Medfield 02052 - Osler Petersen

From Bill Massaro:

Hi Everyone,

Very important meeting and final opportunity to be heard on cleanup at the C&D Area alongside and in the Charles River. (Press Release Below)

Thursday evening 6/6 at 7:00 p.m. at the Center on Ice House Road. Please mark your calendars.

In 2012 our public demonstrations of concerns and objections about the inadequacy and inappropriateness of the cleanup proposed for the riverside Construction & Demolition Debris (C&D) Area at the State Hospital, played a large part in convincing DCAMM to agree to enter into Mediation with us.

The Mediation Committee’s work this past year has resulted in a jointly-developed proposal that I believe will satisfy our previous objections.

On June 6 the Medfield and DCAMM team will present this new proposed cleanup plan, answer residents’ questions, and discuss any further concerns you may have.

On June 18 the Agreement for this new remediation plan will be presented to the Selectmen for vote and sign-off at their 7:00 p.m. meeting.

This 12 day period after the 6/6 presentation is intended to give residents the opportunity to contact the Selectmen with comments, in support of or against the proposed cleanup, before it is voted on at the June 18 meeting. They will also hear comments from the audience that night before their vote.

On June 6 please attend the presentation

Before their vote on 6-18 make your opinions known to the Selectmen

Thanks for your continuing interest and your support,

Bill

TOWN OF MEDFIELD

MEETING
NOTICE

TOWN CLERK
POSTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF M.G.L. CHAPTER 39 SECTION 23A AS AMENDED.
Board of Selectmen
Board or Committee
PLACE OF MEETING DAY, DATE, AND TIME
Town hall, Chenery Meeting Room, 2nd floor Tuesday May 21,2013 @ 7:00 PM
AGENDA (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
7:00 PM Robb Gregg, Vine lake Cemetery
Update Selectmen on activities including Arbor Day and tree plantings
7:15 PM Town Counsel Mark Cerel
Discuss general contractor and demolition contracts pertaining to the
construction of Town Garage
ACTION
Selectmen received invitation from the Town of Medway to view their 300th Anniversary Parade
on Saturday September 21,2013
Discuss draft of Board of Selectmen Annual Calendar
LICENSES & PERMITS
Medfield High School Best Buddies Club requests permission to hold a fundraising car wash behind
Town Hall Saturday June 8, 9 AM to 1 PM
MEDFIELD STATE HOSPITAL STATUS UPDATE
Discuss the makeup of the State Hospital Redevelopment Committee

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

Town of Medway
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
155 Village Street, Medway MA 02053
(508) 533-3264 • FAX: (508) 321-4988
Mark Fisher, Chair
Medfield Board of Selectmen
459 Main Street
Medfield, MA 02052
Dear Mr. Fisher,

This year, the Town of Medway is celebrating its 300th anniversary. First
settled in 1657, it was incorporated as an independent community in October
1713. Until that time Medway was part of Medfield, forming its western border.
In recognition of our tercentennial, Medway has planned a number of
commemorative events. One of the premier events will be the Tercentennial
Parade, which will take place at 1 PM on Saturday, September 21,2013.
Eighteen bands are scheduled to perform in the procession and we anticipate the
parade duration to be approximately two hours.
It is with distinct pleasure to invite you on behalf of the Town of Medway and
the Medway 300 Committee to observe the parade at our viewing stand, located
at the terminus ofthe parade route.
We would be honored to have your participation in what is sure to be a highlight
of our yearlong celebration. We appreciate your consideration of our invitation
and look forward to hearing from you. Please contact Allison Potter, Board of
Selectmen’s office, at 508-533-3264 or apotter@townofmedway.org to let us
know if you will be joining us.

Selectman and Co-Chairman
Medway 300 Committee
=======================
MEDFIELD SELECTMEN

