Meeting Minutes
December 15, 2015

Chenery Meeting Room – draft

PRESENT: Selectmen DeSorgher, Fisher, Peterson; Town Administrator Sullivan; Assistant Town Administrator Trierweiler; Administrative Assistant Clarke

Chairman DeSorgher called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM and announced this meeting is being recorded. He asked for a moment of appreciation for our brave servicemen and women serving around the world, especially those in the Middle East.

TOWN PLANNER SARAH RAPOSA
Ms. Raposa was invited to the meeting to discuss if zoning changes are warranted due to the increasing number of more than one house being built on single lots in the downtown area. Several residents from the neighborhoods of South, Oak and Pleasant Streets were in attendance voicing their concerns that this double house building is changing the character of the area along with the character of Medfield. They would be in favor of two family dwellings being allowed.

Ms. Raposa responded that at this time it is late to be presented at spring Town Meeting; the procedure for proposed zoning changes takes time. The Planning Board needs to discuss and write the zoning change and hold public hearings. She feels the Planning Board would want to be certain that such zoning change would have full support before bringing it to Town Meeting. Similar change was brought up about five years ago but was defeated.

Selectmen DeSorgher advised the residents attending to call Planning Board members to let them know their concerns with this issue and perhaps a Special Town Meeting could be called to vote on the zoning change. A 2/3 vote is required for a zoning change.

Selectman Peterson suggested that now may be the time to appoint a design review committee to address proposed plans for dense housing particularly in the downtown area.

FY 17 BUDGETS FOR PLANNING BOARD AND BOARD OF APPEALS
Ms. Raposa remarked that the Planning Board’s budget is level funded at $91,963. This budget includes her salary. She said that the Zoning Board’s budget is again level funded as it has been for the past several years at $5,000. Ms. Raposa presented her five year plan for her goals and objectives as the Town Planner that the Selectmen very much appreciated receiving.

FY 17 HEALTH & LIFE INSURANCE BUDGET
Mr. Sullivan presented the budget explaining that health insurance rates will increase by 7% beginning July lst. There is much to plan for taking into account new enrollments; invoices from other areas for retirees; school department new hires and any retirements. A new aspect that needed to be added to this budget is the cost of complying with submitting reports under the Affordable Care Act to the IRS for fulltime employees who work in excess of 30 hours per week.

This will cost the Town about $7,500.00. In addition we have the retiree medicare plans that must be accounted for. Health Insurance budget will increase by $146,413 that is 3.8% over last year’s budget for a total of $4,051,076.

The life insurance budget reflects a slight decrease of $159.00, -1.36% for a total requested amount of $11,554.00.

ELM & PHILIP STREET BRIDGE
Resident Alec Stevens was recognized and he explained to the Board that the masonry wall and wood deck of the bridge is a very real concern as they are beginning to collapse into the stream. It could be 400-500 lbs. of stones that will block Mill Brook. Heavy truck traffic is doing damage to the wall beneath the bridge, so if the wall goes then the bridge will collapse. He continued saying that it is a historic bridge and there really should be a tonnage limit-weight restriction in place. Mr. Sullivan responded saying that he will talk with Ken to do a survey of the bridge and area.

MEETING MINUTES
VOTED unanimously to approve the November 24, 2015 meeting minutes as submitted Mr. Sullivan let the Selectmen know that we are waiting for a confirmation date for the Senator and Representatives to attend the selectmen’s January meeting.

LICENSES & PERMITS
VOTED unanimously to grant a one-day wine and malt beverage permit to the Zullo Gallery for First Thursday events January 7 through June 2, 2016

MOSQUITO CONTROL BOARD
VOTED unanimously to support the Mosquito Control Board FY17 funding and further

VOTED to authorize Chairman DeSorgher sign the declaration

EAGLE SCOUT
The Selectmen received an invitation to attend the Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Mark Lavalle Saturday January 16, 2016 at the CENTER of Medfield.

RECYCLING
VOTED unanimously to award a three-year contract for Single Stream Recycling to E.L.Harvey and Sons according to their bid and as recommended by the Medfield Transfer Station and Recycling Committee

COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT

VOTED unanimously to appoint resident Robert Sliney to the Community Preservation Act Study Committee and as recommended by Town Moderator Scott McDermott

AGREEMENT WITH OPEN SPACE LLC
VOTED unanimously to recommend Town Counsel Mark Cerel draft an agreement between the Town and Open Space LLC for the use of town owned land on Janes Avenue for a municipal public parking lot

CHAPTER 90
VOTED unanimously to sign two Chapter 90 Reimbursement Requests: $11,344.56 for Green Street Project and $42,039.82 for North Meadows, Pine, Winter, Harding Streets project and as recommended by Superintendent Feeney

SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION
The Selectmen previously advised that School Superintendent Jeff Marsden, Superintendent Feeney and Chief Meaney submit their priority lists for new sidewalks. All three were received.
The Board will review their preferences and advised they will have further discussion at another Selectmen’s meeting.

TOWN MEETING WARRANT
VOTED unanimously to open the 2016 Annual Town Meeting Warrant It was noted that the Selectmen will close the warrant at their January 26, 2016 meeting

SELECTMEN REPORT
Mr. Fisher reported that the Medfield Lions have sold all of their Christmas trees for this season. The Lions appreciate the support of the community and extend a big thank you.
Medfield’s holiday season opened with the annual tree lighting on Friday December 4 and the first Holiday Stroll was a great event with an excellent turnout. Hopefully this will be an annual holiday event. MEMO recently held their Christmas party where resident Colleen Sullivan had a wonderful showing of her photography.

Selectmen Peterson attended the recent Medfield Energy Committee meeting and listened to a presentation of an offer for energy aggregation which means towns will offer residents energy deals at less expensive prices for large groups purchasing good energy.

Mr. DeSorgher said that he discussed the street lights with Chief Meaney and proposed a program called lights on. The Town needs to make sure that any and all lights are on for safety. The chief will have his officers note the street light locations that are out and report those to the Eversource repair site.
Selectman DeSorgher further reported that he had a meeting with several high school students to discuss solar programs at the school. Discussion included the high school principal Robert Parga. He attended the retirement of Kathy Brennan, a member of the Friends of the Library and the celebration in honor of Buck Buchanan’s goth birthday. He agrees that the Christmas Parade and Holiday Stroll were very good events; a High Street resident contacted him about a large tree branch that is on town property overhangs Route 27 creating a safety hazard. He advised that the Tree Warden take a look.
Selectman DeSorgher announced that he will not run for re-election saying that he wants to let the citizens know early to give them an opportunity to take out nomination papers. I feel that I had something to offer Medfield when I ran for selectman three years ago and am leaving feeling confident that I have accomplished the goals I set. I will continue to be accessible until the end of my term. Thank you

ADJOURNMENT
On a motion made by Selectman Fisher, seconded by Selectman Peterson it was voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 PM.