Speeding

Chief Robert Meaney of the Medfield Police Department gives his officers 4-5 locations each week to work on monitoring for speeding. Last week he said they had Pine, West, Pound x Main, Pound x Saunders.  The locations are based on both complaints he receives and locations that he knows are issues.  So if  you have a speeding issue in your neighborhood, let the Chief know.

MBTA service to Foxboro

Hi Medfield Selectman & Town Administrator

You may or may not be in the loop on this.  I got a call a week ago from a Selectman in Foxboro who mentioned that they were at a meeting where the MBTA mentioned the expansion into Foxboro.  This will have a big impact on WALPOLE and likely a BIG impact on Medfield.  We have made a series of calls to the MBTA – who have not called us back.  But it looks like the MBTA is planning to move ahead.  I have also asked Walpole Town Administrator to reach out to Michael Sullivan.

Thank you

Mark Gallivan

Chair Walpole Selectman

508-878-8261

 

three stories from last week

another mentioning 8 trips a day – and the MBTA buying the old freight line

http://www.thesunchronicle.com/news/local_news/mbta-wants-to-buy-old-freight-line-near-foxboro-s/article_761191a5-0f9e-5e5e-aaec-6cd6d75da9de.html

http://patch.com/massachusetts/foxborough/mbta-looking-buy-freight-lines-commuter-rail-stop-gillette-stadium-0#.VERQeRbYc0l

Article in the Sun Chronicle http://www.thesunchronicle.com/vip/opinion/a-rail-station-could-open-doors/article_ca7ebec5-d982-5bce-b318-a69ed7e590a8.html

This from the Medfield Food Cupboard –


Medfield Food Cupboard Places Donation Bin in Library

Several months ago the Medfield Food Cupboard food donation bin was removed from the entry of Shaw’s Supermarket. It was a corporate mandate, and the Medfield Shaw’s had no alternative but to comply. Since then, the residents of Medfield have been eagerly awaiting the identification of an alternative donation site.

The Food Cupboard is pleased to announce that there is now a food collection bin at the Medfield Public Library. The hope is that residents will adapt to this new location quickly.

“For many years the Food Cupboard relied on the donations that residents left at Shaw’s,” said Martha Sherman, Vice President of the Medfield Food Cupboard. “This food a reliable supplement to the food collected through local food drives and church collections. In the past few months, however, since the bin was removed, we at the Food Cupboard definitely noticed the decrease in donations.”

Medfield residents are asked to continue to support the Food Cupboard by placing unexpired, unopened food in either the bin at the library, the basket in the lobby of the United Church of Christ (not at the doorway, please) or in a collection bin at one of the other Medfield churches.

Donations may include soup, canned chicken, canned tuna, pasta sauces, cereal, peanut butter, jelly, raisins, and canned fruits and vegetables. Please do not leave food donations in the Shaw’s exit.

The volunteers at the Food Cupboard deeply appreciate the kindness of donors. “The kindness we see from Medfield residents and businesses is truly heartwarming,” continued Sherman. “We could not operate without the generous donations of our supporters.”

Community food drives have been the mainstay of the Food Cupboard for many years. This fall the Medfield schools are conducting food drives, and in November the Girl Scouts will be in the Shaw’s parking lot distributing both blue shopping bags and “needs lists” to shoppers. They will collect donated food from shoppers when they exit the store.  All of these efforts help to keep the Food Cupboard a robust pantry – one that offers a large variety of food to its clients, particularly as the holidays approach.

If you are interested in conducting a food drive in your neighborhood, at your place of business, or in another venue, please contact Abby Marble, Food Drive Coordinator at 508-359-5370 for tips, timing, and delivery assistance.

The volunteers of the Food Cupboard would like to thank all of those who have helped over the years. “When we all work together,” added Sherman, “we can make a difference for those who need a little extra support.”

Town House phone working

The Town House phones were working again, as of about an hour ago, per an email from Kris.

