BoS Agenda for 8-21-12

TOWN OF MEDFIELD
MEETING
NOTICE
POSTED:
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 August 21, 2012 @ 7:00 PM

AGENDA (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

APPOINTMENTS
7:00 pM Downtown Study Committee
7:15 PM Council on Aging Director, Roberta Lynch
Activities update

ACTION
Vote to authorize Chairman Thompson execute Letter of Engagement with Malloy, Lynch,
Bienvenue, LLP, auditors
Update on beaver dam

MEDFIELD STATE HOSPITAL STATUS UPDATE

INFORMATIONAL
Number of grave sites available at Vine Lake Cemetery; information requested by Chairman Tom Sweeney
Copy of newspaper editorial: Forgotten WWI Memorials at Medfield State Hospital
=================
GRAVE SITES AVAILABLE

Section Qty lot size TOTAL
H      112       1 and 2     224
J          57           4           228
B3       10           4             40
B3           1          10           10
K             1             6              6
K             1           10           10
L             2              8           16
Total                                534

Minutes from 8-7-12

I just got Evelyn’s draft minutes for 8-7-12.  Correction = it was Ann and Mark who wanted to hear directly from the MEC on the GCA.

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Meeting Minutes
August 7, 2012
Chenery Meeting Room draft
PRESENT: Selectmen Thompson, Fisher, Peterson; Town Administrator Sullivan; Administrative
Assistant Clarke
Chairman Thompson called the meeting to order at 7 PM and announced that the meeting is
being recorded.
Mrs. Thompson extended sympathy to the family of Mary Luciano who recently passed away ..
She retired in 2009 from the Water and Sewer Department after a 10 year career.
STATE PRIMARY WARRANT
VOTED unanimously to sign the September 6,2012 State Primary Warrant
COMCAST CABLE
The cable company notified the Town that they have begun the renewal licensing process.
Town Counsel Cerel reported that he had conversation with William Soloman attorney who has
assisted the Town in past licensing renewals. The Town needs to send an acknowledgement
letter to Com cast. The Selectmen are requested to vote to sign a letter prepared by Mr.
Sullivan. On a motion made and seconded, it was so voted.
VETERANS’ SERVICE OFFICER
Ron Griffin remarked that he is here to discuss the Servicemen’s’ Valor Act. Governor Patrick
signed this into law on May 31,2012. Its goal is to assist in the transition from military to
civilian life. A few ofthe Act’s provisions: servicemen can volunteer to take part in the tax
write-off program for up to $750.00 exemption (requires town meeting vote in Medfield),
grant money to start a business; help to determine if military training may equate to college
credits; surviving spouse of servicemen killed as a result of action entitled to a tax exemption.
Mr. Griffin said that the state does want to make sure that every serviceman has access to a
service agent. Norfolk County now has a Veterans’ Advocate, Joe Horton who will be visiting
Medfield in the near future. Mrs. Thompson queried about the number of veterans in town to
which Griffin said that he is more prepared with the information this evening as last time he
was before the Board he gave an approximate number kind of off the top of his head. World
War II there are nine vets over the age of 90; 120 over the age of 80; 131 Korean vets in their
70’s and 144 in their 60’s along with age bracket above and below 50 for a total of 506.
The Selectmen thanked Mr. Griffin for his report.
CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
Chairman Tom Sweeney introduced the committee, Frank lafolla, AI Manganello (Rob Gregg is
in attendance). Mr. Sweeney reported that the new cemetery rates became effective June l’
August 7, 2012
Page two
with a single lot at 750.00 and cost of a double is $1,500. Medfield’s rates are in line with
similar public cemeteries. The commissioners will review the rates set more frequently as the
last increase was at least 10 years ago. Mr. Peterson queried if we have sufficient funds to
cover expenses and the response is no. However, that could turn around as interest rates
increase. The cemetery encompasses about 32 acres.
KETTLE POND WAY AND COLE DRIVE
Mr. Cerel mentioned that 2012 town Meeting voted to accept the layouts of the two roads.
The next step is to file a confirmatory order at the registry. The Selectmen are requested to
vote to sign the order. On a motion made by Selectman Fisher, seconded by Selectman
Peterson it was
VOTED unanimously to sign the Confirmatory Order of Layout, Acceptance and Taking of
Kettle Pond Way and Cole Drive
BAYBERRY I STAGECOACH ROAD
Residents of that area including a few from Indian Hill Road neighborhood are present to
request that the Selectmen help them with an excessive standing water problem.
Spokesperson Kevin Driscoll said that the Stop River has stopped. The Driscolls and others have
lived in the area for many years, some over 40 and have never seen anything like this. It was
beautiful with fast flowing water that sometimes people would use canoes. The area has been
