Monthly Archives: November 2021

Sustainable Medfield

We are glad to see you have joined Sustainable Medfield and created a profile on our ACTION portal.

Here are some quick ideas as you get familiar with the ACTION portal.

We hope that you find the site easy to navigate and helpful to you and your family as you learn and take action for our environment.

–       Explore the ACTIONS and note which ACTIONS you have already completed and those you’d like to do.

–       Read testimonials from your neighbors (write some too!)

–       Join a team/Create a team(s) for any groups you belong to including informal groups like your neighborhood, soccer team or book club. You can belong to multiple teams.

–       Suggest ideas for new ACTIONS

As you probably know, Sustainable Medfield does two things.  You already know that Sustainable Medfield has a one-stop resource with Medfield-specific ACTIONS that residents can take to improve our environment. This resource is populated with ACTIONS developed by local groups and community members.

You may not know that the second thing Sustainable Medfield does is connect groups in town to network and collaborate on sustainability.   This group gathers at quarterly meetings for local group leaders/liaisons. This interactive forum allows for information exchange, knowledge building and the identification of synergies and possibilities.  Check out this graphic that portrays how Sustainable Medfield networks in our community.

You can see when the next meeting of the Sustainable Medfield Group Liaisons is here.  All are welcome (you don’t have to be a Group Liaison).  It’s a great way to learn what the community is working on.

You will soon be invited to join the email list of Medfield Environment Action (MEA).   MEA has an informative monthly newsletter.  We encourage you to accept the invitation and receive information directly from this group.  By joining that email list, you will learn about other initiatives in our community.  

You can read about Medfield Environment Action here.

We are so happy you are part of Sustainable Medfield.

·      Like and follow us on Facebook.  Click here to get to the Facebook page.

·      Tell your friends and neighbors about SM and encourage them to sign up.

·      Say yes to the MEA newsletter.

We believe SM will play an important role in enhancing Medfield’s environment. To achieve this, we need additional volunteers to help us.  Consider joining the SM leadership team to do such things as promote SM in the community, generate new ACTIONS and maintain our website.  We would love your help in any of these activities and would be happy to have a conversation about them. 

We can’t wait to see what ACTIONS you take and to watch your impact grow!  Share your feedback and suggestions for the ACTION portal at sustainablemedfield@gmail.com

Jackie Alford, Catherine White and Megan Sullivan

Co-chairs of Sustainable Medfield

Welcome Letter #1.1

Medfield Food Cupboard Day & 30th anniversary proclamation

The Select Board’s proclamation to the Medfield Food Cupboard on its 3oth anniversary was presented today at The Center to MFC President Susan Gorog by Town Administrator, Kristine Trierweiler

Select Board Office Hours Tomorrow 9-10AM

Selectman Office Hours this Friday

I hold Select person regular monthly office hours at The Center on the first Friday of every month from 9:00 to 10:00 AM, but this month on the second Friday (due to a deposition last 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 508-359-9190.

Medfield Food Cupboard Day

Medfield Food Cupboard Day

The Medfield Food Cupboard has been providing essential services to the town residents for thirty years, and the Select Board declared 11/9/2021 as “Medfield Food Cupboard Day.”

I had the honor to attend the Medfield Food Cupboard annual meeting last night to present the MFC with its proclamation. I can report that it was an extremely upbeat and happy celebration of the Medfield Food Cupboard’s many accomplishments over the past year: climbing out of a basement into a new location, serving many more clients, with much more food, and with many more food choices.

The MFC clearly operates akin to a well oiled fine watch at this point, and it was rewarding to see its expertise and efficiency in person. The Town of Medfield is so fortunate to have such a dedicated, experienced, productive, and good natured group of volunteers assisting our town.

