Water ban

Posted on July 26, 2013 | Comments Off on Water ban

The irony of the water ban signs appearing during one of the wettest weeks of the summer, hides the underlying basis on which the water bans rest.

First, I am told that the water ban was approved by the Water & Sewer Board at its meeting last week, before the deluge started.

Second, according to my discussion with Mike Sullivan this morning, the water bans are triggered by one of several factors, one being the amount of water that the town pumps on a daily basis.  Due to the recent heat wave and the amount of lawn watering going on, we had exceeded that daily threshold.

Third, the state uses another trigger, which Mike says is the Charles River’s water flow at a dam in Dover.  This trigger is despite the fact that Medfield’s aquifers are felt by the town to be so far below the river that we do not think that we draw any water from the river at all.

Lastly, to make you feel better, Mike said that Mark Cerel relates that his other town where he is town counsel, Franklin, bans outdoor water use on any day except the day your trash is collected.  If we did that no one would ever be able to water their lawn, until they contracted with a trash service – wait a minute, ultimately our transfer station tipping fees would plummet as people who wanted to water their lawns contracted to get their trash picked up.   Hmmm . . .

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Posted in Water & Sewer

New high

Posted on July 25, 2013 | 1 comment

This blog hit a new high # of views per day, 365, on June 17, 2013.  That might have also been the total views for the blog’s first year.

1 Comment

Posted in Green

Cherry sheet

Posted on July 25, 2013 | Comments Off on Cherry sheet

DOR issued the final FY2014 Cherry Sheets today –

C.S.  1-ER                 Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Revenue                      FY2014

    NOTICE TO ASSESSORS OF ESTIMATED RECEIPTS

     General Laws, Chapter 58, Section 25A

 

MEDFIELD

 

A. EDUCATION:

 

 

            Distributions and Reimbursements:

 

    1. Chapter 70

5,797,959
    2. School Transportation Chs. 71, 71A, 71B and 74

0
    3. Charter Tuition Reimbursements Ch. 71, s. 89

7,794
    4. Smart Growth School Reimbursements Ch. 40S

0

 

 

            Offset Items – Reserve for Direct Expenditure:

 

    5. School Lunch 1970, Ch. 871

9,260
    6. School Choice Receiving Tuition Ch. 76, s. 12B, 1993, Ch. 71

0

 

    Sub-Total, All Education Items

5,815,013

 

 

B. GENERAL GOVERNMENT:

 

 

Distributions and Reimbursements:

 

    1.  Unrestricted General Government Aid

1,255,070
    2.  Local Share of Racing Taxes 1981, Ch. 558

0
    3.  Regional Public Libraries Ch. 78, s. 19C

0
    4.  Urban Renewal Projects Ch. 121, ss. 53-57

0
    5.  Veterans’ Benefits Ch. 115, s. 6

16,639
    6.  Exemptions: Vets, Blind, Surviving Spouses & Elderly
Ch. 58, s. 8A; Ch. 59 s. 5

26,028
    7.  State Owned Land Ch. 58, ss. 13-17

31,977

 

 

            Offset Item – Reserve for Direct Expenditure:

 

    8.  Public Libraries Ch. 78, s. 19A                                  

13,600

 

    Sub-Total, All General Government                                   

1,343,314

 

 

C. TOTAL ESTIMATED RECEIPTS, FISCAL 2014              

7,158,327

 

 

 

C.S.  1-EC                 Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Revenue                      FY2014

    NOTICE TO ASSESSORS OF ESTIMATED CHARGES

     General Laws, Chapter 59, Section 21

 

                MEDFIELD

 

A. County Assessments:

 

 

    1. County Tax: Ch. 35, ss. 30, 31

111,680
    2. Suffolk County Retirement  Ch. 61, Acts of 2009, s. 10

0
   

 
    Sub-Total, County Assessments

111,680

 

B. STATE ASSESSMENTS AND CHARGES:

 

 