damp but never the swamp conditions that we see today. There has to be something blocking
the flow of water and it appears that it is beavers hard at work building dams. The green slime,
standing water and dead fish make for an unbearable odor. The residents are very concerned
about mosquitoes, tree damage on private and public property, displaced animals such as fox,
muskrats and deer and the safety of children that play in the area. Superintendent Feeney said
that Medfield has a large beaver population and the Town’s authority is limited to do anything
about them as they have wildlife protection. A private trapper should be contacted ..
The residents request that the Town do more mosquito control/spraying; analyze the water;
hire a trapper; remove the dam(s). Mr. Sullivan said that he will contact the Norfolk County
Mosquito control to find out if they could help break the dams and will contract a trapper.
The Selectmen will do whatever they can to help with this problem.
COMCAST GROUND LEASE
Comcast has for many years leased space at the Town Garage property. They now have plans
to expand the head-end facility. Town Counsel Cerel has been working with their attorney on a
ground lease agreement that is now ready for the Selectmen’s signature. On a motion made
and seconded, it was so voted to sign.
August 7, 2012
Page three
MINUTES
VOTED unanimously to acceptthe minutes of July 3,17 and 18 as submitted
ANNUAL CALENDAR
Selectmen Peterson would like to follow the calendar that he prepared. He mentioned
that he used Medfield’s traditional calendar that is included with the annual budget packet
and inserted items that are on the Town of Amherst calendar which he feels are pertinent.
Mr. Sullivan remarked that Town Accountant Joy Ricciuto is working on the prior year budget
reports as the auditors will be here to review in the next several weeks.
KINGSBURY POND COMMITIEE
Mr. Sullivan received an email from committee member Richard Judge requesting the
Selectmen considers reestablishing the Kingsbury Pond Committee and submitted four names
to be appointed to the committee. The Board agreed it is a good time for the committee to
come together and make plans. On a motion made by Selectman Fisher, seconded by
Selectman Peterson it was
VOTED unanimously to appoint Garrett Graham, Ann Krawec, Andrew Spencer and Richard
Judge to the Kingsbury Pond Committee
BOY SCOUTS
The Selectmen received notice that several scouts have earned the rank of Eagle Scout and will
be honored at a Court of Honor in the near future. The scouts are Connor Gaffney, Christian
Honan and Aaron Thole from Troop 89 and Nicholas Derian, Troop 10.
LICENSES & PERMITS
VOTED unanimously to grant permission to Medfield Youth Basketball to post signs
announcing fall registration
VOTED unanimously to grant permission to the Cypress Street neighbors to hold a block
party on Saturday September 29
STATE HOSPITAL STATUS UPDATE
Ms. Trierweiler remarked that the State Hospital Mediation Committee has had four sessions.
The focus has been the assessment and remediation of the C&D area. All parties have signed a
confidentiality agreement and not much may be talked about in public although information
presented to the Selectmen previously in executive session was brought to the public’s
attention. Both the Medfield delegation and DCAM delegation feel that the sessions have been
productive and informative. Sessions are scheduled for September and October.
August 7, 2012
Page four
Ms. Trierweiler reported that the former Clark building is coming down almost brick by brick.
Resident John Harney was recognized. He is a member of the State Hospital Redevelopment
Committee and reported that they recently met and have determined that they hope to make
site visits to Danvers and Lexington as they have undergone redevelopment.
SELECTMEN REPORT
Mr. Fisher has no report.
Mr. Peterson attended the ZBA hearing listening to water consultant Tom Houston report on
the West Street 40B project. Houston said that the developer is following engineering practices
however, the more units in a project the more risks. There are several issues that he and the
developer differ. The ZBA continued the hearing to August 27. Peterson attended the Energy
Committee and learned that the Town has reached a 30% savings on energy costs. Mr.
Peterson would like to have the committee come to a Selectmen’s meeting to give a brief
update on the logistics of becoming a green community.
Mrs. Thompson attended the remediation session; congratulated the Bridge Street lottery
winner and gave kudos to all who participated in the Pan Mass challenge.
INFORMATIONAL
Mr. Sullivan highlighted the report on recycling tonnage, Trust Funds report, Planning Board
site plan approval for 77 South Street, letter from a Philip Street resident requesting the Town
make his road safer and reports from the Norfolk county Mosquito Control District
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion made by Selectman Fisher, seconded by Selectman Peterson the meeting
adjourned at 8:4S PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Evelyn Clarke