Power outage damage at Town House

This email from Kristine Trierweiler this morning (we judged debates at the Medfield High School) –


Good morning,

As we found out during the MSH debates today, the power went out this AM due to a blown transformer at South and Oak. NSTAR is on the scene have isolated the power outage to directly around the transformer. Town Hall was without power for about an hour, the emergency generator failed to kick in, the generator is now up and running and we have full power restored at the street.

Unfortunately due to the abrupt power outage it has disabled the phone system, the phone company is on the way out now but I understand the server was “fried” as well as the battery backup so it could be a few days without phones. I will post on the website, twitter etc, direct emails to departments for people who need to reach us at the town hall.

I will keep you posted…via email!

 

Kristine Trierweiler

Assistant Town Administrator

Town of Medfield

459 Main Street

Medfield, MA 02052

508 906 3011 (p)

508 359 6182 (f)

Smart use of technology in street cuts

This from Efficient Government’s email, placing RFID chips in streets that are opened, so as to track who is responsible –


Reader Profile: How Dayton is Tracking Utility Street Cuts with RFID Tags

What Happened?
Dayton, Ohio, is requiring all utility street cut restorations to contain a RFID tag to track the responsible utility company.  The city hopes to become more efficient by quickly identifying the owner of a deteriorating or damaged existing utility street cut to speed up the time for the utility company to make repairs.

Goal
When a utility company, or its contractor, makes an opening within the roadway to attend to utility lines in Dayton, they are required to first purchase a utility permit through the City Engineer’s office and then permanently restore the pavement once work is complete.  With this permit, they are given RFID tags associated with this individual project.  These RFID tags are preprogrammed with:

  • Year of restoration
  • Utility permit number
  • Utility company responsible for the work

Most utility street cuts in Dayton are small in size; however there are plenty of larger cuts that span the entire width of the street or narrow trenches that run several hundred feet in length.  Once the contractor completes the utility underground work, they will restore the street cut in kind, and place a RFID tag just below the last 1.5-2 inches of asphalt.

Since the RFID tags are below the travelled roadway and cannot be seen, Dayton requires the contractor to place them in the middle of all street cuts, and for longer or wider trenches, at both ends of the street cut and every 50 feet. When a citizen registers a complaint with Dayton’s engineering office regarding an unsafe utility street cut, the city’s utility inspector will investigate and determine what utility company is responsible for repairs to this area.

Before RFID technology, this investigation period could take several hours if the utility inspector arrived on site and had to go back into the office and sift through years of paper records to find the utility permit associated with the unsafe utility street cut.  Now with RFID technology, it would only take the utility inspector seconds to scan the unsafe street cut, find the RFID signal beneath the pavement, and determine the utility company from the handheld unit’s display of the preprogrammed data.  Once this happens, the appropriate utility company is contacted and given notice to fix the unsafe utility street cut in a quick and timely manner.

The Materials
The City of Dayton partnered with local systems integrator, CDO Technologies, to make this project a reality.  CDO helped develop and select the software and materials needed for this project.  These include:

  • >10,000 William Frick & Co RFID Tags
  • Alien Technology fixed reader, attached to a desktop PC running software developed by CDO to program the RFID tags
  • Motorola handheld reader with an application developed by CDO to scan the RFID tags in the field

Success
From initial project implementation in April of 2013, Dayton has issued over 4,700 RFID tags to utility companies and contractors doing work within the city.  Through random spot checks and quality control methods monitoring RFID usage in the field, Dayton has seen nearly 100% success rate for contractors installing the RFID tags properly during the restoration process and has even noticed an increase in workmanship.

Dayton has yet to investigate a RFID contained utility street cut, but once the first cut is investigated, Dayton plans to see an instant 95 percent reduction in time.  Within the next decade, once all investigated utility street cuts contain RFID technology, Dayton hopes to save nearly $60,000/year in time from the previous investigation methods.

Since project implementation, Dayton has made it even easier to register a complaint about an unsafe utility street cut with the new mobile device app, Dayton Delivers.  Using Dayton Delivers, a citizen can easily select the appropriate issue or concern, manually input an address or utilize the device’s GPS drop pin, and submit the issue to the appropriate City of Dayton personnel.  This allows even quicker results and a more efficient operation to keep public safety the number one goal.

