opinion and concerns, whatever they may be. I am reminded of Margaret Mead’s oft cited quote, “never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

 

In peace,

Larry Berkowitz

Director, Riverside Trauma Center

Riverside Trauma Center www.riversidetraumacenter.org Talking with Your Children About Traumatic Events Here are some tips for talking with your children when they have witnessed or heard about traumatic events: Listen to your children: Ask your children what they have heard about the traumatic event. What do they think happened? Let them tell you in their own words and answer their questions. Do not assume you know what they are feeling or what their questions will be. The easiest way to have this conversation might be while they are engaged in an activity: drawing, sitting on a swing, or driving with you in the car. Details that may be obvious to adults may not be to children. Be truthful, but don’t tell them more information than they can handle for their age. Focus on their safety: Once you understand their perception of the traumatic event, be clear that you will keep them safe and let them know adults (school, police, etc.) are working hard to make sure they will stay safe. Pay attention to your reactions: Your children will be watching you carefully and taking their cues from you. If you can manage your anxiety about the traumatic event, your children will be more easily reassured. Monitor your child’s access to media: It will help if young children do not watch news reports or see the front page of the newspaper. Young children who watch a traumatic event on the TV news may think the event is still ongoing or happening again. Watch for behavior changes: Your children may show you through their behavior that they are still struggling with what they have heard or seen. They may have physical complaints or regressive behaviors often including nightmares, insomnia, or bedwetting. They may feel guilty that they are responsible for the event, and need to be reassured that they are not responsible. Maintain your routines: Sticking to your daily structure of activities—mealtimes, bedtime rituals, etc.—reduces anxiety and helps children feel more in control. Keep the door open: Encourage your children to come to you with any questions or concerns and do not assume the questions will stop after a few days or even a few weeks. Let them know their fears and questions are normal and you will always make time for them. Remind them all questions are welcome. Consider this a teachable moment: For older children, this traumatic event may lead to a discussion about ways they can help others who have experienced a tragedy. You can also ask them if they know how to keep themselves safe when they are away from home. Traumatic events make us feel like we have lost control, so any constructive activities we engage in make us feel less vulnerable.

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Posted in Children, health, MCAP - Medfeild Cares About Prevention, MCSP - Medfield Coalition for Suicide Prevention, Safety