Office Hours this Friday 9-10AM

office hours sign

Selectman Office Hours this Friday 9-10AM

My regular monthly selectman office hours are at The Center on the first Friday of every month from 9:00 to 10:00 AM (this Friday).

Residents are welcome to stop by to talk in person about any town matters. Residents can also have coffee and see the Council on Aging in action (a vibrant organization with lots going on).

I can be reached via my cell phone at 508-359-9190 or my blog about Medfield matters, where any schedule changes will be posted.

MEDFIELD OUTREACH – Winter Newsletter

From Viktorria Glissendorf, MPH, Prevention Coordinator, Medfield Outreach –

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Upcoming Events & Current Offerings
Photovoice GalleryWalkthrough
Join us for a gallery walkthrough of theMedfield Photovoice student art project on
January 22 from 3:30–4:30 p.m.
at the
Medfield High School Library.
Through avariety of expressive media includingphotography and digital art, Medfield HighSchool students explored the interpersonaland community environments shaping theirhealth and well-being. The reception willalso feature spoken reflections fromselected Medfield students, accompaniedby live music from the Medfield GuitarClub.
SHARE:  
Join Our Email List
Upcoming Events & Current Offerings
Photovoice Gallery
Walkthrough
Join us for a gallery walkthrough of the
Medfield Photovoice student art project on
January 22 from 3:30–4:30 p.m. at the
Medfield High School Library. Through a
variety of expressive media including
photography and digital art, Medfield High
School students explored the interpersonal
and community environments shaping their
health and well-being. The reception will
also feature spoken reflections from
selected Medfield students, accompanied
by live music from the Medfield Guitar
Club.
Parent Coffee Hour
Thursday, January 29 from 10:30-11:30
AM @ Medfield Public Library
We are excited to offer a Coffee Talk for
parents and guardians of tweens and
adolescents! Have a cup of coffee with
us as we share tips on talking with your
kids about technology use and discuss
successful strategies families have used
to navigate digital safety in a changing
world.
No need to RSVP, just show up!
SPACE Treatment
Contact Medfield Outreach to
schedule!
We are pleased to announce that we
are now offering SPACE treatment,
which stands for Supportive Parenting
for Anxious Childhood Emotions. The
SPACE treatment approach centers on
empowering parents to make changes
in their own behavior, rather than
directly trying to change their child's
behavior. Participants in the program
will learn two primary strategies: how to
respond more supportively to their
anxious child and how to gradually
reduce accommodations made for their
child's symptoms.
QPR Training
Contact Medfield Outreach to schedule!
Did you know that you don't have to be a
professional to offer hope and help to those
considering suicide? Medfield Outreach
can provide a FREE 2-hour QPR: Suicide
Prevention Training for Medfield residents,
aged 18+. All you need is a group of 8-15
people willing to learn how to offer hope in
a time of distress.
Call your friends and schedule a training
today!
Medfield Mobile Task
Force Presents:
Screenagers
January 26 | 7:00 PM | Medfield
High School Auditorium
To thoughtfully address the
opportunities and concerns arising
from technology and social media,
Medfield Public Schools convened a
Mobile Technology Task Force, a
collaborative forum bringing together
students, parents, educators, and
members of the Medfield School
Committee to examine the role of
mobile technology in our schools and
community. Medfield Outreach is
proud to partner with Medfield Public
Schools on this initiative.
On January 26th at 7:00 PM in the
Medfield High School auditorium, the
Mobile Task Force will host a
screening of the award-winning film
Screenagers. Through insights from
authors, psychologists, and brain
scientists, Screenagers: Elementary
School Age Edition reveals how tech time impacts kids’ development and offers solutions
for empowering kids to navigate the digital world and find balance.
For more information, please contact Jeff Marsden at 
jmarsden@email.medfield.net.
Wait until 8th Pledge
The Wait Until 8th pledge empowers
parents to rally together to delay
giving children a smartphone until at
least the end of 8th grade. Let’s
protect the elementary and middle
school years from the distractions
