Category Archives: Select Board matters

At my request the Board of Selectmen constituted the town’s former selectmen as a Board of Advisers, so that the town could continue to benefit from the depth of knowledge and understanding of municipal governments that they had acquired as selectmen.  Last night I suggested that the Board of Selectmen ask that group to review how we operate the town departments, to make sure that we were using the best practices and the town was being well served in all instances.

Ann and Mark rejected doing so, for the same stated reason, that the former selectmen had been gone too long from town government to still have any useful information.  Too bad, as it is a real lost opportunity for the town.

This was my email to the former selectmen to ask them if they would consider serving in the capacity I envisioned –

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

John, Richard, Ed, Harry, and Paul,

I do not know if Mike Sullivan ever informed you, but at my request, the Board of Selectmen appointed all the town’s former selectmen to a Board of Advisers, in an effort to harness and take advantage of all that you learned as a result of being selectmen.  My thought was that there was so much learning and institutional memory that happens from being a selectman, that the Town of Medfield should try to make use of those skills that you developed.

Mike and I have talked about asking you to look at the issue of the town’s liability for post employment benefits for medical care, which the actuaries say is something like a $40m. liability number for Medfield, but a state appointed commission is looking into that issue on a state wide basis now (given that every city and town in the state is hugely effected) and they are supposed to report back some time this fall, so we thought it best to hear what the commission says first.

The second task that has occurred to me to ask you all to do, and one that I am going to ask at our selectmen meeting next Tuesday be delegated to your Board of Advisers, is that we ask you to do a top to bottom review of the policies and procedures of every town department, so that we can be assured that the town is using the best practices that are available.  I could envision you meeting with someone like Medfield resident Jeremy Marsette, who is the town engineer for Framingham and the chair of our Water & Sewer Board, to learn what he has seen done elsewhere, and then meet with Ken to see if we are doing those things.  Similarly with Rachel Brown of the Personnel Board, whose consulting practice has her dealing with towns all over the state.

This is the item that I have put on the agenda:

Referral by the Board of Selectmen to our Board of Advisers (comprised of all former selectmen) the request that they conduct a top to bottom review of the policies and procedures of all town departments, to see if Medfield is using best practices, and to report back to the Board of Selectmen on their findings and to recommend what changes should be made, if any.

Please feel free to join the Board of Selectmen at our meeting next Tuesday evening when I will be asking Ann and Mark to join me in asking you to undertake this task and to discuss any details.

BTW, I asked Sandra Muncey about this idea of a council of former selectmen, and she had no interest in participating.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Best,
Pete

+++++++++++++++++++++++

Ann and Mark indicated that they were willing to entertain future discrete tasks being assigned to the former selectmen to perform.

Just arrived –

PLACE OF MEETING DAY, DATE, AND TIME
Town Hall, Chenery Meeting Room, 2nd floor Tuesday September 4,2012 @ 7:00 PM
AGENDA (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
APPOINTMENTS

• 7:00 PM Richard DeSorgher, Committee to Study Memorials – Discuss plan to replace markers; update on Robert E. Naughton Civic Square

ACTION

• Jean Mineo, Medfield Cultural Council Chair requests the Selectmen vote to appoint new members to the Council
• Letter of resignation from Board of Health member Ann Fryer

LICENSES & PERMITS

• Medfield Lions Club requests permission to post signs promoting the annual Chowder Fest on November 10,2012 at the CENTER. Signs in place October 27 to November 10

MEDFIELD STATE HOSPITAL STATUS UPDATE
INFORMATIONAL

• Norfolk County Registry of Deeds will hold office hours in Town Hall on Wednesday September 12, 2012, 10 AM to Noon
• Copy of Historical Commission letter regarding the demolition at 56-60 Harding Street

TOWN OF MEDFIELD
MEETING
NOTICE
POSTED:
TOWN CLERK
POSTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF M.G.L. CHAPTER 39 SECTION 23A AS AMENDED.
Board of Selectmen
Board or Committee
PLACE OF MEETING DAY, DATE, AND TIME
Town Hall, Chenery Meeting Room, 2nd floor Tuesday August 21, 2012 @ 7:00 PM

AGENDA (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

APPOINTMENTS
7:00 pM Downtown Study Committee
7:15 PM Council on Aging Director, Roberta Lynch
Activities update

ACTION
Vote to authorize Chairman Thompson execute Letter of Engagement with Malloy, Lynch,
Bienvenue, LLP, auditors
Update on beaver dam

MEDFIELD STATE HOSPITAL STATUS UPDATE

INFORMATIONAL
Number of grave sites available at Vine Lake Cemetery; information requested by Chairman Tom Sweeney
Copy of newspaper editorial: Forgotten WWI Memorials at Medfield State Hospital
=================
GRAVE SITES AVAILABLE

Section Qty lot size TOTAL
H      112       1 and 2     224
J          57           4           228
B3       10           4             40
B3           1          10           10
K             1             6              6
K             1           10           10
L             2              8           16
Total                                534

I just got Evelyn’s draft minutes for 8-7-12.  Correction = it was Ann and Mark who wanted to hear directly from the MEC on the GCA.