In recogrnt1on of the Medfield Food Cupboard's 30th anniversary and their
steadfast efforts, the Town of Medfield issues this proclamation to honor
the Medfield Food Cupboard for "Thi1ty years of Neighbors Helping
Neighbors." Our community appreciates this meaningful milestone, and it is one
we can all feel proud about. In addition, the Board of Selectmen proclaims
November 9th to be Medfield Food Cupboard Day in the Town of Medfield.
Since its inception 30 years ago, at the United Church of Christ,
the Medfield Food Cupboard (MFC) has faithfully served our neighbors -
individuals, couples, seniors and families - in need of supplemental and
emergency food. At its heart, the MFC's mission is to make food available to
all Medfield residents suffering from food insecw·ity.
For over three decades, MFC donors and supporters have played a significant role
through food and financial contributions. Their volunteers' efforts, in conjunction
with support from our community, have made a lasting impact on those who rely
on their services.
Throughout the pandemic our community witnessed an outpouring of support for
the MFC and for those whom it serves. At the peak of the pandemic they
collectively served over 200 Medfield residents - the largest number in MFC
history, ensuring those who needed a helping hand were getting it. Observing a
world-wide crisis, during which our community quickly came together, was indeed
a powerful moment for all.
Congratulations to the Medfield Food Cupboard on 30 years of servmg our
community.
_ !!2/~
ar CCI
MEDFIELD BOARD OF SELECTMEN

STM vote 60% YES

1,118 YES 752 NO

However, a 2/3 vote of the special town meeting (STM) is required for passage.

The next step for the town will be to see if more than 50% of residents vote in favor of the new school on 11/15 at the ballot election, which would satisfy one of the two criteria required to move forward with the new school process.

If the 11/15 ballot succeeds, then, those in charge of the new school at Wheelock campus effort will need to decide whether they feel enough town residents want to hold a second special town meeting (STM), as the process allows, to see if at that second STM whether 2/3 of voters will both attend and support the new school. We had less than a 25% turn out of registered voters yesterday.

A large plurality favoring the new school at the 11/15 ballot would certainly send a strong message to the new school at the Wheelock campus leaders that residents want a second chance via a second STM.

Moderator’s summary for the STM

From the Moderator, Scott McDermott, courtesy of Colleen Sullivan –

BEFORE Attending STM At Noon On 11/7, Read Info from Moderator

This is a REVIEW of all STM ​info provided by Scott McDermott,Town Moderator, please READ before attending on Sunday to be INFORMED …..

Here's What YOU Need to Know Before attending STM
Here’s What YOU Need to Know Before attending STM (Image by Colleen Sullivan)

Review of all Special Town Meeting Information Provided by Scott McDermott,Town Moderator –

Please Read before attending on Sunday…..

Town Meeting Brief #1, by Town Moderator, Scott McDermott

This is the first in a series of Town Meeting Briefs to communicate key information in advance of our important November 7, 2021 Special Town Meeting. In this initial note, we focus on the who, what, where, and when of our upcoming municipal legislative session:

Who may participate in our legislative process?
Our Town Charter declares “The Legislative authority of the town shall be vested in the town meeting open to all registered voters.” The invitation to town meeting is extended to (i) all Medfield’s registered voters and (ii) visitors approved by a vote of the meeting to sit within
the session as non-voters. Medfield voters, as friends and neighbors, will come together as a legislative body to vote on an important and highly strategic appropriation. When we do come together, we will be ‘living’ the rare example of direct, democratic and participatory self-government. Medfield has approximately 9,320 registered voters. Our voters are active and engaged citizens with 8,384 voting in the last Presidential election, 528 participating as
legislators in the 2021 Annual Town Meeting, and 943 gathering for the 2019 Special Town Meeting to vote on MSH zoning.

WHAT is on the agenda? On October 19, 2021, the Board of Selectmen closed the Warrant. The Warrant is the notice to the voters of the subject matter of the meeting. We have only one ARTICLE on the Warrant and, therefore, the exclusive focus of the meeting will be the elementary school building project. The actual vote at the Special Town Meeting will be on a MOTION tracking the Article. The Motion is offered at the beginning of the meeting by the Warrant Committee or the Article’s sponsor.
WHERE is the meeting? The Special Town Meeting will take place at the Amos Clark Kingsbury High School in the gymnasium and in other venues established throughout the high school campus. Registration will be at the front entrance to the high school and more information on parking and logistics will be
provided before the meeting.https://d2ae9e3e3a69b3379688683e9d50fe3f.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

WHEN is the meeting? The Special Town Meeting will begin at 12:00 noon on SUNDAY, November 7th (or as soon as quorum is present).