    1. Retired Employees Health Insurance  Ch. 32A, s. 10B

0
    2. Retired Teachers Health Insurance  Ch. 32A, s. 12

0
    3. Mosquito Control Projects  Ch. 252, s. 5A

55,820
    4. Air Pollution Districts  Ch. 111, ss. 142B,142C

4,445
    5. Metropolitan Area Planning Council  Ch. 40B, ss. 26, 29

3,883
    6. Old Colony Planning Council  1967, Ch. 332

0
    7. RMV Non-Renewal Surcharge  Ch. 90; Ch. 60A

5,260
 

 
    Sub-Total, State Assessments

69,408

 

 

C.  TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITIES:

 

 

    1. MBTA Ch. 161A, ss. 8-9;1974, Ch. 825, ss. 6-7

256,764
    2. Boston Metro. Transit District 1929, Ch. 383; 1954, Ch. 535

0
    3. Regional Transit Ch. 161B, ss. 9, 10, 23; 1973, Ch. 1141

0
 

 
    Sub-Total, Transportation Assessments

256,764

 

D.  ANNUAL CHARGES AGAINST RECEIPTS:

 

 

    1. Special Education Ch. 71B, ss. 10, 12

4,692
    2. STRAP Repayments 1983, Ch. 637, s. 32

0
 

 
    Sub-Total, Annual Charges Against Receipts

4,692

 

E.  TUITION ASSESSMENTS:

 

 

    1. School Choice Sending Tuition Ch. 76, s. 12B, 1993, Ch. 71

12,911
    2. Charter School Sending Tuition Ch. 71, s. 89

11,917
    3. Essex County Technical Institute Sending Tuition 1998, Ch. 300, s. 21

0
 

    Sub-Total, Tuition Assessments

24,828

 

F.  TOTAL ESTIMATED CHARGES, FISCAL 2014              

467,372

 

For additional information about how the estimates were determined and what may cause them to change in the future, please click on the following link: Local Aid Estimate Program Summary.

 

Released July 25, 2013


 

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Posted in Budgets

On being a selectman

Posted on July 25, 2013 | Comments Off on On being a selectman

Long discussion yesterday with Mike Sullivan and his intern, Kyle Andrulonis, about Building Committee and town governance issues.

  • garage site work being preformed by our own DPW is ahead of schedule
  • huge amounts of underground infrastructure being installed, including what Mike described as several Olympic sized swimming pool holes to allow for on-site disposal of  the storm water run off
  • DPW saving the town lots of money
  • salt shed almost completed

The DPW will deal with the North Street paving before the start of school – it is greatly needed as soon as possible given how bad the hole at Green Street has become

I reminded Mike of my suggestion to have Ken Feeney lead a discussion about how our road maintenance efforts extend the life of our roadways and to confirm our use of best practices to extend road life.  The Massachusetts Municipal Association has been providing a lot of information about how ongoing maintenance is the cheapest route in the long run.  I also reminded Mike that Ken should publish his list of streets planned for repairs so pe0ple know just where their street stands on the list – that will give residents some idea of how long they will be waiting.  Giving the residents good data is what the town needs to be doing.

The DPW also needs to get to the Garden Club projects approved by the Board of Selectmen relating to upgrading the plantings at all four town signs and the Hospital Road at Rte 27 island.

The Affordable Housing Committee draft of its Affordable Housing Production Plan was put out last fall, but progress seems to have stalled.  In response to my queries, Mike mentioned that the consultant, Judy Barrett, we hired to write the plan, left the company with whom we contracted for that plan (specifically so we could get Judy to do it).

I have no town committee meetings this week, but I am still spending lots of time reviewing the draft legislation and documents about the transfer to the town of the Medfield State Hospital land for the water tower and the wellfields, as the details of the language are worked out to match the agreement with DCAMM that was part of the mediated resolution of the MSH environmental clean up.  I am told that we are now hoping that the legislature will take up that issue come September, given their light summer schedule.  The town owes thanks to resident volunteers Steve Nolan, Bill Massaro, and John Harney for shepparding that effort along.

