Medfield Selectmen Review DPW 2012 budget

The Board of Selectmen, Tuesday night listened to the presentation of the Public Works Department’s Fiscal Year 2012 budget. Superintendent Ken Feeney noted the budgets for most Public Works departments remained “level” with those of last year, save for step increases, which are increases in salaries for Public Works employees.

A discussion on Public Works overtime led Feeney to explain that although overtime is substantial, in the long run it’s cheaper for the town than if the work was “contracted out” or if additional staff were hired.

“If you bring more people on board, there are benefits and insurance," he said. “We’re competitive at our wage level with other communities.”

NSTAR to Transport Transformer Through Town

NSTAR has informed the town that On Sunday, March 13, they will be transporting a large 18 foot transformer from Boston, with the transport route passing along Route 109 through Medfield. The trasport will be accompanied by a State Police escort. Medfield Chief of Police Robert Meaney noted the transformer is expected to pass through Medfield between the hours of 1 and 3 p.m. The extra-wide load will travel at a speed of just 5 miles-per-hour as it passes through town. “I would suggest to traffic,” Meaney said, “that it’s not going to be pretty.”

In Other Business:

• Selectmen approved a request from the Board of Health to appoint Wendy Jackson as Associate Member.
• Permits were granted for the Zullo Gallery for a one-day wine and malt permit for Saturday, March 5 and to the Medfield Fitness Association for their event on March 5 at the Pfaff Center. A request to place signs announcing the Memorial and Wheelock Schools’ Annual Winter Carnival, to be held on Saturday, March 12 was also granted.
• The Board heard an informational presentation by David Stephenson, of Stephenson Strategies on new technology, which can be utilized to “tag” historic buildings. The new application would allow iPhone users to retrieve coded information on historic sites, simply by utilizing their phones.
• Medfield resident, Megan McAvoy sought permission from the board to hold a 5K/Kids’ Fun Run, scheduled for May. McAvoy stated the route would be similar to that used by the “Angel Run,” which caused Selectman Thompson to voice her concern on behalf of residents living along the route. “The neighbors may complain if we have two events (along that route) so close together,” she said. McAvoy replied the plans have not been finalized and that other routes were still under consideration. The Board suggested that McAvoy have the Chief of Police “sign off” on the route and informed McAvoy that once that occurs, they would be inclined to approve it.