Category Archives: Uncategorized

Ticks

Posted on May 9, 2016 | Comments Off on Ticks

From the Lyme Disease Committee –

Tick Season Notice 2015 v2

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Posted in Uncategorized, Wildlife Management & Lyme disease

BCRT status

Posted on May 7, 2016 | 4 comments

BCRT

Photo of the newly opened Bay Colony Rail Trail in Needham.

Bay Colony Rail Trail Status

Evan Weisenfeld recently asked me what I knew about the current status of the Bay Colony Rail Trail (BCRT) in town, and since I suspect this is a topic of great interest, I will respond here where more will see it, than directly to his comment.

In my mind there continues to be strong interest to build the Medfield section of the BCRT, which,  from memory, is less than 1.5 miles long.  It would run from Ice House Road to the Dover line.  The town study committee that was appointed several years ago to look into building the BCRT, I believe, was waiting to see what Dover did, and now that Dover has voted at its town meeting last week to proceed, I expect that things will start up anew in Medfield.

Christian Donner has been our town’s longest involved proponent of the BCRT, and I read this past week that he thinks we should go ahead with the BCRT without the environmental insurance (it costs the town about $25,000, if the matching state monies still exist, and $50,000 if not), and that we should build it with the use of our DPW, town funds, and private fund raising.  If we build it from Ice House Road to the Dover line, I expect Dover would build their section out to meet our section.  The BCRT will be a great asset to the town and the region once it is built.

The financial landscape has changed because of the declining price available from  recycling the rails, so that the money earned from salvaging the rails will no longer pay for the total installation costs, as it did in the past, so funds will need to be secured for the building of the BCRT.  Needham got about $200,000 in state monies from an earmark that Rep. Garlick got passed several years ago, which they combined with monies that were raised privately.

4 Comments

Posted in Medfield Rail Trail, Uncategorized

Office hours this morning

Posted on May 6, 2016 | Comments Off on Office hours this morning

COOA's Center_and_sign

Office Hours

My regular monthly office hours at The Center on the first Friday of every month from 9:00 to 10:00 AM are this morning.  However, today I have to leave at 9:45.

Come on by!

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Posted in Uncategorized

Town wins award for river remdiation

Posted on May 5, 2016 | Comments Off on Town wins award for river remdiation

Charles River Gateway

Kristine Trierweiler shared this afternoon’s announcement that town has won an award for the collaborative remediation at the Charles River –

Dear Kristine,

It is my pleasure to congratulate you and formally notify you that the Town of Medfield, along with the following organizations, has been selected to receive the 2016 EBC Nicholas Humber Environmental-Energy Award for Outstanding Collaboration presented by the Environmental Business Council of New England.

 

Award Recipients for the Medfield Charles River Gateway Project

  • Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance
  • Charles River Watershed Association
  • Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
  • Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
  • State Hospital Environmental Review Committee
  • Weston & Sampson, Inc.
  • Charter Contracting Company, LLC
  • The Trustees of Reservations
  • The Garden Continuum
  • Spectra Energy

.

About the EBC Nicholas Humber Environmental-Energy Award for Outstanding Collaboration  

 

Award Description: Medfield Charles River Gateway Project

In Recognition of the Outstanding Public-Private Collaboration Resulting in the Comprehensive Remediation of Soil, Sediment and Groundwater at the Former Medfield State Hospital Site and the Major Restoration of Wetlands on the Charles River

 

Accepting the Award for the Town of Medfield –   Kristine Trierweiler, Assistant Town Administrator

If a different person than you will be accepting the award for your organization, can you please let me know the name of that person.

The person accepting the award will be the guest of the EBC for the awards program.

 

Please mark your calendar for Thursday evening, starting at the 5:00 p.m. reception on June 18th at the Marriott Hotel in Newton, Massachusetts.

 

Environmental Business Council  23th EBEE Awards Celebration

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Marriott Hotel

Newton, Massachusetts

 

For registration Information for others at your organization who may wish to attend the EBEE Awards Celebration go to:  EBEE REGISTRATION

 

We’re looking forward to presenting the Town of Medfield with this award.  Please email me or call if you have any questions.

