Category Archives: Uncategorized

The six candidates running unopposed for town offices in the town election on Monday, March 25, tonight took part in the League of Women Voter's candidates night.

It is Reads Across America today, a national reading out loud day, because it is close to Dr. Seuss’ birthday.  To celebrate, Memorial School invites community people in to read to the children.

I had the honor and fun of reading The Tub People to Kristen’s former  kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Hedberg’s class, sitting where I sat with Kristen eight years ago.  However, Mrs. Hedberg has a really cool looking Smart Board that was not there eight years ago.

Email –

Dear Community Readers,

Thank you so much for volunteering to be a part of Memorial School’s Read Across America Community Reader event.  You are signed up to read at 9am on Wednesday, March 6 at Memorial School

Kyle Cuccia receiving his eagle scout award this afternoon at St. Edwards, with scoutmaster David Derian at the podium and Kyle's parents to his right.

Meeting Minutes
February 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.

FY 2014 BUDGET REVIEW
Fire Department / Fire Chief Kingsbury reported that the fire administration budget is up slightly due to the salary line item. Fire Operations is up slightly to cover equipment repairs, gasoline and ambulance billing. FY13 appropriation, 776,250 and FY14 request is 787,650.

Chairman Thompson queried how many fires the department covered in 2012 to which the Fire Chief responded that he did not have the information available. However, we are very fortunate in that we did not experience any major event over the past year.
Police Department / Police Chief Meaney presented his operations budget that shows an increase of 10,910, half of which will cover salaries and longevity. Total request 2,191,366 for fy14 and fy13 appropriation was 2,180,456. Chief Meaney mentioned that we may add a school resources officer if the federal government does in fact have funds for this position.
These funds have become available since the Connecticut tragedy last December. Chief Meaney said that he will make the application and see what happens. Police Administration budget is increased by 2%; 95,921 requested; FY 13 appropriation 94,040. Chief Meaney reviewed Traffic Markings and signs indicating a 1,300 increase for new reflective paint; 66,300 requested for FY14. A 2% increase in the School Traffic budget to cover uniform line item; FY13 49,425, FY14 49,468. MEMA budget also reflects a 2% increase for equipment repair and service for a request of 14,229 from last year’s amount of 13,949. Animal Control budget has a $283 increase for an amount of 96,940.

SNOW EMERGENCY
Superintendent Feeney requests the Selectmen vote to declare a snow emergency under MASS general Laws, chapter 44, Section 310. The amount in the snow budget is close to depletion as of February 14th and another storm is predicted for the upcoming holiday weekend. The Warrant Committee must also vote to declare a snow emergency. On a motion made and seconded, it was
VOTED unanimously to declare a snow emergency and as required under M.G.L. Chapter 44, Section 310

VETERANS’ VOLUNTEER TAX-WORK OFF ABATEMENT
Mr. Sullivan explained to the Board that Veterans’ Agent Ron Griffin requests consideration for an article to be placed on the warrant allowing for a Veterans Volunteer Tax Work Abatement Program. It will be covered by an overlay for a $500.00 abatement and there are four veterans under the age of 60 that may be eligible. The Selectmen agree that it be added to the warrant.  On a motion made by Selectman Fisher, seconded by Selectman it was

VOTED unanimously to open the 2013 Annual Town Meeting Warrant to add an article “Allowing for the establishment of a Veterans Volunteer Work Tax Abatement Program” and further VOTED unanimously to close the 2013 warrant

COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT
VOTED unanimously to appoint John Day to the Economic Development Committee

VOTED unanimously to hold a Special Selectmen Meeting Tuesday February 26, 2013 to meet with the Permanent Building Committee for the purpose of discussing the proposed new town garage

MEETING MINUTES
VOTED unanimously to approve the December 18, 2012, January 15, 2013 and February 5, 2013 meeting minutes as submitted

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
Ms. Trierweiler requests consideration for a Selectman to be appointed to Collective Bargaining. On a motion made and seconded it was

VOTED unanimously to appoint Mark Fisher to the Collective Bargaining Team

LICENSES & PERMITS
VOTED unanimously to grant a one-day wine and malt beverage permit to the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church for March 9, 2013 event VOTED unanimously to grant a one-day wine and malt beverage permit to the Hannah Adams Woman’s Club for March 5, 2013 event to be held at the CENTER

VOTED unanimously to grant permission to the United Church of Christ to hold an all-day Church Picnic Sunday May 19, 2013 noon to 2 PM in the area next to Meeting House Pond

VOTED unanimously to grant one-day wine and malt beverage permits to the Zullo Gallery for March 2 and 9, May 2 and 18 and June 6, 2013

PENDING, Lot 3 Ice House Road
Developer Bob Borrelli requests a warrant article for Town Meeting vote for leasing Lot 3 Ice House Road for recreational facility. As an abutter, Mr. Peterson is exempt from the discussion.  Mr. Fisher feels that he needs more time to think about it as it feels kind of premature to him.

