MSH/MPC’s public forum

Posted on April 13, 2016 | Comments Off on MSH/MPC’s public forum

The Medfield State Hospital Master Planning Committee held a public forum on Monday evening to report to residents on their status and to answer questions.

It looked to me that maybe 150 attended.  Medfield.TV filmed the  evening and will be showing it – unfortunately, Medfield.TV cannot broadcast live from the MHS auditorium (that strikes me as something that should get fixed).

20160411_msh public forum-120160411_msh public forum-2

The committee members said they are looking to a special town meeting later this year to get the town’s approval on the scenario they select.  They are looking at scenarios ranging from doing nothing to a market development, and variations in between, with no set alternatives to date.  Committee members Teresa James and Jean Mineo presented a very interesting analysis of the 200+ pages of data from the surveys, where open space and recreation scored high, with housing both scoring high on the positive and negative sides.  The financial costs to we residents are yet to come, and once the committee figures the costs of the options and scenarios, then we residents will get to weigh in on what we will pay for and what we will not.

This is the time for people to make their wishes known, as the options remain wide open now, but will be getting focused down shortly.

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Posted in Medfield State Hospital, Planning, Uncategorized

Wheelock School reading

Posted on April 12, 2016 | Comments Off on Wheelock School reading

20160412-wheelock reading-2

This year Wheelock School invited me to read, and this morning I had the distinct honor and pleasure to read Stellaluna, one of my all time favorites.

The train hat is left over from a Medfield Day I ran about fifteen years ago where I had the volunteer train drivers wear train engineer hats with the town seal on the front.  The kids recognized the town seal, even though it is pretty small.

When we talked about how bats are able to “see” in the dark, one boy explained that it was by “echo location” – impressive!

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Posted in Children, Schools, Uncategorized

Stretch Code

Posted on April 11, 2016 | Comments Off on Stretch Code

MEC

 

Letter to the Editor

 

Help Medfield qualify for a $148,000 Energy Savings grant. Vote YES on Article #34.

 

The Medfield Energy Committee has been working for 4 years to designate the Town of Medfield as a Green Community.  To qualify the Town needs to approve the Stretch Energy Code at the April 25th Town Meeting.  Once Medfield is a Green Community it will receive an award of $148,000 with the potential of $250,000 annual grants thereafter from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources.

 

 

The Massachusetts State Building Code includes a Base Energy Code.  Massachusetts regularly updates the State Building Code, including the Base Energy Code, to improve quality, safety and energy efficiency of construction in the Commonwealth.  The Building Code is the “stick” to encourage improvements in construction. By adopting the Stretch Energy Code, Medfield, like 161 other Massachusetts towns, becomes an early adopter of what eventually will become the next State Building Code.  The “carrot” for Medfield to be an early adopter is a grant of $148,000 which will be used to improve Town building energy efficiency.

 

 

Medfield can get the “carrot” by approving the Stretch Energy Code if we vote yes on Article #34 of the Town meeting warrant.  If it is voted down, Medfield gets the “stick” anyway in following years as the Base Energy Code is updated.

 

At the 2014 Town Meeting, the Stretch Energy Code warrant article was voted down.

 

In 2016, the situation has changed:

  1. The Massachusetts Building Code went into effect on July 1, 2014 with an updated Base Energy Code. The result is that today all new construction and renovation must meet a code that is basically the Stretch Energy Code that was rejected by the town at the April 2014 Town Meeting.
  2. The Stretch Energy Code we will vote on at this year’s Town Meeting does not include any new requirements for residential renovations or additions. The sole change from the Base Energy Code is the requirement for new residential construction to use a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index.  The HERS Index is the industry standard by which a home’s energy efficiency is measured.
  3. For new commercial buildings, the Stretch Energy Code requires the construction to be 10% more efficient than the Base Energy Code.

 

The Energy Committee, the Warrant Committee and the Board of Selectman all support the Stretch Energy Code article.

 

Please plan to attend the April 25 Town Meeting and vote YES on Article #34.

 

Fred Bunger, Chair Medfield Energy Committee

 

 

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Posted in Energy Committee, Green, Uncategorized

MSH report & input tonight

Posted on April 11, 2016 | 1 comment

MSH-night-1photo by Vic Cevoli

The Medfield State Hospital Master Planning Committee is holding a public meeting this evening at 7PM at the Medfield High School auditorium to report on its work and to get input from residents.  Following is its notice.

Medfield State Hospital Master Plan Committee Update

The Medfield State Hospital Master Planning Committee (MSHMPC) will hold an open forum regarding the Medfield State Hospital property on Monday, April 11 at 7:00 PM in the Medfield High School Auditorium.

