Meeting Notes: Medfield Selectmen Discuss Town’s Drinking Water; Election Schedule and State Hospital

Medfield Superintendent of Public Works, Ken Feeney, discussed Medfield’s drinking water with the Board of Selectmen at the request of selectman Ann Thompson to put to rest rumors that had been circulating regarding the town’s drinking water.

“We had detections of coliform bacteria in well six [in July] and when that came up we had to inform people,” Feeney said. “Unfortunately, well six supplies most of the water for the town and we think we got some of the coliform bacteria through the system and we had to chase it for awhile.”

Feeney said the wells have been completely clean as of two weeks ago and more testing will be performed on the wells Wednesday. Feeney said the town has also been flushing hydrants as part of the process of clearing the system.

As for the rumor from an unknown source that circulated around town, Feeney said no town employees became ill as a result of the drinking water or the coliform bacteria, which is not a pathogen.

“Was there a blog?” Feeney asked. “I’m not too sure. I’m surprised the person didn’t call me. The message I got was that an employee became ill. There’s no truth to that, nothing I know about anyone becoming sick due to the water. Certainly no one in the town got sick. That’s just the way it goes with this person blogging. I don’t know why they didn’t call me. It’s crazy.”

Feeney said the town’s water department had “to chase down” the coliform bacteria for awhile and after performing three types of disinfection, the bacteria is out of the wells.

Selectmen Endorse Legislation Bill H. 1972 to Combine Primary Elections

Town Clerk Carol Mayer asked for the selectmen’s support of Bill H. 1972 regarding election primaries.

The bill, according to Mayer, revolves around an act to regulating election primaries, “which basically will take the presidential primary in March and the September primary and combined that into one election in June.”

Mayer said the bill, if passed by the state and accepted by the Board of Selectmen, would save the town $4,000 to $4,500 in election costs.

“The city clerk in Woburn is also a good friend of ours and he decided to present this bill,” Mayer said. “He did a lot of investigation, he thought it was a good idea and now he’s trying to push it through because the year is almost over. So, he is asking us to present it to Board of Selectmens, City Councils. I think it is a great idea and at this point I don’t think there’s any downfall.”

The selectmen approved Mayer’s request for one primary election in June, pending state approval of Bill H. 1972.

Selectmen Hear Update on State Hospital Status

The selectmen received copies of the letters sent by Congressman Stephen Lynch, Senator James Timilty and state representatives Denise Garlick and Dan Winslow requesting the Army Corps delay issuing the permit to work in the Charles River to DCAM.

There was also a 45-day extension granted for the town’s final comments regarding the material in the Phase II and Phase III reports submitted by DCAM, according to Town Administrator Michael Sullivan.

Selectmen Approve Request to Send ‘Welcome Home’ Letters to Armed Forces Members

Medfield Veterans’ Service Officer, Ron Griffin, requested the Medfield Board of Selectmen send letters welcoming home members of the armed forces when they return and it was unanimously approved by the board.

“It’s just a letter of welcome and thanks,” Griffin said. “I think it means a lot to veterans.”

Feeney says Medfield has a Beaver Problem

Feeney addressed the complaints he had heard from Indian Hill Road residents regarding a swamp-like odor in the area. Feeney said the likely cause of the odor is from the beavers in the area building dams and cutting off water flow. Feeney went on to say that Medfield has a beaver problem as dams are being built by the animals and taken down by the Medfield DPW. These dams create water problems for some residents, creating risk to their properties.

Selectmen Took Action on the Following Items:

• The selectmen approved Feeney’s request to award the Joint Salt Bid to Eastern Minerals, Inc. as follows / CC $47.20 and Solar $47.20.
• The selectmen signed an acknowledgement letter that they received the Beacon Communities’ funding application they submitted to MassHousing and DHCD for the purchase of Wilkens Glen.
• The selectmen approved the request to award the bid for the installation of a fire alarm control panel in Town Hall to Anderson Electrical Contractors, Inc. out of Walpole. The cost of the installation is $12,415.
• The selectmen discussed options regarding early retiree reinsurance program available through the MIIA Health Benefits Trust program and will review it further.
• The selectmen approved meeting minutes for Sept. 19 and 20.

Licenses and Permits:

• The selectmen approved Medfield Youth Lacrosse’s request to place signs Nov. 1-15 announcing its registration for the spring 2012 season.
• The selectmen approved Medfield Youth Soccer request to post signs Oct. 15-30 promoting registration for the fall soccer season.
• Selectmen approved Kingsbury Club’s request to conduct a 5K Road Race on Saturday, Oct. 22.