Revised agenda for tonight

Board of Selectmen
Agenda October 21, 2014
Announce: We want to take a moment of appreciation for your brave servicemen and women serving around the world
The Medfield Board of Selectmen needs to meet in Executive Session (closed session) at the close of business for the purpose of discussing state hospital negotiations

To our listening audience: you are cordially invited to visit the new Town Garage this Saturday October 2S, 2014 10 AM – 2 PM; ribbon cutting ceremony at 11 AM
Children are welcome; popcorn and hot dogs will be served and

The Kingsbury Pond Committee invites you to event this Saturday October 25; a team of draft horses will move the turbine from the front of the Grist Mill to the back of the building. Event time 12-3 PM Apples and apple cider will be available courtesy of Bros. Marketplace

7:05 PM Police Chief Robert Meaney
Discuss traffic lights in the square

ACTION
Review of Selectmen’s goals not completed last year

Vote to authorize Town Administrator Sullivan sign renewal proposals for MllA Health Benefits Trust, Medex 2 & Blue Medicare Rx and Tufts Medicare Health Plan, for the period January to December 2015

Vote to send thank you letter to Roche Bros. for their participation in replacing the fence around the parking lot, planting of new trees on Main Street, agreeing to planters installed around the guy wire on South Street

Vote to send Roche Bros. a letter requesting the Town utilize their $30,000 contribution for the rehabilitation of traffic signals on Main Street

Vote to authorize Chairman Peterson execute Amendment to Lease Agreement with Sprint Spectrum Realty Company for a $3,000.00 increase in annual rent due to modification to the Mt Nebo Tank, which is to install three antennas, three hybrid fiber cable and a single remote radio head

Vote to approve expenditure in the amount of $112.50 for Town Seal lapel pins to be presented to the High School Boys Lacrosse team at the November 2S’h Selectmen’s meeting

Vote to authorize Chairman Peterson execute lease agreement with Breen West Realty LLC Pertains to Police Department leasing space during construction of safety building;

Permanent Building Committee and Town Counsel reviewed and approve lease agreement Superintendent Feeney requests the Selectmen vote to sign Chapter 90 100% Reimbursement Request in the amount of $36,000 for the purchase of a Mini Track Asphalt Paver; vote to sign Chapter 90 Final Report regarding same; vote to sign chapter 90 100% Reimbursement Request in the amount of $450,000 for the repaving of Route 27, Granit Street to West Street

Approval of meeting minutes for October 7, 2014

LICENSES & PERMITS

Medfield Garden Club requests permission to post signs advertising their annual Greens Sale on December 6; signs in place November 29 – December 6

New ‘N Towne Club requests permission to post signs promoting the annual Halloween Party; request permission for posting signs to promote events that will be held in the Spring 2015.

Additionally request permission to setup a booth to sell baked good and other items at MEMO’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 5, 2014

MEDFIELD STATE HOSPITAL STATUS UPDATE

SELECTMEN REPORTS

INFORMATIONAL
Cemetery Commissioners amended regulation “No Dogs Allowed, at any time,
on Cemetery property” effective October 21, 2014

Carbon tax forum at Unitarian Church

Taxing carbon (petroleum) will improve both the economy and the environment, per study done by REMI.  State Senator Barrett used that study as basis to introduce legislation to tax carbon in Massachusetts.  Carbon tax can be revenue neutral, when the government gives all the taxed monies back to the people.

Take away fact was that Massachusetts climate by 2100 will be like that of South Carolina now, due to climate change.

Mini-town hall in Harding

Last night a attended a mini-town hall and fireside chat at Teresa and Jim James’ home on Harding Street, attended by over a dozen individuals.  Teresa had us sit around a firepit drinking hot cider and eating deserts.

