Monthly Archives: August 2022

September Office hours are postponed a week to Friday, 9/9/22

Office Hours this Month are 9-10 AM on September 9

Due to The Center getting ready for the September 6 primary election, my September office hours at The Center are taking place from 9-10 AM on Friday September 9 instead of the usual first Friday of the month.

Please come by to talk about any Town of Medfield issues.

Select Board 8/30/2022

  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/6512/BOS-Meeting-Packet-August-30-2022
TOWN OF MEDFIELD
MEETING
NOTICE
Posted in accordance with the provisions of M.G.L. c. 30A, §§18-25
This meeting will be held in a hybrid format. The Board of Selectmen will attend in person and
members of the public may attend in person. In addition, members of the public who wish to
participate via Zoom may do so by joining by one of the following options:
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/6512/BOS-Meeting-Packet-August-30-2022
Board of Selectmen
Board or Committee
PLACE OF MEETING DAY, DATE, AND TIME
Library Media Center, Medfield High School
Remote participation available through Zoom Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at 7:00 pm
Agenda (Subject to Change)
Call to Order
Disclosure of video recording
We want to take a moment of appreciation for our Troops serving around the globe in defense of
our country
Appointments
1. Appointment of Jack Rose, Tri County School Committee
a. Joint Appointment Vote (Chair of School Committee, Chair of BOS, Town
Moderator)
2. Re-appoint Debra Shuman (term expiring 2024) and Mark Fisher (term expiring 2025) to
the Personnel Board
a. Joint Appointment Vote (Chair of the Warrant Committee, Chair of BOS, Town
Moderator)
3. School Committee to submit application to the Board of Selectmen for a new Elementary
School project
4. Public Hearing for the following Solicitor License Applications:
a. Power Home Remodeling - Glenn Catt
b. Trinity Solar - Foster Wise
5. Vote to approve expenditure of $200,000 for the Hinkley Playground improvement
project from the Town of Medfield’s Norfolk County allocation of American Rescue Plan
Act’s Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds
a. Kelly Fallon and Ashley Leduc, Hinkley Helpers, to provide an update on
fundraising efforts
6. Community Choice Aggregation Committee to discuss Medfield Community Electricity
plan and request Board of Selectmen vote to approve the Plan and submit it to the
Department of Public Utilities for review and approval
7. Emily Lowney, Medfield Energy Committee, to discuss Solarize Medfield
Discussion Items (Potential Votes)
Action Items
8. Vote to authorize the Chair to sign the Request for Transfer for Officer Terrance M.
Teehan
9. Town Planner Sarah Raposa requests that the Board of Selectmen sign a technical
assistance application to the Massachusetts Housing Partnership for MBTA Communities
zoning related analysis
10. Vote to sign the Regulatory Agreement and Declaration of Restrictive Covenants for
Ownership Project at Hinkley South
11. Appointments / Reappointments
a. Accept the resignation of Charlie Peck from the Zoning Board of Appeals
b. Accept the resignation of Katie Robinson from the Council on Aging Board
c. Appoint Martha Moon to the Memorial Day Committee for a 1 year term to
expire June 30, 2023
d. Appoint Eric Shand to the Medfield Energy Committee for a 1 year term to expire
June 30, 2023
12. Vote to approve the use of the Wetlands Protection Fund by the Conservation
Commission for Conservation Agent contract services
13. Vote to sign an agreement with MMCAP Infuse, a national cooperative group purchasing
organization for government facilities that provides healthcare services to help in the
purchasing of vaccines at bulk rate
14. Vote to approve a contract with Southworth Milton for 938M Wheel Front End Loader in
the amount of $190,000 (FY23 Capital Budget)
15. Vote to approve a contract with Southworth Milton for 262D3 Skidsteer Loader in the
amount of $98,500 (FY23 Capital Budget)
Citizen Comment
Consent Agenda
16. Medfield Public Library would like to request a one day beer/wine license for the End of
Summer Reading Social for adults held at the Medfield Public Library on September 7
from 6:30pm to 8 pm
17. Friends of the Dwight Derby House would like to request a one day beer/wine license for
a donor reception on September 10 from 4 pm to 8 pm
18. Approve request for a block party on Indian Hill Road (dead end portion) and Niantic
Street for Saturday, September 24, 2022 from 3 pm to 7pm
19. Medfield Youth Basketball Association request sandwich boards to post registration
details from September 1 through October 15 in the usual locations
20. The Council on Aging request permission to serve beer/wine for the following monthly
events:
a. Wednesday, September 14 for a Men’s Night from 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm
b. Wednesday, September 21 for a Welcome Fall Italian Night from 4:30 pm to 7:00
pm
21. Kathleen Kelley, Jack Conway Medfield, requests use of Meetinghouse Pond for an Ice
Cream Social on Tuesday, September 6 from 6 pm to 7 pm
22. Geoffrey Pedder of Zelus Beer Company requests a one day beer/wine permit for a beer
garden at Meeting House Park from 12-8pm for the following dates:
a. September 17
b. October 2
c. October 15
d. October 29
Meeting Minutes
June 14, 2022
June 28, 2022
July 12, 2022
Town Administrator Updates
Next Meeting Dates
Wed, September 7, 2022 BOS/TA Goals Workshop
Tues, September 13, 2022
Tues, September 27, 2022
Tues, October 11, 2022
Tues, October 25, 2022
Selectmen Reports
Informational
● Planning Board Notice of Decision: Site Plan Approval for RK Medfield LLC (Chipotle
Restaurant)
● Board of Appeals on Zoning Notice of Decision: Special Permit for RK Medfield LLC
(Chipotle Restaurant)
● Results of Groundwater Sampling Conducted June 20, 2022
● xfinity changes to TV service notice

