Monthly Archives: June 2022

First Friday Office Hours Tomorrow at 9AM at The Center

Posted on June 30, 2022 | Comments Off on First Friday Office Hours Tomorrow at 9AM at The Center

Select Board Office Hours Tomorrow

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.

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Posted in Select Board matters

Peak House – transformed

Posted on June 30, 2022 | Comments Off on Peak House – transformed

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.



  Photograph Credits PHHC 
Our Contact Information
Peak House Heritage Center
52 South Street
Medfield, MA 02052-2616
508-505-7742
http://www.peakhouseheritagecenter.org

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Posted in History, Medfield Foundation, Peak House Heritage Center

Native Gardening – from Sustainable Medfield

Posted on June 30, 2022 | Comments Off on Native Gardening – from Sustainable Medfield

From Sustainable Medfield, recipient of a Medfield Foundation Legacy Fund grant this year, –

June 8th was another great meeting of the Sustainable Medfield network with 24 people in attendance from 17 different groups!   So exciting to see our community come together to discuss their efforts – large and small – and to learn from each other for the benefit of our environment!
 
1) Attached you will find the notes of the meeting; thanks to Pam Gardner.  Our next meeting will be Wednesday September 7th at 3:30pm in the Medfield Library.
 
2) New feature:  ACTION OF THE QUARTER.  We will choose an Action of the Quarter to build community awareness of a single topic that a Sustainable Medfield networking partner wants to share and promote within the community.  Sustainable Medfield will support our partner group by following-up with outreach (articles/facebook posts/activities)  that the Medfield community can learn from on this topic.   This quarter the action is Native Gardening that was suggested by the Medfield Garden Club.    
 
The Sustainable Medfield Network has 26 partner organizations and we would like to leverage our connection with each of you to get the word out about this action and the resources available on SustainableMedfield.org.
 
OUR ASK:  Can you please share this ACTION with your constituents in a newsletter, at a meeting, and/or on your website (and in any other ways you think of!).  We hope to have made this very easy for you to do by creating an image for you to use, see below and attached.  
 
Please reach out if you have any questions or ideas and/or if you have an ACTION you would like to share with our community.
 
PS – This Thursday Sustainable Medfield is a co-sponsor of the MEMO concert at the gazebo at 6pm.  Stop by and pick up a native plant, which is our give-away for the evening….and a perfect tie-in to our Action of the Quarter.
 
Enjoy your summer, please spread the word about Native Gardening & we look forward to seeing you in September!
Megan

Megan B. Sullivan
508-446-7774 (mobile/text)

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Posted in Uncategorized

Select Board 6/28/2022

Posted on June 27, 2022 | Comments Off on Select Board 6/28/2022

  1. To join online, use this link:
    https://medfield-net.zoom.us/j/81250089206?pwd=T0k3YzJzQWRoeDY5aS9HRUE1WC9mZz09
    a. Webinar ID: 812 5008 9206
    b. Password: 808096
  2. To join through a conference call, dial 929-436-2866 or 312-626-6799 or 253-215-8782
    or 301-715-8592 or 346-248-7799 or 669-900-6833
    a. Enter the Webinar ID: 812 5008 9206
    b. Enter the password: 808096
    The packet with meeting materials for this meeting is available at this link:
    https://www.town.medfield.net/DocumentCenter/View/6281/BOS-Meeting-Packet-June-28-2022
1. To join online, use this link: https://medfield-net.zoom.us/j/81250089206?pwd=T0k3YzJzQWRoeDY5aS9HRUE1WC9mZz09 a. Webinar ID: 812 5008 9206 b. Password: 808096 2. To join through a conference call, dial 929-436-2866 or 312-626-6799 or 253-215-8782 or 301-715-8592 or 346-248-7799 or 669-900-6833 a. Enter the Webinar ID: 812 5008 9206 b. Enter the password: 808096 The packet with meeting materials for this meeting is available at this link: https://www.town.medfield.net/DocumentCenter/View/6281/BOS-Meeting-Packet-June-28-2022

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Posted in Select Board matters

Trinity passed at STM, almost unanimously

Posted on June 22, 2022 | Comments Off on Trinity passed at STM, almost unanimously

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.

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Posted in Buildings, Cultural Alliance of Medfield, Development, Medfield State Hospital, Town Meeting

Message from the School Committee Special Town Meeting Tonight and School Committee Vote in Support

Posted on June 21, 2022 | Comments Off on Message from the School Committee Special Town Meeting Tonight and School Committee Vote in Support

From the School Committee –

Message from the School Committee Special Town Meeting Tonight and School Committee Vote in Support

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:

  • that the sale and consequent redevelopment resolves an open 20 million dollar liability in hazardous material mitigation costs should we continue to own this portion of the property, which would have a significant impact upon the town’s ability to fund a new elementary school project,
  • Trinity’s responsiveness to the Committee’s concerns regarding space and potential future staff needs.

