Category Archives: Select Board matters

Tuessday April 16, 2013 @ 7:00 PM
AGENDA (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

Executive Session to discuss Medfield State Hospital Mediation

7 :20 PM Senator Timilty, Representative Garlick, Representative Winslow
Discuss financial, Medfield State Hospital and other matters

8:00 PM Russ Hallisey, MEMO
Discuss Summer Concert series, Medfield Day

ACTION
Town Administrator Sullivan recommends the Selectmen vote the proposed Active Employee HMO and PPO plan 1.72% increase
Resignation letter received from Karl Lord, Medfield’s Representative to the Iri-County Teclmical School.  Mr. Lord has served for approximately 20 years

PENDING
Vote tree City guidelines
Assignment of warrant article

Email from Evelyn Clarke today with Richard’s email (things are certainly already much different in the first week with Richard as a selectman) –

Evelyn,
Here are some areas I want to discuss with our state officials when they come to the April 16 meeting:
1. support for the legislation to have the state pay for the primary and state elections, as mandated by the state
2. condition of the historic Harding/Bishop Homestead on state land next to the entrance to the hospital on Hospital Road. Currently facing demolition by neglect but told to be protected by Mass Historical
3. Condition of the two WWI  Honor Squares on state hospital propoerty dedicated and built by the state in honor of two state workers from the hospital killed in WWI- since in a state of disrespectful disrepair- perhaps Ron Griffin should be invited as he has been working with state officials on this without much success
4. Possibility of new legislation on the state hospital and their support of the town
5. Assisting our new town planner on possible state grants available
6. Need to help the towns with numerous new inspection regulations placed on the town by the state
7. Help with the Public Utilities in getting NSTAR to remove the many double poles in town and NSTARs failure to replace out street lights even though the town must pay for them when not working.
Thanks,.
Richard

I would add some of my own issues to his list, and I suggest our lists get shared with the state reps ahead of time so that they are prepared to answer our issues  –

• Fix the broken budget cycle, whereby the town does not get to know the state revenue sharing numbers each year until after we have already had to enact our own municipal budgets.
• Make future state revenue sharing predictable, by tying it to certain percentages of the taxes, as requested by the Massachusetts Municipal Association.
• Help determine the real details of the deal that DCAM is offering the town to buy the Medfield State Hospital site.
• Help allow deer hunting at the Medfield State Hospital site, as has been requested for the past two years, in order to reduce Lyme Disease in town.

Have the state change the distance from a home that one can hunt deer with a bow from 500′ down to 150′, the distance suggested by the recent state commission that studied Lyme Disease.

Richard DeSorgher’s first meeting as a selectman in thirty years caused a big change in the feel of the Board of Selectmen last night.  He started off by reminding all that the US is at war in Afganistan, and followed up with many suggestions and ideas throughout the meeting.  He even joked about how much he had to “report on” to all, since his last selectman meeting was thirty years ago.

I appreciated being supported on getting the town wide clean up I have been suggesting for at least five years finally implemented, and seeing the Medfield Garden Club get the go ahead to revamp the island where Hospital Road meets Rte. 27, which decision had been avoided by the BoS last year.

Richard suggested having an ongoing plan to plant street trees, and street tree planting is something I have been talking about for several years.  He suggested the town needing to know how soon it will need to replace existing trees (based on health and condition), and I suggested that we needed data on all our street trees to make the lan.  On reflection this morning, I think that tree project would be a perfect one for a student intern, someone who would catalog all the Medfield street trees on the GIS maps, by location, type, age, and condition.  To plan one first needs good data, and I think an interested intern could generate the tree data for the town over the summer.

Judging from a history of one meeting, I am guessing that the Board of Selectmen will be much more active going forward – should be interesting, and fun.

Meeting Minutes
March 19, 2013
Chenery Meeting Room draft
PRESENT: Selectmen Thompson, Fisher, Peterson; Town Administrator Sullivan; Assistant Town Administrator Trierweiler; Administrative Assistant Clarke

Chairman Thompson called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM

7:00 PM PUBLIC HEARING, Earth Removal Permit application
Applicant Michael Lueders dba West Mill Street, LLC Mr. Leuders presented a set of plans and explained to the Selectmen that his intent is to convert the property located at 30 West Mill Street from a concrete plant to garage and office space from which to operate his lawn and tree care business that is currently located at 27 Brook Street. At the West Street location John Santucci will use part of the property for materials processing. It is necessary to remove piles of loam, gravel and sand to open the space for the construction of the business. At the end of the discussion a motion was made by Selectmen Fisher, seconded by Selectman Peterson and it was

VOTED unanimously to grant an earth removal permit to West Mill Street LLC, Michael Lueders owner subject to Earth Removal Regulations

MEDFIELD CULTURAL COUNCIL
The Council requests the Selectmen vote to execute a letter confirming that the Council is an appOinted committee in Medfield. The Council would like to raise funds to expand programs in town and this letter would be given to the donors. On a motion made and seconded it was

VOTED unanimously to execute a letter acknowledging that the Cultural Council is an appointed Town committee authorized to fundraise and receive tax deductible donations .