Town of Medfield
Board of Selectmen Annual Calendar

May
June
Third Tuesday
• Review proposed annual calendar
• Begin discussion of goals for upcoming year
• Decide how to address Ice House Road land use and/or
appoint a committee to review and make recommendations
• Schedule neighborhood visitations
First Tuesday
• Meet with State Hospital Reuse committee to discuss
Sales Partnership Model and Negotiation Committee
• Meet with Personnel Board to discuss merit pay plan
implementation and Town Administrator review
Third Tuesday
• Meet with Permanent Planning & Building Committee DPW
Superintendent, Chief of Police and Fire Chief to review
town garage and police/fire projects
• Vote goals for upcoming year
• Evaluate Town Administrator
July
First Tuesday
• Meet with Downtown Study Committee, Medfield Cultural
Council and MEMO to discuss downtown refurbishment
• Meet with Historic Commission and Historic District
Commission to discuss historic districts and preservation
and re-use of significant historic properties
Third Tuesday
• Meet with Cemetery Commissioners
• Meet with Insurance Advisory Committee to discuss Health
Insurance Plans
• Meet with Gus Murby to discuss OPEB funding schedule
August
First Tuesday
• Review and vote on managerial merit recommendations
• Meet with Veterans’ Service Officer for update
Third Tuesday
• Meet with Park & Recreation Commissioners, Conservation
Commission, Open Space Committee, Board of Health,
Lyme Disease Committee and Animal Control Officer to
discuss land acquisition policy, land and field maintenance
issues, animal control issues, wetlands, storm-water
management, mosquito control, beaver control and land
use issues
September
First Tuesday
• Update from Permanent Planning and Building Committee
• Discussion with Warrant Committee on fy15 budget policy
Third Tuesday
• Meet with Treasurer to sign bonds for town garage
construction and file conversion for motor vehicle excise
• Meet with Board of Assessors for update on property
revaluation, file conversions for motor vehicle excise and
tax work-off programs
Fourth Tuesday
October
• Review of State Hospital environmental clean-up and re-use
with SHREC, State Hospital Re-use Committee and
Negotiating Committee
First Tuesday
• Meet with School Committee and Superintendent of
Schools
• Fiscal 13 year-end budget report
• Establish budgetary guidelines for fy15
Third Tuesday
• Meet with Solid Waste Committee
• Meet with Water and Sewerage Board
Fourth Tuesday
November
• Discussion of Public Safety issues with Chief of Police, Fire
Chief and Outreach Workers
First Thursday
• Meet with DPW Superintendent of Public Works, Tree
Warden, Cemetery Commissioners and Director of Parks
and Recreation
Third Thursday
• Budget Kick-off meeting with Warrant Committee
• Review OPEB actuarial study and status of Norfolk County
Retirement System funding schedule with Treasurer and
Town Accountant
• Fy14 tax rate up-date from Board of Assessors, Assistant
Assessor, Treasurer/Collector, and Town Accountant

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

car wash for Best Buddies – medfield. net – SmarterMaii
Hi,
The Best Buddies Club at Medfield High School is proposing a fundraising
car wash to be held on June 8th from 9-1 behind the Medfield Town House.
The Medfield Chapter needs to raise funds for the 2013-2014 school year.
The funds will be used for chapter dues as well as events to raise
awareness about students with disabilities. Below is some information
about Best Buddies.
[Image]
Best Buddies® is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to
establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for
one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development
for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (lDD).
Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant,
international organization that has grown from one original chapter to
almost 1,500 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide.
Best Buddies programs engage participants in each of the 50 United States,
and in 50 countries around the world.
Best BuddiesD eight formal programs D Middle Schools, High Schools,
Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies®, Jobs, Ambassadors, and Promoters 0
positively impact nearly 700,000 individuals with and without disabilities
worldwide. Best Buddies volunteers annually contribute, at no cost to
their communities, support services that equate to more than $168 million
USD.
As a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with IDD secure
rewarding jobs, live on their own, become inspirational leaders, and make
lifelong friendships. Although Best Buddies has advanced tremendously in
its short existence, many areas of the country and many regions of the
world still lack programs to help people with IDD become part of
mainstream society. With that in mind, Best Buddies is systematically
implementing its 2020 Initiative, which will witness the organizationOs
continued significant growth, both domestically and overseas
Patricia Mullen
Special Education Coordinator
Medfield High School
88R South Street
Medfield, MA 02052
(508)359-4367 ext. 1100

Press release from Jo Ellen Collins, Secretary, Friends of the Dwight-Derby House -

Second of Dwight-Derby House Kitchen Concert Series

Features Medfield’s Jazz Trumpeter Tom Duprey

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Medfield, MA–On Thursday, June 6, from 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm, The Friends of the Dwight-Derby House will host the second of its Kitchen Concert Series featuring Medfield’s stellar trumpeter Tom Duprey and accomplished jazz guitarist David Hawthorne of Cambridge.

The event, held at the Dwight-Derby House at 7 Frairy Street in Medfield, is a “First Thursdays” event and will help to raise funds for the next phase of restoration of the house: installation of a working kitchen.