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

Meeting Minutes
August 7, 2012
Chenery Meeting Room draft
PRESENT: Selectmen Thompson, Fisher, Peterson; Town Administrator Sullivan; Administrative
Assistant Clarke
Chairman Thompson called the meeting to order at 7 PM and announced that the meeting is
being recorded.
Mrs. Thompson extended sympathy to the family of Mary Luciano who recently passed away ..
She retired in 2009 from the Water and Sewer Department after a 10 year career.
STATE PRIMARY WARRANT
VOTED unanimously to sign the September 6,2012 State Primary Warrant
COMCAST CABLE
The cable company notified the Town that they have begun the renewal licensing process.
Town Counsel Cerel reported that he had conversation with William Soloman attorney who has
assisted the Town in past licensing renewals. The Town needs to send an acknowledgement
letter to Com cast. The Selectmen are requested to vote to sign a letter prepared by Mr.
Sullivan. On a motion made and seconded, it was so voted.
VETERANS’ SERVICE OFFICER
Ron Griffin remarked that he is here to discuss the Servicemen’s’ Valor Act. Governor Patrick
signed this into law on May 31,2012. Its goal is to assist in the transition from military to
civilian life. A few ofthe Act’s provisions: servicemen can volunteer to take part in the tax
write-off program for up to $750.00 exemption (requires town meeting vote in Medfield),
grant money to start a business; help to determine if military training may equate to college
credits; surviving spouse of servicemen killed as a result of action entitled to a tax exemption.
Mr. Griffin said that the state does want to make sure that every serviceman has access to a
service agent. Norfolk County now has a Veterans’ Advocate, Joe Horton who will be visiting
Medfield in the near future. Mrs. Thompson queried about the number of veterans in town to
which Griffin said that he is more prepared with the information this evening as last time he
was before the Board he gave an approximate number kind of off the top of his head. World
War II there are nine vets over the age of 90; 120 over the age of 80; 131 Korean vets in their
70’s and 144 in their 60’s along with age bracket above and below 50 for a total of 506.
The Selectmen thanked Mr. Griffin for his report.
CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
Chairman Tom Sweeney introduced the committee, Frank lafolla, AI Manganello (Rob Gregg is
in attendance). Mr. Sweeney reported that the new cemetery rates became effective June l’
August 7, 2012
Page two
with a single lot at 750.00 and cost of a double is $1,500. Medfield’s rates are in line with
similar public cemeteries. The commissioners will review the rates set more frequently as the
last increase was at least 10 years ago. Mr. Peterson queried if we have sufficient funds to
cover expenses and the response is no. However, that could turn around as interest rates
increase. The cemetery encompasses about 32 acres.
KETTLE POND WAY AND COLE DRIVE
Mr. Cerel mentioned that 2012 town Meeting voted to accept the layouts of the two roads.
The next step is to file a confirmatory order at the registry. The Selectmen are requested to
vote to sign the order. On a motion made by Selectman Fisher, seconded by Selectman
Peterson it was
VOTED unanimously to sign the Confirmatory Order of Layout, Acceptance and Taking of
Kettle Pond Way and Cole Drive
BAYBERRY I STAGECOACH ROAD
Residents of that area including a few from Indian Hill Road neighborhood are present to
request that the Selectmen help them with an excessive standing water problem.
Spokesperson Kevin Driscoll said that the Stop River has stopped. The Driscolls and others have
lived in the area for many years, some over 40 and have never seen anything like this. It was
beautiful with fast flowing water that sometimes people would use canoes. The area has been
damp but never the swamp conditions that we see today. There has to be something blocking
the flow of water and it appears that it is beavers hard at work building dams. The green slime,
standing water and dead fish make for an unbearable odor. The residents are very concerned
about mosquitoes, tree damage on private and public property, displaced animals such as fox,
muskrats and deer and the safety of children that play in the area. Superintendent Feeney said
that Medfield has a large beaver population and the Town’s authority is limited to do anything
about them as they have wildlife protection. A private trapper should be contacted ..
The residents request that the Town do more mosquito control/spraying; analyze the water;
hire a trapper; remove the dam(s). Mr. Sullivan said that he will contact the Norfolk County
Mosquito control to find out if they could help break the dams and will contract a trapper.
The Selectmen will do whatever they can to help with this problem.
COMCAST GROUND LEASE
Comcast has for many years leased space at the Town Garage property. They now have plans
to expand the head-end facility. Town Counsel Cerel has been working with their attorney on a
ground lease agreement that is now ready for the Selectmen’s signature. On a motion made
and seconded, it was so voted to sign.
August 7, 2012
Page three
MINUTES
VOTED unanimously to acceptthe minutes of July 3,17 and 18 as submitted
ANNUAL CALENDAR
Selectmen Peterson would like to follow the calendar that he prepared. He mentioned
that he used Medfield’s traditional calendar that is included with the annual budget packet
and inserted items that are on the Town of Amherst calendar which he feels are pertinent.
Mr. Sullivan remarked that Town Accountant Joy Ricciuto is working on the prior year budget
reports as the auditors will be here to review in the next several weeks.
KINGSBURY POND COMMITIEE
Mr. Sullivan received an email from committee member Richard Judge requesting the
Selectmen considers reestablishing the Kingsbury Pond Committee and submitted four names
to be appointed to the committee. The Board agreed it is a good time for the committee to
come together and make plans. On a motion made by Selectman Fisher, seconded by
Selectman Peterson it was
VOTED unanimously to appoint Garrett Graham, Ann Krawec, Andrew Spencer and Richard
Judge to the Kingsbury Pond Committee
BOY SCOUTS
The Selectmen received notice that several scouts have earned the rank of Eagle Scout and will
be honored at a Court of Honor in the near future. The scouts are Connor Gaffney, Christian
Honan and Aaron Thole from Troop 89 and Nicholas Derian, Troop 10.
LICENSES & PERMITS
VOTED unanimously to grant permission to Medfield Youth Basketball to post signs
announcing fall registration
VOTED unanimously to grant permission to the Cypress Street neighbors to hold a block
party on Saturday September 29
STATE HOSPITAL STATUS UPDATE
Ms. Trierweiler remarked that the State Hospital Mediation Committee has had four sessions.
The focus has been the assessment and remediation of the C&D area. All parties have signed a
confidentiality agreement and not much may be talked about in public although information
presented to the Selectmen previously in executive session was brought to the public’s
attention. Both the Medfield delegation and DCAM delegation feel that the sessions have been
productive and informative. Sessions are scheduled for September and October.
August 7, 2012
Page four
Ms. Trierweiler reported that the former Clark building is coming down almost brick by brick.
Resident John Harney was recognized. He is a member of the State Hospital Redevelopment
Committee and reported that they recently met and have determined that they hope to make
site visits to Danvers and Lexington as they have undergone redevelopment.
SELECTMEN REPORT
Mr. Fisher has no report.
Mr. Peterson attended the ZBA hearing listening to water consultant Tom Houston report on
the West Street 40B project. Houston said that the developer is following engineering practices
however, the more units in a project the more risks. There are several issues that he and the
developer differ. The ZBA continued the hearing to August 27. Peterson attended the Energy
Committee and learned that the Town has reached a 30% savings on energy costs. Mr.
Peterson would like to have the committee come to a Selectmen’s meeting to give a brief
update on the logistics of becoming a green community.
Mrs. Thompson attended the remediation session; congratulated the Bridge Street lottery
winner and gave kudos to all who participated in the Pan Mass challenge.
INFORMATIONAL
Mr. Sullivan highlighted the report on recycling tonnage, Trust Funds report, Planning Board
site plan approval for 77 South Street, letter from a Philip Street resident requesting the Town
make his road safer and reports from the Norfolk county Mosquito Control District
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion made by Selectman Fisher, seconded by Selectman Peterson the meeting
adjourned at 8:4S PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Evelyn Clarke