Massachusetts Historic Commission 7/18/13 letter to DCAMM agrees to allow demolition of the stable and maintenance builds at the Medfield State Hospital, but refused demolition of the Odyssey Building across the street.  The stable is beautiful, but in danger of collapse.  The mainenance building needs to be removed so testing for the volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) can continue under the site of the building.  DCAMM had kindly agreed to demolish Odyssey house at the town’s request as part of the mediated settlement of the Medfield State Hospital environmental clean up, but now the MHC stands in the way of that happening.  There will need to be a long discussion with the MHC over the 1890’s building at the Medfield State Hospital, as it is expected that their condition will turn out to be so poor as to be uneconomic to rehab.  The MSH Development Committee is exploring undertaking condition studies to get better data.  The Town of Medfield also needs to know how its own Historic District Commission will react if the town asks to demolish those 1890’s buildings – Commission chair, Mike Taylor, at the MSH Development Committee meeting last week intimated that he preferred the buildings to be saved.  All mainly agree that is an admirable goal, but the real question is at what cost – if it costs too much to rehab the 1890’s buildings, it could make any redevelopment of the MSH site uneconomic.  Most are guessing that the poor, dilapidated conditon of those buildings will mandate their demolition.

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Posted in Affordable housing / 40B, Buildings, DPW, Garden Club, Medfield State Hospital, On being a selectman

Sunday summer soccer

Posted on July 25, 2013 | Comments Off on Sunday summer soccer

This from Patch – great program – Kristen played in it a several years ago –

On Sunday, Medfield Youth Soccer re-launched its annual Summer Pick-up Program where children in grades 1 to 8 can drop in on Sunday evenings for free summer game play. 

Organizers John Thompson and Mark Tarallo say the July 21 session brought out about 35 kids who were divided into three games based on age.  

The program is managed by current youth soccer coaches and is designed to provide the children an extra opportunity for some soccer playing.  
 
Details of the program include:

  • Who: Children in Grades 1 to 8 can drop in (no registration needed)
  • What: Summer Sunday Pick-up Games
  • Where:  fields behind Wheelock School, Elm Street
  • When:  Sundays, July 21 through Sept. 1 from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
  • Why: To improve soccer skills for regular season or just for fun
  • How: Through free play (no drills, coaching, etc)
  • Cost: Free, no registration needed

The on-site organizers will loosely group the players in age groups to insure players of similar age and sex are playing together.  After the players are organized into groups they will divide themselves into teams and play games.  There will be no coaching, drills or refs, this will be completely free play.  

There is no cost to play and no need to register.

If you have any questions about the program please contact John Thompson at jthompson@clearhealthstrategies.com or Mark Tarallo at marktarallo@yahoo.com.

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Posted in Sports, Teens

Gov’s veto overridden

Posted on July 24, 2013 | Comments Off on Gov’s veto overridden

This alert just now from the Massachusetts Municipal Association –

July 24, 2013

House & Senate Override Gov’s Local Aid Veto

Lawmakers Restore $177 Million by Unanimous Vote

Moments ago, the members of the House of Representatives and state Senate voted unanimously to override the Governor’s veto of $177 million in unrestricted municipal aid, restoring local aid to the funding level established by the Legislature in the fiscal 2014 state budget approved earlier this month.

Thanks to the Legislature’s vote, cities and towns will receive $920 million in Unrestricted General Government Aid, a $21 million increase over fiscal 2013.   The vote by lawmakers finalizes the fiscal 2014 Cherry Sheets and ends the uncertainty over local aid levels that was triggered when the Governor issued his local aid veto.

On July 12, the Governor vetoed $177 million from the local aid distribution, which would have slashed aid to every city and town by 19 percent.  Legislative leaders immediately announced that they would protect localities and work to override the veto.  All of the other local aid accounts had been untouched by the Governor when he signed the budget, securing a $130 million increase for Chapter 70, full funding of the Special Education Circuit Breaker program, as well as increases for regional and vocational school transportation accounts.

