ZBA Resignation, Recycling Hauler, and More Selectmen Meeting Notes

The Board of Selectmen met on Tuesday night and discussed the following:

* Held a moment of silence in honor of the Dec. 14 tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut.

* Learned the transfer station will be open extra hours next week including Dec. 26, Dec. 27, Dec. 28, and Dec. 29.

* Voted to award the town's single stream recycling contract to E.L. Harvey & Sons, Inc. of Westborough

* Received a recycling grant from the Department of Environmental Protection that gives $1,000 to the town to update the printed materials at the transfer station; it also gives $2,000 to the school department to update the recycling equipment for the school custodians.

* Approved the meeting minutes of Dec. 4, 2012

* Awarded the by-law codification contract to General Code of Rochester, NY, at a cost of approximately $12,000. The company will bring together the town's Charter, regulations and by-laws in printed and electronic formats to make them more accessible to the public.

* Opened the warrant for the 2013 Annual Town Meeting.

* Received an invitation to an Eagle Scout award ceremony for Patrick Dalton, John Dalton, and Alexander Carpino of Troop 89 on Jan. 19 at the United Church of Christ. 

* Approved a one-day wine and malt beverage permit for a fundraiser to be held at The Center at Medfield on Feb. 2 to benefit the High School Jazz Band.

* Heard an update on the Medfield State Hospital site. There are two mediation sessions scheduled in January (Jan. 16, Jan. 23).

The board also shared their selectman's reports.

Mark Fisher complimented the many acts that were part of the Joy to the World singing contest, noting that 60 acts auditioned this year. He enjoyed the "action-packed" weekend of the Christmas Tree Lighting, the parade, and all other holiday activities.

Osler "Pete" Peterson noted that the Medfield Foundation had a successful first year running the Angel Run with more than 1,000 runners; he noted the group has raised more than $1 million for the community. He attended the Cultural District site visit with State representatives, and thanked Library Director Deborah Kelsey for her work on the cultural district. He referenced a Massachusetts Municipal Association alert that said the state's Chapter 90 (used for road repairs and infrastructure updates) line item would need another $362,000 to be properly funded. 

Chairman Ann Thompson acknowledged residents who had passed away recently including Peyton March who she said was "a very valuable part of the town." She also enjoyed the holiday tree lighting and holiday parade, and attended the Cultural District meeting with the state. She attended the Lions Club annual meeting, a public speaking contest where all participants were from the Montrose School, and acknowledged Bridget Cronin who won a poster contest. She attended a discuss at the senior center with a tax expert and noted that the color of the new transfer station stickers (to be available mid-March) will be silver and black. She also noted there will be a celebration on Thursday for long-time employee Norma Cronin who is retiring after 27 years at town hall. 

Town Counsel Regarding 40B Project

The board also heard from Town Counsel Mark Cerel who said the Zoning Board of Appeals approved (with conditions) The Parc at Medfield for 92 units, a controversial all-affordable housing complex proposed off West Street.

"The fact is that, as far as I'm concerned, we got the best we could probably get given the town's position," Cerel said, noting that the legal consultant hired by the ZBA concurred. 

The meeting adjourned at 7:49 p.m.