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.
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Posted in Select Board matters
From Assistant Town Administrator, Nicholas Milano –
We posted a note on the website about the following upcoming street construction projects: https://www.town.medfield.net/587/7921/DPW-Projects
Posted in DPW
I hold regular monthly office hours at The Center on the first Friday of every month from 9:00 to 10:00 AM and I will be there tomorrow.
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 at 508-359-9190.
Posted in Select Board matters
First the emailed newsletter from the Peak House Heritage Society, and below that photos from the Medfield Foundation Legacy Fund board self-guided tour this week. The Peak House Heritage Society was the recipient of a Medfield Foundation Legacy Fund grant this year. Lots more improvements are reportedly in the works per Rob Gregg. –
| A Quick Peek at Our June Feature Announcing Our 2022 Visitor Season – the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of July, August, September and October Delivering New Self-Guided Displays Featuring Intriguing Artifacts, Interactive Exhibits, Authentic Colonial Gardens Paid admission is by tickets available only through our website. You first choose a date for your visit and then select a time slot from the six available on those Saturdays.Covid-related restrictions limit six (6) visitors at a time for a suggested visit duration of thirty (30) minutes. You are welcome to tour the outdoor gardens for as long as you wish.  For more information and to purchase tickets, click here. Our Discovery Contest Finishes and a Grand Prize Winner Announced May’s contest question: This plant found in our kitchen garden was a most important dye plant both in England and the Colonies. Its leaves produced an intense blue-colored dye but it also developed a most disgusting aroma during processing. Its pigment was frequently found on the faces of warriors. What is the name of this plant? Answer: Woad Congratulations to our May winners who became Peak Performers: Sandy Frigon Katherine Munz Jeanette Ruyle After the contest’s duration of six months during which there 18 winners, a grand prize winner’s name was selected to receive a $50 gift certificate from Brothers Marketplace. Seen below is Jeanette Ruyle receiving her prize from PHHC Director Rob Babson. Congratulations to Jeanette and every Peak Performer!  The Piggery Becomes a Colonial Vegetable Garden With special thanks to our neighbors to the east, Matt and Emily Seminerio, and their willingness to share their corner land which was a piggery at their historic Morse homestead, a colonial vegetable garden will take shape over the summer and fall.  To further extend the Seminerio’s offer, foundation stones from the former Clark Tavern to the west will be used to build the borders of the new beds.  Keep your eyes on this area in the coming months to see a Colonial Vegetable Garden taking shape.  |
| Our Contact Information Peak House Heritage Center 52 South Street Medfield, MA 02052-2616 508-505-7742 http://www.peakhouseheritagecenter.org Unsubscribe | Manage email preferencesContribute Today OnlineORDownload Today a Printable Contribution Form |
From Sustainable Medfield, recipient of a Medfield Foundation Legacy Fund grant this year, –
Posted in Uncategorized
Posted in Select Board matters
The special town meeting (STM) last night went quickly, and resulted in a virtually unanimous vote to proceed with the Land Disposition Agreement (LDA) with Trinity Financial to build 334 units of rental apartments (25% affordable) in the existing buildings at the former Medfield State Hospital site. Over 800 residents were spread out between the gym, a tent in front of MHS, and a separate air conditioned area for seniors in the MHS library.
The Select Board and Trinity signed the LDA last night. Next Trinity will begin its permitting.
From the School Committee –
Dear Parents, Guardians and other members of our community,
As many of you are aware, there will be a Special Town Meeting scheduled for tonight Tuesday, June 21 at 6 p.m. in the Medfield High School Gymnasium.
The primary issue at hand is a to vote to allow the Board of Selectmen to enter into a Land Disposition Agreement (LDA) with Trinity Financial for a specific parcel of the former Medfield State Hospital land, generally known as the “Core Campus (Article 1).
On June 8, 2022, the School Committee met in open session with representatives of Trinity Financial and the Medfield State Hospital Development Committee (MSHDC). We engaged in a comprehensive conversation about the predicted impact of the proposed development on the District. Over the past week, Trinity, the MSHDC, and Town and District Administration have worked to address the Committee’s concerns both informally and within the terms of the proposed Land Disposition Agreement (LDA).
On June 16, 2022, the School Committee again met in open session and discussed Trinity Financial’s response to the Committee’s concerns. In particular, the Committee noted:
The Town Moderator, Scott McDermott, has asked that we also distribute this open letter to the community, which includes important details about the anticipated order of the proceedings
The Medfield School Committee
Jessica Reilly, Chair
Leo Brehm, Vice Chair
Timothy Knight, Recording Secretary
Michelle Kirkby, Financial Secretary
Anna Mae O’Shea Brooke, Member at Large
Posted in Development, Medfield State Hospital, Schools
The Town of Medfield’s special town meeting (STM) is Tuesday, June 21 at 6 PM at the Medfield High School to consider whether the town should proceed with the Trinity Financial proposal for the development of the former Medfield State Hospital site.