Select Board 8/30/22

  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

Dance Festival at Bellforge Arts Center 9/11

From Stacey David, Director of Marketing & Communications, Bellforge Arts Center –

BELLFORGE ARTS CENTER ANNOUNCES FALL DANCE FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

(Medfield, MA): The Bellforge Arts Center announced today the schedule for their fall Dance Festival on Sunday, Sept. 11, from noon to 5:00 pm. This free event will showcase performances by professional companies, plus interactive workshops in a variety of dance forms and booths hosted by area studios, companies, and dancewear suppliers with information on classes, performances, and more. The family-friendly event is open to all. The schedule includes:

12:00-12:45: BoSoma Dance Company performance (contemporary)

12:45-1:00: Irish step workshop with BoSoma

1:00-1:45: African fusion workshop with Simdaca

1:45-2:15: Festival Ballet Providence performance (classical ballet)

2:15-3:00: Choreographer and dancer Dr. Shriya Srinivasan, founder of of Anubhava Dance Company, and Triveni School of Dance performances (Indian classical dance)

3:00-3:30: Ballroom dance workshop with 2x U.S. National Ballroom Showdance Champion Mariko Cantley

3:30-4:00: Hawaiian hula workshop with Etnia Fusion

4:00-4:30: Pantos Project Dance performance (contemporary)

4:30-5:00: Hip hop workshop with Mass Motion Dance

The Bellforge Dance Festival is sponsored in part by Pantos Project.

A variety of food options will be available for purchase during the afternoon. For more information, or to apply for booth space if you are a dance studio, company, or dance-related retail shop, visit bit.ly/BellforgeDance. The festival’s rain date is Sept. 10. For directions and parking information, please visit bellforge.org/getting-here.

The Bellforge Dance Festival is one of many free concerts, festivals, and events organized by Bellforge for the summer. Attendees are invited to bring a blanket or lawn chair to enjoy this outdoor event. For more information about the Bellforge Arts Center, including a schedule of upcoming programs and events, please visit www.bellforge.org.