Tickets for this fun and intimate evening of jazz are $25 per person and will be sold at the door. Ticket price includes everything but the kitchen sink: beer and wine tasting provided by Palumbo Liquors, delicious finger food furnished by Basil Restaurant and razor-sharp and energetic trumpet and jazz guitar by the innovative and talented Tom and David, who are core members of James Merenda’s TickleJuice, who’s first CD will be released this summer. Tom and David frequently collaborate, but are accomplished musicians in their own right.

Tom has performed for Dionne Warwick, Johnny Mathis, Robert Goulet, Tommy Tune, Herb Reed and The Platters, as well as various other artists.  Since 1982 he has performed in a variety of musical theatre productions in regional, college and downtown Boston theatres as well as in regional orchestras, jazz, R&B, solo, chamber and other freelance gigs. As an educator, Tom teaches trumpet at his private studio and is band director for Dover-Sherborn middle school and elementary brass instructor for Medfield Public Schools.

David Hawthorne has performed over the years in Boston, New York, Munich, Flagstaff, and many other cities and locales. He has led and participated in many clinics, and his compositions include works for orchestra, string quartet, jazz big band, and his own small bands.

Get ready to tap your feet and be amazed. Join us for good food, good music and a good time.

The Friends of the Dwight-Derby House is a citizen’s group established to support the active use, restoration, maintenance and preservation of this historic property.  Today, it continues to raise funds through grants, individual and corporate donations, and sale of memorabilia. The donation of time, talent and effort by many local volunteers has also contributed to its restoration.

###

Press release from the Town of Medfield -

TOWN OF MEDFIELD
Office of

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

TOWN HOUSE, 459 MAIN STREET

MEDFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS 02052-0315

(508) 359-8505

 Medfield State Hospital Mediation Committee

 Press Release

 The Medfield Board of Selectmen appointed Ms. Ann Thompson, Mr. John Thompson and Mr. William Massaro to the Medfield State Hospital Committee Mediation Committee in the spring of 2012.  The purpose of the mediation was to work with DCAMM to create a plan for environmental remediation at the former Medfield State Hospital. A professional mediator was chosen to help the Town and the Commonwealth attempt to reach a resolution in a cooperative manner.

On Thursday, June 6, 2013 at 7:00PM the MSH Mediation Committee and the Commonwealth will present the proposed approach to the environmental remediation. The meeting will take place at the CENTER at Medfield, One Icehouse Road. The Committee urges all interested residents to attend this public meeting to learn more about the mediation process and proposed outcome of the mediation.

On Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at 7PM the MSH Mediation Committee and the Commonwealth will present the new remediation approach to the Medfield Board of Selectmen at their regularly scheduled meeting.

Dear Friends,

In the midst of so much change in downtown Medfield, one thing remains the same: the Zullo Art Gallery. The event this Saturday,

May 18, will not only be a fun night out, but an important way to provide financial reserves for our nonprofit gem that does so much for Medfield beyond the usual art exhibits – whether student art shows and musical performances, Thursday night community gatherings, children’s art lessons, fundraiser venue, and more! With your support, we can help the Zullo Gallery overcome downtown development pressures that might come its way, and remain a vibrant fixture in Medfield over the long term. The $75 ticket price includes an array of great food, all beer & wine (no cash needed for bar), plus great jazz music by Jeri Bergonzi’s quintet.

See Bill Pope’s message below for complete details. In addition to the library & online options, I also have tickets, so feel free to contact me! I hope to see you Saturday night for a great evening out. Please spread the word with neighbors & friends!

Take care,

Chris Potts McCue

See email below on the web, and get all the great pictures

ZULLO GALLERY CENTER FOR THE ARTS

May 2013

only 4 days to go…
it’s going to be big.. it’s going be fun…

ART FESTIVAL/PARTY

UNDER THE BIG TENT  SAT. MAY 18

SUPPORT THE ARTS &
HAVE A GOOD TIME FOR A GOOD CAUSE

 

 Zullo Gallery Art Festival / Party Under The Big Tent

Saturday May 18, 2013    7-11pm  tickets $75  (includes all food & drink) 

presenting sponsor:

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW  (click on your choice)

At the Zullo Gallery: 12-5 Saturday & Sunday 

On-Line  (Network for Good)                                   

By mail    (download pdf) 

Medfield Public Library (click for hours)

OR At the door – the night of the event 

 

Good times for a good cause…

* By the gazebo in the park, under the tent, in the gallery and out on the rooftop deck,
please JOIN US for our 4th Annual Art Festival and Party Under The Big Tent.