These were my notes of the meetings –


ISSUES (ones I heard that I should take back to the Board of Selectmen):

  1.  speeding on West Mill and Harding ==> I will contact Chief Meaney
  2. trash on West Mill Street ==> I will contact Chief Meaney
  3. Lot 3 on Ice House Road – concern for what is done there & impact on neighborhood
  4. Medfield State Hospital – concern for what is done there & impact on neighborhood
  5. need for town wide master plan
  6. operate town government in a more business-like manner
    1. more planning by town government
    2. more reporting to residents by town government
    3. more oversight of spending done by town departments
    4. develop a plan to deal with town’s ca. $40 m. OPEB liability

BoS minutes from 10/7/14

Meeting Minutes October 7, 2014
Chenery Meeting Room                                 draft

PRESENT: Selectmen Peterson, DeSorgher, Fisher; Town Administrator Sullivan; Town Counsel Cerel;
Administrative Assistant Clarke

Chairman Peterson called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM and made the following announcements:
This meeting is being recorded
We want to take a moment of appreciation for our brave servicemen and women serving around the
world

APPOINTMENTS:
7:00 PM Treasurer Georgia Colivas reported to the Board that on October 1ten bids were accepted for
the $7.2 general obligation municipal purpose bonds. This 20 year issue includes the construction
for the state hospital water tower and water mains in the amount of
$5,840,000 and $1,360,000 for the Red Gate Farm acquisition. The bid was awarded to UBS Financial
Services, Inc. with an interest rate of 2.5%.

The bond proceeds amounting to $7,419,668.15 and $219,668.15 in bond premium will be deposited in
the general fund on October 16. Ms. Colivas went on to say that she is here this evening to
finalize the bidding process by requesting the Selectmen vote to sign the bonding documents and
vote the following:

VOTE: That the sale of $7.2M general obligation municipal purpose bonds of the Town of Medfield
dated October 16, 2014 be awarded to UBS Financial Services, Inc. at the price of
$7,419,668.15 is hereby approved and confirmed. The bonds shall be payable on October 15 over the
next 20 years.

FURrHER VOTE: That in connection with the marketing and the sale of the bonds, the preparation and
distributi.on of a Notice of Sale and the Preliminary Official Statement dated September 24, 2014
was approved by the Town Treasurer and is hereby ratified, confirmed, approved and adopted.

FURrHER VOTE:  THAT THE BONDS SHALL BE SUBMJECT TO REDEMPTION, AT THE OPTION
OF THE TOWN, AS SET FORTH IN THE Official Statement.

FURrHER VOTE: That the Treasurer and the Board of Selectmen be, and hereby are, authorized to
execute and deliver continuing disclosure documents for the benefit of the bondholders.

October 7, 2014 Page two

FURTHER VOTE: That each member of the Board of Selectmen, the Town Clerk and the Town Treasurer be
and hereby are, authorized to take any and all such actions, and execute and deliver such
certificates to carry into effect the provisions of these votes.

Selectman DeSorgher made a motion, seconded by Selectman Fisher to accept the votes as read by
Treasurer Colivas.  Vote was unanimous

Ms. Colivas said that all of the materials relating to the bond sale that the Selectmen have
executed was reviewed by our legal counsel with respect to bond issues, Edward Wildman. She
continued that because of the Town’s AAl rating from Moody’s, our bonds are regarded very highly on
the market.

The Board thanked Ms. Colivas for her good work regarding the bond sale.

COUNCIL ON AGING
Present, Chair Lou Fellini,members Gwen Centore, Neil Duross, Virginia Whyte and Director Roberta
Lynch who opened the conversation updating the Selectmen on their Respite Care Program. She said
that 40 time slots are allocated to the program on Tuesday and Thursday and we have reached our
capacity.  14 people come to us on those days, eight from Medfield and six out of town. The two
staff members assigned to this program is paid through a grant.  We would like to expand the
program, however, in order to do that we would need more space.

The COA has updated their rental policies along with an increase in fees.  Ms. Lynch said that this
was necessary to help with the increasing electric bills and other expenses.  COA has discussed the
feasibility of adding solar panels, which would help in our energy usage.

Ms. Lynch said that she has prepared a five year plan, items that the COA feel are necessary:
complete the installation of street lights along Ice House Road; the need for a second driveway
designating one in and the other going out; front and side doors to be replaced; install a roof
over our patio {perhaps in 2018).

