In this week’s Hometown Weekly, Richard DeSorgher’s This Old Town column describes the Town of Medfield budget from 100 years ago in 1923. The total annual budget was $67,965 and your town, like today, spent the most on education, $24,000 that year. What surprised me was that the town spent $3K on streetlights. That latter is the same amount spent that year on snow removal, and $1K more than was spent on either the police or fire.
From memory the streetlight budget today is about $27,000. Interesting that streetlights were seen then as such a high priority.
“Penultimate” is, of course, a fancy word for “next to last.” And we’re reaching out to you on the next to last day of 2022 with a simple yet urgent request.
Your fellow residents are protecting their investments in Medfield with year-end additional gifts. Could you please join them?
Your reward? More and better special things for you and your loved ones in your hometown of Medfield, like the Medfield Rail Trail, the Hinkley Helpers, the Grist Mill, the Angel Run, the Volunteer Awards, the Camp Fund, the Straw Hat Park, and all the many more Medfield Foundation initiatives that make Medfield our shared special place.
I asked the artificial intelligence bot, ChatGPT, two questions about our town – see below:
I wonder if the statement about “poet Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. and abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison” having lived in town is correct? It did find the straw hat making. Not at all sure about the basis for saying we are known for our “long history with the military” that appears in both answers. Interesting, but all in all, I think Richard DeSorgher’s position as Town Historian is safe.
Medfield is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. It was first settled in 1649 and was officially incorporated in 1651. The town was named for its location in the midst of several meadows.
Medfield was originally a farming community, but it also had a number of small industries, including gristmills, sawmills, and tanneries. In the 19th century, the town became known for its production of straw hats, and the hat-making industry became an important part of the local economy.
Medfield has a long history of involvement in the military, with many of its residents serving in wars dating back to the American Revolution. The town has also been home to several notable figures, including poet Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. and abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison.
Today, Medfield is a residential suburb of Boston with a population of about 12,000. It is known for its excellent schools, beautiful natural setting, and rich history.
for what is Medfield, Massachusetts famous?
Medfield, Massachusetts is known for a few things. One notable feature of the town is its rich history and long involvement in the military. Many of its residents have served in wars dating back to the American Revolution.
Medfield is also known for its excellent schools and beautiful natural setting. The town is located in Norfolk County, which is known for its rolling hills, wooded areas, and abundant green spaces. Medfield is home to a number of conservation areas and parks, including the Medfield State Hospital grounds, which offer hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing trails.
Medfield was once home to a number of small industries, including gristmills, sawmills, and tanneries. In the 19th century, the town became known for its production of straw hats, and the hat-making industry became an important part of the local economy.
Overall, Medfield is known for its rich history, excellent schools, beautiful natural setting, and involvement in the military.
Coming up– view the movie “2040” Jan. 31 Tuesday 7pm at United Church of Christ 496 Main Street Feb. 5 Sunday 1pm at the Medfield Public Library bring a friend!
Roger Ebert writes: An Australian dad (writer/director Damon Gameau) imagines what life could be like for his four-year-old daughter 20 years from now with a brief but very clear depiction of the precariousness of our current carbon overload and its consequences… The biggest risk in fighting climate change is an overwhelming sense of helplessness. “2040” points a practical, achievable path toward solutions, but its most important contribution is a sense that change is possible. Gameau says that he wants “to create a vision of a different future” with “an exercise in fact-based dreaming.” This film does not scold us; it is hopeful. Looking for a “natural high”? Donate to MEA! Get your endorphins flowing! Click hereThe next MEA meeting is Jan. 4, 2023 at 7:30pm by Zoom. Email meamedfield@gmail.com for the link. All are welcome!Our MissionMedfield Environment Action (MEA) is a grassroots organization of residents. We share information about the accelerating environmental destruction and climate emergency to empower local action. We seek to build a movement of informed citizens, dedicated to the preservation of a living environment in Medfield and beyond. Our goal is that those informed citizens support each other and work together for solutions.
Posted onDecember 19, 2022|Comments Off on SJC says no right to physician assisted suicide
This morning the Supreme Judicial Court issued its decision in the case of KLIGLER v. ATTORNEY GENERAL in which the court held that:
“Although we recognize the paramount importance and profound significance of all end-of-life decisions, after careful consideration, we conclude that the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights does not reach so far as to protect physician-assisted suicide. We conclude as well that the law of manslaughter may prohibit physician-assisted suicide, and does so, without offending constitutional protections.”
Comments Off on SJC says no right to physician assisted suicide
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: 885 3036 6678 b. Enter the password: 637025 The packet with meeting materials for this meeting is available at this link: https://www.town.medfield.net/DocumentCenter/View/6680/BOS-Meeting-Packet-12202022
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.
Stay well. Feel joy. Find peace. 
Looking for a “natural high”? Donate to MEA! 
The next MEA meeting is Jan. 4, 2023 at 7:30pm by Zoom. Email 
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