* Live music, a delicious array of hors d’oeuvres and deserts from local restaurants and  

  Beer & Wine (all included in your ticket price) – with more than sixty small canvases donated     by area artists – available to purchase ($60. each) – all to improve the gallery and help us build toward the future.

  for directions / information / more images  www.zullogallery.org

  Zullo Gallery 456A Main Street Medfield, MA         gallery hours: 12-5 Saturday & Sunday

M E M B E R

_____________________________________________________________

Dear Friends,

In the midst of so much change in downtown Medfield, one thing remains the same: the Zullo Art Gallery. The event this Saturday,

May 18, will not only be a fun night out, but an important way to provide financial reserves for our nonprofit gem that does so much for Medfield beyond the usual art exhibits – whether student art shows and musical performances, Thursday night community gatherings, children’s art lessons, fundraiser venue, and more! With your support, we can help the Zullo Gallery overcome downtown development pressures that might come its way, and remain a vibrant fixture in Medfield over the long term. The $75 ticket price includes an array of great food, all beer & wine (no cash needed for bar), plus great jazz music by Jeri Bergonzi’s quintet.

See Bill Pope’s message below for complete details. In addition to the library & online options, I also have tickets, so feel free to contact me! I hope to see you Saturday night for a great evening out. Please spread the word with neighbors & friends!

Take care,

Chris Potts McCue

See email below on the web, and get all the great pictures

ZULLO GALLERY CENTER FOR THE ARTS

May 2013

only 4 days to go…
it’s going to be big.. it’s going be fun…

ART FESTIVAL/PARTY

UNDER THE BIG TENT  SAT. MAY 18

SUPPORT THE ARTS &
HAVE A GOOD TIME FOR A GOOD CAUSE

 

 Zullo Gallery Art Festival / Party Under The Big Tent

Saturday May 18, 2013    7-11pm  tickets $75  (includes all food & drink) 

presenting sponsor:

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW  (click on your choice)

At the Zullo Gallery: 12-5 Saturday & Sunday 

On-Line  (Network for Good)                                   

By mail    (download pdf) 

Medfield Public Library (click for hours)

OR At the door – the night of the event 

 

Good times for a good cause…

* By the gazebo in the park, under the tent, in the gallery and out on the rooftop deck,
please JOIN US for our 4th Annual Art Festival and Party Under The Big Tent.

* Live music, a delicious array of hors d’oeuvres and deserts from local restaurants and  

  Beer & Wine (all included in your ticket price) – with more than sixty small canvases donated     by area artists – available to purchase ($60. each) – all to improve the gallery and help us build toward the future.

  for directions / information / more images  www.zullogallery.org

  Zullo Gallery 456A Main Street Medfield, MA         gallery hours: 12-5 Saturday & Sunday

M E M B E R

_____________________________________________________________

Massachusetts Municipal Association alert this afternoon -

SENATE W&M RELEASES FY14 BUDGET PLAN

MIXED BAG FOR CITIES AND TOWNS:

EDUCATION ACCOUNTS $39M ABOVE HOUSE BUDGET

UGGA $21 MILLION BELOW HOUSE BUDGET

• Chapter 70 would increase by $130.1 million, $15.2 million more than the budget passed by the House

• The Special Education Circuit Breaker would be funded at $252.8 million, $14.3 million more the House

• Charter School Reimbursements would be funded at $76.4 million, $5.9 million more than the House

• Regional School Transportation would be funded at $49.5 million, $3.5 million more than the House

• BUT UNRESTRICTED GENERAL GOVERNMENT AID (UGGA) WOULD BE LEVEL FUNDED AT $899 MILLION, $21 MILLION LESS THAN THE BUDGET PASSED BY THE HOUSE

 

 

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CHAPTER 70 AND UGGA NUMBERS FOR YOUR COMMUNITY and access the entire Senate Ways and Means fiscal 2014 state budget proposal

 

At noon on Wednesday, May 15, the Senate Ways and Means Committee released its proposed fiscal 2014 state budget.  The proposal would invest more in key education accounts that cities and towns depend on to fund public education, but the plan also rejects the $21 million increase in Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA) embraced by the House of Representatives in April.  Senators have until 3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 17 to file amendments, and Senate debate will begin on Wednesday, May 22.  This means that local officials should contact their Senators immediately to secure a commitment to restore the House-adopted $21 million increase in unrestricted municipal aid during the budget debate, and support the progress that the SW&M Committee has made on key education priorities.