OPEN 2013 WARRANT
The Warrant Committee requests the Selectmen open the warrant to place an article to transfer funds from free cash to the reserve fund account. On a motion made by Selectman Fisher, seconded by Selectman Peterson it was

VOTED unanimously to open the 2013 Warrant to add article to transfer funds from Free Cash to the Reserve Fund Account

On a motion made and seconded it was VOTED unanimously to close the 2013 Warrant

RESIGNATION
Resident Richard DeSorgher submitted a letter of resignation from the Downtown Study Committee, Committee to Study Memorials and the Medfield Historical Commission. He has been a member ofthe Historical Commission for 30 years and served 26 years on the Committee to Study Memorials. Mr. DeSorgher is a candidate for selectmen, election to be held March 25, 2013.

VOTE: On a motion made by Selectman Fisher, seconded by Selectman Peterson it was Voted unanimously to accept Richard DeSorgher’s resignation with the deepest regrets

MEETING MINUTES
VOTED unanimously to accept the March 5, 2013 meeting minutes with revisions

ARBOR DAY
Ms. Trierweiler said that she is postponing the discussion of Arbor Day until the next meeting

DEMOCRATIC TOWN COMMITTEE
Committee member Susan Bernstein explained that as it is difficult for some committee members to meet earlier in the evening before the Library closing time of 6 PM, the committee requests the use of a meeting room in Town Hall the 2nd Monday of the month moving forward.  Town Counsel advised the Board that you may be setting a precedent for other groups that request permisSion to meet in Town Hall. Mr. Sullivan agreed; it could be interpreted as an implied endorsement. Ms. Bernstein responded that as the Democratic Committee is on an election ballot it sets them apart from other organizations. At the end of a short discussion Mr. Fisher made a motion, seconded by Mr. Peterson and it was

VOTED to allow the Medfield Democratic Committee to use a meeting room in Town Hall on the second Monday of April, May, September, October and November 2013

7:30 PM Public Hearing, Warrant Committee’s Annual Warrant Hearing

Selectmen resume their meeting at 8:25 PM

LICENSES & PERMITS

VOTED unanimously to grant a one-day wine & malt beverage permit for March 23 event “Reception to Honor Ann Thompson” to be held at the CENTER 1-5PM

VOTED unanimously to grant permission to the Medfield Music Association to post signs promoting Annual Jazz Night on April 26 at the high school auditorium

VOTED unanimously to grant permission to Norfolk Mosquito Control to land at the Route 27 landfill site for annual larvicide applications

VOTED unanimously to grant Council on Aging a one-day wine & malt beverage permit for two events; March 27, 2013 Supper Club and April 17 Volunteer Appreciation Dinner

VOTED unanimously to grant the Medfield Baptist Church permission to use the Town Gazebo for a Gospel Concert on Saturday June 8, 2013, time to be determined

MEDFIELD STATE HOSPITAL STATUS UPDATE
Ms. Trierweiler reported that the Hospital Mediation Committee requests a meeting with the Selectmen in executive session at the close of the Board’s April 16 meeting. The Selectmen agreed.

SELECTMEN REPORT
Mr. Fisher reported that he enjoyed the Blue & Gold Banquet, the Magician put on a terrific show. The Medfield Foundation’s Volunteers ofthe Year event garnered a large audience and it was really very nice.

Selectman Peterson participated in “Reads across America” and had a great time with the students. He reported that the Permanent Building Committee has been very active meeting to discuss the proposed town garage; the Lyme Disease Study Committee met last night. He mentioned that Medfield Cares about Prevention (MCAP) grant application is due to be submitted this week. Dawn Alcott has worked very hard putting together the material seeking the $625,000 funding. Mr. Peterson said that the Medfield Foundation is very pleased about the Town embracing the volunteer award program. The work that each of the nominees perform is extraordinary. He went on to say that next year he will try not to have the program run so long.