Eastern Equine Encephalitis

From the state website http://www.mass.gov/agr/mosquito/geir_docs/GEIR_MOSQUITO_SPECIES.pdf

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

1. Eastern Equine Encephalitis
MCP’s in Southeastern Massachusetts, i.e., Norfolk, Bristol and Plymouth Counties, face the greatest threat
from this disease. During major epidemic years, virus activity extends northward from this enzootic focus into
southern New Hampshire and westward into Rhode Island, Connecticut and Central Massachusetts. All projects
except Berkshire County give considerable continuing attention to this potential problem. Upon occasion, projects
may submit mosquitoes to the SLI for EEE virus analysis.
The enzootic foci of EEE are red maple/white cedar swamps. The largest adult populations of the enzootic
vector, Cs. melanura, occurs in or near the localized swamps where this species develops. Most human and horse
cases also occur in the immediate vicinity of these same swamp habitats. Still, at times this mosquito may disperse
114
several miles from its larval habitat (Morris et al. 1980. Nasci 1980. Nasci & Edman 1984) and human/horse cases
occasionally occur in upland areas. This mosquito is unusual in that it overwinters in the larval stage (4th or 3rd
instar). Adults from this generation emerge in late spring (i.e., mid to late May). Two to three summer generations
occur about one month apart, e.g., in late June, July and August, depending on water levels and temperature (Nasci
1980). EEE virus is generally not isolated from this mosquito until late summer. During epidemic years it tends to
be isolated earlier, i.e., beginning in early July, but apparently never from the overwintering generation. The
location of the virus from November to July remains a mystery. Culiseta melanura feeds only after dark and the
vast majority of blood meals are obtained from passerine birds (Nasci & Edman 1981a). This sylvan mosquito
feeds equally at ground level and at higher elevations in the tree canopy. Activity is concentrated just after dark and
just before sunrise (Nasci & Edman 1981b). The morning flight activity peak does not seem to involve
blood-feeding but rather the return to suitable daytime resting sites.
The isolation of EEE virus from the cattail mosquito Cq. perturbans during disease outbreaks (Crans,
personal communication) has focused suspicion on this species at the most likely epidemic vector to horses and
humans. Ae. vexans and Ae. canadensis are two other prime suspects for EEE virus transmission to humans and
horses in Massachusetts. Like Cq. perturbans, they are major pests. Their biologies will be described along with
the other pest species.
A new EEE threat may be developing in New England as Ae. sollicitans, long a known vector in New
Jersey (Crans et al. 1991), was, for the first time, found to be EEE-positive in Connecticut in 1996 (Andreadis
1996). Crans (1991) gave a suggested cycle for EEE transmission to Aedes sollicitans in which Cs. melanura
infected night-roosting glossy ibis, which were then fed upon by Ae. sollicitans while feeding in the salt marsh.
Though the link between glossy ibis and Ae. sollicitans is tentative, there can be no question that Ae. sollicitans is a
potent vector in New Jersey and could be an important vector in Massachusetts as well.