 

Warm regards,

 

Dan

_________________________________________

Daniel K. Moon

President and Executive Director

Environmental Business Council of New England

375 Harvard St., Suite 2

Brookline, MA 02446

617-262-4050

dmoon@ebcne.org

www.ebcne.org

PAST WINNERS –

The EBC Nicholas Humber Environmental-Energy Award for Outstanding Collaboration
2013
Martha’s Vineyard Hybrid Submarine Cable Project
Comcast, Northeast Division – Mike Ahearn, Director of Construction, Greater Boston
NSTAR Electric Company – Craig Hallstrom, President
Power Engineers, LLC – David J. Columbo, P.E., Principal
Epsilon Associates, Inc. – Lester B. Smith, Jr., Principal and Project Manager
Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management – Bruce K. Carlisle, Director
2012
New Bedford Boat Slip MGP
MA Dept of Environmental Protection – Millie Garcia Serrano, Deputy Regional Director
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Ira Leighton, Deputy Regional Administrator
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Lt. Colonel Steven Howell, Deputy Commander
City of New Bedford – Cheryl Henlin, Environmental Planner
NSTAR – Kathleen Freeman, Director, Environmental Affairs
GEI Consultants – Jim Ash, Vice President
Charter Environmental – Robert Delhome, President
Lightship Engineering – Tim Condon, President
Beals & Thomas – Stacy Minihanem, Associate
Sprague Energy – Elizabeth Hernberg, Managing Director
New Bedford Harbor Commission
U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office – Alex Travis
2011
Modern Electroplating Facility – Redevelopment Project
City of Boston – Property and Construction Management Department
City of Boston – Boston Redevelopment Authority
City of Boston – Department of Neighborhood Development
City of Boston – Boston Police Department
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Kathleen Castagna, Program Lead
MA Department of Environmental Protection – Kenneth Kimmel, Commissioner
NASDI, Inc. – Michael Francis, Executive Vice President
Weston & Sampson, Inc. – Michael Scipione, President
GEI Consultants – Ileen Gladstone, Vice President
2010
Covered Water Storage Facility, Blue Hills Reservation
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority – Fred Lasky, Executive Director
MA Department of Conservation and Recreation – Rick Sullivan, Commissioner
MA Department of Environmental Protection – Laurie Burt, Commissioner
Barletta Companies – Vincent Barletta, President
MA Department of Fish & Game – Mary Griffin, Commissioner
Acknowledging the Contribution of Numerous EBC Member Companies
2009
Governor Deval Patrick
The EBC Nicholas Humber Environmental-Energy Award for Outstanding Collaboration
2008
Braintree Electric’s Thomas A. Watson Generating Station
Braintree Electric Light Department- Bill Bottiggi, General Manager
Town of Braintree – Joseph Sullivan, Mayor
State Senator Michael Morrissey
State Representative Joseph Driscoll
Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Robert Varney, Regional Administrator
2007
Redevelopment of the Former Fort Devens U.S. Army Base
Bristol-Myers Squibb – Paul McKenzie, General Manager
Devens Enterprise Commission – William P. Marshall, Chairman
MA Department of Environmental Protection – Arleen O’Donnell, Acting Commissioner
MassDevelopment – Robert L. Culver, President & CEO
2006
Redevelopment of South Weymouth Naval Air Station
South Shore Tri-Town Development Corporation – Terry N. Fancher, Executive Director
LNR Property Corporation – David Hall, Senior Vice President
2005
Mayor Menino’s Green Building Task Force
Jim Hunt, Chief of Environmental and Energy Services, City of Boston
2003
NSTAR
Pamela J. Szatek – Director, Procurement
Stephen J. Driscoll – Director, Materials Management/Transportation
Dennis K. Burke, Inc.
Ed Burke, President
2002
Creation of a Park from the Gardner Street Landfill
Joseph Casazza, Public Works Commissioner, City of Boston
The EBC Nicholas Humber Environmental-Energy Award for Outstanding Collaboration
Greater BostonMA Regional Director
The EBC Nicholas Humber Environmental-Energy Award for Outstanding Collaboration
CommissionerSouth Executive Director

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Posted in Environmental, Events, Medfield State Hospital, Uncategorized

Monthly legal & safety newsletter

Posted on May 5, 2016 | Comments Off on Monthly legal & safety newsletter
Having trouble viewing this email? Click here to view newsletter online +SUBSCRIBE
May 2016
Photo
Osler “Pete” Peterson
617-969-1500 – Newton
508-359-9190 – Medfield
Dear Subscriber,Forced arbitration is considered by many as a dire and growing threat to our constitutional right to an open and unbiased hearing in court. Yet most Americans have never even heard of it. Take a minute and learn how this issue effects all of us.
Information that makes us safer
These newsletters are based on a simple idea – the more each one of us knows, the better off each us will be. Each newsletter focuses on a topic that relates to the health, wellness, and safety of each of us, our families, and our friends. I hope that you will find the information both interesting and informative, and that each month you can take away at least some nugget, that can make you or your family more secure.