Selectman Thompson said that there is a time to come and a time to go. This is my time to go.
I truly appreciate the Town giving me the opportunity to serve as Selectmen for 30 years.
Thanks to everybody for allowing me to take part in so many capacities. Thanks to all you guys
who put up with me. To my family and friends who put up with me doing it.
I appreciate the honor of receiving the Lifetime achievement award and mostly to be
nominated by a great group of people; Don Hayes, Aditi Thatte, Deborah Kelsey and Mike
Sullivan.
Come May my first great grandchild is due. I’ll let you know when the baby arrives. My sincere
sympathy goes out to the family of Ralph DiGiacomo.
Mrs. Thompson went on to recall the highs and lows of being a selectman: she made good
friends with the 11 selectmen who sat beside her through the years; worked on the library
building to have more meeting space; taught CPR, was an EMT for 17 years and knows that she
March 19, 2013
Page four
saved at least three or four lives; a low point was when there was a surprise write-in campaign
for Mark Wilson. The numbers were so close we had to have a recount. When Bob Larkin and
Ken Childs were on the Board the meetings started at 5 PM. A high point came at the recent
Foundation’s award ceremony having Don Hayes ask “What does Ann Thompson, Lindsay
Lohan, O.J. Simpson, Mike Tyson and Zsa Zsa Gabor have in common … we all did community
service!
Paul Hinkley and I disagreed on issues but at one meeting we agreed and he said that the world
is about to come to an end; Bob Larkin had never served with a woman on a board so he called
me “The Madam” until he found out what it meant. Bob was excited about a new pair of shoes
he was wearing while marching in one of the Town’s parade that is until he stepped in a mess
from one ofthe horses.
Fred Rogers, if I made a vote he didn’t like my phone would ring the next morning and he would
chew me out. He always had a “Ann Thompson for Selectman” bumper sticker on his
wheelchair. I have the highest admiration for him.
Thanks to Medfield for allowing me to serve all these years.
The Board of Selectmen thanked Ann for her 30 years of service and presented her with a
bouquet of 30 roses one for each year.

The meeting adjourned at 8:55 PM.

AGENDA (Subiect to change)

7:00 PM Town Clerk Carol Mayer
Swear-in newly elected Town Officials

Board of Selectmen Reorganize

APPOINTMENT
7:10 PM Ron Griffin, Veterans; Service Officer
Discuss 2013 warrant article regarding Veterans Work Off Program

7:20 PM Nancy Tella, Medfield Garden Club President
Discuss proposed Garden Club projects

7:30 PM Parks and Recreation
Discuss FY2014 budget

ACTION
Vote to sign April 30, 2013 Warrant for Special Town Election and Warrant for Special State Primary

Invitation to attend Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Matthew R.  Woodard on Saturday April 27, 2013 at the United Church of Christ

Review 2013 Warrant Articles

MEDFIELD STATE HOSPITAL STATUS UPDATE

AGENDA (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

6:45 PM -7:00 PM Executive Session for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining

7:00 PM Public Hearing, Earth Removal Permit; applicant Michael Lueders dba West Mill Street, LLC

7:30 PM Annual Warrant Hearing, Warrant Committee

ACTION
Medfield Cultural Council requests the Selectmen vote to execute a letter confmning that the Council is an appointed committee in the Town of Medfield
The Warrant Committee requests the Selectmen vote to open the 2013 Town Meeting Warrant to place an Article requesting approval to transfer funds from free cash to the reserve fund account

LICENSES & PERMITS
Resident Barbara O’Connor requests a one-day wine and malt beverage permit for March 23 event, “Reception to Honor Ann Thompson”, to be held at the CENTER at Medfield, I :00-5:00 PM

Medfield Music Association requests permission to post signs promoting Annual Jazz Night to be held Friday April 26 at the high school auditorium

Norfolk Mosquito Control requests permission to land at the Rt 27 landfill site for annual larvicide applications

Meeting Minutes
March 5, 2013
Chenery Meeting Room draft

PRESENT: Selectman Thompson, Selectman Fisher, Selectman Peterson; Town Administrator
Sullivan; Assistant Town Administrator Trierweiler; administrative Assistant Clarke