Community Meeting for the Medfield State Hospital Property
The April 11th meeting has two major goals.  The first is to provide transparency about the master planning process to Medfield citizens: to educate residents about the planning process; to summarize all that the Committee has learned; and, to outline the next steps. The second goal is to maintain an open dialog with the Town to ensure any proposal accurately addresses the goals of its residents.

MSHMPC will start with a brief overview of its work with VHB, an established master planning consultant that is assisting the Committee.  Results of the three surveys sent out this past summer will be reviewed.  These surveys provide invaluable feedback to MSHMPC in assessing the priorities given to any particular aspect of a plan. The Committee will discuss initiatives and uses that are under consideration and intends to introduce various study scenarios used to strengthen the planning process.  An explanation of the financial model employed in the study  scenarios will also be included.

An update on the Buildings and Grounds will be provided.  The property is becoming a popular venue for a broad variety of passive recreation uses and is increasingly providing a source of enjoyment to many residents.

Future outreach will be discussed. The forum will close with an extended Question and Answer period to get feedback from the residents and to answer questions.

All citizens are encouraged to attend. Medfield TV will cover the meeting for those unable to attend in person.

1 Comment

Posted in Medfield State Hospital, Uncategorized

Globe on boys lacrosse

Posted on April 9, 2016 | Comments Off on Globe on boys lacrosse

lacrosse

Boston Globe article on MHS boys lacrosse – click here to see

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Posted in Medfield High School, Sports, Uncategorized

My April lawyer newsletter

Posted on April 7, 2016 | Comments Off on My April lawyer newsletter
Having trouble viewing this email? Click here to view newsletter online +SUBSCRIBE
April 2016
Photo
Osler “Pete” Peterson
617-969-1500 – Newton
508-359-9190 – Medfield
Dear Pete,Federal officials recently reported a steep increase in roadway deaths throughout the nation in 2015. We suspect that distracted driving is one factor in this increase. This month we urge all our friends and family to help end distracted driving.
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

April Is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Distracted Driving Still on the Rise, Especially Among Teens

According to AAA, Americans drive the fewest miles during the winter months. Once April rolls around and the sun shines a bit brighter, the mileage goes up as we shake off the winter doldrums. More miles behind the wheel also means there are more chances to become distracted. And unfortunately, those distractions – like texting, talking, eating, adjusting a radio, checking a map, applying makeup and many more – can have deadly consequences.

As we enter April and Distracted Driving Awareness Month 2016, we note sadly that the number of injuries and deaths from driving distracted continues to rise, especially among teenagers. Maybe the increase is due to our obsession with mobile technology or our love affair with the car or just the increasingly frantic pace of our lives (no one is quite sure). But we do know this: Distracted driving is a problem that is 100 percent preventable. Before you send that next text message or order that double cheeseburger to go, you should know the dangers of distracted driving and what you can do to prevent tragedy from striking in your life!

Start driving more safely here.
BY THE NUMBERS /
3,179
Killed

In 2014, 3,179 people were killed and 431,000 people injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers.
660,000
Vehicles

At any given time on U.S. roads, there are 660,000 vehicles being driven by someone using a hand-held phone.
10%
Fatalities

In 2013, 10 percent of all drivers aged 15 to 19 involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crash.
BOOKMARK FAVORITES /

Little Distractions Add Up to Big Trouble Behind the Wheel

An estimated nine people die and more than 1,000 are injured every day in crashes that involve distracted driving, according to the National Safety Council. View video.

New Hands-Free Systems Still Not Risk-Free

A recent AAA study showed that drivers are still distracted while using the new hands-free systems found in many new vehicles. View video.

“Moment of Silence” Campaign Fights Distracted Walking

SafeKids.org has partnered with FedEx in this public service campaign highlighting the dangers of distracted walking, especially among young people. View video.

Up Next Month: Forced Injustice

Next month we will feature an update on the widespread use of forced arbitration by many businesses to deny Americans their right to a day in court. We call it “forced injustice.”

Start here

EndDD Enlists Teens to Help Stop Distracted Driving

Joel Feldman, a lawyer and the father of a young woman killed by a distracted driver, leads a ground-breaking national campaign to stop distracted driving.