Please Contact Your Senators Immediately and Call on them to Co-Sponsor and Support the Amendment Offered by Sen. Eileen Donoghue to Include the $21 Million UGGA Increase in the Senate’s Fiscal 2014 State Budget

When you speak with your Senators, please tell them that this is the first time in recent memory that the Senate is proposing to fund unrestricted municipal aid at a lower level than the House.  In addition, please make the following points:

• Please remind your Senators that cities and towns use unrestricted municipal aid to fund critical and essential public services, including police protection, emergency response for fires and health emergencies, public works systems including roads and parks and vital maintenance, and much more, including funding school budgets, libraries, youth and senior programs;

• Please remind your Senators that UGGA has not been increased since fiscal 2008, and municipal aid is $416 million lower today than it was in fiscal 2008, which means local aid has been cut more deeply than nearly any other part of the state budget;

• Please emphasize that losing the $21 million in UGGA funds would be very disruptive this late in the municipal budget cycle – communities have been reasonable to count on the House number because it is only a 2.3 percent increase in a budget account that has been cut by 32 percent in recent years, and the Senate Ways and Means budget plan would increase state spending by 4.4 percent, but level fund municipal aid; and

• Please ask your Senators to co-sponsor the amendment that will be offered by Sen. Eileen Donoghue of Lowell to add the $21 million to Unrestricted General Government Aid.  Senators must sign on as a co-sponsor prior to the 3:00 p.m. amendment deadline this Friday, May 17.

KEY ASPECTS OF THE SENATE WAYS AND MEANS BUDGET:

Unrestricted General Government Aid

Even though the SW&M fiscal 2014 budget plan would increase total state spending by 4.4 percent, the proposal would level fund Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA) at $899 million, $21 million below the budget passed by the House of Representatives in April.  Communities use these funds to support essential municipal and school programs.  The House-passed $21 million increase would boost UGGA by just 2.3 percent, and local officials have been counting on this increase as they plan their own budgets for the coming year.  Senator Eileen Donoghue of Lowell will be offering a budget amendment to include the $21 million in the Senate’s fiscal 2014 budget. The MMA will be aggressively pushing to restore this increase during the Senate budget debate, and throughout the entire budget process as the House and Senate reconcile their versions of the budget prior to July 1.  It is vitally important for local officials to contact their Senators to urge them to co-sponsor and support this key municipal aid amendment.

Chapter 70 Education Aid

The SW&M budget proposal would increase Chapter 70 funding by $130.1 million, to fully fund the foundation budget formula, provide a minimum increase of $25 per student to every city and town, and add $16.9 million to phase in the 2006 target share reforms.  This is $15.2 million more than the budget passed by the House, and represents progress in securing a higher level of aid for many districts, although the Senate and House plans are still far below the $226 million increase proposed by the Governor earlier in the year (the Governor’s budget plan was based on passage of his $1.9 billion tax plan).

Special Education “Circuit Breaker”

The Senate Ways and Means Committee deserves praise for funding the Special Education Circuit Breaker account at $252.8 million, bringing that program up to or much closer to full funding.  This is $14.3 million more than the amount funded by the House, and $22.3 million more than the budget filed by the Governor in January.  This is a major achievement, and is very much appreciated by local officials.  The MMA will be strongly advocating for this funding level throughout the entire budget process.

Charter School Reimbursements

It is vitally important to fund the Charter School Reimbursement Account in order to protect regular public schools from financial harm due to the diversion of Chapter 70 aid to charter schools.  Underfunding the reimbursement account reduces funding for programs for the 97 percent of school children in traditional schools.  DESE estimates that it would require $102.7 million to fully fund the state’s obligation to cover a portion of the loss of Chapter 70 school aid deducted from local public schools and paid as tuition to charter schools, as required in the 2010 education reform law reimbursement formula.  Overall, DESE expects that cities and towns will be required to divert $406.8 million of their Chapter 70 aid to fund charter schools in fiscal 2014, $53.3 million more than in fiscal 2013, which demonstrates the importance of funding this key account to ease the blow to local districts that educate the vast majority of students.

The Governor’s budget filed in January included an appropriation of $80.3 million. This amount is $9.8 million higher than the current fiscal 2013 level (after the $1.0 million mid-year 9C cut). The House-passed budget would level fund the account at $70.5 million.  The Senate Ways and Means Committee is proposing a $5.9 million increase to $76.4 million.  The proposed increase represents some progress, but the account would still be significantly underfunded, and without full funding, programs for students in the traditional public school system will be harmed.  The MMA will seek to increase funding during the Senate budget debate.

