Meeting Minutes
May 21, 2013
Chenery Meeting Room draft
PRESENT: Selectmen Fisher, Peterson, DeSorgher; Assistant Town Administrator Trierweiler;
Town Counsel Cerel; Administrative Assistant Clarke
Chairman Fisher called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. He announced this meeting is being
recorded.
The Board of Selectmen request a moment of appreciation for our brave servicemen and women serving in Afghanistan.
Chairman Fisher asked for a moment of silence to recognize the Moore, Oklahoma tornado tragedy and to remember a brave serviceman, 24 years old from Dalton Massachusetts who
died while serving his country.
VINE LAKE CEMETERY PRESERVATION TRUST
Representative Rob Gregg is present to advise the Selectmen regarding activities happening at the cemetery. He is very pleased to say that on Arbor Day April 26th four tree companies volunteered their services and equipment as well as a group of local volunteers to do necessary work to enhance the old section of the cemetery. The companies are Lueder’s Tree and Landscape of Medfield, Stoner Trees and Shrubs of Sherborn, Stumpy’s Tree Service of Ashland and Cleaves Company of Needham. The work accomplished was eight trees pruned, six trees removed, two trees cabled and 16 stumps were ground. This accomplished work that occurred between 7AM and 2 PM amounted to a $10,000 donation. A big thank you to Steve Scanlon who donated lunch served from his hot dog cart on the patio ofthe cemetery’s next door neighbors Mike and Nancy Stevens. Many thanks to all involved.
Mr. Gregg continued his report saying that work is underway to make the Main Street bank (hillside) into one of seasonal colors. A design was approved in 2009 that includes plantings that require low maintenance and do not attract the deer. Trees were planted across the ridge of the bank on Arbor Day 2010 and we expect completion of the project around October 1st. Project leaders are Trust member Rick Hooker and Paul McKechnie, Jr. of McKechnie Associates of Medfield. Tree management is a very high priority. There are a good number of trees in the old section that need to be carefully watched. The trust has received $28,000 for preservation since 2009.
Mr. Peterson said that it is a pleasure to see the changing face of the cemetery. Mr. DeSorgher commended all the work has happened, cleaning, straightening, resetting gravestones, restoring Veterans’ graves and for this the Town is most grateful. You are all doing a
tremendous job.
Mr. Fisher has been an involved volunteer and it has been his pleasure to learn about cleaning and resetting gravestones.
NEW DPW FACILITY
Town Counsel advised the Board that the Permanent Building Committee is satisfied with Project Manager Shane Nolan’s recommendation to reject the lowest bid for construction of the town garage. The lowest bidder has not submitted an appeal. Counsel recommends the Selectmen vote to authorize Michael Sullivan to sign on behalf of the Town the general construction contract submitted by Castagna Construction who is second lowest bidder.
VOTE: Motion made and carried to authorize Town Administrator execute general construction contract submitted by Castagna Construction
ROADWORK
Superintendent Feeney reported to the Board that the contractor has started the construction of a new water line on Green Street. He said that a written notice was given to every home along Green Street regarding the work being done. Mr. DeSorgher said that it is good public relations to let residents know what to expect.
Mr. Peterson queried about the town wide cleanup and when it will happen. Feeney replied that he has had a crew of high school seniors doing cleanup around Town, so it may not be at an organizational level, however, a cleanup will happen. He went on to say that in 2014 we will organize with Medfield Green to help do a more detailed project. Right now the highway department has started to clean out the garage of 40 years of accumulated stuff. The demo company is hopeful they will begin work in the earlier part of June and we want to be ready to keep that schedule. He said that he may have to ask for a transfer of funds if his people need to work on a six day basis. Peterson replied that he understands Medfield Green work with the Charles River watershed and not interested in a town cleanup.
