The Lyme Disease Study Committee met last Monday. At that time I learned that-
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Posted in Wildlife Management & Lyme disease
Solid Waste Committee is recommending that the Board of Selectmen award the new three year single stream recycling contract to Harvey, replacing Cassella who has provided the services to the town for the last three years. Mike reports that Harvey came in with a lower price, and that they operate a good looking facility in Westboro. Cassella apparently offered to match the lower price, once they became aware that they had been out bid.
I reminded Mike that the DEP constantly tells us that we can only achieve the highest recycling rates if we go to a Pay As You Throw (PAYT) system. PAYT represents a choice of how much inconvenience and cost residents want to accept in order to have the town recycle more, and as a result therefore save more on its solid waste tipping fees (i.e. – the cost to get rid of recyclables is lower that cost to get rid of solid waste). I have never seen any numbers generated by the Solid Waste Committee on how much we could save by implementing a PAYT system – hopefully they will put those numbers together for the town to consider, now that we have almost completed three years of single stream recycling.
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Posted in Environmental, Recycling & Solid Waste
Mike tells me that the rains caused a pothole to form in a recently dug up area along North Street where the water main has just been replaced. Water filling the pothole to the top, such that drivers could not see the hole. Unfortunately, a number of cars got flats and/or damaged hitting the hole. Fortunately for the town, the liability rests with the contractor.
The work is mostly finished now, with just a few house connections left and sidewalk clean up remaining.. I asked Mike if the roadway would be smoothed out so the town does not have to live with it in such poor shape for the whole winter, and he reported that yes it would be. They need to let is settle and compact for a year before they do the final resurfacing.
Posted in Downtown, Safety, Town Services, Water & Sewer
The Medfield High School Jazz Band, 2012-2013 edition, has a really cool, high quality brochure.
I got my copy from Chris McCue Potts at last night’s Blake Middle School concert, so I could pass it along to Representative Denise Garlick last night. Chris is trying to get Governor Patrick to name the MHS Jazz Band as the “Honorary Massachusetts High School Jazz Band” for its spring trip to China. Great idea.
Meeting Minutes
December 6, 2012
Chenery Meeting Room draft
PRESENT: Selectmen Thompson, Fisher, Peterson; Town Administrator Sullivan; Town Counsel Cerel; Administrative Assistant Clarke
Chairman Thompson called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM
NEW BUILDING INSPECTOR
John Naff started working for the Town on Monday November 26, 2012. According to the
Board of Building Regulations and Standards, a New Employee report Form must be completed
and signed by the Appointing Authority, in this case Board of Selectmen Chairman. On a
motion made and seconded it was
VOTED unanimously to authorize Chairman Ann Thompson execute the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts Building Official Certification Committee New Employee Report Form
WATER RESOURCES
Mr. Sullivan referred to a recent Boston Globe article that outlined proposed new guidelines
from DEP that require communities to use only enough water for residents and ensure there is
ample supply to protect fish and fish habitat in rivers and streams particularly in the summer
months. Environmentalists have more concern for saving the fish than taking care of humans
by regulating the amount of water that we can use. It will result in very high rates. Water
Commissioner Willis Peligian was recognized and commented that we need to pay attention to
these reports as it is a serious issue. The financial impact on Medfield residents will be
dramatic.
7:15 PM ANNUAL TAX CLASSIFICATION HEARING
Tom Sweeney, Board of Assessors Chairman reported to the Selectmen that the Assessors
recommend a single tax rate for the Town. As Medfield has only about five percent in
commercial/industrial properties it would place a huge burden on the commercial end and only
minimal residential gain. A $15.73 tax rate is proposed for FY13, the same rate as FY12. Some
changes reflected in tax bills are due to valuations. On a motion made and seconded it was
VOTED unanimously to adopt a single tax rate for the Town of Medfield and as
recommended by the Board of Assessors
FY2013 BUDGET REVIEW, BOARD OF ASSESSORS
Mr. Sweeney reported that their budget reflects about a one percent increase that is primarily
for software. FY13 is $107,597 and the department is requesting $108,297 for FY2014.