The Board of Selectmen will be making its annual appointments of individuals to town boards at our meeting next Tuesday evening – see the list.   If you want to be considered for any of the positions on the various town boards, please let Evelyn Clarke or me know before the meeting on Tuesday evening and give us a CV to share with my colleagues so we can evaluate your credentials.   Thanks to all who volunteer their time and energies on town boards to make Medfield a better place for all of us.

The main difference between the town administrator form of municipal government that we have in Medfield and a town manager form of government that we could adopt, is that the Board of Selectmen make the appointments to boards instead of Mike Sullivan making those appointments.

AGENDA (Subject to change)

Executive Session at close of meeting for the purpose of discussing potential land acquisition

ACTION

• Vote to appoint Marc R. Verreault to the State Hospital Redevelopment Committee
• Discuss the draft copy of the mission statement for the Redevelopment Committee
• Selectman Peterson requests discussion of the Town’s Actuarial Study
• Selectman Peterson requests discussion of the amlUal Selectmen’s calendar

LICENSES & PERMITS

• Council on Aging requests a wine & malt beverage permit for the Summer Cookout Program June 20 through July 15,2012 from 3-7PM at the CENTER
• St. Edward’s Golf Tournament Planning Committee requests permission to place signs announcing tournament dates. Signs to be posted for specified times at designated locations

MEDFIELD STATE HOSPITAL STATUS UPDATE

The Board of Selectmen will meet on Friday March 16, 2012 at 7:30 AM.   Purpose of the meeting is to vote to sign the 2012 Annual Town Meeting Warrant and to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing pending land acquisition.