The subject of sidewalks was brought up as Mr. DeSorgher thought that Brastow Drive and Belknap Road needed attention. Since there are residents who want to know when sidewalks will come to their neighborhoods perhaps we should have a list to give to residents outlining when their neighborhood will be done. Mr. Fisher took exception to creating a list. He said that as soon as it’s in writing people become anxious if their street remains undone. He ended the conversation by saying that let’s let Ken and his capable men do their job.
PARADE INVITE
The Town of Medway invited the Selectmen to view their 300’h Anniversary Parade at their viewing stand on Saturday September 21, 2013. Mr. DeSorgher said that he will try to be there, however, Mr. Fisher cannot attend.
NOON HILL GRILL
A letter was received from a neighbor that abuts the Noon Hill Grill property stating that they have allowed parking in an undesignated area and also opened the restaurant at 9 AM Sunday May 12. The increased noise was a nuisance. Building Commissioner John Naff inspected the parking area and reported that the tape across the lot indicating no parking had been torn down. Ms. Trierweiler stated that she has a letter prepared for the Selectmen to sign and send
to Noon Hill Grill owners reminding them of their hours and that they are to request from the Board of Selectmen any additional hours for a special event .
VOTE: Selectman Peterson made a motion to sign the letter to Noon Hill Grill, seconded by Selectman DeSorgher. Vote was unanimous
ANNUAL CALENDAR
Mr. Sullivan put together a draft copy of the calendar for the Board to review. Ms. Trierweiler said that Evelyn and I suggest that we add to the calendar the months of December, January February and March as this is typically when the Board meets with department heads and committees to review budgets.
Mr. DeSorgher said that he would like to invite the towns that border Medfield, Millis, Walpole, Dover, Sherborn to a selectmen’s meeting to discuss sharing services, equipment. Ms. Trierweiler remarked that Michael attends a monthly town manager’s meeting and discussions revolve around those topics.
LICENSES AND PERMITS
VOTED unanimously to grant permission to the High School Best Buddies Club to hold a fundraising car wash behind Town Hall on Saturday June 8, gAM to 1PM
VOTED unanimously to grant permission for resident Colleen Sullivan to post signs advertising St Edwards Golf Tournament from June 1-June 15
MEDFIELD STATE HOSPITAL
The Selectmen discussed adding additional members to the State Hospital Redevelopment Committee as several people submitted letters of interest for the appointment. On a motion made and seconded it was
VOTED unanimously to appoint Gus Murby, Stephen Browne, Rosamond Smythe and Alec Stevens to the State Hospital Redevelopment Committee
Discussion ensued regarding the town’s purchase of the hospital property .It was agreed that a subcommittee of the redevelopment committee be appointed to negotiate the offer that DCAM will present and determine the price of the sale. On a motion made and seconded it was
VOTED unanimously to appoint Stephen Nolan, Kenneth Richard, John Harney, William Massaro and Osler Peterson as the Medfield State Hospital DCAM Negotiation Committee
Ms. Trierweiler noted that the public hearing regarding remediation will be held June 6, 2013 at the CENTER at 7:00 PM.
SELECTMEN REPORT
Mr. Peterson has no report
Mr. DeSorgher mentioned that he joined Ken Feeney and Ed Hinkley at the hospital site to review the water tower and the proposed location of the new tower. He was very impressed with Ed’s incredible knowledge about the water system. Mr. DeSorgher attend a meeting at the Millis Housing Authority listening to a discussion
regarding the Governor’s plan to consolidate all the state’s housing authorities into six regional zones with a single managing Executive Director. The consensus is that towns wililos.e control. He announced that the Kingsbury Pond Committee is anticipating the delivery of a new water wheel at the Grist Mill that will generate electricity to light the outside light on the building and also light the flag. He went on to say that it appears to him that the traffic lights along route 109 are not working as they should resulting in traffic issues. The Police Chief and the Safety Committee should meet to review the problem.
Mr. Fisher is looking forward to the summer concert series at the Gazebo. He will be attending the High School Graduation Ceremony on Sunday June 2nd
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion made by Selectman Peterson, seconded by Selectman DeSorgher the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:45PM.
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