Mosquitoes and beaver ponds

Emails from Stagecoach Road resident to Norfolk County Mosquito Control, their reply, and Mike Sullivan’s cover email to selectmen re same, all about the different types of mosquitoes at the beaver’s pond.  There is really detailed information available at the state website link provided  –

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8/16/2012  7:49PM
fw: RE: Mosquitoes that inhabit beaver ponds
Sullivan, Michael J.
===========================================================
Below is a response from Caroline Haviland regarding species of mosquitos and habitats. Norfolk County started breeching the dam today and will continue for as long as it takes. Hope no one misses Lake Beaver. On the other hand, if they’re really “eager beavers” they may put the lake back next week. Mike Sullivan
—————————————-
From: “Caroline E. Haviland”

Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2012 2:05 PM
To:

Subject: RE: Mosquitoes that inhabit beaver ponds

I apologize for the delay in responding to your e-mail..  My comments during the site visit revolved around habitat changes.  Different species of mosquitoes have certain habitat preferences, i.e. temporary pools, flood plains, plastic containers, permanent water, etc.  In past seasons we’ve treated the flood plains of the Stop River that now seem to be effected by the beaver activity.  Our target species during those applications would be Aedes vexans & other “temporary” or “flood” water species of mosquitoes.  The area upstream of the dam has been converted to “permanent” water habitat and over time, could support permanent water vegetation (ex. Cattails) and attract permanent water species of mosquitoes such as Coquillettidia perturbans.  I’ve included a link below that may better explain this.

http://www.mass.gov/agr/mosquito/geir_docs/GEIR_MOSQUITO_SPECIES.pdf

I apologize for such a short response and am happy to try to provide you with additional information if you wish, mid week next week.  We are working with the Town of Medfield to attempt to lower the water level through a controlled breach of the dam.  We are unsure how active the beaver are and will soon find out how quickly they may rebuild the dam.  We currently do not install water level control devices through dams, but are very interested in learning more about that and may be able to in the future.  Trapping may be employed during the official trapping season.

Sincerely,

Caroline E. Haviland
Field Operations Manager
Norfolk County Mosquito Control District
phone: (781) 762-3681
fax: (781) 769-6436
http://www.norfolkcountymosquito.org
================
From:

Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2012 10:16 AM
To:

Subject: Mosquitoes that inhabit beaver ponds

I was out of town last week when the Medfield board of selectman had a meeting about beaver dams in Medfield.  I heard that Caroline Haviland from the Norfolk Country Mosquito Control made a comment about a different species of mosquito inhabiting the beaver pond now that the water level has risen.

I’d like to inquire about document or information about this mosquito, or at least its scientific name so that I may research and learn more about it.

Would you be able to send me any information or at least the name of the species.

Thanks,

Beaver dam

Email from Mike Sullivan about the permits in place to breach the beaver dam –

 

 8/15/2012  3:10PM
Removal of the beaver dam
Sullivan, Michael J.
===========================================================
The permits authorizing the removal of the beaver dam have been signed by agents of the Board of Health and the Conservation Commission and forwarded to the Norfolk County Mosquito Control. I spolk to Caroline Haviland from Norfolk County Mosquito Control this afternoon and depending upon the weather tonight and tomorrow, they may start breeching the dam tomorrow. As noted earler, it will take several days to fully remove the dam. Medfield DPW has also been alerted in case they need to assist. Mike Sullivan

MMA writes about the MFi

The Massachusetts Municipal Association in its summer 2012 edition of The Bulletin published an article on the Medfield Foundation, to look  back on the MFi’s successful results after ten years of existence.