MEDFIELD STATE HOSPITAL STATUS UPDATE
Ms. Trierweiler reported that the next Mediation Session will be on Tuesday February 26 at the Medfield Library, 9 AM to 4 PM. She requested that the Selectmen vote to authorize her to sign a reserve fund transfer in the amount of $35,000 to cover consultants’ invoices. Only $445.00 remains from the $75,000 2012 appropriation. On a motion made and seconded it was VOTED unanimously to authorize Assistant Town administrator Kristine Trierweiler to Execute a reserve fund transfer form regarding the state hospital environmental review

SELECTMEN REPORT
Selectman Fisher attended the Lions Club meeting, First Thursday at the Zullo Gallery where really terrific new art work is on display; the Permanent Building Committee meeting and the Farewell Party for lord’s that was held last Friday evening. There was a great crowd and many memories were shared. Mr. Fisher commended the DPW for the terrific job they did clearing all that snow from the blizzard. It was a big challenge and unfortunately the timing was off for a water break that happened during the storm. Another “storm occurrence” was a mix-up of the gasoline delivery at the Town Garage; diesel fuel was put into the regular tank and regular into the diesel tank causing contamination. lucky for the DPW Randy, owner of Irving Gas Station offered to help with his gas supply. Many thanks to him. Selectman Fisher said that it was terrific to hear that volunteers went out into the storm to search for a lost person in the Noon Hill area. We extend a tremendous amount of gratitude to them and to our Police and Fire Chiefs who spent a good part of the night in search of this person. Even though it was sort of
hard to take, the person was not in the woods after all.

Selectman Peterson extended a thank you to the DPW for all the hours clearing the snow covered roads. Chairman Nancy Norris did a fantastic job organizing the event at lord’s. He asked the listening audience to tune in next week for the Permanent Building  Committee’s discussion about the proposed projects. Mr. Peterson attended Representative Garlick’s Community event held here in Town Hall. The Medfield Foundation judges met and announced
the Volunteer of the Year award will go to Beth Eby, Youth Volunteer is Katrina Simon and Lifetime Achievement awards will go to Ann Thompson and Al Manganello, Jr. for all his work relating to veterans. He invited all to come to the Volunteer Recognition ceremony that will be held on Sunday March 10 at the CENTER.

Selectman Thompson agreed that the Lord’s party went smoothly however sad. She mentioned that Penni Connor, resident and Nstar employee did a great job issuing a report on the radio.

OTHER ITEM
Mr. Sullivan mentioned that at the last meeting the Selectmen agreed that monies set aside for Grist Mill restoration is released to the Kingsbury Pond Committee for their proposed project.
Mr. Sullivan requests the Selectmen take aformal vote on the matter. On a motion made by Selectman Fisher, seconded by Selectman Peterson it was VOTED unanimously to release available funds to the Kingsbury Pond Committee for the purpose of restoration and development ofthe Grist mill site and further authorize Michael Sullivan administer the funds

ADJOURNMENT
On a motion made and seconded it was voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 PM.

These fit so well they should be in a dictionary.

ADULT:
A person who has stopped growing at both ends and is now growing in the middle.

BEAUTY PARLOR:
A place where women curl up and dye.

CHICKENS:
The only animals you eat before they are born and after they are dead.

COMMITTEE:
A body that keeps minutes and wastes hours.

DUST:
Mud with the juice squeezed out.

EGOTIST:
Someone who is usually me-deep in conversation.

HANDKERCHIEF:
Cold Storage.

INFLATION:
Cutting money in half without damaging the paper.

MOSQUITO:
An insect that makes you like flies better.

RAISIN:
A grape with a sunburn.

SECRET:
Something you tell to one person at a time.

SKELETON:
A bunch of bones with the person scraped off.

TOOTHACHE:
The pain that drives you to extraction.