Martin Sexton at Bellforge 9/17

From Stacey David, Director of Marketing & Communications, Bellforge Arts Center –

BELLFORGE ARTS CENTER ANNOUNCES MARTIN SEXTON CONCERT

(Medfield, MA): The Bellforge Arts Center is pleased to present an afternoon of free live music on Sept. 17 with Martin Sexton and special guest Pete Muller & The Kindred Souls. National Academy of Songwriters’ Artist of the Year award-winner Martin Sexton is a singer-songwriter who blends soul, gospel, country, rock, blues, and R&B. He released his tenth studio album this year and says he is “touring with what Rolling Stone calls his ‘soul-marinated voice,’ acoustic guitar, and a suitcase full of heartfelt songs.”

Sexton is joined by Billboard’s Top 20 singer-songwriter quartet Pete Muller & The Kindred Souls, who will be sharing their own special brand of magic. Pianist Muller tours regularly and has made appearances at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, the Jazz Open in Stuttgart, Germany, and the Telluride Jazz Festival in Colorado. Pete Muller & The Kindred Souls will be opening the show at 3:30pm, with Sexton following at 4:30. Doors open at 3:00.

Various food options and a full bar featuring Patrón Tequila will be available for purchase. Audience members are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy the outdoor concert. To register for free tickets, visit bit.ly/BellforgeMartinSexton. For directions and parking info, visit www.bellforge.org/getting-here. The concert’s rain date will be Sept. 18.

Martin Sexton with special guest Pete Muller & The Kindred Souls is one of many free concerts, festivals, and events organized by Bellforge for the season. For more information about the Bellforge Arts Center, including a schedule  of upcoming programs and events, please visit www.bellforge.org.

Medfield Town Moderator is Reaching Out: Can We Talk?

From Town Moderator, Scott McDermott –

Medfield Town Moderator is Reaching Out: Can We Talk?  Scott McDermott using a series of Open Forums and Open Letters to connect with the community. He has important appointments to make and would like to have ‘a conversation with the town.’

I have 6 or 7 appointments to make (4 SBC and perhaps 3 to WC), so it is an important time for me to have a conversation with the town.  

Attached is the pdf. version of my first Open Letter. Here is a link to the Letter on the town website:

https://www.town.medfield.net/DocumentCenter/View/6502/Moderator-Open-Letter-to-the-Community-August-22-2022.

The first Open Forum is tomorrow night and here is a link to town website page that has the Zoom info at the bottom:  https://www.town.medfield.net/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=360

I appreciate any promotion on this effort.  And, beyond the focus on the upcoming appointments (which are important), I also want to listen, learn, and discuss two other topics: (i) Town Meetings of the Future; and (ii) Power of Volunteerism in Community.

Scott

Scott McDermott

scott@nhpllc.com

781.799.1285

Hello Medfield:
I hope you’ve had a great summer, around town or wherever your travels may have taken you. I enjoy the annual rhythm of Medfield, and how the beat slows down a little during the heart of the summer. And now, as we get deeper into August, the familiar tempo begins to return.
It is an important time for our community. For me as Moderator, it is filled with a unique opportunity, but also a big challenge. To be successful, I need to create a conversation with all of you in Medfield. I need a dialogue that will prepare, guide, and enable me, as Moderator, to make six or seven highly significant appointments.
First, I have two or three appointments to make to our Warrant Committee. Making these appointments, annually at this time of year, is not new to me as Moderator. I’m proud of the heritage of the committee’s excellent service to the community. They do a great job. The Warrant Committee is the key advisory committee to our legislature -- the Town Meeting. They have stepped-up in a big way for our community in recent years as we have addressed a wave of important issues. Bringing talented, committed, and collaborative neighbors to Warrant Committee is an annual privilege of the Moderator.
And, per our vote on a bylaw amendment at our Annual Town Meeting, I have four appointments to the new School Building Committee. I am honored to have the opportunity to appoint three citizens at-large and one member of the Warrant Committee. It is time for Medfield to move forward renewing our commitment to elementary education. In Medfield, we are about being a great community with great schools. We need to come together. We need to go forward as a smart, collaborative, civil, and open town. This fall’s appointments to the new School Building Committee will be instrumental to ‘coming together’ and ‘moving forward.’
Now you can see why I need a conversation with the town! I need to hear from more neighbors. I need to understand differing perspectives. I need to meet a whole lot of new friends. And, although the conversations need to be focused on the Warrant Committee and the School Building Committee appointments, we also have a need to ignite separate conversations about both the spirit of volunteerism and open town meeting in the 21st century.
So, how will I be connecting with you? First, I will begin the conversation by hosting Open Forums. The first three forums are scheduled for:
Wednesday August 24, 7:00pm Medfield Town House live and on Zoom
Wednesday August 31 7:00pm Public Safety Building live and on Zoom
Wednesday September 14, 7:00pm Medfield Town House live and on Zoom
Details can be found on the Town’s website. I will also be corresponding through a series of open letters like this one. And I always encourage you to reach out to me at:
medfieldtownmoderator@medfield.net
I’m excited to engage and hear your thoughts. Let’s come together. More to come – stay tuned!
OPEN LETTER TO THE COMMUNITY
Scott F. McDermott
Town Moderator
August 22, 2022