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

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Posted in Development, Medfield State Hospital, Schools

STM on MSH 6 PM Tuesday

Posted on June 20, 2022 | Comments Off on STM on MSH 6 PM Tuesday

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:

2022 Special Town Meeting

The Medfield Board of Selectmen called a Special Town Meeting for Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at 6:00PM in the Medfield High School Gymnasium (an outside location will also be available) for a vote on the proposed Medfield State Hospital redevelopment.

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. 


Town Moderator

Moderator’s Open Letter

Town Meeting Proceedings

Special Town Meeting 

Special Town Meeting Warrant

Special Town Meeting Warrant Report

Article SummaryTM VoteAdditional 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:

72114_Medfield_Town Meeting-EDDM-9x6.25_Page_1

SECOND, THE LETTER BELOW IS FROM TOWN MODERATOR, SCOTT F. MCDERMOTT:

To my friends and neighbors in the Medfield community: On Tuesday evening, the voters of our town will gather for a Special Town Meeting to determine if we will authorize the sale and disposition of a portion of the property at the former Medfield State Hospital to a chosen development partner, Trinity Financial. I invite, encourage, and urge all Medfield voters to attend this important and strategic legislative meeting. Tuesday, June 21, at 6:00pm at the Amos Clark Kingsbury High School. • The meeting’s main venue will be the high school gymnasium. We will also provide an outdoor venue under a tent adjacent to the main entrance of the high school. Children are permitted to accompany parents and are encouraged to sit within this outdoor venue. Finally, a socially distanced, air-conditioned option for seniors will be located in the high school’s library. • All registered voters in Medfield are eligible to attend the meeting, participate in the proceedings, and vote on the two Articles open for consideration. The sale and disposition of the land requires a two-thirds vote. • Registration of voters for the Special Town Meeting begins at 5:15pm. Registration is at the main entrance to the high school • The Town of Medfield website www.town.medfield.net has a highly informative and comprehensive library of presentations, meetings, videos, proposals, and answers to FAQ’s. • The Moderator shall preside and regulate the proceedings, decide all questions of order, and make public declaration of the votes. On Tuesday night our collective judgment will set the course for Medfield’s future. We gather as the town’s legislative body. Consistent with our heritage, we use the open town meeting format of direct, democratic, participatory self-government as the instrument for making such a significant decision. We will discuss, debate, and deliberate – and then we will decide. Since the closure of the former state hospital in 2003, many, many of our friends and neighbors have devoted an immeasurable amount of time and effort planning for Medfield’s future and the future of this unique property. We met in a Special Town Meeting in 2014 voting to acquire the land and buildings from the Commonwealth. Then we gathered community input and prepared a comprehensive Master Plan; and we met again in a Special Town Meeting in 2019 to pass zoning provisions for the property. TOWN OF MEDFIELD Scott F. McDermott Town Moderator No matter how you feel about the ultimate determination, I urge you to attend the meeting on Tuesday evening at 6:00pm. Participate -- choose to be a member of the town’s governing legislature. I hope to see you at the high school. Finally, I want to wish everyone in Medfield a great summer of 2022. The last couple of years have been challenging for our community. But the warm nights and long days of a New England summer provide us all the perfect occasion to enjoy, refresh, relax, renew, and re-energize. Have a great summer. Respectfully submitted, Scott F. McDermott Town Moderator

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Posted in Affordable housing / 40B, Development, Medfield State Hospital

Drought

Posted on June 17, 2022 | 2 comments

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 –

In Level 2-Significant Drought Areas In Level 1-Mild Drought Areas Residents & Businesses: Residents & Businesses: • Focus water conservation indoors; fix Leaks • Reduce any outdoor watering to one-day/week • Minimize water use • Limit outdoor watering to hand-held 5:00 pm-9:00 am • Conserve water indoors • Fix Leaks Cities & Towns: Cities & Towns: • Limit outdoor watering to at least hand-held only b/w 5:00 pm-9:00 am • Limit new landscapes and outdoor washing • Implement drought or seasonal water rates • Establish water use reduction targets • Establish a leak detection program • Limit any outdoor watering to no more than once a week and b/w 5:00 pm-9:00 am • Limit new landscapes and outdoor washing • Implement drought or seasonal water rates • Check emergency connections • Develop local drought plan MASSACHUSETTS DROUGHT ALERT DROUGHT STATUS The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs has declared a Level 2—Significant Drought in the Northeast and Southeast Regions, and a Level 1 – Mild Drought in the Connecticut River Valley, Central, and Islands Regions. CURRENT CONDITIONS Due to over three months of below normal rainfall, the Commonwealth has once again started to experience drought conditions. The last drought was from January-August 2021. As drought conditions continue to worsen and we are in the growing season, it is important for residents and businesses to be mindful of their water use and conserve water both outdoors and indoors, fix leaks, and for communities to prepare for long-term resiliency to droughts. WHAT YOU SHOULD DO Be mindful of your water use to ensure essential needs, such as drinking water and fire protection, are being met, and habitats have enough water to support their natural functions. Learn more at www.mass.gov/ma-drought-management Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs: Bethany A. Card Acting Director of MEMA: Dawn Brantley LEVEL 1 Mild Drought LEVEL 2 Significant Drought LEVEL 3 Critical Drought LEVEL 4 Emergency Drought June, 2022