The vote to restore local aid occurred this afternoon, moments after the Legislature overrode the Governor’s veto of the transportation finance package by wide margins, ending months of debate and enacting $500 million in new taxes as part of a comprehensive $800 million framework to invest in transportation to rebuild and maintain our state’s road and transit systems.

The MMA thanks the members of the House and Senate for their strong support for protecting and restoring local aid, and voting to finalize fiscal 2014 Cherry Sheets.  The leaders and members of the Legislature have worked hard to deliver a strong budget for cities and towns.

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Posted in Budgets

Mass Hx to town – “Odyssey House stays”

Posted on July 23, 2013 | Comments Off on Mass Hx to town – “Odyssey House stays”

Massachusetts Historic Commission letter to DCAMM below wherein Mass Historic refuses to permit Odyssey House to be demolished by DCAMM, as DCAMM had agreed to do for the town, as part of the mediated settlement of the environmental clean up.

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

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth
Massachusetts Historical Commission

July 18, 2013

Carol Meeker, Deputy General Counsel, DCAMM
I Ashburton PI, 15th FI
Boston, MA 02108

RE: Medfield State Hospital Demolition of Farm Dormitory (“Odyssey”), StablelMain Garage, & Laundry (Buildings #31, #42, & #56), 45 Hospital Road, Medfield, MA; MHC# RC.54413

Dear Ms. Meeker:

The Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) is in receipt of a Project Notification Form (PNF) for the project referenced above, received at this office on June 20, 2013. The staff of the MHC has reviewed the information submitted and has the following comments.

This project proposes the demolition of three buildings at Medfield State Hospital. The former dormitory (“Odyssey” Building, Building #31, MED.126), stable/main garage (Building #42, MED.132), and the laundry building (Building #56, MED. 142) are contributing elements to the Medfield State Hospital (MED.C, MED.D), which is listed in the State and National Registers of Historic Places.

Demolition of these buildings will have an “adverse effect” (950 CMR 7I.05(a)) on the Medfield State Hospital Historic District through the demolition of three historic properties that are contributing elements of this State Register-listed historic district.

At this time, the MHC cannot accept the adverse effect to the former dormitory/Odyssey Building. Based on the structural analysis and MHC’s site visit, it appears that the former dormitory/ Odyssey Building is in fair condition on the interior, and the exterior envelope appears to be in relatively good condition. The MHC requests that DCAMM and the Town of Medfield explore alternatives to demolition in order to avoid, minimize, or mitigate the adverse effect of the proposed demolition.
The MHC suggests DCAMM and the Town of Medfield explore the possibility of leasing the structure to a 3’d party. Leasing the structure to 3’d party entities such as a Boys & Girls Club and/or recreation related commercial/retail entities could enable the building to be adaptively rehabilitated for compatible recreation-related uses, including concessions, retail, public recreation space, and public facilities among other potential uses. Through the use of certain types of lease, a 3’d party may be eligible for State and Federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits to assist in rehabilitation expenses.

The MHC looks forward to receipt of an alternatives study and to consultation with DCAMM, the Town of Medfield, the Medfield Historical Commission, and the Medfield Historic District Commission in order to avoid, mmlmlze, or mitigate the adverse effect to the former dormitory/Odyssey Building
pursuant to 950 CMR 7L07.

The MHC understands. that the stable/main garage (Building #42) and the laundry building (Building #56) are in poor condition and that there are no feasible or prudent alternatives to demolition.

These comments are offered to assist in compliance with M.G.L. Chapter 9, Section 26-27C, (950 CMR 7LOO) and MEPA (301 CMR II). Please do not hesitate to contact Brandee Loughlin of my staff if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
BronaSimon
State Historic Preservation Officer
Executive DireCtor
Massachusetts Historical Commission

xc: -Town of Medfield  Board of Selectmen

Town of Medfield Plarming Board
Medfield Historical Commission
Medfield Historic District Commission
Taya Dixon, Epsilon Associates

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Posted in Environmental, History, Medfield State Hospital

Water tower & wellfields legislation

Posted on July 23, 2013 | Comments Off on Water tower & wellfields legislation

This is a section by section analysis of the draft legislation that the Board of Selectmen have recently been working on with the Medfield State Hospital Development Committee, to effect the transfer of lands, as part of the environmental clean up mediation settlement.  The lands are (1) on which the town can construct a new water tower at the MSH, and (2) the existing MSH tubular wellfields for a back up water supply for the town.  The new water tower land surrounds the existing water tower site.  The wellfields are about a mile from the MSH, located across the Bay Colony Rail line and are accessed by a right of way off of Colonial Road.