Student Transportation Reimbursements

In December, the Governor cut regional student transportation reimbursements by $1 million, lowering the account to $44.5 million.  The House increased the fiscal 2014 funding level to $46 million in April, and the Senate Ways and Means Committee is proposing $49.5 million, a $3.5 million increase above the House.  This is an important account for many smaller communities in regional districts.  Full funding would require $78 million.

Shannon Anti-Gang Grant Program

The Shannon Anti-Gang Grant Program was funded at $4.5 million in the House’s fiscal 2014 budget plan, and the Senate budget committee proposes to add $1.75 million, which would restore the program to the current $6.25 million level.  This account is crucial to assist those communities dealing with very challenging public safety and gang-related issues.

Payments-in-Lieu-of-Taxes (PILOT), McKinney-Vento, and Library Aid

Several other important local aid accounts are level-funded in the Senate Ways and Means budget proposal, including payments to cities and towns that host state property ($26.27 million) and the McKinney-Vento program to transport homeless students to their original school districts ($6.05 million).  Library aid is also level-funded in the Senate budget plan ($16.055 million), which is $48K lower than the House-passed amount.

 

Please Contact Your Senators Immediately and Call on them to Co-Sponsor and Support the Sen. Donoghue Amendment to Add $21 Million to Unrestricted Municipal Aid (UGGA) in the Senate’s Fiscal 2014 State Budget

 

Please visit the MMA website at www.mma.org for the latest information as the budget process unfolds.

Thank you very much. 

Senate issues its budget – our #s ==>

FISCAL YEAR 2014 LOCAL AID
(Municipality) Municipality Chapter 70 Unrestricted General
Government Aid MEDFIELD $5,797,959 $1,226,088

 

Courtesy of John Nunnari, this afternoon -

 

Municipality/Regional District

7061-0008 Chapter 70

Unrestricted General Government Aid Annual Formula Local Aide FY ’13 Actual Appropriation

$5,730,534.00

$1,226,088.00

$0.00

Governors FY ’14 Proposal

$5,797,959.00

$1,226,088.00

$26,530.00

Medfield (House FY ’14 Proposed Numbers)

$5,797,959.00

$1,255,070.00

$0.00

Medfield (Senate FY 14 Proposed Numbers)

$5,797,595.00

$1,226,088.00

$0.00

FY ’14 Conference Committee Report           July +/-

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

                       

 

 

Letter received containing two pins and wonderful sentiment -

Town of Medfield
Office of Veterans Services
Ron Griffin Veteran Service Officer
459 Main Street
Medfield, Massachusetts 02052

May 13,2013

Dear Mark, Pete and Richard

The Town of Medfield is the beneficiary of your dedication, guidance, devotion and patience. Each of its citizens I feel is very grateful, even though they may not always display that sentiment.

When I became the Towns Veteran Service Officer I was given a Medfield pin. I wear that pin proudly. I know you will as well.

Included is an American Flag pin as well. Service to our country, state and community is not accomplished solely by our defenders and protectors. I try to recognize that to each our town’s volunteers who give of their time so that others may enjoy a better qualify of life. Each of you fits that definition.

Personally, I want to thank you for all that you have done for this Town. Each of you inspire me to become a better citizen.

Ron Griffin

I learned about this great organization and website, TisBest.org,  at the Medfield Foundation meeting last night.  Only thing that could make it better is if it had a hyperlocal Medfield list of charities.

The Medfield Cultural Council has a great new website.  Calendars of events, photos of art installations, and a list of local cultural groups with life links to their websites.  Really well done, really useful, and really cool.

This letter today from the Town of Medway  about their two hour parade on 9/21/13 to celebrate Medway’s 300th anniversary, since breaking away from Medfield.  Richard DeSorgher tells me the left Medfield because of its refusal to build a second church for them on their side of the river.  Now in retaliation yet again, after first breaking away, now they schedule their parade on Medfield Day  -

May 6, 2013

This year, the Town of Medway is celebrating its 300th anniversary. First settled in 1657, it was incorporated as an independent community in October 1713. Until that time Medway was part of Medfield, forming its western border.

In recognition of our tercentennial, Medway has planned a number of commemorative events. One of the premier events will be the Tercentennial
Parade, which will take place at 1 PM on Saturday, September 21, 2013.
Eighteen bands are scheduled to perform in the procession and we anticipate the
parade duration to be approximately two hours.