ALCOHOL LICENSES FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 2013
VOTED unanimously to approve the renewal licenses for the following establishments:
All alcohol beverage license to Basil, Jing’s Garden II, Kingsbury Club Medfield,
Noon Hill Grill, Takara and Zebra’s Bistro and Wine Bar; Club license to Beckwith Post #110
American Legion; All alcohol package store licenses to Bullard’s Market & Package Store,
Medfield Package Store, dba Larkin’s Liquors, Vet Package Store, dba Palumbo Liquors;
Wine and malt license to Medfield Wine Shoppe
Town Counsel Mark Cerel advised that the Selectmen not take a vote on the wine and malt
license for Gulf Resources, located at 270 Main Street as the ABCC renewal application form
was not completed and filed with the Board of Selectmen by November 30th (M.G.L. Ch. 1138,
section 16A). Gulf Resources will need to go through the process to apply for a new license.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA
Mr. Sullivan remarked that there some towns at their recent fall town meetings voted to
prohibit marijuana clinics in their areas. In the December issue of The Beacon the MMA is
advocating for a delay for state regulations from April 1 to July 1. Also the Department of Public
Health must weigh in on new regulations. In light of these processes he advises that an article
be placed on the 2013 town meeting warrant. The Selectmen agreed to reserve space on the
warrant to address the issues.
MEETING MINUTES
VOTED unanimously to accept the November 20, 2012 minutes as submitted
EAGLE SCOUTS
The Selectmen received an announcement that John Gorman Powers and Andrew Sullivan have
earned the rank of Eagle Scout. They will be honored at a ceremony to take place on Sunday
January 6,2013.
LICENSES & PERMITS
VOTED unanimously to grant the Zullo Gallery a one-day wine & malt permit for Thursday
December 20, 2012 and also grant one-day permits for First Thursdays in 2013 beginning
January 3, February 7 March 7 and April 4.
PENDING, TAXI LICENSE
At the November 20 meeting, Walid Makouk and Mohamad Halwant requested they be
granted a taxicab license to operate in Medfield. At that time the Selectmen said they will
need input from Police Chief Meaney. As Chief Meaney has not completed the investigation
the Selectmen agreed to hold the item for the next meeting.
MEDFIELD STATE HOSPITAL STATUS UPDATE
There are no new reports.
SELECTMEN REPORT
Mr. Fisher talked about MEMO’s upcoming tree lighting ceremony this Friday December 7 and
the parade scheduled for Saturday December 8, great family events. MEMO has replaced
about 80% of the Christmas lights with LEOs. The Lions are again selling Christmas trees which
are really good quality; they come from a tree farm in Maine. He went on to say that this past
Sunday was the annual Angel Run, sponsored by the Medfield Foundation. Great to see so
many participants.
Mr. Peterson said that the Foundation was very pleased with the Angel Run event as this is the
first year they have been fully involved. The proceeds will help Medfield families in need.
Wednesday December 12 the Massachusetts Cultural Council will conduct a site visit in Town.
It will begin at 9:30 AM in Town Hall and ends at 12:30 at the Library. Mr. Peterson attended
several meetings, the MCAP meeting; Energy Committee is working on a proposal to place solar
photovoltaic panels at the Wastewater Treatment Plant and also attended the Water and
Sewer Board meeting. He commented that Willis Peligian and Jeremey Marsetts are great
assets to that committee. Mr. Peterson added that the new Chief Operator at the Treatment
Plant was at the meeting and thinks that Bob McDonald has had a great start. It was noted that
DEPlet the Town know that we should have four employees attending the plant whereas we
have three presently.
Mrs. Thompson commented that the Zoning Board of Appeals hearing on the proposed 40B
project is a long and complicated debate. She has received questions about how the Selectmen
decide to rotate the chairmanship each year that she feels works really well as it is the
Selectman who is in their third term Chairs. Mrs. Thompson mentioned that the high school
girls’ soccer team was recognized by Channel five as the team ofthe week.
Chairman Thompson recognized resident Joe Cavanaugh who had alerted the Town about
marijuana clinics. He asked if the Selectmen made any decision to which Mrs. Thompson
responded that we will reserve space on the Town Meeting Warrant to address the issue.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
The Town received notice from the Massachusetts School Building Authority that the Dale Street School building construction project is not invited to participate in their program at this time. Town Accountant Joy Ricciuto submitted copies of Schedule A late this afternoon and are available for review.