and the dangers of a smartphone in
Medfield.
Did you know that 12% of Medfield
parents have already signed this
pledge? We would love for you to join
us.
Click here for more information
and to sign the pledge.
7th Grade Wellness Visits Recap
Throughout November, nearly 200 7th
graders in Mr. Woods’ Wellness classes
took field trips to Medfield Outreach!
Students learned about the social services
available to Medfield residents, the many
ways communities can work together to
prevent substance misuse, the positive
health impacts of gratitude, and
opportunities to join MCAP-advised clubs
like Medfield Youth Leadership Program
and Medfield BREATHE. At the end of the
visit, students were invited to post to our
Gratitude Wall.
These visits were a valuable way to
familiarize students and their families with
the resources Outreach offers, as well as
an opportunity to learn how community
substance use prevention works in
Medfield.
The Research Corner
Learn what the research says about substance use, mental health, and wellness!
This edition, we are highlighting the the health benefits of dry January and the positive
trends in high school cannabis consumption trends in Medfield.
Health Benefits of Dry January - What the Science Says
Thinking about kickstarting your 2026 with Dry January? One study found that going 31
days without alcohol had noticeable health benefits for regular drinkers, even without
changes in diet and exercise. By the end of the month, participants who abstained from
alcohol showed improvements in:
Insulin resistance
Weight
Blood pressure
Liver function
Cancer-related growth factors
In the long term, cutting back on alcohol can improve mood, sleep, cancer risk, and
immunity. Ready to hop on the “sober curious” trend this January? 
Click here for 40 fun
mocktail recipes to enjoy all month long.
Source article: 
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29730627
Cannabis Positive Community Norms
Did you know that on average, people tend to overestimate the prevalence of substance
use in their communities? From college campuses to high schools, people consistently
misperceive the likelihood that the people around them are using substances.
In Medfield, the vast majority of middle and high school students do not use cannabis
(marijuana), and that percentage has followed a downward trend over time. Through
sustained education, public health awareness campaigns, and other multi-sector
prevention initiatives aimed at creating healthy communities, Medfield has seen a
significant decrease in the percentage of students who use cannabis.
By continuing the conversation at home, you can reinforce these healthy decisions with
the youth in your life. 
Click here to access our Adult Guide for Substance Use
Prevention with tips for talking to youth about substances.
iDECIDE: Evidence-Based Substance Use Education for Youth
To support high school students who would like to learn more about substance use
prevention, we are offering a voluntary psychoeducation program developed in
partnership by Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, the MA
Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Institute for Health and Recovery (IHR).
iDECIDE is an educational program intended to inform students of brain development,
neurobiology, risk and protective factors, industry tactics, and healthy alternatives to
substance use.
This program is intended to support students in making informed decisions about their
substance use and health. 
Click here to complete the iDECIDE interest form, or email
Krissy King at 
kking@medfield.net for more information.
Ready to join get involved in this important work?
Attend a meeting!
Medfield Outreach Advisory Board - the 4th Monday of every month |
6:00-7:30 PM | Medfield Outreach office
Medfield Coalition for Suicide Prevention (MCSP) - the 4th
Wednesday of every month | 12:00 - 1:00 PM | Zoom
Medfield Cares About Prevention (MCAP) - the last Wednesday of
every month | 4:30 - 5:30 PM | Hybrid: In-person at the Medfield
Outreach Office & via Zoom
*Email medfieldoutreach@medfield.net for more information and Zoom links!
Connect with us!
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newsletter directly to your inbox?
Subscribe today!
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Medfield Outreach | 88R South St Door 12 | Medfield, MA 02052 US
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Constant Contact Data Notice

