Kill ticks in dryer

Posted on April 4, 2013 | Comments Off on Kill ticks in dryer

From Chris Kadly, Chair of the Lyme Disease Study Committee –

5 minutes in dryer can apparently kill ticks – they dry up.  This article suggests putting your clothes in the dryer after time outside during tick season.

http://commonhealth.wbur.org/2013/04/dryer-quick-kill-ticks?utm_source=cc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nwsltr-13-04-03

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Posted in Wildlife Management & Lyme disease

Selectman office hours this Friday

Posted on April 3, 2013 | Comments Off on Selectman office hours this Friday

I am holding my regular monthly selectman office hours this coming Friday (first Friday of the month) from 9 – 10 AM at The Center on Ice House Road.  Please feel free to stop by to talk about town issues.  No appointment is needed.

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Posted in On being a selectman

Richard brings new feel to BoS

Posted on April 3, 2013 | Comments Off on Richard brings new feel to BoS

Richard DeSorgher’s first meeting as a selectman in thirty years caused a big change in the feel of the Board of Selectmen last night.  He started off by reminding all that the US is at war in Afganistan, and followed up with many suggestions and ideas throughout the meeting.  He even joked about how much he had to “report on” to all, since his last selectman meeting was thirty years ago.

I appreciated being supported on getting the town wide clean up I have been suggesting for at least five years finally implemented, and seeing the Medfield Garden Club get the go ahead to revamp the island where Hospital Road meets Rte. 27, which decision had been avoided by the BoS last year.

Richard suggested having an ongoing plan to plant street trees, and street tree planting is something I have been talking about for several years.  He suggested the town needing to know how soon it will need to replace existing trees (based on health and condition), and I suggested that we needed data on all our street trees to make the lan.  On reflection this morning, I think that tree project would be a perfect one for a student intern, someone who would catalog all the Medfield street trees on the GIS maps, by location, type, age, and condition.  To plan one first needs good data, and I think an interested intern could generate the tree data for the town over the summer.

Judging from a history of one meeting, I am guessing that the Board of Selectmen will be much more active going forward – should be interesting, and fun.

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Posted in Select Board matters

New DPW garage

Posted on April 3, 2013 | Comments Off on New DPW garage

This year I got all my questions answered, thanks to the Building Committee, and I am strongly behind getting the DPW garage built.  There will be two votes, one at the annual town meeting (ATM) on 4/29 and then at the polls the next day on 4/30 (also the primary election day for the special Massachusetts senate election).  The Building Committee is holding an informational meeting on 4/13 at the existing DPW Garage, or you can view eth existing garage at the hazardous waste collection day this Saturday, 4/6.

Below is a post from Mike Quinlan of the Building Committee on the Medfield Professionals LinkedIn group –

Upcoming Town Meeting

The Town of Medfield Permanent Building will be recommending two warrant articles for approval at Town Meeting at the end of the month. One for funds to complete the proposed DPW facility and one for design funds to complete design for the proposed Public Safety project. In preparation, we invite all residents to join us for upcoming public information sessions. Please visit http://medfieldPBC.org or the Patch for more information.

http://medfield.patch.com/articles/permanent-building-committee-to-discuss-two-projects-on-town-warrant#comments_list

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Posted in Buildings, DPW, Elections, Town Meeting

Congressional protection for asbestos companies

Posted on April 3, 2013 | Comments Off on Congressional protection for asbestos companies

This from the American Association for Justice –

In honor of National Asbestos Awareness Week, help protect asbestos victims’ rights by urging Congress to oppose legislation that threatens to delay and deny justice until asbestos victims die.  Your action will make a difference!

The asbestos-disease epidemic is one of the longest-running public health epidemics.  Asbestos is still legal in the United States and kills at least 10,000 Americans every year.  It is estimated that asbestos will have killed 432,465 Americans by 2029.  Asbestos was known to be deadly by 1900.  Asbestos corporate executives callously covered up this fact.  Millions have been exposed and are at risk.

Act Now!  Justice for asbestos victims is under attack by legislation being rushed through Congress that would help asbestos corporations evade accountability.  H.R. 982, the “Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency (FACT) Act of 2013,” grants a corporate handout to an industry that knowingly exposed millions of Americans to this deadly product and covered up the dangers for profit.

Tell your Representative today to oppose H.R. 982.  Any time spent on this bill is a waste of Congressional (and taxpayer) resources, and the ultimate insult to families whose loved ones have died or are dying from asbestos-related diseases.

Congress should focus on keeping Americans safe from dangerous products like asbestos and not protecting corporations that knowingly place workers and consumers in danger. Contact Your Representative Today!