TOMORROW:
One of the greatest labor saving devices of today.

YAWN:
An honest opinion openly expressed.

WRINKLES:
Something other people have,
Similar to my character lines.

The Power of a Bible Thumping Woman

An elderly woman was returning home from a Thursday mid-week service at her local church.  As she unlocked her door, an intruder startled her.

She caught the man in the very act of robbing her home of its valuables and yelled,

‘STOP! Acts 2:38!’

The burglar stopped in his tracks.

The woman calmly called the police and explained what she had done.

As the officer handcuffed the man to take him to gaol, he asked the burglar, ‘Why did you just stand there? All the old lady did was quote a scripture to you.’

‘Scripture?’ replied the burglar. ‘I thought the lady had an axe and two 38’s!’

Biblical Footnote The Book of Acts Chapter 2, Verse 38 says : Repent and be baptized, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven.

The Little Old Italian Lady

A little old lady goes to the doctor and says, ” Doctor, I have this problem with gas, but it doesn’t really bother me too much. They never smell and are always silent. As a matter of fact, I’ve farted at least 20 times since I’ve been here in your office. You didn’t know I was farting because they don’t smell and are silent.”

The doctor says, “I see. Take these pills and come back to see me next week.”

The next week the lady goes back. “Doctor,” she says, “I don’t know what the hell you gave me, but now my farts … although still silent… stink terribly.”

The doctor says, “Good! Now that we’ve cleared up your sinuses, let’s start working on your hearing.”

OLDER LADIES: Who Is There?

Three older ladies were discussing the problems of getting older. One said, ‘Some times I catch myself with a jar of mayonnaise in my hand, in front of the refrigerator, and can’t remember whether I need to put it away, or start making a sandwich’.

The second lady chimed in, ‘Yes, sometimes I find myself standing on the stairs and can’t remember whether I was on my way up or on my way down.’

The third one responded, ‘Well, I am glad I don’t have that problem; knock on wood, ‘as she rapped her knuckles on the table.  She looked up and said, ‘That must be the door, I’ll get it!’

Funny Little Old Lady Church Signs

• · Thursday, at 5pm, there will be a meeting of the Little Mothers Club. All ladies wishing to be Little Mothers please meet with the vicar in his office.
• · The ladies of the church have cast off clothing of every kind and they may be seen in the church basement on Friday afternoon.
• · For those of you who have children and don’t know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
• · Remember the annual spring cleaning of the Parish Hall this Saturday. We need lots volunteers to join the work crew. We have a long list of items to be cleaned. The WIDOWS will need extra attention.

This morning the architects presented their proposed options to the Building Committee for the Dale Street municipal campus.  Their preferred option was for a new 38,000 sq. ft. public safety building at the current site. 

A second option included a 25.000 sq. ft. Park & Rec. behind the new public safety building, which had problem of eliminating most of the parking.

A third option was the re-purposing of the Dale Street School into a combined public safety and Park & Rec, with fire between current school and Pfaff, police in existing school, and Park & Rec in a new building on the Memorial School side.

Next option renovates existing police and fire into the fire alone and puts police where Pfaff is now.

Next option is the first option, but with Dale Street School re-purposed as the Park & Rec facility, with a new double gym built where the current classroom wing sits.  This option is suggested as the most economic future re-use of the Dale Street School.  Mass School Building Assistance will not pay towns to renovate schools when it is cheaper, as it probably is here, to build new.  Also, to use it for public safety would trigger seismic and other building codes that make it uneconomic for public safety use.  Using it for Park & Rec would not require renovations that would trigger the code mandated updates, thus making it more  economically feasible.  The gym could become a town auditorium.

Any re-use of Dale Street School is going to be more expensive than tearing it down and building new, due to renovations above 30% of its value (it is assessed for $5.4 m.) triggering upgrades to meet the newer building  codes and the seismic code.  Public safety in Dale St. would clearly cross the threshold, making it a too expensive option.  Park & Rec there may not trigger those required upgrades, making it more feasible. 

Question was raised of whether the existing Dale Street School building is of such significance to residents that they are willing to pay the large extra cost that it will require to re-use it, instead of the cheaper route of tearing it down and building new.

Register here to get on the National Do Not Call Registry list.

I flagged down Ed Hinkley driving a town plow truck, while I was out working on clearing my driveway.  I asked if he had gotten any sleep.  He had been up all night plowing for the town.  Thank you DPW.