TEMPORARY ART  PROJECT AT STATE HOSPITAL
Jean Mineo, Cultural Council Chair, presented the Selectmen with a proposal for a temporary outdoor
project called Thistle. This involves placing bright pink plastic collars around tree trunks and
tying the ends of the band together as a tribute to trees; the tree is not harmed in any way. This
program is proposed for May-October, 2015.

When queried as to the purpose, Ms. Mineo replied that it is hoped to draw attention to the
hospital site and look for other ideas for the use of the property. She also stated that she
thought the idea was brought to the attention of the State Hospital Master Planning Committee. The
Selectmen agree it is a good plan and brought it to a vote:

October 7, 2014 Page three

VOTE: Selectman DeSorgher made a motion, seconded by Selectman Fisher to officially accept
“Thistle” as a temporary art project at the state hospital property Vote was unanimous

ELECTION DAY WARRANT

VOTED unanimously to sign the November 4,2014 Election Day Warrant

SKYPE MEETING ATIENDANCE
Discussion ensued regarding committee/board/commi ssion members to be part of a specific meeting by
remote, namely skype or telephone. This issue came about as a result of Board of Health member Gaby
Harrison who recently had knee surgery and is unable to attend the meetings. She contacted Mr.
DeSorgher for his help. Town Counsel Mark Cerel remarked that remote attendance is permissible
under state law; however, the Selectmen would need to vote to approve. He went on to say that it
entails having the necessary equipment at each meeting in order for all in attendance to be able to
hear the absent member or if video is adopted, all present must be able to see the other member. An
important regulation is that a quorum must be present at the meeting. The Selectmen agreed that
they would like to discuss further and advise that all committees/boards/commissions be contacted
for their input before voting on the subject.

STORM WATER GRANT
Mr. Sullivan explained that Medfield participates in the storm water program with participating
surrounding towns for getting assistance to meet the federal regulations thereby being a cost
saving to us.

VOTE: Selectmen DeSorgher made a motion, seconded by Selectman Fisher to authorize Chairman
Peterson execute FY15 Community Innovation Challenge Grant Application pertaining to storm water
partnership.  Vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.

ARBOR DAY PROCLAMATION
The Arbor Day Ceremony will take place Thursday October 9 to dedicate the planting of the new
Gingko trees in front of the Brothers Marketplace on Main Street. Selectmen are requested to vote
to sign the proclamation. On a motion made and seconded it was

VOTED unanimously to sign the 2014 Arbor Day Proclamation

WATER MAIN IMPROVEMENTS CHANGE ORDER
The Selectmen are requested to vote to authorize Chairman Peterson sign the change order for the
water tank construction regarding hauling contaminate soil to off-site disposal facility; cost of
project $162,995.48

October 7, 2014 Page four

VOTE: On a motion made by Mr. DeSorgher, seconded by Mr. Fisher the vote was Unanimous to authorize
Chairman Peterson execute Change Order No. 1pertaining to the Hospital Road Water Main
Improvements, contractor Oliveira Construction Co., Inc.

TIME CHANGE FOR LIQUOR LICENSE
The Legislature passed an amendment allowing Sunday liquor sales to commence at  O:OOAM. Gulf
Resources, Inc. dba Medfield Commons, 270 Main Street submitted the necessary paperwork for the new
time on their liquor license.  The time change requires the Selectmen’s approval.

VOTE:  Selectmen DeSorgher made a motion to acknowledge Sunday liquor sales to Commence at 10:00 AM
for Medfield Commons effective October 23, 2014, seconded by Selectman Fisher.  Vote was unanimous

MMA SELECTMEN FALL CONFERENCE
Notice received that the date for the meeting is Saturday October 25 at Tri-County. Mr. Sullivan
mentioned that  it is the same date that the new Town Garage will be the dedicated.