Chairman Thompson called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM
FY14 Budget Review
PUBLIC WORKS Superintendent Feeney began his presentation with the Town Garage budget that is level funded at $11,201; Highway is up by 2.5%, $1,133,855 due to rising cost of materials. Utilities level at 48,200 and the Tree budget at 62,292. Several others, Equipment Repair and Maintenance, Cemetery have a slight increase due to the salary line item. The snow and Ice budget increase covers the rising cost of materials and fuel. He mentioned that FEMA will reimburse the town for the January storm $163,000 that will go back into free cash. Solid Waste Disposal budget shows an increase from $624,256 to 629,808 for salary line and fuel. Mr. Feeney reported that recycling is up to 30%. We have been holding at 26 to 28% so the increase is a welcoming sign. Sidewalk budget is up slightly to cover the higher cost of materials. The water budget is minus 3.5% from $890,484 to 858,948; mostly due to the fact that we do not need to purchase any more water meters.
About 400 more meters are on the list to be installed. Sewer budget is up from $951,326 to $1,012,790 to cover the cost of a new truck. DEP mandated that the treatment plant should have four employees on site instead of the three we employ. However, Bob MacDonald is doing a great job in the short time he has been with us taking care of the equipment, painting and another employee Bob Burns has achieved his level 6 license. So all in all I’m really happy with the operations at the plant.
Mr. Peterson queried about the status of the work on Green and North streets. Feeney said that first the six inch water pipe needs to be replaced with an eight. There is a lot more timely work that is underground so we are looking at completion in 2014.
Michael Sullivan reported on the Workers’ Compensation Insurance budget; the request is for $153,226 as compared to 144,830. This is a conservative figure as we await the dividends that MilA offers which could be used to reduce our premium.
Liability Insurance is increased from 145,000 to 160,500 due to raising the premium on fire and ambulance insurance. This year the appropriation was reduced and the premium came in higher resulting in a request for a reserve fund transfer. It is better to appropriate enough and turn back funds than have to ask for a transfer.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
As Chief Kingsbury’s son is an employee of the fire Department, the Chief must file a disclosure statement to be on file in the Town Clerk’s office. By this filing it allows the Fire chiefto take part in the fire contract negotiations. On a motion made by Selectman Fisher, seconded by Selectman Peterson it was
VOTED unanimously to authorize Chairman Thompson to sign the Disclosure Statement

MINUTES
VOTED unanimously to accept the meeting minutes of February 19 and 26, 2013 as submitted

LICENSES & PERMITS
VOTED unanimously to grant permission to The Gazebo Players of Medfield to use the Gazebo Park July 20 and 21, 2013 to perform the twelfth annual Shakespeare in the Park production of The Tempest. Further permission is granted to post signs promoting the event for two weeks prior

VOTED unanimously to grant the Beginning Years Child Development Center a one day Wine and malt beverage permit for their annual fund raiser to be held Saturday April 6 at the Zullo Gallery
VOTED unanimously to grant a common victualler permit to Juqin Zhong dba Chinese Food Takeout located at 24 North Street, subject to the Board of Health’s approval

MEDFIELD STATE HOSPITAL STATUS UPDATE
Ms. Trierweiler stated that a Mediation Session took place Monday March 4 and another is planned for Monday March 11.

SELECTMEN REPORT
Mr. Fisher reported that he attended the Girl Scout Gold award Ceremony, Trivia Night and an Eagle Scout court of Honor.
Mr. Peterson held ‘office hour’ at the CENTER last Friday, attended the Water and Sewerage Board meeting, did see a small portion of the Brockton School of Dance performance at the high school and also attended the Historical Society’s meeting listening to a fantastic story about slaves that was presented by Cheryl O’Malley as the featured speaker became ill.

Mrs. Thompson will interview former police chief Bill Mann on her cable TV program “Medfield People. He will talk about going from officer to sergeant to chief. She thoroughly enjoyed talking with several people about the good memories they have growing up on Frairy Street where more Italians lived than anywhere in Medfield all those years ago .. Mrs. Thompson reflected on the fact that she has one more Selectmen’s meeting to chair and said that she is willing to continue with her committee appointments. Mr. Sullivan interjected that the reception to honor Ann’s service to the Town will be held on March 23 at the CENTER.

INFORMATIONAL
Mr. Sullivan highlighted the program “Keep your Lifestyle, change your Footprint” that will be presented Tuesday march 12 7-8:30 PM at the Medfield Public Library. The co-sponsors are Medfield Green and the Medfield Energy Committee.

ADJOURNMENT
On a motion made by Selectman Fisher, seconded by Selectman Peterson the vote was unanimous to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 PM.

Meeting Minutes
February 26, 2013
Chenery Meeting Room
draft

PRESENT: Selectman Thompson, Selectman Fisher, Selectman Peterson; Town administrator Sullivan;
Administrative Assistant Clarke

Chairman Thompson called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM
Mrs. Thompson announced that the Permanent Building Committee will be making a presentation tonight on the proposed new town garage. While we are waiting for the Warrant Committee to arrive,
there are a few items that need to be addressed.

