Monthly Archives: July 2024

Office hours this Friday, 8/2/2024

Posted on July 31, 2024 | Comments Off on Office hours this Friday, 8/2/2024

Select Board Office Hours this Friday


I hold regular monthly office hours at The Center on the first Friday of every month from 9:00 to 10:00 AM. 
Residents are welcome to stop by to talk in person about any town matters.

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Posted in Select Board matters

New Life Furniture Bank Hosts Second Community Furniture Build Event – 8/17

Posted on July 31, 2024 | Comments Off on New Life Furniture Bank Hosts Second Community Furniture Build Event – 8/17

From Susan Maritan –

New Life Furniture Bank Hosts Second Community Furniture Build Event

Walpole, MA – August 17, 2024 – New Life Furniture Bank of MA is pleased to announce its second Community Furniture Build Event. Volunteers are invited to register for $25 to come and build a dresser for a family in need. If you are unable to attend but wish to support this event your $25 donation will fund the building of a dresser by a New Life volunteers.

Registration fees and donations will cover half the cost of each dresser. The remaining half of the cost will be covered through the generous support of Dedham Savings and Walpole Co-operative Bank.

This event will take place on Saturday, August 17th, from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM at the New Life warehouse, located at 102 Elm Street, Walpole.

“We are delighted to receive the support of Dedham Savings and Walpole Co-operative Bank,” stated Rich Purnell, Executive Director of New Life Furniture Bank. “Their generosity enables us to provide essential furnishings to families transitioning out of homelessness. Donors and volunteers will play a crucial role in helping rebuild lives by filling homes with much-needed furniture.”

To register for the event, or to make a donation, please visit: newlifefb.org/community-furniture-build.

New Life Furniture Bank of MA is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing gently used furniture to individuals and families in need. By partnering with the community and local businesses, New Life helps transform empty living spaces into homes filled with comfort and dignity.

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Posted in Events, New Life Furniture Bank of MA

West Nile Virus found in town

Posted on July 30, 2024 | Comments Off on West Nile Virus found in town
July 30, 2024 01:33 PM West Nile Virus Confirmed in Mosquitoes from Medfield
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) announced today, July 30, 2024 that West Nile Virus (WNV) has been detected in mosquitoes collected from… Read on • 
West Nile Virus Confirmed in Mosquitoes from Medfield DATE: July 30, 2024 TOWN: Medfield CONTACT: Brenda Healy, Public Health Nurse TELEPHONE: 508-906-3044 The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) announced today that West Nile Virus (WNV) has been detected in mosquitoes collected from Medfield, Massachusetts. In 2023, 10,765 mosquito samples from Massachusetts were tested for WNV and 164 samples were positive. The Town of Medfield had zero WNV positive mosquito samples identified in 2023. WNV is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. The mosquitoes that carry this virus are common throughout the state and are found in urban as well as more rural areas. While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe infection. By taking a few, common sense precautions, people can help to protect themselves and their loved ones: Avoid Mosquito Bites • Apply Insect Repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-mtoluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin. • Clothing Can Help reduce mosquito bites. Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin. • Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours - The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. When risk is increased, consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning. If you are outdoors at any time and notice mosquitoes around you, take steps to avoid being bitten by moving indoors, covering up and/or wearing repellant. Mosquito-Proof Your Home • Drain Standing Water - Many mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools and change water in birdbaths frequently. • Install or Repair Screens - Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all your windows and doors. Medfield continues to work closely with the MDPH and other agencies to monitor the situation. Information about WNV and reports of current and historical WNV virus activity in Massachusetts can be found on the MDPH website at: www.mass.gov/dph/mosquito.

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Posted in health

Legislature’s Unfair Earmarks

Posted on July 29, 2024 | 1 comment

The legislature’s earmarks process of doling out state monies in the annual state budget to good projects in each municipality is manifestly unfair and shortchanges most, yet it persists because our legislators annually adopt legislative rules that cede all power to the legislative leadership. Our legislative leadership then award/take home millions of dollars via earmarks in the annual state budget for admittedly good projects in their districts, while the bulk of districts are shortchange by getting little $$$ for their admittedly good projects.

Here is a link to a good recent Boston Globe article on the subject that details how the legislative leadership divvied up the spoils this year, and unfortunately the article is bound to make you cynical about the operation of your state government: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/05/09/metro/massachusetts-house-democratic-leaders-earmarks-5-million/?s_campaign=breakingnews:newsletter

A few Mass. Democrats put $5m into the budget for dog parks, a castle, and more. And they did it in secret.

House leaders tucked dozens of their own earmarks into sweeping budget amendments assembled in private

By Samantha J. Gross and Matt Stout Globe Staff,Updated May 9, 2024, 5:44 a.m.

210

People are silhouetted behind closed doors inside a lawmakers-only hallway off the House chamber.
People are silhouetted behind closed doors inside a lawmakers-only hallway off the House chamber.JESSICA RINALDI/GLOBE STAFF

 | STATE SECRETS | 

After months of preaching fiscal restraint, five of the Massachusetts House’s highest-ranking Democrats slipped at least $5 million in earmarks into the chamber’s spending plan in late April, fattening their own districts’ haul far beyond that of most others and almost entirely out of public view.

1 Comment

Posted in Budgets, Legislature

Starbucks renovations

Posted on July 25, 2024 | 3 comments

The last two days I had to walk back and forth to the downtown. Both days I asked the people working on the Starbucks why the place was being renovated, and today I struck paydirt. Today I happened to have asked the store manager for the last five years as he was retrieving things from one of the two massive containers out front.