Town Meeting Brief from Moderator, Scott McDermott…

This is the second in a series of Town Meeting Briefs to communicate key information in advance of our important STM on Sunday, November 7, 2021

In this note, we focus on the Proceedings, including the actual agenda and sequence of the meeting:

Special Town Meeting Proceedings

11:00am – Check in – Registration Opens

12:00pm – Town Meeting Begins (or when the quorum is confirmed by Town Clerk)

  • Welcome and National Anthem
  • Moderator’s Review of Meeting Guidelines
  • Making of the positive Main Motion
  • Warrant Committee Reports (Majority and Minority reports as appropriate)
  • Presentation by Article Sponsors – School Building Committee and School Committee
  • Statements of Opposition from Keep Dale @ Dale Coalition
  • Statement in Support from For Our Kids/For Our Town
  • Brief Statements in Opposition and Support of Motion
  • Moderator’s Inquiry of Readiness of Legislators
  • Final Statement in Opposition and Support of Motion
  • Moderator’s Motion to Call Question (no earlier than 1:30pm)

Registration Closes

Town Meeting Brief from Moderator, Scott McDermott…

This is the third in a series of Town Meeting Briefs to communicate key information in advance of our important STM on Sunday, November 7, 2021

Logistics and Safety Information

https://youtube.com/c/Medfield…

Town Meeting Brief #4 – Medfield’s Special Town Meeting on Sunday, Nov 7, 2021

An exercise in RESPECT and PATIENCE

Medfield is a community with a long heritage of respectful, civil, and thoughtful public dialogue. As the meeting unfolds, I will be leaning onthe watchwords – RESPECT and CIVILITY.

  • Please stick to the facts,
  • Agree to disagree,
  • No personal attacks will be tolerated,
  • There is NO hate in debate,
  • And, As Mary J. Blige might say, “leave your ‘situations at the door.”

Please join us and be a CITIZEN LEGISLATOR.

It is time to turn away from the substantive debate still raging on Facebook, and the procedural positioning still being debated, and for all of us to focus on one key factor – Sunday is about the composition of the legislative body convening on the high school campus. Each registered voter sitting within the Special Town Meeting when the question is called (not earlier than 1:30pm) will have the exceptional opportunity, serving as a citizen legislator, to cast a vote on this very important and strategic decision for the Town of Medfield.

Medfield has over 9,300 registered voters invited to join us in a time proven exercise of direct, participatory self-government. Beyond a heavy dose of respect and civility, please bring your PATIENCE.

The meeting begins at 12:00pm and bear in mind we “fall back” Saturday night .

We will hear first from some of the town and community’s most committed citizens – almost all volunteers who have dedicated enormous time and efforts to this issue. Ultimately, we will call the vote, no earlier than 1:30pm. The vote will take time – please be patient. The counting of the vote will take time – please be patient. We have dedicated ourselves to a process that cannot be rushed. The Voting Cards are a new process being tested with very heavy volume. We will be deliberate, but neither the voting nor the count will be quick – PATIENCE. Legislators may leave after voting.

Now is the Time to Be Prepared, just by making a Couple of CLICKS.

CLICK HERE to READ THE MOTION we will be voting on. Please Read it. This is our proposition: One Special Town Meeting Article, one vote – YES or NO.

CLICK HERE to read the School Building Project Subcommittee of the Warrant Committee inventory of key information, documents, and videos.

This is a comprehensive inventory of important meetings, analysis, summaries, videos, and statements that was compiled through the dedicated effort of the Warrant Committee to provide the community with a central location for each Legislator to prepare for the meeting.

I look forward to a Civil and Respectful Special Town Meeting.
Scott McDermott, Town Moderator

STM #4

From the Moderator, Scott McDermott, by courtesy of Colleen Sullivan –

Town Meeting Brief #4, by Town Moderator, Scott McDermott

This is the FOURTH in a series of Town Meeting Briefs – Town Moderator, Scott McDermott suggests everyone bring PATIENCE and RESPECT.

Town Meeting Brief #4
Town Meeting Brief #4 (Image by Colleen Sullivan)

Medfield’s Special Town Meeting on Sunday, Nov 7, 2021

An exercise in RESPECT and PATIENCE

Medfield is a community with a long heritage of respectful, civil, and thoughtful public dialogue. As the meeting unfolds, I will be leaning on the watchwords – RESPECT and CIVILITY.