ACTION
The Medfield Foundation cordially invites the Board to their annual ceremony on March 10 honoring Youth Volunteer of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and lifetime Achievement Award recipients.
The Foundation requests permission to post signs promoting the event. Mr. Fisher made a motion to approve the request, seconded by Mrs. Thompson; the vote was unanimous. Selectman Peterson as a member of the Medfield Foundation did not participate in the vote.

LICENSES & PERMITS
VOTED unanimously to grant a one-day wine and malt beverage permit to the Holistic Wellness Center at 67 West Street for event to be held Wednesday March 6 from 6-9PM

PENDING, WARRANT ARTICLE
Developer Bob Borrelli proposes to lease Lot 3 Ice House Road to construct a sports facility. As reported at the February 5 meeting, this would be a ground lease generating revenue for the Town. If approved, there will be two articles on the warrant; one for Park and Recreation to be given control of the parcel and one for the ground lease. At the February 19 meeting Selectman Fisher stated that he needs more time before making a decision and requested it be held until the next meeting.  Mr. Fisher made a motion to place an article on the warrant for Town Meeting to discuss the ground lease, seconded by Mrs. Thompson and it was so voted. Mr. Peterson as a direct abutter to the property is recused from the vote.

PERMANENT BUILDING COMMITTEE
Tom Erb, Chairman opened the discussion having the members of the committee introduced. Lou Fellini, also a member of the CENTER at Medfield construction committee, John Nunnari, experienced in public building construction, Michael Quinlan, over 20 years experience in commercial, industrial and institutional construction.

Mr. Quinlan gave some background on the current structure highlighting that it is a metal building 40 years old and has deteriorated to the point that it has negative impacts on the daily operation of the Highway Department. There is not enough space, code violations and increased liability for the workers health and safety.

The proposed new plan is for eight drive-through bays, mechanic repair area with storage and a wash bay and office space for highway, water and sewer, cemetery and transfer station departments. This building meets current needs and does not include future growth; however, there is room to add two more bays when needed. The last project was rejected as the townspeople thought it was too big and very expensive. In this new plan there is a 20% decrease in garage space and due to increase in construction costs is about the same price $l1m. Also, this building eliminates the concerns expressed at town meeting that there were too many doors. The purpose in planning this garage was not to go the cheapest way but give the Town the best dollar value that we are spending.

Mr. Fisher said that he is familiar with the project as he attended several committee meetings. Mrs. Thompson said that she is in favor of a new town garage. Mr. Peterson had a few questions, i.e.
vehicles kept outside vs. inside, the materials used on the outside of the building that were satisfactorily answered.

Resident Richard DeSorgher queried ifthe present steel structure could be used with new covering that was answered with it is 40 years old and doesn’t meet code.  The committee has a website, medfieldpbc.org. It was suggested that there be a link to the site through the Town’s website for easier access.

It was noted that the project was going out to bid in about two weeks. The committee plans to bring the exact dollar amount to be discussed at Town Meeting. It is planned to hold a site visit at the garage, date to be announced. The committee feels that residents really do not interact with the highway department and have no idea of the working conditions.

Mr. Sullivan remarked that the article must pass town meeting with a two-thirds vote and a proposition 2 1/2 override at special election. The committee requests the Selectmen vote to call a special election.

On a motion made and seconded it was voted unanimously to hold a special election on Tuesday April 30,2013 for the public works facility.

The meeting adjourned at 8:10 PM.

Tuesday February 26, 2013 @7:00PM
AGENDA (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
Permanent Building Committee Discuss proposed town garage, safety building and Dale Street Masterplan

February 19,2013, @7:00PM
AGENDA (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

7 :00 PM FY 2014 Budget Review
Fire Chief William Kingsbury

7:15 PM FY2014 Budget Review
Police chief Robert Meaney

7:30 PM Permanent Building Committee
Tom Erb, Chairman; update on proposed Town Garage, Safety Building and Dale Street  Masterplan – NB – Building Committee has cancelled and asked instead for a special meeting on 2/26/12
LICENSES AND PERMITS
First Parish Unitarian Universalist respectfully requests a one-day wine and malt beverage permit for a Fundraising Dinner to be held on Saturday March 9, 2013 in the Church Hall

Request from the Hannah Adams Woman’s Club for a one-day wine and malt beverage permit for event on Tuesday March 5,2013 at the CENTER

MEDFIELD STATE HOSPITAL STATUS UPDATE