The answer was that Starbucks started as exclusively a coffee place, without any food at all, but that now half of its business is cold drinks, including many fruit juices. Secondly, they now are also selling lots of foods. Thirdly, this particular store turned out to be a lot busier than it was originally projected to be. So the renovation was done to service both the broader and greater demands of the current customers.

BTW, the first person I asked yesterday had no idea – he was likely one of the workmen for a contractor.

3 Comments

Posted in Buildings, Development, Downtown

Medfield Gazebo Players next weekend at Bellforge – 5PM Sat. & Sun.

Posted on July 22, 2024 | Comments Off on Medfield Gazebo Players next weekend at Bellforge – 5PM Sat. & Sun.

I saw the Medfield Gazebo Players’ performance of Two Gentlemen of Verona last night next to the Lee Chapel as the sun set. I loved the Shakespeare with 50’s Doo Wop music and actors in poodle skirts and doing 50’s dance numbers. Medfield’s Small family crushed it, playing almost half the roles and Steve directing. Cynthia Small played the Duke and even had her own song – the “”Duke of Earl” played for each entrance.

I highly recommend that people share the fun and attend next weekend, 5PM on both Saturday and Sunday. This is quality local theatre, outside as the day ends – delightful! Bring your own snacks or dinner. The couple next to me really knew how to live – they brought drinks, dinner, chairs, and a small table – sweet.

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Posted in Bellforge Arts Center, Cultural, Entertainment, Events

Democrats State Rep Debate – recording available

Posted on July 17, 2024 | Comments Off on Democrats State Rep Debate – recording available

You can listen to yesterday’s debate by the three Democratic candidates seeking to replace Denise Garlick as our State Representative via this link. The debate was organized by the Charles River Regional Chamber and its President and CEO Greg Reibman did an excellent job of moderating the debate and getting information from the candidates.

https://youtu.be/qayzIm1O15I

Bill Dermody of Needham is also running as an unenrolled candidate. Bill attended our Select Board meeting last night and introduced himself to us at the end. Bill will face the winner of the Democratic primary in the November election.

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Posted in Elections, Legislature

State Rep debate is 7/16

Posted on July 12, 2024 | Comments Off on State Rep debate is 7/16

The Charles River Regional Chamber noticed that I published the wrong date for its debate for the Democratic candidates seeking to replace Rep. Denise Garlick, and was kind enough to alert me.

That debate is at noon on July 16, as per its publicity copied in below. See this posting for the details.

Meet the candidates for the 13th Norfolk House seat: Patrick A. Gatto, Kenneth Ruetenik, and Joshua Tarsky

July 16, 2024 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (EDT)

Description

Join us for the virtual debate between the three candidates — Patrick A. Gatto, Kenneth Ruetenik, and Joshua Tarsky — competing in the Sept. 3 Democratic primary for the open state representative seat in the 13th Norfolk district currently held by Rep. Garlick, representing Needham, Dover and part of Medfield.

Our focus will be issues related to economic development, housing, workforce, and the environment. Other general topics may be discussed as well. Questions from the business community in advance are welcome. This event will be recorded and shared later.

Pricing

Free, open to members & nonmembers

Contact Information

Name: Charles River Regional Chamber
Phone: (617) 244-5300
Email: info@charlesriverchamber.comr newsletter 

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Posted in Elections, Legislature

Office hours tomorrow, 7/12/24

Posted on July 11, 2024 | Comments Off on Office hours tomorrow, 7/12/24

Select Board Office Hours this Friday


I am holding my monthly office hours tomorrow at The Center, because The Center was closed last Friday.

I hold the office hours on the first Friday of every month from 9:00 to 10:00 AM. 

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).

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Posted in Select Board matters

More Dwight-Derby House input

Posted on July 5, 2024 | Comments Off on More Dwight-Derby House input

The email below and images are from Goeff Sauter, President of the Friends of the Dwight-Derby House, Inc. this afternoon –

Hi Pete,

Thanks again for making yourself available this morning.   Attached are three pictures as follows:

  1. The sketch by George Horatio Derby, the “father” of satire in the United States.  Electa Kane Tritsch uncovered this sketch in the archives on Derby family at West Point.  It was probably drawn as a teenager and shows his view of the meeting house from an upstairs bedroom. I interpret this drawing to be showing the Meeting House which is now the Unitarian Church facing North Street.   Sometimes when conducting fast-paced tours, we neglect to also point out a drawing that George did on the inside of the door leading to our gift shop.  The sketch is clearly the Dwight-Derby House itself, and it is a credit to both the many owners of the house and preservation contractors that the sketch was not inadvertently removed! Please tell your readers to stop in if they missed seeing it on a previous tour.
  2. One of the most expensive rare artifacts on our list for the East Parlor Project is an early 18th century women’s sewing table. These tables are unique because the bottom drawer has a large pouch or bag underneath where a seamstress could easily store an uncompleted project with all of the component pieces in a convenient place.  It occurred to me that someone who reads your blog might have one of these tables or know someone who does. We are not expecting a donation of a sewing table but plan to procure one at the best possible price.
  3. In the same vein, we are seaching for an early 18th century cabinet where Mary Derby would have stored, ribbons flowers, and other raw materials for making hats an bonnets. The picture I have enclosed was taken in the general store at Old Sturbridge Village. We will be working with antique dealers, flea markets, Craigslist, Ebay, estate sales, and all possible sources to find something like it.  

Best, Geoff

NB, by OLP: I just noticed a couple of more differences in the sketch from the current existing First Parish Meeting House:

  1. there is no front porch in this sketch
  2. the steeple today is flush with the front of the building
  3. today there is no side window that is not rectangular.

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Posted in Downtown, Dwight-Derby House, History