Meeting adjourned at 8: 15 P’M
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Posted in Select Board matters
AGENDA (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
Announcement: Transfer Station will be open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday December 26, 27, 28, 29
ACTION
Letter of resignation received from Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman Robert Sylvia, Esq.
Vote to award contract for single stream recycling
Vote to open 2013 Annual Town Meeting Warrant
LICENSES & PERMITS
A one-day wine & malt beverage permit is requested for the Medfield High School Jazz Band Fundraiser to be held February 2,2013 at the CENTER at Medfield
MEDFIELD STATE HOSPITAL STATUS UPDATE
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Posted in Select Board matters
I met this morning with four people from the state’s Cultural District group, who came to do a site visit, and perhaps six Medfield residents who have been pushing to create the Medfield Cultural District. Library Director Deborah Kelsey has been the prime over.
The Board of Selectmen have not been involved at all, except to approve it moving forward, so I mainly sat and listened. I did share that I knew it was a good idea, especially as I listened to the ideas that were discussed, but that I cannot to date see the practical benefits. Joint marketing was named as one benefit.
I had to go to work after our meeting at the TownHouse, so I missed the tour, and the group discussion at the Library with about eighteen listed attendees, with a lunch.
I can see the Cultural District as becoming a destination for visitors, if we can parlay the critical mass of really old colonial era structures that we have in town. I sure hope that the Clark Tavern gets reused for some commercial enterprise like a restaurant or a B&B that allows it to be open to the public.
I met the new planning director on Monday evening, and I was wishing that she had been able to attend. She does not start work until 12/19.
Evan Weisenfeld succeeded Stephen Phillips to become the third president of the Medfield Foundation at a meeting at the Town House last night. Stephen Phillips has been the president since September 9, 2010, following Kevin Hern, the MFi’s first president.
Stephen Phillips oversaw the MFi’s
Evan Weisenfeld has been active in town, lending his technological expertise and his efforts to New ‘N Towne, the Angel Run, the Medfield Coalition for Public Education, and many other town projects. He said, “I am looking forward to leading the Medfield Foundation, and I hope that we can use this time of transition to examine what we are doing well and what we can perhaps do even better.”
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Posted in Uncategorized
I picked up my Lowell Mason Card from Rick Abecunas Saturday at the Dwight-Derby House Holiday Fair. Looks like a win win set of discounts that will more than pay me back for having purchased the card, as well as contributing needed monies to the effort to preserve the house. Rick has created a great fund raising and awareness tool for the Lowell Mason House. I shared with him that I would have personally participated as an attorney, but had been advised of potential ethical issues when I had asked regulators about a similar promotion years ago. Get a Lowell Mason Card or information from Rick at thelowellmasoncard@yahoo.com or 508-785-5369.
I also bought some note cards made from a watercolor of the Dwight-Derby House, to support their work, and was delighted to learn after my purchase that the art work was done by Dwight-Derby House restoration champion, Cheryl O’Malley.
My final stop was to buy some books from the sale at the library from Sue Wilson to support the Friends of the Medfield Memorial Library.
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Posted in History, Library, Lowell Mason House
The Massachusetts Department of Revenue certified the town tax rate lat week. This allows the town to send actual real estate tax bills for the third quarterly fiscal year 2013 real estate tax (the first two tax bills were based on estimates). The town’s Treasurer Collector, Georgia Colivas, was reported by Mike Sullivan as hoping to get the tax bills out today. She sends the tax bills early as a courtesy to those tax payers who want to pay the tax bill during the calendar year, for their own income tax planning purposes.
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Posted in Budgets
Medfield Select Board member
I started this blog to share the interesting and useful information that I saw while doing my job as a Medfield select board member. I thought that my fellow Medfield residents would also find that information interesting and useful as well. This blog is my effort to assist in creating a system to push the information out from the Town House to residents. Let me know if you have any thoughts on how it can be done better.
For information on my other job as an attorney (personal injury, civil litigation, estate planning and administration, and real estate), please feel free to contact me at 617-969-1500 or Osler.Peterson@OslerPeterson.com.
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