Sincerely,

The Take Justice Back Campaign Staff
(Formerly, People Over Profits)

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Posted in Safety

NYT distracted driving test

Posted on April 3, 2013 | Comments Off on NYT distracted driving test

The New York Times has a test to show us how much texting while driving distracts us.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/07/19/technology/20090719-driving-game.html?_r=0

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Posted in Safety

MMA’s reaction to legislative proposal

Posted on April 2, 2013 | Comments Off on MMA’s reaction to legislative proposal

This from the Massachusetts Municipal Association this afternoon –

Tuesday, April 2, 2013 

 LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ANNOUNCE TRANSPORTATION FINANCE FRAMEWORK AND PLAN

SPEAKER & SENATE PRESIDENT EMBRACE $300M FOR CHAPTER 90

Leaders Commit to Forward Funding and Increases for RTAs

Plan Includes $500m in Targeted Taxes, $250m in Agency Revenues

Earlier today, House Speaker Robert DeLeo, Senate President Therese Murray, and the respective chairs of the House and Senate Ways and Means and Transportation Committees announced agreement on a comprehensive framework to address the state’s transportation finance crisis.  The plan includes a commitment to increasing Chapter 90 funding to $300 million a year, and forward-funding regional transit systems across the state.

The details of the framework were announced at a State House press conference, and the highlights include:

• $300 million for the Chapter 90 program, a fifty percent increase in funding, beginning with passage this month of a one-year bond bill for fiscal 2014 to avoid delays during the current construction season, and passage of the $300 million amount in a multi-year bond bill to be considered by the Legislature later this session;

• Forward funding of all regional transit systems in the fiscal 2014 budget (an $80 million commitment), and funding increases for RTAs in future budgets;

•  Closing the state government’s existing transportation funding gap and investing in new projects through a combination of $500 million in new targeted tax revenues and $250 million in agency revenues phased in over several years, which would be distributed in the state budget and passage of a multi-year transportation bond bill that will be considered this summer or fall.

 

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A COPY OF THE MMA’S STATEMENT ON THE HOUSE-SENATE TRANSPORTATION FRAMEWORK

 

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE LEGISLATURE’S POWERPOINT PRESENTATION ON THE PLAN

There are many steps remaining in this process, including: passage of the one-year $300 million Chapter 90 bond bill that will be before the House tomorrow (Wednesday, April 3) and the Senate as early as next week; debate and passage of the tax and agency revenue proposals in April; passage of the fiscal 2014 state budget with the necessary funding; and passage of a multi-year transportation bond bill to maintain and increase investment in our transportation infrastructure.

Please contact your Representatives and Senators to discuss the Legislature’s plan, ask them to support the Chapter 90 increase, and tell them you will support the revenue increases necessary to fix our broken transportation finance system.

Thank you very much!

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Posted in Budgets, Massachusetts Municipal Association

$200,715 more for town for roads proposal

Posted on April 2, 2013 | Comments Off on $200,715 more for town for roads proposal

Email from John Nunnari with town’s suggested Chapter 90 road repair monies  from the legislature –

In case you hadn’t seen the numbers, below is a detailed overview of potential Chapter 90 funding as contained in the current agreement between the House and the Senate relative to the improvement of the Commonwealth’s transportation system.

Chapter 90:  $300M versus $200M Funding

   

 

FY14
APPORTIONMENT

FY13
APPORTIONMENT

 

                 300,000,000               200,000,000

 

   

CITY OR TOWN DISTRICT

$300M Apportionment

$200M Apportionment

Difference             $300M vs. $200M
MEDFIELD

3

                      602,145

                   401,430

200,715

John

John Nunnari, Assoc AIA
Executive Director, AIA MA

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Posted in Budgets

CONSTRUCTION SEASON POISED TO START WITHOUT ROAD FUNDING ACCORD

Posted on April 1, 2013 | Comments Off on CONSTRUCTION SEASON POISED TO START WITHOUT ROAD FUNDING ACCORD

From the Statehouse News Service, via John Nunnari –

STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, MARCH 28, 2013……State law calls for cities and towns to be formally notified of state aid for local road and bridge repairs on April 1 of each year, a deadline intended to facilitate construction during the warmer months.

But Chapter 90 funding levels for fiscal 2014 remained a mystery Thursday as the House gaveled out of session for the week with talks continuing behind the scenes on a large transportation financing package.

And even if the outline of an accord on road and bridge repair funding levels is reached soon, as some speculate, cities and towns can’t forge ahead on contracts until authorization legislation is signed into law, a situation that caused months of delay last year when local road fix funding got hung up in red tape.

Gov. Deval Patrick this year wants to boost Chapter 90 funding to $300 million a year, up from $200 million, and to raise taxes to help pay for those and other transportation investments. The spending authorization for Chapter 90 is tied up in a 10-year bond bill filed by Patrick seeking $19 billion in long-term spending.