FIRST IS THE FOLLOWING FROM THE TOWN WEBSITE, FOLLOWED BY A LETTER FROM THE MODERATOR:
Last Day to Register to Vote at the Special Town Meeting: Friday, June 10, 2022 by 8:00 PM.
Pursuant to Chapter 22 of the Acts of 2022 the Medfield Board of Selectmen in consultation and agreement with the Town Moderator have voted to reduce the quorum of the Special Town Meeting to 150 registered voters.
Special Town Meeting Warrant Report
| Article Summary | TM Vote | Additional Information |
| 1. Convey Portions of the Medfield State Hospital Property and Approve Sewer Extension TWO-THIRDS VOTE REQUIRED Warrant Committee APPROVAL Board of Selectmen Recommend APPROVAL | Medfield State Hospital Land Disposition Agreement Sewer Extension Bylaw Medfield State Hospital Development Committee Trinity Due Diligence Reports Medfield State Hospital RFP MSH Redevelopment Q&A’s | |
| 2. Amend the Medfield Town Code Article 300-20 Zoning “Medfield State Hospital District” Warrant Committee APPROVAL Board of Selectmen Recommend APPROVAL | Notice of Planning Board Hearing Planning Board Memo Medfield State Hospital Zoning District |
Attendance:
SECOND, THE LETTER BELOW IS FROM TOWN MODERATOR, SCOTT F. MCDERMOTT:
Because of the pump repair on our well 6, the Town of Medfield is already in a tier 4 drought emergency, which means no outdoor watering is allowed.
This today from DEP. The drought for our region is catching up with us slowly –
Posted in Water & Sewer
From what I call the Select Board –
Update from the Town of Medfield, Board of Selectmen View this email in your browser  Come meet Trinity’s VP of Development Abby Goldenfarb (and her dog Milo) at the grounds of Medfield State Hospital on Saturday, June 18th from 9 am to 11 am. This is an opportunity to ask some final questions prior to the Special Town Meeting on June 21. Important Update: The Board of Selectman have scheduled the Special Town Meeting for Tuesday, June 21st at 6:00 PM at Medfield High School.  The Chapel Medfield State Hospital News – Water / Sewer Important Update: The Land Disposition Agreement (“LDA”) between the Town and Trinity Financial is available for review on the Town’s website. The LDA sets out important terms of the transaction, including: Land to be acquired which is approximately 45 acres north of Hospital Road Purchase price of $2 million plus reimbursement of Town costs Trinity’s responsibility for environmental remediation Trinity’s obligation to fund all infrastructure associated with the project. In addition, Trinity will offer additional mitigation of the development’s possible impact, including improvements to three key intersections along Harding Street and a $1 million mitigation payment for the Medfield Public Schools. Upcoming Events: Thursday, June 16 at 7 pm: School Committee Thursday, June 16 at 8 pm: Warrant Committee Saturday, June 18 at 9 am to 11 am: Breakfast with Trinity Financial at the Medfield State Hospital Tuesday, June 21 at 6 pm: Special Town Meeting at Medfield High School During public information sessions over the last several months, the Town has received important questions about the proposed redevelopment and possible impacts on water and sewer, finances including education costs and capacity, and traffic. Please see FAQs below for water and sewer capacity. Stay tuned for additional updates focusing on fiscal impacts (including schools) and traffic mitigation. Does the Town have sufficient water and sewer capacity to support the redevelopment? Yes, the Town has sufficient water and sewer capacity to support Trinity’s proposed redevelopment while still retaining capacity under its permits and to allow for future development in Medfield. Two studies have been completed this year, in addition to two studies commissioned by the Town in 2019. All four studies conclude there is sufficient capacity. On behalf of Trinity Financial, their engineering consultant, VHB, developed conceptual water and sewer infrastructure plans, sewer flow estimates, and water demand estimates. VHB’s report is available for review here. VHB anticipates the proposed redevelopment will generate 56,295 gallons of wastewater that needs to be treated by the Town’s Wastewater Treatment Plant. VHB anticipates the proposed redevelopment will require 61,925 gallons of water per day, based on a 10 percent increase over estimated sewer flows to account for non-consumptive uses. The Town hired its engineering consultant, Environmental Partners, to peer review Trinity’s wastewater flow and water demands. The Board of Water and Sewerage also discussed the estimates at their meeting on June 7 and board members noted that there is sufficient capacity. The video of this discussion is available here. Christian Carpenter, a member of the Board of Water and Sewerage, met with the Warrant Committee on June 13 to discuss water and sewer impacts further. Environmental Partners is an engineering firm that performs significant utility engineering for the Town and has assisted the Town with numerous other projects. Environmental Partners conducted a peer review of VHB’s report on behalf of the Town. The firm agreed with VHB’s estimated wastewater flows and water demand as they were prepared using standard methodology. Environmental