  • Please stick to the facts,
  • Agree to disagree,
  • No personal attacks will be tolerated,
  • There is NO hate in debate,
  • And, As Mary J. Blige might say, “leave your ‘situations at the door.”

Please join us and be a CITIZEN LEGISLATOR.

It is time to turn away from the substantive debate still raging on Facebook, and the procedural positioning still being debated, and for all of us to focus on one key factor – Sunday is about the composition of the legislative body convening on the high school campus. Each registered voter sitting within the Special Town Meeting when the question is called (not earlier than 1:30pm) will have the exceptional opportunity, serving as a citizen legislator, to cast a vote on this very important and strategic decision for the Town of Medfield.https://cd06748cb6ed04686dcf9b2ed4ef5f92.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

Medfield has over 9,300 registered voters invited to join us in a time proven exercise of direct, participatory self-government.

Beyond a heavy dose of respect and civility, please bring your PATIENCE. The meeting begins at 12:00pm and bear in mind we “fall back” Saturday night We will hear first from some of the town and community’s most committed citizens – almost all volunteers who have dedicated enormous time and efforts to this issue. Ultimately, we will call the vote, no earlier than 1:30pm. The vote will take time – please be patient. The counting of the vote will take time – please be patient. We have dedicated ourselves to a process that cannot be rushed. The Voting Cards are a new process being tested with very heavy volume. We will be deliberate, but neither the voting nor the count will be quick – PATIENCE. Legislators may leave after voting.

Here is the MOTION we will be voting on. Please Read it. This is our proposition: One Special Town Meeting Article, one vote – YES or NO.

Here is the School Building Project Subcommittee of the Warrant Committee inventory of key information, documents, and videos.

This is a comprehensive inventory of important meetings, analysis, summaries, videos, and statements that was compiled through the dedicated effort of the Warrant Committee to provide the community with a central location for each Legislator to prepare for the meeting.

I look forward to a Civil and Respectful Special Town Meeting.

Scott McDermott, Town Moderator

Office hours postponed a week to next Friday, 1/12, 9-10AM

SELECTMAN OFFICE HOURS THIS FRIDAY (1/5) POSTPONED TO NEXT FRIDAY (1/12)

My first Friday of the month office hours at The Center need to be postponed a week to 9-10 AM on Friday, January 12 to accommodate a deposition in a client’s case.

Residents are welcome to stop by in person to discuss town issues.

I can also be reached at 508-359-9190.

Public Safety personnel honored with Life Saving Medals

L-R: Sgt. Conor Ashe, Off. Wayne Sallale, Off. William Bento, FF/EMTP Matthew Reinemann, FF/EMTP William DeKing, Susan Harman, Chief William Carrico

At the Select Board meeting last night Police Chief Michelle Guerette respectfully requested and the Select Board bestowed the distinguished Life Saving Medal to the following named Fire and Police personnel for their superior performance at a Motor Vehicle Collision on May 18, 2021:

Fire Captain Michael Harman (presented posthumously to his widow Susan)

FF/EMTP Matthew Reinemann

FF/EMTP William DeKing

Sergeant Conor Ashe

Officer Wayne Sallale

Officer William Bento

Chief William Carrico

A motorcyclist in a collision with a vehicle on South Street is alive today only because of the emergency medical treatment provided by these stellar Medfield Fire Department and Medfield Police Department employees, whose training, professionalism, and character operated to allow them to save a life in the most dire of circumstances.

Chief Michelle Guerette

STM info #3

From the Moderator, Scott McDermott, by courtesy of Colleen Sullivan –

Town Meeting Brief #3, by Town Moderator, Scott McDermott

This is the THIRD in a series of Town Meeting Briefs to communicate key information in advance of our important November 7th STM.

Colleen M. Sullivan's profile picture
Colleen M. Sullivan,Patch MayorVerified User Badge

Posted Tue, Nov 2, 2021 at 9:39 pm ETReply

Town Meeting Brief #3
Town Meeting Brief #3 (Image by Colleen Sullivan)

Town Meeting Brief from Moderator, Scott McDermott…

This is the third in a series of Town Meeting Briefs to communicate key information in advance of our important Sunday, November 7, 2021

Special Town Meeting

Logistics and Safety Information


CLICK HERE for YouTube Live Streaming