DRAFT

Medfield State Hospital – Water Supply Legislation

Section by Section Summary: Transfer of property from DCAMM to Town of Medfield, specifically, the Medfield State Hospital Water Tower, Water Tower Land and Abandoned Hospital Wellfield (a/k/a Tubular Wellfield), revising Section 32 through 37, of Chapter 7C of the General Laws, chapter 180 of the Acts of 2002, and chapter 269 of the acts of 2008 relative to the redevelopment of the Medfield State Hospital.  These parcels and easements were originally acquired by the Commonwealth, acting through the Department of Mental Diseases, for the purpose of providing the Medfield State Hospital with an additional supply of pure water.  See Acts of 1929, chapter 163.

Purpose:  The expedited transfer of water supply interests from DCAMM to the Town of Medfield.  As part of a mediated settlement between Medfield and DCAMM, DCAMM supports the expedited transfer of the Water Tower and related land, easements and tubular well field to Medfield.  See attached Comprehensive Executive Summary and July 11, 2013 letter from Commissioner Carole Cornelison to the Medfield Board of Selectmen.

Current Acts relative to the redevelopment of the Medfield State Hospital transfer interests in these properties to the Town after redevelopment.  However, the redevelopment plan envisioned in these Acts is no longer desirable or feasible and there are discussions between Medfield and DCAMM regarding a new approach to redevelopment.

The current water tower is beyond repair and the Town of Medfield needs the water tower and related interests to be transferred now so that a new water tower can be built to maintain the public water supply.  The tubular well field and related easements would be transferred for the future preservation of Medfield’s water supply.

Section 1:   Primarily for the purpose of the public water supply system, transfers from DCAMM to Medfield at no or nominal cost:

The water tower and the water tower land, totaling approximately 6.4 acres (water tower parcel).

A 25 foot wide parcel for travel and utilities extending from Hospital Road to the water tower parcel, totaling approximately 1 acre.  This parcel has been configured to run along the edge of the core campus parcel in order to minimize the impact on the development potential of the core campus.

Includes a standard reversion clause.

Section 2:  (a) Primarily for the purpose of the maintenance and improvement of the public water supply system, transfers certain property interests from DCAMM to Medfield at no or nominal cost, as identified in clauses (b) through (d):

(b)   The tubular well field property which comprises approximately 23 acres.

 

(c)    The existing rights of way or easements for the water main extending from the tubular well field to the Medfield state hospital property line.

 

(d)   A new easement for the existing water main, across that portion of the MSH property that is not being transferred from the Commonwealth, to the water tower parcel, 25 feet wide totaling .08 acres.

 

(e)   Reserves an existing easement to the Commonwealth for a right of way for travel that overlaps a small portion of the property to be transferred to Medfield as part of the tubular well field.  This existing easement is otherwise unrelated to the water supply and this reservation ensures that the Commonwealth can utilize the rest of the right of way for travel.

 

(f)     Directs DMH to transfer existing water withdrawal permits or registrations to Medfield. The Town is investigating whether there is any withdrawal permit or registration in effect and if none is found this section will be deleted from the legislation.

(g)    A standard reversion clause.