It is with distinct pleasure to invite you on behalf of the Town of Medway and
the Medway 300 Committee to observe the parade at our viewing stand, located
at the terminus of the parade route.

We would be honored to have your participation in what is sure to be a highlight of our yearlong celebration. We appreciate your consideration of our invitation and look forward to hearing from you. Please contact Allison Potter, Board of Selectmen’s office, at 508-533-3264 to let us know if you will be joining us.

Very truly yours,
John Foresto & Dennis Crowley

Selectmen and Co-Chairmen
Medway 300 Committee

Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) in Massachusetts has a page at their website that describes the reasons why marijuana use by young people is not good for their health – http://learnaboutsam.com/public-health/

Today’s items -

• Medfield Cares About Prevention (MCAP) leadership and group meeting this morning, for almost two hours – good progress being made to get this nascent substance abuse prevention effort solidly based and moving, while still awaiting possible $625,000 grant funding.  See www.MedfieldCares.org
• email from Mike with report from the legislature on the new DPH regulations on medical marijuana
• email from Mike re the tuition at the Aggie School not covering OPED expenses, and to the Norfolk Count’s administrator supporting Brookline’s memo that Aggie tuition should go up.
• an opportunity for a dinner with the family this evening (if Kristen did not have swim practice), as the Medfield State Hospital Reuse Committee meeting this evening will not happen as it did not get posted the required 48 hours ahead

Information on the recently issued state regulations on medical marijuana, courtesy of an email from Rep. Denise Garlick -

Subject: Final Medical Marijuana regs approved

Dear Colleagues,

Today, the Public Health Council of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health unanimously approved final regulations to implement the commonwealth’s voter approved medical marijuana law, which will take effect on May 24, 2013. These regulations are the result of an unprecedented and in depth process of soliciting input, collecting data and information from other medical marijuana states, and undergoing research to understand and implement best practices in filling out the framework that was established through the voter initiative. Doctors, patients, caretakers, law enforcement officials, lawmakers, parents, substance abuse councilors, entrepreneurs and others offered comments, testimony and information to DPH and each issue that arose was considered and addressed to the best of the Department’s ability. After draft regulations were released, the public was offered yet another opportunity to comment and recommend changes, and the final regulations were subject to the scrutiny of the Public Health Council.

This effort has not been taken lightly by DPH and as a result we can expect a program in place that can serve as a model to the rest of the country as more and more states look to legalize medical marijuana. While the voter initiative created the framework for the law, the regulations crafted by DPH filled out the program in a way consistent with the will of the voters, who entrusted the agency to address the missing components. These comprehensive regulations balance the very real need of many patients in our state suffering from debilitating conditions and the safety and protection of the general public, including our young people.

Among the many issues of concern addressed through these regulations are:

• ·         Ensuring legitimacy of patient certification and registration through a bona-fide relationship between patient and MA licensed physician
• ·         Continuing education requirements for certifying physicians
• ·         Ongoing monitoring and treatment of any medical marijuana patient by recommending doctor
• ·         Laboratory testing of medical marijuana products
• ·         Limiting access to patients under 18 years of age to those with life limiting illnesses, parental consent, and recommendation from 2 physicians (one of which is a pediatrician)
• ·         Stringent rules and restrictions around advertising and marketing of medical marijuana
• ·         Further clarification regarding the definition of a qualifying “debilitating condition” while preserving the rights of doctors and their patients to determine appropriate use
• ·         An appropriate and reasonable limit of allowable possession by patients
• ·         A limited number of highly secured and monitored dispensaries across the state, subject to inspection and “seed to sale” monitoring of product
• ·         Tight restrictions, qualifying criteria and alternative options for low income and disabled patients to drastically limit the allowance of hardship cultivation
• ·         A comprehensive application process for dispensaries, including provisions to require non-profit documentation, adequate resources to operate, no criminal background of dispensary agents, an analysis of projected patient population, plans for operation and security and an emphasis on local engagement from within proposed community

In addition, the new law does not:

• ·         Supersede Massachusetts laws prohibiting possession, cultivation, transport, distribution or sale of marijuana for non-medical purposes
• ·         Allow the operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of marijuana
• ·         Require a health care profession to recommend, or an insurer to cover, the use of medical marijuana
• ·         Require accommodation of medical marijuana use in schools, workplaces, or correctional facilities
• ·         Require the smoking of marijuana in any public place
• ·         Supersede the existing rights of landlords

The final regulations will be posted for review by the end of the day at ww.mass.gov/medicalmarijuana. I have been actively engaged with DPH throughout this process, and I am happy to remain a resource to you and your constituents as the program moves forward.  