2 Comments

Posted in Water & Sewer

Trinity & MSH site- update

Posted on June 15, 2022 | Comments Off on Trinity & MSH site- update

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

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Posted in Development, Medfield State Hospital

SB Press Release on MPD

Posted on June 14, 2022 | Comments Off on SB Press Release on MPD

Board of Selectmen Gustave H. Murby, Chair Osler L. Peterson, Clerk Eileen M. Murphy, Member TOWN OF MEDFIELD Office of the BOARD OF SELECTMEN TOWN HOUSE, 459 MAIN STREET MEDFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS 02052-0315 (508) 906-3012 (phone) (508) 359-6182 (fax) Kristine Trierweiler Town Administrator Nicholas Milano Assistant Town Administrator FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, June 14, 2022 Kristine Trierweiler ktrierweiler@medfield.net Board of Selectmen Statement Regarding Medfield Police Department In recent weeks, there has been public discussion surrounding the Medfield Police Department and concerns about the level of staffing. While the Town is unable to share confidential personnel information due to laws governing employee privacy, there are some facts that the Town can share in order to provide important and accurate context to the situation. Since March, there has been an ongoing Internal Affairs investigation into allegations of serious misconduct by multiple Medfield Police Officers. These allegations include officers intentionally sleeping on duty for several hours (at times exceeding five hours of a regularly scheduled eight-hour shift) on a regular basis. When Chief Guerette became aware of these allegations, the Town engaged an independent investigator to conduct a thorough investigation. Two Medfield Police Officers were immediately placed on paid administrative leave and currently remain on leave. A number of police personnel resigned following the initiation of this investigation. While the investigation is ongoing, it has already revealed a consistent pattern of officer inactivity during the midnight shift. This inactivity has been revealed to be conduct of intentionally sleeping on duty or concealing themselves in or around the station for the purposes of intentionally avoiding active patrols. The union calls this “reactive policing” and is condoning this behavior. The Town and the Chief believe in the value of proactive policing. Patrolling our streets, protecting our homes, stopping drunk drivers, and preventing local businesses from being broken into overnight is the standard of safety that Medfield residents deserve. The actions of the union make it clear that they do not share our values of proactive policing. Medfield Police Officers are expected to perform their duties regardless of which shift they work. However, the union believes that it is a “change in working conditions” for the midnight shift to be expected to actively patrol during the and the residents of Medfield should expect that all of our police officers are engaged in active patrols during all shifts. One of the core principles of the Medfield Police Department is our commitment to proactive community policing. Long, consistent periods of inactivity do not meet the standard of service that the Chief requires and that the citizens of Medfield deserve. The Town would also like to address the public discussion regarding perceived forced overtime issues and vacancies within the Police Department. Police departments must maintain certain levels of staffing for each shift in order to ensure they are meeting their communities’ public safety needs. As a result, vacancies in shifts must be filled. In accordance with Medfield Police Department procedures, officers are first offered the overtime on a voluntary basis. If all officers refuse the overtime opportunity, the Police Chief is then forced to order an officer to cover the shift. Since beginning the narrative that officers should be allowed to sleep on the midnight shift, the union has engaged in a concerted pattern of refusing voluntary overtime to “create” a force. Payroll records show that Medfield police officers have worked less overtime shifts in Fiscal Year 2022 than in any of the preceding six fiscal years. This demonstrates that the Union’s narrative about overworked officers under Chief Guerette’s tenure is clearly false and an attempt to distract the public from the gross misconduct of certain officers. We are committed to providing the quality and level of service that the citizens of Medfield deserve from their Police Department. We will take the necessary steps to ensure that actions by individual officers do not jeopardize that quality and level of service. overnight hours. The Medfield Police Department is funded by our tax dollars

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Posted in Police Department, Select Board matters