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Posted in Environmental, Medfield State Hospital, Water & Sewer

Tips for Pool, Bike, Playground Safety

Posted on July 19, 2013 | Comments Off on Tips for Pool, Bike, Playground Safety

Injuries Spike During Summer

Summertime fun shouldn’t be derailed by a trip to the hospital. But unfortunately, more than 3 million kids in America under 14 will be rushed to the emergency room with serious injuries this summer, and 2,000 will die. Here are some steps you can take to ensure that the children in your life enjoy their favorite summertime activities safely:

Secure the Pool

1) Install a four-sided fence: Drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death for children between one and four years of age, and many of those tragedies occur when children wander away from parental supervision. Install a four-sided fence around your pool instead of a three-sided fence with the house forming the fourth side. Also note that pool covers are often hard to see through and can conceal a drowning child.

2) Stock rescue equipment: Keep a shepherd’s crook — a long pole with a hook on the end — and life preservers by the pool at all times. An important note: Water floaties are NOT a suitable alternative to life jackets or life preservers. Instead, use life jackets and exercise arm’s-length parental supervision. In addition, designate a “water watcher” during any pool event at home. Download a water watcher card and other teaching resources from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

3) Encourage swimming lessons: Studies have shown that swimming lessons for children one to four years of age drastically reduces the risk of drowning — by up to 88 percent.

Click here for more tips on water safety at home.

Follow the Two-Wheeled Rules of the Road

1) Properly fit helmets: Wearing a helmet is a no-brainer, but many children don’t properly adjust theirs. See this guide from the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration on how to properly fit and adjust a bike helmet for kids.

2) Adjust bike seats: There are obvious dangers involved in riding a bike, like traffic or potholes, but crashes often happen because of a poorly maintained bike. Adjust a child’s bike seat so it’s two to four inches above the top bar. This guarantees that the child’s legs never fully straighten out and lock in the down-pedal motion. Also check the tires and brakes before sending a child out on a ride.

3) Brush up on traffic laws: In most states, bikes are expected to follow the same basic traffic laws as automobiles. Educate your kids on the basics of bike traffic laws.

Click here for more tips on bike safety for kids.

Limit the Risk of Monkey Bar Mayhem

1) Use age-appropriate equipment: Some equipment is only meant for older kids, but most playgrounds don’t differentiate between separate play areas for tots and tweens. Supervise children to make sure they are using equipment appropriate to their age group.

2) Look for soft ground: It can be hazardous when soft playground turf deteriorates and isn’t replaced promptly. A fresh layer of wood chips, rubber, sand or other shock-absorbing material can dramatically decrease the risk of injury due to a fall from the equipment.

3) Find a certified playground inspector: The National Recreation and Park Association has launched a major initiative to train local citizens on playground equipment inspection and standards. To find a trained certified playground safety inspector in your area, search the CPSI registry.

Click here for a complete summer safety checklist for playgrounds.

– See more at: http://letamericaknow.com/view_feature_ysk.php?memberid=21441&orderid=449&issueid=1308#sthash.LL6P2Kyb.dpuf

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Posted in Safety

Community Preservation Act

Posted on July 19, 2013 | Comments Off on Community Preservation Act

The Community Preservation Act provides matching state monies to towns that opt in, by voting to surcharge themselves an extra 1-3% on their property taxes.  The state match started out at 100%, but as more towns opted in the match and dropped to 28%.  Still, it is free money that Medfield could pick up if we opted in.

Medfield’s annual town meeting (ATM) voted in the past to not participate.

My analysis has always been to look at whether we as a town are likely in the future to spend any town monies on the allowed uses, namely

  • historic preservation,
  • open spaces,
  • recreation, and
  • housing.

Since I do think that Medfield will eventually spend monies on all of those areas, I see that we are just leaving the state monies on the table by not adopting the CPA.  Therefore, the fees that we in Medfield pay as surcharges on recording fees at the Norfolk Registry of Deeds (the source of the CPA state monies), goes to make CPA payments to other towns.

The only reason I can think to not adopt the CPA would be if I intended to leave Medfield, because then I would not benefit from the long term savings that are generated by getting the state monies.

For more information see –

http://www.communitypreservation.org/

http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elecpa/cpaidx.htm#Other

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Posted in Affordable housing / 40B, Budgets, History, Open space