House and Senate Democrats want to raise revenues for transportation too, but are having difficulty agreeing on a consensus plan, an effort that has consumed the attention of legislative leaders during a new annual legislative session that is off to a slow start.

Auburn Republican Rep. Paul Frost, who attended Thursday’s brief House session, said afterwards that all transportation financing issues are “up in the air” and speculated that House Democrats might roll Chapter 90 funding into a larger financing package and use the popular program to justify higher taxes.

House Minority Leader Brad Jones said Thursday that House Republicans are considering Chapter 90 as they develop their own proposals for the anticipated transportation financing debate.

Jones said the House GOP was “still in conclave” and not ready to discuss their ideas, but that members in reviewing proposed transportation spending are considering “what is need versus want versus wish.”

Jones said Republicans are looking for signs from House Speaker Robert DeLeo about the House’s direction on transportation financing and speculated that given the Winthrop Democrat’s recent statements on the topic “it sounded like it may not happen.”

DeLeo has committed to tackling transportation financing but said after a political caucus with House Democrats on Wednesday that he wasn’t sure where the House was heading on the issue.

As for missing the funding notification deadline again, Frost said, “We don’t control the schedule. We don’t control when things come up.”

Noting cities and towns still have Chapter 90 funds left over from last year since the monies were also delivered late, Jones said local officials have not contacted him with concerns about Chapter 90. Local officials, he said, are currently focused on cleaning up streets and sidewalks after the rough winter.

Geoffrey Beckwith, president of the Massachusetts Municipal Association, was not overly concerned about the April 1 deadline on Thursday and said he’s sensing “possible action” on transportation financing legislation in the next two weeks.

“We know that Chapter 90 is a top priority of legislators,” Beckwith said. “We believe that there’s a real desire and receptivity to get this done in one package.”

END
03/28/2013

Serving the working press since 1910

http://www.statehousenews.com

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Posted in Budgets, DPW

BoS minutes for 3-19-13

Posted on March 29, 2013 | Comments Off on BoS minutes for 3-19-13

Meeting Minutes
March 19, 2013
Chenery Meeting Room draft
PRESENT: Selectmen Thompson, Fisher, Peterson; Town Administrator Sullivan; Assistant Town Administrator Trierweiler; Administrative Assistant Clarke

Chairman Thompson called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM

7:00 PM PUBLIC HEARING, Earth Removal Permit application
Applicant Michael Lueders dba West Mill Street, LLC Mr. Leuders presented a set of plans and explained to the Selectmen that his intent is to convert the property located at 30 West Mill Street from a concrete plant to garage and office space from which to operate his lawn and tree care business that is currently located at 27 Brook Street. At the West Street location John Santucci will use part of the property for materials processing. It is necessary to remove piles of loam, gravel and sand to open the space for the construction of the business. At the end of the discussion a motion was made by Selectmen Fisher, seconded by Selectman Peterson and it was

VOTED unanimously to grant an earth removal permit to West Mill Street LLC, Michael Lueders owner subject to Earth Removal Regulations

MEDFIELD CULTURAL COUNCIL
The Council requests the Selectmen vote to execute a letter confirming that the Council is an appOinted committee in Medfield. The Council would like to raise funds to expand programs in town and this letter would be given to the donors. On a motion made and seconded it was

VOTED unanimously to execute a letter acknowledging that the Cultural Council is an appointed Town committee authorized to fundraise and receive tax deductible donations .

OPEN 2013 WARRANT
The Warrant Committee requests the Selectmen open the warrant to place an article to transfer funds from free cash to the reserve fund account. On a motion made by Selectman Fisher, seconded by Selectman Peterson it was

VOTED unanimously to open the 2013 Warrant to add article to transfer funds from Free Cash to the Reserve Fund Account

On a motion made and seconded it was VOTED unanimously to close the 2013 Warrant

RESIGNATION
Resident Richard DeSorgher submitted a letter of resignation from the Downtown Study Committee, Committee to Study Memorials and the Medfield Historical Commission. He has been a member ofthe Historical Commission for 30 years and served 26 years on the Committee to Study Memorials. Mr. DeSorgher is a candidate for selectmen, election to be held March 25, 2013.