Medfield Foundation helps
generate $1.3M for nonprofits
Slightly more than a
decade after its creation,  a
volunteer-run organization
known as the Medfield
Foundation has facilitated
the raising of more than
$ 1.3 million for roughly 20
local nonprofit entities.

A key benefit of the program
is that it spares volunteer
groups from the cumbersome
process of creating
a 501{c) 3 nonprofit entity
on their own, according to
Medfield Selectman Osler
“Pete” Peterson. And because
the Medfield Foundation’s
overhead has remained low
– the only notable expenses
are insurance and accounting
– only 1 percent of the
money that individual
groups raise goes to cover
administrative costs.

The Medfield Foundation
··facilitates a lot of things that
are at the edges.-· said Peterson,
an original member of
the organization’s steering
committee. ·”This is about
getting things done that otherwise
might not happen.”

Peterson said that the foundation
has been especially
useful for raising money for
school-related projects that
don’t fit neatly into any
school budget category, such
as improvements to the football
stadium. One fund,
called the “Field of Dreams:’
raised $600,000 for synthetic
turf; a second collected
$ 175.000 for bleachers.

Other organizations under
the Medfield Foundation
umbrella include the annual
“Medfield Night” fireworks; a
neighborhood art gallery: a
college-scholarship fund: the
local Medical Reserve Corps
unit: a Council on Aging
bus transit program for seniors:
and “Fest Fund”-
which enables the Parks
and Recreation Commission
to host concerts by teenage
musicians.

The Medfield Foundation
also honors outstanding
volunteers, many of whom are
teenagers, Peterson said.

When the foundation was
created in 2001, it was
touted as a means of alleviating the town ‘s reliance on
property taxes. Peterson described
the average annual
tax increase over the past
decade of 2.6 percent as
relatively modest, given that
three new schools were con-
structed during that period.
For more about the Medfield
Foundation visit
http://www.medfieldfoundation.org.
– Mitch Evich

Clean energy webinar

Webinar this morning on municipal clean energy.

MASSCEC Webinar – Clean Energy Generation and Energy Efficiency – Local Benefits and Realities

Municipal official from Pittsfield told of its 5 acre PV solar array they installed at its waste water treatment plant (WWTP) paid for with Federal ARRA stimulus monies.  That PV array produces 30% of the electrical needs of the WWTP ($220,000/year) and they also sell green energy credits for $450,000/year to cover 90% of the electric needs of their WWTP.

Pittsfield also got a state Green Communities grant of $93,000 which they used to convert the electric heat to gas heat in a city owned art center, which saves them $9,000/year.   Pittsfield converted its traffic lights to LED’s, mainly paid for by a grant from its utility.

Pittsfield converted its traffic signals to LED’s by means of grant money from its utility, also providing big savings.

Speaker said biggest issue when the Green Communities Act (GCA) was discussed was the adoption of the stretch build code, but that after its adoption it has not been an issue at all.

The Medfield Energy Committee has looked into the our becoming a Green Community, and has recently written to ask the Board of Selectmen whether the selectmen want them to pursue Medfield becoming a green community.  Ann and Mark wanted to hear from the MEC in person before deciding, and that decision should be made soon.  The biggest benefit of Medfield becoming a green community is our shoeing leadership to do what is right for the environment, and as a side benefit we get access to the state GCA grants.

Medfield becoming greener under the leadership of the MEC has so far saved the town 30% of its former energy spending.  Medfield becoming a green community can save us even more money, and also save our environment.