Remember, the safer you remain, the less likely is that you will need the courts, as legal claims are generally only needed when proper safety measures were missing.

Pete

Businesses Use Loophole to Deny Day in Court

Tia
Tia was sexually harassed by her boss at Circuit City for months. Her story here.

Injustice, Thy Name Is Forced Arbitration

Tia’s employment case against Circuit City was thrown out of court even though her boss sexually harassed her for months, once even exposing his genitals. Javier lost his job when he was deployed overseas despite federal laws protecting employment for members of the Armed services. Alan and other small business owners were told they couldn’t take American Express to court for charging exorbitant exchange rates.

Debbie and several of her classmates tried to hold a trade school accountable for questionable loan practices and substandard instruction but were instead stuck paying the school’s legal fees. Marjorie, Roberta, Richard, Dean, Frances, Beulah, Horace and Mary all suffered terribly and died from nursing home neglect, yet their families were not able to sue the nursing home companies.

How could injustices like these be allowed to exist in America where everyone has the right to take wrongdoers to court? It’s called forced arbitration, and you or a loved one may be next to lose your rights.

More on this growing scam here.
BY THE NUMBERS /
80%
Upheld

Forced arbitration clauses with class-action waivers were upheld in 132 out of 164 federal cases in 2014, preventing Americans from taking on big companies for predatory lending, wage theft and discrimination.
3 of 4
Unaware

A 2015 study found that three out of four consumers didn’t know if they were subject to a forced arbitration clause, and less than 7 percent were aware that they were stripped of their right to go to court.
30
Million

An estimated 15 to 25 percent of U.S. employers use forced arbitration in employment contracts, which means more than 30 million employees have given up their right to go to court.
BOOKMARK FAVORITES /

Companies Make Rules In Secret

America Tonight uncovers the pervasive use of forced arbitration clauses in the fine print of just about every product, service or employment contract. View video.

Forced Arbitration “Isn’t Open, Isn’t Fair”

Rep. Hank Johnson, a sponsor of the Arbitration Fairness Act, speaks to the House of Representatives about the injustice of mandatory arbitration. View video.

Young Couple Feels Robbed

This New York Times video tells how a young couple felt robbed by mandatory arbitration when a used car dealership arbitrarily repossessed their car. View video.

Trapped By The Fine Print

Businesses are using forced arbitration to deprive Americans of their constitutional rights. The American Association for Justice outlines how you could be signing away your rights – and what you can do to fight back.

Learn more

AAJ Calls Out Businesses

Corporations are using forced arbitration to hide wrongdoing, says Gary M. Paul, former president of the American Association for Justice.

Listen now
You Should Know is a copyrighted publication of Voice2News, LLC, and is made possible by the attorney shown above. This newsletter is intended for the interest of past and present clients and other friends of this lawyer. It is not intended as a substitute for specific legal advice. If you no longer wish to receive these emails, click here to unsubscribe from this newsletter, and your request will be honored immediately. You may also submit your request in writing to: Steven L. Miller, Editor, 4907 Woodland Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312. Be sure to include your email address.
Click here to unsubscribe from this newsletter.

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Posted in Legal, Uncategorized

TSARC seeking members

Posted on May 5, 2016 | 1 comment

Transfer Station sign - Copy

 

Transfer Station and Recycling Committee (TSARC) Seeks New Members

The Transfer Station and Recycling Committee is seeking new members.   TSARC provides guidance and helps the DPW and Transfer Station staffs implement the guiding principles that the Selectmen endorsed in October 2015.  We are an active working committee excited about many new initiatives we have begun and have ideas for.   The areas of focus include Transfer Station Operations, Swap Area, recycling programs, Medfield Green Month and other initiatives that help reduce waste, including the upcoming pilot program for composting organics.  We are interested in having a diverse committee with both individuals who are passionate about recycling and reducing waste and those who are primarily focused on the efficient operation of the Transfer Station.  We are looking for up to three new members as we currently have six members and are authorized to have up to nine.  The committee meets at 10 am on the 2nd Monday of each month.