Medfield TV Open House 1/17, 12-2:30

From Katie Duval, Executive Director, Medfield TV –


Medfield TV is opening its doors to the community for a fun and informative Open House on Saturday, January 17, from 12:00–2:30 p.m. at Medfield TV, 18 North Meadows Road. Residents of all ages are invited to stop by, meet the staff, explore the station, and get a behind-the-scenes look at how local media is made.

Step into our studio to try your hand at podcasting, record a talk show on the sound stage, and jump into the control room to switch cameras and experience live production firsthand.

In the conference room, staff will provide a quick introduction to field production equipment –the same gear used for filming events and stories all around town!

The event is free and includes free pizza and snacks. Whether you’re curious about media production, interested in getting involved, or just looking for a fun Saturday activity, Medfield TV’s Open House offers something for everyone. Medfield community members of all ages are welcome!

________________

Warrant Committee on Budget/Override

From Stephen Callahan, Chair of the Warrant Committee, this afternoon –

Discussion of Operating Budget
Override Article
Warrant Committee
January 13, 2026
Discussion of Operating Budget
Override Article
Warrant Committee
January 13, 2026
Updates
Budget A (Prop 2 ½ budget): New department guidance recommends 1.3% growth
rate and asks departments to idenfify cuts and savings to achieve a balanced budget.
The Select Board has voted for a placeholder for an operating budget override on the
2026 Town Warrant.
The Governor’s budget preview is expected on January 23rd, after which updated
guidance will be provided.
Many municipalities, as reported in a recent Boston Globe article, are struggling with
their budgets this year.
Why is there
an Article to
Override the
Levy Limit?
Proposition 2 ½ : The Structural Math
• Major Cost Drivers: +4 – 18% per year
Health Insurance
Special Education
Transportation
Utilities
Contractual Wages
Result: A predictable multiple year structural gap
Preference for residents to be provided with a
choice to restore some costs and service cuts
while weighing the related tax impact.Why Now?
Inflationary pressures remain high, especially in health
insurance.
Growth in state aid is modest and not sufficient to cover
increased costs and Federal relief funds have been
exhausted.
Department level service budgets are estimating annual
increases of 3% -5% for FY 2027.
Proactive planning is necessary to avoid future negative
“cliff” decisions.
Voter approved override can bridge the gap, maintaining
service levels and preventing cuts.
Scenario
Modeling of
Department
Budgets
Estimate of FY 2027 Baseline Average
Single Family Tax Bill Increase of $401
Department Budget Growth Scenarios
of:
+2.5%
+3.0%
+3.5%
Override to the Levy Limit: Impact to
Average Single Family Tax Bill
Budget
Options
Budget A ( Prop 2 ½ budget):
• Warrant Committee provided department
budget growth guidance of 1.3% with request
to identify prioritized cost and service cuts.
Budget B (Override budget):
• When deciding which cuts to restore,
departments are looking for WC guidance and
input.
• What is a reasonable department growth
rate? What is a reasonable single family tax
increase that is sustainable and has the best
possibility of passage at Town Meeting?
Scenario
Modeling of
Department
Budgets
Estimate of FY 2027 Baseline Average
Single Family Tax Bill Increase of $401
Department Budget Growth Scenarios
of:
+2.5%
+3.0%
+3.5%
Override to the Levy Limit: Impact to
Average Single Family Tax Bill
Department Budget Growth of 2.5%
FY 2026
FY 2027
Forecast
Prop 2 /12
$ Change
FY 26 to FY
27
%
Change
FY 26 to
FY 27
FY 2027
Forecast
$ Change
FY 26 to FY
27
%
Change
FY 26 to
FY 27
Override
Amount
Remaining
Revenue Available
for Departments $ 59,082,913 $ 5 9,829,657 $ 746,744 1.3% $ 60,559,986 $ 1,477,073 2.5% $ 730,329
School Department $ 44,598,730 $ 4 5,158,788 $ 560,058 1.26% $ 45,706,535 $ 1,107,805 2.48%
Town Departments $ 14,484,183 $ 1 4,670,869 $ 186,686 1.29% $ 14,853,451 $ 369,268 2.55%
Total $ 59,082,913 $ 5 9,829,657 $ 746,744 1.3% $ 60,559,986 $ 1,477,073 2.5%

Impact to Average Single Family Tax Bill
FY 2027 Assumed Department Growth
2.5% 3.0% 3.5%
Assumed Override Amount $ 730,329 $ 1,025,743 $ 1,321,158
Estimated Average Single Family Tax Bill Impact for Department Override $ 1 75 $ 247 $ 319
Estimated Average Single Family Tax Bill Impact within Prop 2 1/2 $ 4 01 $ 401 $ 401
Estimated FY 2027 Total Single Family Tax Bill Impact with Override $ 5 76 $ 648 $ 720
Assumes Average Single Family Assessed Value $1,028,374
Assumes the Estimated Property Tax Increase Within Prop 2 ½ is $1,680,701
Preferred Scenario ???
• Final recommended override amount will be after Warrant
Committee review of savings from department detailed cost
reductions and services from a Level Service budget.
• Criteria will include tax impact on residents, service restoration
extent, alignment with community priorities and fiscal
sustainability.
• Provide preliminary guidance (subject to change) to
departments for Override budgets

FY27 PROPOSED OPERATING BUDGET REDUCTIONS

From Town Administrator, Kristine Trierweiler this morning, her FY27 PROPOSED OPERATING BUDGET
REDUCTIONS to the Warrant Committee last night –

FY27 PROPOSED OPERATING BUDGET
REDUCTIONS
Department Proposed Cuts
Police Department Eliminate on-call animal control officer
Police Department Eliminate funding to staff community events at no charge
Assessor’s Department Reduce Full Time Admin to Part Time
MSH Maintenance Eliminate dog waste pickups
Select Board Eliminate printing GFOA Budget Book
Select Board Eliminate offsite storage at Montrose
Facilities Reduction of electricity budget due to solar
Parks and Recreation Reduction in overtime budget

ATM Warrant Articles

From Town Administrator, Kristine Trierweiler this morning, the draft list of annual town meeting (ATM) warrant articles:

Draft Jan 6th, 2026 Department Member Transfer of Care Custody and Control of Baxter Park Select Board/Parks and Recreation Zoning Articles Article Description Sponsor Sign Bylaw Update Planning Board Mixed Use Zoning Overlay Planning Board Citizen Petitions Article Description Sponsor Amend Town Bylaw - Sign Surface Area Christian Donner Feasibility Study Intergenerational Community Center Peter Saladino Free Cash Article Description Sponsor Free Cash Board of Assessors

The Best of People, the Worst of People

Seen at the Medfield Post Office:

Someone brought flowers:

Someone else must have left dog poop in the paper recycling bin:

Michael Roth Eagle Scout Court of Honor

This afternoon at the UCC, current BC freshman and Medfield High School graduate Michael Roth, shown below with his parents, had his Eagle Scout Court of Honor. In an especially poignant moment, Michael gave his father Peter Roth an award for being his Eagle Mentor.

Image

Town, Trinity, & MSH Get Additional $4.5m. State Grant

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF HOUSING &
LIVABLE COMMUNITIES
Maura T. Healey, Governor  Kimberley Driscoll, Lieutenant. Governor  Edward M. Augustus Jr., Secretary
100 Cambridge Street, Suite 300 www.mass.gov/eohlc
Boston, Massachusetts 02114 617.573.1100
Via email: ktrierweiler@medfield.net
January 9, 2026
Town Administrator Kristine Trierweiler
Town of Medfield
459 Main Street
Medfield, MA 2052
Dear Ms. Trierweiler: Application: Medfield 00266 – Increased Award
Thank you for working with the Healey-Driscoll Administration to update us on your efforts on the Medfield State Hospital Redevelopment Project. On behalf of the Healey-Driscoll Administration, I am pleased to award the Town of Medfield an additional $4,500,000 in funding through the FY26 HousingWorks Infrastructure Program. These additional funds will amend the FY26 award from the original $1,000,000 by an additional $4,500,000 from the HousingWorks Infrastructure Program (HWIP) for a revised total FY26 award of $5,500,000. Through three consecutive awards in FY24, FY25 and FY26, the Commonwealth will have awarded a total of $10,486,600 in HWIP funds to support this project.
Please be advised that this letter does not constitute an agreement or contract with the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The grant award is not final until the town has executed a contract with the EOHLC. You should not proceed with any grant activities related specifically to these additional funds until a contract is in place.
Compliance with the MBTA Communities Act, which is determined by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities remains a requirement of this grant.We applaud Medfield’s efforts to achieve compliance and note that the receipt of grant funds is contingent upon the grantee being able to certify that it will continue to comply with the Massachusetts General Laws, including G.L. c. 40A, § 3A, the MBTA Communities Act.
If you or your team have any questions about this additional award, please contact McKenzie Bell, Senior Community Grants Coordinator, at McKenzie.Bell@mass.gov with questions.
Sincerely,
Edward M. Augustus Jr.
Secretary, EOHLC
cc: Senator Rebecca Rausch
Representative Joshua Tarsky
Representative Marcus Vaughn

Mason Allan’s Eagle Project – the new Reindeer Quest at Rocky Woods.

From Patti Allan about Troop 89’s Scout Mason Allan’s eagle project –

Mason Allan’s Eagle Project – the new Reindeer Quest at Rocky Woods.

Mason Allan, a junior at MHS and Life Scout with Troop 89, designed and executed an Eagle Scout project that combines his creative side, awareness of mental health in his peer community, and his love for Medfield’s Rocky Woods.

As you explore The Trustees of Reservations’ Rocky Woods this winter season, keep your eyes open for nine wooden reindeer — hand built by Medfield Troop 89 scouts and friends — hidden along the trails.

Each reindeer is named after someone or something significant in Medfield’s history (plus one special friend referencing a neighboring Trustees’ property!).

The Rocky Woods Reindeer Quest is designed to get you outside enjoying the trails with your family and friends. The decreased light and increased cold of the winter months can lead to increased loneliness, and many suffer from a lack of Vitamin D due to spending more time indoors. Mason’s project focuses on increasing community connections in nature during this time of year!

This URL links to a brochure with information about the nine names:  https://bit.ly/m/rockywoodsreindeerquest 

2026 Office Hours Friday

Select Board Office Hours this Friday

The COA website says The Center is open Friday, so I will be there for my monthly office hours.

I hold regular monthly office hours at The Center on the first Friday of every month from 9:00 to 10:00 AM. 

Residents are welcome to stop by to talk in person about any town matters.