Selectmen Meeting Notes: More 40B Discussion, Changes to Town Warrant and State Hospital Update

Chapter 40B continues to dominate discussion at public meetings as the Medfield Board of Selectmen spent over an hour discussing the legislation and town options regarding the development of affordable housing with residents in attendance at Tuesday's meeting.

The selectmen revisited selectmen chair Osler "Pete" Peterson's suggestion to create an affordable housing study committee for the town that was made at its Feb. 21 meeting. Selectman Ann Thompson said the town already has an Affordable Housing Committee and the members of that committee should be contacted and asked if they would still like to be active members. Thompson, who sits on the committee, said it has not met in "about a year" and suggested that some members may opt to resign, opening spots up for interested residents.

The selectmen encouraged anyone interested in joining the town's Affordable Housing Committee to submit a letter of interest to the Board of Selectmen. Selectman Mark Fisher also encouraged residents interested in getting involved with the town's affordable housing plan to attend town meetings relevant to those discussions, primarily the Affordable Housing Committee, which are being contacted to schedule a meeting in the near future, according to town officials. Details of that meeting will be made available on the town's website and Medfield Patch when the information becomes known.

The for over two hours, discussing the town's vulnerability to affordable housing developments and its limited options in preventing such developments, like the proposed 96-unit apartment complex on West Street. On Tuesday, nine residents followed that meeting up with one hour and 20 minutes of discussion and questions for the selectmen, Town Administrator Michael Sullivan and Town Counsel Mark Cerel. Chief among those questions was how is the town going to protect itself from future developments?

Residents asked the selectmen about initiating an affordable housing plan for the town and inquired about how the 2005 reuse plan for the former could serve as that plan.

Cerel, along with Sullivan and the selectmen, explained the state hospital reuse plan for affordable housing is no longer viable because the plan was never executed and housing was never developed. For an affordable housing plan to serve as a town's defense against unwanted 40B development, the town must be executing that plan yearly until it is complete.

Peterson also _ that he earlier published on his blog, which appeared as a poll question on Medfield Patch.

Town Meets with Auditors

Sullivan told selectmen the town met with auditors Tuesday morning and said at that meeting it was determined Medfield is in "very good shape." Peterson suggested the selectmen meet with the auditors as well.

Changes to Town Warrant

Selectmen voted to open the 2012 Town Warrant to delete three articles and add two, bringing the amount of articles in this year's warrant to 28. The following articles were deleted and moved to the town's capital budget:

• Appropriate funds for purchase of a radio console for the Medfield Police Department
• Appropriate funds for purchase of generator for the Center.
• Adopt Massachusetts stretch energy codes as a town.

The following articles were approved and added to this year's warrant:

• Adopt flood plain management regulations (FEMA)
• Appropriate funds for inspections and repairs of wastewater plant and sewer system.

The selectmen then voted to close the warrant and Sullivan reviewed the articles with the board. Check back at Medfield Patch for more coverage on the Town Warrant and the 28 articles.

State Hospital Update

Selectmen voted to move forward with consulting legal counsel at the request of John Thompson, chairman of State Hospital Environmental Review Committee and the recommendation of Cerel. Thompson continued to stress this request does not mean the town is seeking legal action, it is simply seeking advice and information regarding what legal options the town has in terms of demanding DCAM fully remove the hazardous waste at the C&D area.

Selectmen were also notified the March 8 PIP meeting with DCAM has been moved to March 22. Meeting is expected to go from 7 to 9 p.m. and it is believed DCAM will present its plan to cap the hazardous waste material in place on the site and not fully remove it.

Action Items

• Selectmen voted to accept the resignation letter from Park and Recreation Commissioner Lisa Louttit, who is moving out of town. As a result of the vacant position, selectmen voted to hold a special election to fill Louttit's position. Anyone interested in serving as Park and Recreation Commissioner can send a letter of interest to the Medfield Board of Selectmen.
• Selectmen voted to approve Norfolk County Mosquito Control District's request for the town to support the organization's fiscal year 2013 budget. Board of Health recommended the Board of Selectmen vote in favor of this request. 
• Selectmen voted to grant permission to Norfolk County Mosquito Control to land at the Route 27 landfill site for annual larvicide applications.
• Selectmen approved the appointment of "young" George Hinkley as a member of the Bay Colony Rail Trail Study Committee.
• Selectmen voted to accept the Feb. 21 meeting minutes.

Licenses and Permits Issued

Selectmen voted to approve the following licenses and permits:

• A one-day wine and malt beverage permit for March 17 Saint Patrick's Day event from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Council on Aging center.
• The Gazebo Players requested a one-day wine and malt beverage permit for the "Murder Mystery Evening" at the library on March 31.
• Destination Imagination requested permission to use the town gazebo on Saturday at March 17. The show takes place Saturday, March 17 from noon to 4 pm.
• Medfield resident requested permission to use gazebo on Friday, March 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. for a local band to provide music for event to be held at the Zullo Gallery.
• St. Edward's Parish requested a one-day liquor license for its March 17 dinner, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Tuesday's meeting adjourned at 9:29 p.m. It can be seen in its entirety on _Medfield.TV's website_.