LICENSES & PERMITS

VOTED unanimously t6o grant permission to Medfield High School Theater Society to Display signs
October 24 to November 8 promoting their production of The Man Who Came to Dinner on November 7 and
8

VOTED unanimously to grant a one-day wine and malt beverage permit to the Friends of the Dwight
Derby House for two Thursday Concerts, November 13 and December 5 and in addition permission to
post signs promoting the events

VOTED unanimously to grant permission to the Montrose School to hold a SK and Kid’s Fun Run called
“Run Like A Maverick” on Saturday May 9, 2015 starting and finishing at the School to benefit the
Elizabeth Mary Clare Schickel Scholarship Fund

STATE HOSPITAL
C3 Company did a tour of buildings at the site, training center, D building and the Lee Chapel.
They were very impressed with the vistas to the river.  It was reported that the mediation
committee is moving forward with cleanup discussions which will help to finalize the sale agreement
by the end of December.

October 7, 2014 Page five

PENDING
The Selectmen are requested to vote a merit increase for Town Administrator Sullivan. Selectmen
Fisher said that he feels this increase should be 4%. On a motion made and seconded it was

V01ED unanimously to grant Town Administrator Michael Sullivan a 4% merit increase

MEETING MINUTES
Administrative Assistant Clarke submitted minutes dating from February to present; the Selectmen
agreed they need additional time to review.

SELECTMEN REPORT
Mr. DeSorgher said that he reviewed 26 surrounding towns to determine how they regulate dogs in
their cemeteries; 21 out of 26 do not allow dogs. Medfield’s Cemetery Commissioners will have to
agree on a regulation and then submit an article for the Town Meeting vote regarding dogs.
Mr. DeSorgher queried about the railroad tracks on Farm Street; Mr. Sullivan is working on this
item.
Selectman DeSorgher attended the funeral for “Doc Sullivan” commenting that Jim really and truly
loved Medfield. He extended sympathy to the family of Memorial School Principal Andrea Trasher.
He advised that a thank you note be sent to Roche Brothers for their cooperation regarding the
installation of the fence along the property line on South Street. He is encouraged by all the Town
Sharing Committee members; mentioned that the Aesthetics and Sidewalk Committee are finalizing
their recommendation to the Planning Board and then dismiss. He attended the Committee to Study
Memorials meeting and learned that they are considering a Rocky Lane dedication to Barbara Leighton
and Emerson Road to Paul Curran. As there are names missing on the Korean War Memorial,Veterans’
Service Officer Ron griffin is working to make the corrections.
Mr. DeSorgher attended the mini town hall meeting held at Tilden Village and Chief Meaney was there
as well. He did a nice job on his presentation.  A couple of items the residents expressed concern
is the chlorine in the water and the disturbingtrain whistle during the night. He mentioned that
CSX Railroad did minor work to temporarily fix the problem with the gates on Main Street.
Selectmen requested the Board vote to acknowledge the so’h Anniversary of Medfield’s 1964
Football Team.  They are the only undefeated team in the Tri-Valley Championship program and in
Medfield’s football  history.

V01E: Selectman DeSorgher made a motion, seconded by Selectman Fisher to proclaim October 17, 2014
as Medfield’s 1964 Undefeated Football Team Day.  Vote was unanimous

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1

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October  7, 2014 Page six
Selectman Fisher very much enjoyed the 401 reunion of High School Class of 1974. There were 191 in
the class and 58 attended the reunion.  He said that it was a great time.

Selectman Peterson attended the Dukakis Center 151 Anniversary said that it was a very interesting
evening and an interesting group of people. He mentioned that the Medfield  ares
bout frevention committee is moving forward with their ideas and goals for the coming year. He held
his Selectman hour at the CENTER last Friday and attended the Historic Society’s meeting last
night.

INFORMATIONAL
Town Moderator Scott McDermott announced the appointment of two new Warrant Committee members,
Sharon Kingsley Tatro and Robert M. Skloff.
The Kingsbury Pond Committee will host an event on Saturday October 25 at the Grist Mill. A team of
draft horses will be brought to Medfield from Walpole to move the turbine from the front of the
building to the back.
Happy Birthday to Selectman Fisher. ADJOURNMENT
Selectman DeSorgher made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:25 PM, seconded by
Selectman Fisher. The vote was unanimous.