Rte. 109 construction starts Friday & will take a week

This alert this afternoon from the DPW –

DPW 2022 Projects

Summer 2022 Roadway Projects 

Main Street (Route 109) from Brook Street to the Dover Town Line / Brook Street from Main Street to Green Street

  • Paving is scheduled to begin on Friday, August 19 and take approximately one week until completion. Prep work will begin the week of August 15. Construction will take place during the day; traffic delays are anticipated and we encourage drivers to seek alternate routes. 

COMPLETE Evergreen / Longmeadow area 

COMPLETE North Street from Frairy Street to Pine Street

Picture of North St at Frairy from August 2022

COMPLETE West Street from North Meadows Road to the Millis Town Line

Picture of West Street at Bridge from August 2022

BELLFORGE ARTS CENTER ANNOUNCES LAST “SUMMER SOUNDS” MUSIC FESTIVAL, 8/27

From Stacey David, Director of Marketing & Communications, sdavid@bellforge.org, now back from vacation –

BELLFORGE ARTS CENTER ANNOUNCES LAST “SUMMER SOUNDS” MUSIC FESTIVAL

(Medfield, MA): The Bellforge Arts Center’s last concert in their Summer Sounds outdoor music festival series is Aug 27, from 12:00-7:00pm in Medfield, MA. August’s free concert will feature Valleyheart, shallow pools, House Of Harm, The Q-Tip Bandits, Mallcops, layzi, and 5ever.

Summer Sounds will offer not only a great line up of alternative rock, dark wave, and pop punk artists, but also a variety of food options from Ribpublic BBQ and a full bar featuring Patrón Tequila, all at the site of the new Bellforge Arts Center on the former Medfield State Hospital campus. Free tickets and more information, including musical clips from each of the artists, can be found online at https://bit.ly/SummerSoundsAug. Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chair to enjoy the outdoor concert.

Summer Sounds is one of many free concerts, festivals, and events organized by Bellforge for the season. For more information about the Bellforge Arts Center, including a schedule  of upcoming programs and events, please visit www.bellforge.org.

# # #

The Bellforge Arts Center is a new multi-arts complex being built on the grounds of the former Medfield State Hospital to support artists, expand cultural opportunities, and nurture the creative community. Bellforge currently offers outdoor concerts, festivals, and community events, along with over 200 miles of nature trails and outdoor recreation space. Once fully renovated, the center will also offer visual and performing arts studios, arts education, a 300-seat performance venue, and more.

Affordable Housing Lottery opening for Aura at Medfield

From Town Planner, Sarah Raposa (and other parts shamelessly stolen from Patch Mayor, Colleen Sullivan) –

Local Medfield preference opportunities exist for the first lease lottery for the affordable units at Aura – applications open August 17th and the application deadline is October 17th.