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 Information, Uncategorized

On being a selectman

Posted on April 7, 2016 | Comments Off on On being a selectman

BoS

Tired this afternoon – home for dinner at 10PM last night, 9:30 PM the night before, and 9:00PM tonight, for meetings respectively of the –

  •  Board of Selectmen
    • Schools seeking approval of application to the Massachusetts School Building Authority to start the process to replace Dale Street School, perhaps with an addition onto the Wheelock School, making Wheelock a grades 2 – 5 school.
    • Met with Liz Sandeman to receive a her donation of a flag and for recognition of Donate Life Month – organ donation promotion.
    • declared a snow emergency.
    • reviewed the warrant articles for the town meeting to assign speakers.
  • Medfield State Hospital Master Planning Committee
    • planning for its 4/11/16 public forum at the MHS auditorium.
  • Medfield Energy Committee
    • update of stretch code article for the town meeting
    • update on the solar installation at the WWTP
    • update of solar at the Public Safety Building and the DPW Garage
  • Met Tuesday morning with the Larkin Brothers about their Hospital Road 40B.
    • Their plans now down to 48-52 units,
    • 75% with first floor master suites,
    • they are continuing to plan to target the empty nesters market (no shared playground for kids).
    • Meeting again in two weeks with them and their architect.
    • Sunday I saw the open house sign out at their North Street, Grove Place development, Michael Larkin toured me through a three bedroom unit there with a first floor master suite.  It had nice details, with both angled and right angle bays, windows of different sizes, and good looking quality in the kitchen and baths.
  • Met this morning with the Medfield Cares About Prevention (MCAP) (www.MedfieldCares.org) leadership team.  Report on the recent member survey, and upcoming Hidden in Plain Sight event to take place at the Natick Mall from 10-2 on May 19 and 5-9 on May 20.  Invited three millennials to join the group.

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Posted in Energy Committee, MCAP - Medfeild Cares About Prevention, Medfield State Hospital, Select Board matters, Uncategorized

Dog rules on town property???

Posted on April 6, 2016 | 1 comment

TTOR  dog-cold-weather-med

At the Board of Selectmen meeting last night I brought up that I had received complaints from a resident who had been subjected to rude and offensive behavior by a professional dog walker while the resident was walking his dog at the Medfield State Hospital property.  So I was suggesting that the town might want to look at instituting some controls, to deal with the professional dog walkers, and the inconsiderate dog owners who do not pick up after their own dogs.

Diane Borrelli was kind enough to email me the links to the The Trustees of the Reservation materials on their Green Dog Program.  The great news is that the The Trustees of the Reservation have already figured out how to handle dog walking.  Their system looks simple – get a trustees membership, each person can have up to 2 dogs if they have 2 leashes, keep the dogs under control, and you pick up after your dog.

Trustees Green Dogs Program

I will suggest that the Medfield State Hospital Building and Grounds Committee and the Medfield Police Chief come up with a workable system for dogs at the Medfield State Hospital, Wheelock, and in the rest of the town, so that the inconsiderate few do not spoil things for others. The Chief tells the selectmen that he does not have a pooper scooper law that he can enforce.

 

1 Comment

Posted in Animals, Medfield State Hospital, Uncategorized

Stretch Code forum 4/12

Posted on April 6, 2016 | Comments Off on Stretch Code forum 4/12

MEC

Public Forum :

Green Communities / Stretch Energy Code

 

The Medfield Energy Committee invites you to attend a forum to present and discuss the plan to qualify Medfield as a Green Community.  Representatives from the Department of Energy Resources will be on hand to address any questions or concerns regarding the Stretch Energy Code.  Adoption of the Stretch Energy Code will be voted on at Town Meeting April 25.  If you are a builder, developer or realtor please plan on attending this forum.

 

 

When:        April 12 at 4 PM

Where:       Town Hall Chenery Meeting room  –  2nd floor

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Posted in Energy Committee, Green, Uncategorized

Dale Street School

Posted on April 5, 2016 | Comments Off on Dale Street School

Dale Street School

From the Superintendent today, to the Selectmen, to start the replacement process for the Dale Street School.

 

April 5, 2016 MEDFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS Office of the Superintendent 459 Main Street _3rd Floor Medfield, Massachusetts 02052 Jeffrey J. Marsden, Ed.D Superintendent jmarsden@medfield.mec.edu (508) 359-2302 Motion for Massachusetts School Building Authority for a Statement of Interest Submittal Having convened in an open meeting on April 5, 2016, prior to the closing date, the Board of Selectmen of Medfield, authorizes the Superintendent to submit to the Massachusetts School Building Authority the Statement of Interest Form dated April 8, 2016 for the Dale Street School located at 45 Adams Street, Medfield, MA which describes and explains the following deficiencies and the priority category(s) for which an application may be submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority in the future: • Replacement, renovation or modernization of school facility systems, such as roofs, windows, boilers, heating and ventilation systems, to increase energy conservation and decrease energy" related costs in a school facility; • Replacement of or addition to obsolete buildings in order to provide for a full range of programs consistent with state and approved local requirements; and hereby further specifically acknowledges that by submitting this Statement of Interest Form, the Massachusetts School Building Authority in no way guarantees the acceptance or the approval of an application, the awarding of a grant or any other funding commitment from the Massachusetts School Building Authority, or commits the Town of Medfield to filing an application for funding with the Massachusetts School Building Authority.

 

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Posted in Schools, Uncategorized