To learn more about serving on the committee, please contact Megan Sullivan, Chairman at mbsul@comcast.net  or 359-8274.

Transfer Station Guiding Principles

  • Minimize trash incinerated and reduce costs to the Town
  • Encourage the principles of reduce, reuse, recycle
  • Provide alternative disposal options as feasible (such as recycling, the swap area, donation drop-off bins, special collection days, etc.)
  • Encourage residents, in a polite way, to comply with the regulations of the Town and State for recycling and disposal
  • Do our best to be environmentally conscious to ensure quality of life for future Medfield generations

 

5/5/16

 

 

1 Comment

Posted in Recycling & Solid Waste, Uncategorized

Jazz Night tomorrow evening

Posted on May 5, 2016 | Comments Off on Jazz Night tomorrow evening

From the Medfield Music Association –

MHS Jazz night 20160506

MHS Jazz Band takes home awards — in time for May 6 Jazz Night!

 

The Medfield High School Jazz Band, which is scheduled to perform at Jazz Night at 7 p.m., Friday, May 6, took home several awards at the Music Showcase Festival last week in Williamsburg, Virginia, including “Best Overall Jazz Band”, “Best Overall Rhythm Section” and “Best Overall Jazz Soloist” awarded to junior guitarist Dan Stromland.

 

Over the years, the Medfield Jazz Band has had a long track record of success under Music Director Doug Olsen, a professional jazz trumpeter. The band also earned an All-State Gold Award in March, and as part of that top rating, the ensemble was granted a performance slot at the Hatch Shell in Boston.

 

At Jazz Night, Olsen and the MHS Jazz Band will have the opportunity to perform with guest artist, Berklee College of Music professor and saxophonist Dino Govoni. Also performing with Govoni will be three other jazz ensembles – one from the high school and two from Blake Middle School; the Medfield HS Jazz Choir – which earned a “Superior” rating at the festival — will also perform.

 

Jazz Night begins at 7 p.m. in the Medfield HS Lowell Mason Auditorium. Tickets can be purchased Park Street Books and the Medfield branch of Needham Bank ($10 adults, $5 children/students). Tickets can also be purchased online at https://medfieldmusicassociation.givezooks.com/events/jazz-night-2016-with-dino-govoni, or at the door. Jazz Night proceeds support the entire Medfield Music Program across orchestra, choir and band, as well as general music education at the elementary level.

 

This is the fifth year Needham Bank has been the presenting sponsor of Jazz Night, and it is especially proud to support the concert in celebration of Medfield recently earning the “Best Communities for Music Education” designation from the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation – one of just 476 school districts nationwide to receive the distinction.

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Posted in Events, Medfield High School, Music, Teens, Uncategorized

ANGP

Posted on May 4, 2016 | Comments Off on ANGP

From Tracey Rogers, Co-chair ANGP –

ANGP

Please consider supporting the CLASS of 2016 by making a donation to this year’s All Night Graduation Party (ANGP). Medfield’s ANGP is a time-honored tradition that has provided a safe and fun way for Seniors to celebrate on graduation night for the past 24 years. The party held at the Medfield High School could not take place with out the support of our community. Graduation Day is Sunday, June 12th, for 232 Medfield Seniors. Use the blue form in the ANGP flyer that was recently sent to all Medfield families or simply mail your contribution to MHS All Night Graduation Party, PO Box 38, Medfield, MA 02052. THANK YOU!

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Posted in Entertainment, Events, Medfield High School, Teens, Uncategorized

Watch the ribbon cutting

Posted on May 3, 2016 | Comments Off on Watch the ribbon cutting

solar at WWTP

See and hear the ceremony preceding the ribbon cutting for the  solar PV at the Waste Water Treatment Plant

 Solar_Ribbon_Cutting_Video_04-28-16.mov

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Posted in Energy Committee, Green, Uncategorized, Water & Sewer

BY Colony Rail Trail Needham opening

Posted on May 1, 2016 | 1 comment

Needham held the official opening of their section of the Bay Colony Rail Trail this afternoon. Hopefully Dover will vote to proceed and Medfield will be soon behind.

1 Comment

Posted in Uncategorized