Affordable Housing Lottery
Aura at Medfield
50 Peter Kristof Way, Medfield, MA
Eight 1 Bedrooms @ $1,908, Five 2 Bedrooms @ $2,104, One 3 Bedroom @ $2,290
*Rents subject to change in 2023. Rents include the cost of hot water. Tenants are responsible for the cost of all other utilities. There is parking on site.
Aura at Medfield is a brand-new, 56 unit rental apartment community located in Medfield at 50 Peter Kristof Way. There will be 14 affordable apartments ready for occupancy starting in the Summer of 2022. All affordable apartments will be rented to households with incomes at or below 80% of the area median income through this application process. Apartments feature wood-inspired flooring, in-unit laundry, and large walk-in closets. Kitchens offer stainless steel appliances and center islands with quartz countertops. Building amenities include a large entertainment lounge, a communal office area, fitness facility, and a yoga studio. Outdoor amenities include a deck with gas grills, a pizza oven, putting green, and fire pits, as well as an indoor dog washing station and outdoor off-lease play area. The building consists of four floors and has an elevator.
MAXIMUM Household Income Limits
$78,300 (1 person), $89,500 (2 people), $100,700 (3 people)
$111,850 (4 people), $120,800 (5 people) $129,750 (6 people)
Application Deadline: October 17, 2022
Completed Applications and Required Income Documentation must be delivered, or postmarked, by 2 pm on this date. Applications postmarked by the deadline must be received no later than 5 business days from the deadline.
Public Info Session: September 14, 2022 at 6:00 pm via Zoom
Go to Zoom.com, Join, or call (646) 558-8656 and enter Meeting ID: 818 9317 7595, Passcode: 088159
Lottery: October 27, 2022 at 6:00pm via Zoom
Go to Zoom.com, Join, or call (646) 558-8656 and enter Meeting ID: 857 2736 5609, Passcode: 276410.
For Lottery Information and Applications, or for reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities, go to www.sebhousing.com or call (617) 782-6900x1 and leave a message or postal mail SEB Housing, 257 Hillside Ave, Needham MA 02494. For TTY Services dial 711. Free translation available. Traducción gratuita disponible.
SCAN HERE
Photo by Colleen Sullivan

Tier 5 now – hand held hose use now prohibited

Water Conservation Restrictions

Current Water Conservation Status: Tier 5 – All nonessential outdoor water use (including watering with a handheld hose) is prohibited, due to the current drought status in our region. All residents and businesses are encouraged to reduce their water use. 

Medfield is now subject to a Tier 5 water use restriction due to the ongoing drought in our area. The state has declared a Level 3 – Critical Drought for the Southeast Region, which Medfield is a part of, and requires a Tier 5 water restriction. All nonessential outdoor water use is prohibited. More information about the state’s drought declaration is available here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/drought-status  

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. If you have any questions, please contact the Water Department at 508-906-3004 or by email to mgoulet@medfield.net 

Information about Water Restrictions:

When elevated restrictions are in place, nonessential outdoor water uses that are subject to mandatory restrictions include: 

  • Irrigation of lawns via sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems; 
  • Washing of vehicles, except in a commercial car wash or as necessary for operator safety; 
  • Washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways or sidewalks, except as necessary to apply surface treatments such as paint, preservatives, stucco, pavement or cement. 

The following uses may be allowed when mandatory restrictions are in place: 

  • Irrigation to establish a new lawn and new plantings during the months of May and September;
  • Irrigation of public parks and recreational fields by means of automatic sprinklers outside the hours of 9am to 5pm; 
  • Irrigation of lawns, gardens, flowers and ornamental plants by means of a hand-held hose, except during a Tier 5 restriction.

Water uses not subject to mandatory restrictions are those required: 

  • For health or safety reasons; 
  • By regulation; 
  • For the production of food and fiber; 
  • For the maintenance of livestock; 
  • To meet the core functions of a business (for example, irrigation by plant nurseries as necessary to maintain stock).