Sincerely,

Frank I. Smizik

15th Norfolk

I was asked on FB to comment further on the town possibly buying the Medfield State Hospital site, and I will do it here as it also gets to FB and Twitter.

I think the town certainly must explore purchasing the Medfield State Hospital site, as controlling the ultimate uses of that site are both too important to and too desirable for the town, not to do so.

However, to intelligently explore any purchase we first need to marshal the facts and the data, if we are going to make a rational decision.  That means getting DCAMM’s asking price, as well as the costs to demolish and/or rehab the buildings, and learning things such as whether Mass. Historic will allow the demolition of any buildings.

Months ago the Board of Selectmen asked DCAMM to do building surveys of a sampling of the buildings to get a handle on the costs that would be involved to demolish and/or rehab them.  I think the cost to do those surveys in advance of any demolition of the current police and fire stations was quoted to me at about $5,000 per building.  I can imagine those surveys would cost more if the costs to rehab were wanted.

We also need to have a town wide discussion about what we want to do the the site if we were to purchase it.  I have suggested that we employ someone like Professor Lawrence Susskind of MIT to assist us in getting to a collaborative decision on the ultimate uses, by using the techniques he wrote about in his book, “Breaking Robert’s Rules.”   http://medfield02052.wordpress.com/2012/04/06/msh-discussions-with-state-today/ The basic process is that the person facilitating the process talks to all interested parties, writes up a list of the issues, holds a televised meeting to discuss and debate the issues, during which the residents vote on each issue by means of their cell phone.  We learn what the majority wants, and we then proceed with what the citizens have select.

At the the Board of Selectmen meeting last night DCAMM presented a broad outline of its general proposed terms for town’s MSH purchase of the Medfield State Hospital site.  See that letter via this link – 20130507-DCAMM-ltr from

AGENDA (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

Executive Session at 8:30 PM to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with nonunion personnel

7:00 PM DCAM Commissioner Carole Cornelison

Discuss state hospital site

ACTION

Medfield Energy Committee requests the Selectmen vote to appoint Adam Graber and Ryan McLaughlin to their committee

Memorial Day Committee invites the Selectmen to participate in the Memorial Day Parade and Exercises and further requests a parade permit and a discharge of firearms permit for Monday May 27,2013

American Legion Auxiliary requests permission to distribute Poppies in honor of our Veterans

Award contracts for demolition and construction for the Town Garage

An invitation is received from Troop 89 to attend the Eagle Scout Court of Honor for James Callahan, Matthew McKinney and Parker Wooden on Saturday June 1,2013

Letter from the Boston Society of Civil Engineers announcing middle school and high school students who participated in the annual “design a bridge online competition”

Carol Read of Medfield is working in Needham as their federally funded substance abuse coordinator, seeking to reduce substance abuse amongst Needham youth, and she also volunteers with Medfield Cares About Prevention (MCAP) (www.MedfieldCares.org).  Carol also works on the state level with the Massachusetts Prevention Alliance (MAPA), which became active during the recent ballot initiative.  Carol and her MAPA colleagues invited me to attend a kick off dinner last Friday evening for a group called Project SAM, Smart Approaches to Marijuana in Massachusetts.

Project SAM is headlined by

• former Congressman Patrick Kennedy,
• a child psychiatrist from Colorado who has studied the increased problems his patients have had because of marijuana, and
• a former drug adviser to recent U.S. presidents.

Friday evening the Project Sam members shared the data developed in places like Colorado, that has had medical marijuana for a while.  The facts I took home were that

• the brains of young people are not fully developed until their mid-20′s, making them more susceptible to substances
• marijuana use by our young people puts them at increased risk for mental health hospitalizations and substance abuse problems in later life (both statistically rise with marijuana use by young people),
• fairly low levels of marijuana use (2-3 times a week for 2-3 years) were shown by a New Zealand study to reduce IQ by up to 8 points.

If these facts are correct, it is not responsible for we as parents, as adults, as a town, and as a society to allow our young people to injure themselves by means of marijuana use, without giving them all the facts.  The data I heard on Friday evening really scares me for the risks that our youth are taking with the marijuana use that we know is happening in Medfield.  Our youth need to get these complete facts, so they can at least make an informed decision.