Partner’s peer review is available here. Excerpts from Environmental Partners’ peer review are below: Environmental Partners’ initial evaluation finds that current proposed project’s estimated peak day water demands of 61,925 gpd (0.06 MGD) could be accommodated under current authorized limits provided that the Town continues to be proactive with its water conservation programs. Based upon a review of recent historical April and September WWTP flow data (2019 through 2021), the Town’s existing WWTP can accommodate the estimated sewer generation from the MSH development. The Town is currently working on reducing I/I (Inflow and Infiltration) issues in the sanitary sewer system. The MSH development is located in Sewershed Area 1. The Town should identify an equivalent level of I/I reductions in Sewershed Areas 1 and 2 (contributes to Area 1) to offset the proposed MSH development flows. Environmental Partners also reviewed the wastewater flow and water demand in relation to the Town’s existing permits. For water, the Town would have complied with its water withdrawal limits each year since 2011, except 2014 and 2015 when it would have slightly exceeded its permitted withdrawal amounts. Since 2015, the DPW Water Division and the Board of Water and Sewerage have worked diligently to identify and repair leaks. Fixing these leaks decreases the Town’s unaccounted for water (water pumped at our wells but that does not pass through a water meter to a customer) and expands the amount of water capacity under the Town’s permitted amount. The Town’s Water Management Act permit allows the Town to pump an average of 1.51 million gallons of water per day over a calendar year. The Town’s five wells have a design capacity to pump well above the limits in our permit. This capacity will be expanded further upon the completion of the new water treatment plant project at Wells 3 and 4 (anticipated Spring 2023), an important project for the Town which is being pursued irrespective of the proposed Medfield State Hospital redevelopment. Why do we have water bans every summer if there is sufficient water capacity? Water use restrictions are separate and distinct from whether the Town has sufficient water capacity. Water use restrictions are determined by the Town’s Water Management Act permit. This permit uses a benchmark of water in the area by using the streamflow in the Charles River at the Dover station. When the flow in the river is lower than certain thresholds as set in the permit, this triggers the Town to adjust the water restrictions accordingly. In addition, there may be drought declarations by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that also dictate water restrictions in areas that impact Medfield. These state-imposed restrictions can override the restrictions specified in the Town’s permit. So even though the Town has access to sufficient water and has the ability to pump water from its wells AND the flows in the Charles River may allow for the Town to pump water from its wells according to its permit to higher levels, the state may still require the Town to put restrictions in place during drought conditions. Why have we had a water restriction in place since May? The Town is currently under a Tier 4 water restriction which prohibits nonessential water use, except by a handheld hose. This restriction is in place due to equipment failure at Well 6 which is anticipated to be repaired by mid-June. If Well 6 were not shut down and the Town did not need to impose this temporary restriction, Medfield would still be under a Tier 3 restriction (nonessential water use only allowed one day per week) due to the current drought declaration by the state for our region. As of Wednesday, June 15, repairs to Well 6 are underway. We will update the community as soon as Well 6 is operational.  Submit Questions and Comments Please use the form at this link to submit questions and comments to the Medfield State Hospital Development Committee regarding Trinity Financial’s proposed redevelopment of the Medfield State Hospital. Trinity Financial Due Diligence information is available on this page. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Nicholas Milano, Assistant Town Administrator nmilano@medfield.net 781-856-5287  Share  Tweet  Forward Copyright © 2022 MSH Communications, All rights reserved. unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences |
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Posted in Development, Medfield State Hospital
Medfield Select Board member
I started this blog to share the interesting and useful information that I saw while doing my job as a Medfield select board member. I thought that my fellow Medfield residents would also find that information interesting and useful as well. This blog is my effort to assist in creating a system to push the information out from the Town House to residents. Let me know if you have any thoughts on how it can be done better.
For information on my other job as an attorney (personal injury, civil litigation, estate planning and administration, and real estate), please feel free to contact me at 617-969-1500 or Osler.Peterson@OslerPeterson.com.
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