Politics & Government

484 Voters Gathered to Participate in Medfield's 360th Annual Town Meeting

32 articles were presented in the Report on the Warrant with only three stirring debate; Two articles required overrides and were passed by voters, creating a special election to take place May 23.

On Monday, 484 Medfield residents gathered in the Medfield High School gymnasium for nearly three and a half hours to participate in one of the town’s oldest standing traditions: Medfield’s 360th Annual Town Meeting.

“Imagine that [for] 360 years consecutively, people who have lived on this land have met at an annual town meeting and so it is an honor to be here to do this again,” Town Moderator Scott McDermott said. "We celebrate what I think is the best form of self government and participatory democracy."

It is required that at least 250 registered voters must be present at Town Meeting in order to conduct a forum. Town Clerk Carol A. Mayer informed McDermott that number had been reached prior to the start of the meeting. McDermott voiced appreciation to the 484 registered voters in attendance.

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“There are 8,800 registered voters in Medfield, but you are the people that really count because you are out here and assuming your voter responsibilities,” said McDermott.

There were 32 articles on the Report of the Warrant and each article was presented by a member of the Warrant Committee and then voted on by the town forum. With only three Articles on the report facilitating real debate, the Meeting was adjourned just after 11 p.m. Monday, effectively avoiding a carry-over into a second day.

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Those articles that stirred debate were the two requiring overrides (Articles 15 and 17) and Article 29, which authorizes Parks and Recreation to fine persons who violate rules and regulations in buildings or at facilities operated by Parks and Recreation. 

A Closer Look at Articles 15, 17:

With both overrides being passed at Town Meeting, the Board of Selectmen called for a May 23 Special Election for residents to vote “Yes” or “No” on these two questions in a paper ballot election. The deadline for registering to vote for the May 23 election is on Tuesday, May 3. Town Hall offices will be open until 8 p.m. on May 3 for residents to register. 

Article 29:

The only other Article on the Warrant Report that stirred real debate was Article 29, calling for the town to amend Article IV Police Regulations of the Town Bylaws by adding a new section 34 that authorizes the Park and Recreation Commission to “promulgate written rules and regulations for proper conduct of persons while in or at Town Buildings and facilities under its control.”

The new section 34 grants Parks and Recreation the authority to fine a person who engages in conduct prohibited by “said rules and regulations.” Fines include: $100 for first offense, $200 for second offense and $300 for third offense and $300 for each offense after that.

Residents questioned the “philosophy” behind the article because of the authority it grants Parks and Recreation.

“I'm not sure I understand the purpose of this particular regulation being proposed," Richard Holbrook of Vine Brook Road said. "We already have a police department which is charged for enforcing rules. With vandalism, [the police] are supposed to be finding and prosecuting such acts. It seems like we are trying to give the Parks and Recreation Department the ability to on their own to decide who's guilty and access fines. What prompted this to give the Parks and Recreation Department policing powers?"

Medfield Chief of Police Robert Meaney Jr. explained why he was in favor of the article.

“I understand what Parks and Rec. is driving at," Meaney said. "They don't want my folks dealing with the people driving golf balls and riding horses and things of that nature. They would like to do that themselves and leave the malicious and vandalism and those sort of things to me. The other thing that I will give you to consider is that this will give me the opportunity if we have an act of vandalism to not go the district court route and we might be able to go a civil citation route and not create a criminal record. I'm OK with it, I'm onboard with it."

The article then passed by 2/3 majority vote. 

Of the 32 articles in the 2011 Warrant, articles 22, 25, 30 and 31 were voted to be dismissed from the Warrant. All other articles were passed by voters. 

Monday was also declared Medfield High School Jazz Band Day in town and McDermott read a letter signed by the Medfield Board of Selectmen declaring the day as such. The letter read as follows: 

"This letter is presented to the Medfield High School Jazz Band, Douglas Olsen, director. The recognition of winning outstanding honors in the Charles Mingus High School Jazz Band competition held in New York City. The Board of Selectmen have declared that today, the 25th day of April, 2011 to be Medfield High School Jazz Band Day."

 The Medfield High School Jazz Ensemble I, led by director Doug Olsen, performed various numbers, including “Georgia on My Mind” for those in attendance prior to the start of Town Meeting and Medfield High School students and members of the Jazz Choir, Stephanie Shepherd and Allie Kauffman, performed the National Anthem.


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