VOTE: On a motion made by Selectman Fisher, seconded by Selectman Peterson it was Voted unanimously to accept Richard DeSorgher’s resignation with the deepest regrets

MEETING MINUTES
VOTED unanimously to accept the March 5, 2013 meeting minutes with revisions

ARBOR DAY
Ms. Trierweiler said that she is postponing the discussion of Arbor Day until the next meeting

DEMOCRATIC TOWN COMMITTEE
Committee member Susan Bernstein explained that as it is difficult for some committee members to meet earlier in the evening before the Library closing time of 6 PM, the committee requests the use of a meeting room in Town Hall the 2nd Monday of the month moving forward.  Town Counsel advised the Board that you may be setting a precedent for other groups that request permisSion to meet in Town Hall. Mr. Sullivan agreed; it could be interpreted as an implied endorsement. Ms. Bernstein responded that as the Democratic Committee is on an election ballot it sets them apart from other organizations. At the end of a short discussion Mr. Fisher made a motion, seconded by Mr. Peterson and it was

VOTED to allow the Medfield Democratic Committee to use a meeting room in Town Hall on the second Monday of April, May, September, October and November 2013

7:30 PM Public Hearing, Warrant Committee’s Annual Warrant Hearing

Selectmen resume their meeting at 8:25 PM

LICENSES & PERMITS

VOTED unanimously to grant a one-day wine & malt beverage permit for March 23 event “Reception to Honor Ann Thompson” to be held at the CENTER 1-5PM

VOTED unanimously to grant permission to the Medfield Music Association to post signs promoting Annual Jazz Night on April 26 at the high school auditorium

VOTED unanimously to grant permission to Norfolk Mosquito Control to land at the Route 27 landfill site for annual larvicide applications

VOTED unanimously to grant Council on Aging a one-day wine & malt beverage permit for two events; March 27, 2013 Supper Club and April 17 Volunteer Appreciation Dinner

VOTED unanimously to grant the Medfield Baptist Church permission to use the Town Gazebo for a Gospel Concert on Saturday June 8, 2013, time to be determined

MEDFIELD STATE HOSPITAL STATUS UPDATE
Ms. Trierweiler reported that the Hospital Mediation Committee requests a meeting with the Selectmen in executive session at the close of the Board’s April 16 meeting. The Selectmen agreed.

SELECTMEN REPORT
Mr. Fisher reported that he enjoyed the Blue & Gold Banquet, the Magician put on a terrific show. The Medfield Foundation’s Volunteers ofthe Year event garnered a large audience and it was really very nice.

Selectman Peterson participated in “Reads across America” and had a great time with the students. He reported that the Permanent Building Committee has been very active meeting to discuss the proposed town garage; the Lyme Disease Study Committee met last night. He mentioned that Medfield Cares about Prevention (MCAP) grant application is due to be submitted this week. Dawn Alcott has worked very hard putting together the material seeking the $625,000 funding. Mr. Peterson said that the Medfield Foundation is very pleased about the Town embracing the volunteer award program. The work that each of the nominees perform is extraordinary. He went on to say that next year he will try not to have the program run so long.

Selectman Thompson said that there is a time to come and a time to go. This is my time to go.
I truly appreciate the Town giving me the opportunity to serve as Selectmen for 30 years.
Thanks to everybody for allowing me to take part in so many capacities. Thanks to all you guys
who put up with me. To my family and friends who put up with me doing it.
I appreciate the honor of receiving the Lifetime achievement award and mostly to be
nominated by a great group of people; Don Hayes, Aditi Thatte, Deborah Kelsey and Mike
Sullivan.
Come May my first great grandchild is due. I’ll let you know when the baby arrives. My sincere
sympathy goes out to the family of Ralph DiGiacomo.
Mrs. Thompson went on to recall the highs and lows of being a selectman: she made good
friends with the 11 selectmen who sat beside her through the years; worked on the library
building to have more meeting space; taught CPR, was an EMT for 17 years and knows that she
March 19, 2013
Page four
saved at least three or four lives; a low point was when there was a surprise write-in campaign
for Mark Wilson. The numbers were so close we had to have a recount. When Bob Larkin and
Ken Childs were on the Board the meetings started at 5 PM. A high point came at the recent
Foundation’s award ceremony having Don Hayes ask “What does Ann Thompson, Lindsay
Lohan, O.J. Simpson, Mike Tyson and Zsa Zsa Gabor have in common … we all did community
service!
Paul Hinkley and I disagreed on issues but at one meeting we agreed and he said that the world
is about to come to an end; Bob Larkin had never served with a woman on a board so he called
me “The Madam” until he found out what it meant. Bob was excited about a new pair of shoes
he was wearing while marching in one of the Town’s parade that is until he stepped in a mess
from one ofthe horses.
Fred Rogers, if I made a vote he didn’t like my phone would ring the next morning and he would
chew me out. He always had a “Ann Thompson for Selectman” bumper sticker on his
wheelchair. I have the highest admiration for him.
Thanks to Medfield for allowing me to serve all these years.
The Board of Selectmen thanked Ann for her 30 years of service and presented her with a
bouquet of 30 roses one for each year.

The meeting adjourned at 8:55 PM.

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Posted in Select Board matters