Update on beaver dam

Mike Sullivan just sent the following email that updates the beaver issue status –

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Update on beaver dam

The status of the beaver dam removal is as follows:
1. Norfolk County Mosquito Control has agreed to assist with the breeching of the dam. They will notch it over several days to lower it gradually.  If it were removed all at once it could a create hazard  to downstream structures given all the water that is impounded.

2, The Board of Health Agent, William Domey has signed off on a preliminary permit to breech the dam. He would not, however, approve trapping of the beavers, so that has to be  put on hold for the present.

3.  I have spoken to the Conservation Commission Agent and left her a copy of the Board of Health permit. The Conservation Commission has to sign  off on the breeching of the dam. She will take care of that on Tuesday, when she returns to work.

4  When the Conservation Commission has signed off I have to attach a copy of that sign off to the Board of Health preliminary permit and return it to the Board of Heatlh Agent for issuance of the final permit.

5.  Norfolk County Mosquito will be available to start breeching the dam as soon as the Board of Health final permit is issued. The Medfield DPW will be available to assist, as necessary.

6. I have notified the licensed emergency beaver trapper that we will not be able to utilize his services at the present time. As of November,1, the start of the normal beaver trapping season, he will be available to trap beavers, without approval of the Board of Health. If the problem persists, in the meantime, we’ll just have to start the process all over again.
7.  No one ever said it would be easy! Have a good weekend.
Mike Sullivan

Beaver control

Mike Sullivan reported Wednesday on his progress on what can be done to control the beaver infestation along the Stop River by Stagecoach and Bayberry Roads, as follows –

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

Update on beavers: Making progress with Board of Health, Conservation Commission, Norfolk County Mosquito Control and Barry Mandel (licensed emergency trapper). Will know more tomorrow or Friday after site visit by Carolyn Haviland, Water Management Specialist, from Norfolk County Mosquito Control and Leslee Willets, Conservation Commission Agent.. Will Check with Bill Domey to see if he’ll issue 10 day emergency permit. Mandel’s fee is $500 set up and $150/trapped beaver. Need to coordinate breeching of dam and trapping to make most use of ten day emergency permi; otherwise have to file with Mass Fish and Wildlife for and additonal 30 day emergency permit, which may require preparation of a beaver management plan. Whoever said “nothing’s ever easy” must have been talking about government regulations. Approximate cost $2,300. Will follow up tomorrow when more info available.  Mike

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

I looked over the situation Wednesday morning, and the beavers seem to have chosen about the worst possible place to live along the Stop River, as in other areas the river banks are steeper, and any flooding would not effect homeowners as much.  That may be why the beavers chose that spot, because their dam creates a wide flooded area.

I recall that I had heard of diverter pipes put through beaver dams as a way of draining the water.  Perhaps that too can be explored as a possible solution.  I would think the beavers would figure that one out, but I know I saw that as a suggested solution when I was looking into this issue once before.

ZBA continued hearing on West Street 40B

ZBA water issues consultant Tom Houston presented his analysis of the sixty odd issues he had with the proposal.  Tom Houston first said the plans were better than usual.  He then reviewed those comments where he and the developer differed.

Six inches over cover is too little over a sewer.  However, increasing that cover may require raising the elevation of the buildings.

Light fixtures illumination should not be visible from off site.

ZBA chair, Bob Sylvia, asked Hoston’s opinions as to the risks to the wetlands and the aquifer.  Houston noted his specific suggestions for separators at the site to protect the wetlands, which also protects the aquifer.  He said that any development has risks, and that the higher the density the higher the risks.  However, he noted that these plans follow generally accepted engineering practices.  To this observer, he was saying that this is the current state of the art, but that does not mean that it is without risks.

I asked about what I understood to be a major water related risk, namely that the whole development is located within 100 flood levels, i.e. the development will be under water during a 100 year flood.  I was told that there are written submissions on that issue, and that there are differing opinions.

The next continued hearing date for the ZBA hearings on Gatehouse’s 40B proposal is August 27, when it was said that architecture will be the focus.