Author Archives: Select Board member Osler "Pete" Peterson

Climate Week 4/27 – 5/5

Posted on April 13, 2024 | Comments Off on Climate Week 4/27 – 5/5

From Helen Dewey –

Medfield Environment Action is excited to announce Medfield’s second annual Climate Week from Saturday, April 27th – Sunday, May 5th. A variety of unique events for all ages are taking place throughout the week at various locations around town. The goal is to have fun, spread awareness, educate, and network with neighbors. The full schedule of events can be found at MEAMedfield.org. Any questions please email meamedfield@gmail.com.

See on-line here https://meamedfield.org

 

Climate Week Schedule

MEA is excited to announce Medfield’s second annual Climate Week from Saturday, April 27th – Sunday, May 5th. A variety of unique events are taking place throughout the week at various locations around town. The goal is to have fun, spread awareness, educate, and network with neighbors. Any questions please email meamedfield@gmail.com.

Look for the MEA leaf at each of the Climate Week events!

Look for this sign at all participating Medfield businesses!

Events Ongoing Throughout the Entire Week

Children’s Climate Book Display at Medfield Library
468 Main St.

Butterfly Tree Shop

505 Main St.

Special discounts on sustainable and eco-friendly products/gifts

Park Street Books
504 Main St.
Climate Books on Display

Larkin’s Liquor Store

20 North St.

All during climate week, stop in at Larkins to enjoy 20% off any 3 or more bottles of organic or sustainable grown wine. A great selection of both red and white wines are available for this special sale.

Juice On Main
479 Main St.
10% discount during Climate week to anyone who does any of the following sustainable actions:
1. Shares a picture on social media and tags @juiceonmain for how they have reduced their carbon footprint.

2. Walks or bikes to Juice on Main and shares a picture of themselves and tags @juiceonmain

3. Brings their own smoothie cup and shares a picture of themselves and tags @juiceonmain

Medfield House of Pizza
10 North St.
Come in all week and take advantage of our meatless pizza special! Large 16″ cheese pizza only $10. 

Take a walk or ride your bike along the new Rail Trail
Begins at Ice House Road. 1.3 mile multi-use trail, parking available across from the entrance (Friends of the Medfield Rail Trail)

Saturday, April 27th

Friends of Medfield Seniors, Inc FOSI Yard Sale to Benefit Council
on Aging

8 – 2 pm, Center at Medfield One Ice House Rd.

This is a major fundraiser for the COA. Furniture, glassware, toys, books and much more – includes a bake sale and a book sale. Donations of gently used items are welcome except no computer, printers or clothing. Donations for the yard sale will be accepted from Monday, April 22 – Friday, April 26. Hours for collection during those days are during our regular business hours or until the space is full. Any questions contact the Medfield Council on Aging (508) 359-3665. Reusing our ‘stuff’ and combating throw-away consumerism is vital to sustainability.

Fairy Walk at Bellforge
10 – 3 pm, 45 Hospital Rd.

Explore a world of magical fairy houses (fairy residences are known for having the lightest carbon footprint ever!) Fairy Walk at Bellforge 

Sustainable Colonial Vegetable Garden

11 – 2 pm,  Peak House, 347 Main St.

A sustainable Colonial vegetable garden with herbs and medicinal plants is to be planted next door to the Peak House. Come to the Peak House Heritage Center to see the new growth and find out more about volunteering as a gardener by growing Colonial vegetables which were vital to early Medfield families. You’ll have a small plot of your own, and can select from a Colonial seed list! Seeds and water resources are provided at no cost, as well as deer and rabbit protection. Throughout the growing season, you may harvest your own crops or donate them.

Household Hazardous Waste Day

9 – 1 pm, Highway Garage Building 55 North Meadows Rd.

Drive up, pop your trunk and we will unload the items to be discarded. Acceptable items include automotive based chemicals, oil based paint, cleaning chemicals, fertilizer and pesticides, car batteries, fluorescent bulbs and propane tanks 1 lb and 20 lb. Any questions, call DPW at (508) 906-3003. 

Sunday, April 28th

Hike Up Noon Hill

Meet at 8:30 am, meet at the Noon Hill Reservation parking lot on
Noon Hill Ave.

Enjoy a 3 mile walk in the Noon Hill area, exploring some new and recently improved trails along the Charles River. Led by Blanche Teyssier in partnership with Friends of Medfield Forests and Trails FMFT. Expected duration is 2 hours. Wear comfortable shoes.

Solar Shingle Roof Open House

11 – 1 pm, 17 Loeffler Lane

My roof shingles are solar panels! Come view the roof shingle array from the outside and the system equipment from the inside – also includes explanation of the Inverter and Sunny Portal logins which show real time solar production (to the point where if a cloud goes over or moves away you easily see the changes) and production graphs from recent days – view David Baime’s detailed data from several years on production, % of total electricity, total cost/savings and average price of electricity each year – info on US cities and their average annual hours of sunshine – multiple electric bills “no payment due.”

Sustainable Colonial Vegetable Garden

11 – 2 pm,  Peak House, 347 Main St.

A sustainable Colonial vegetable garden with herbs and medicinal plants is to be planted next door to the Peak House. Come to the Peak House Heritage Center to see the new growth and find out more about volunteering as a gardener by growing Colonial vegetables which were vital to early Medfield families. You’ll have a small plot of your own, and can select from a Colonial seed list! Seeds and water resources are provided at no cost, as well as deer and rabbit protection. Throughout the growing season, you may harvest your own crops or donate them.

Adorable grazing baby Goats, Robot Mowers, Chickens and family friendly activities!
1 – 3 pm, First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, 26 North St.   

  • ‘Goats of Dover’ – Bring the whole family to see the friendly goats in action! Having the ‘Goats of Dover’ visit your property is an effective, environmentally friendly way to eradicate poison ivy and unwanted brush- and it’s super fun! Goats of Dover is committed to cleaning up and greening up our planet. Our services include goatscaping, goat yoga, baby goat visits, and cocktails with goats. Learn lots more at Goats of Dover
  • Robotic lawn mowers and other sustainable tools for yards and fields. Automated Outdoor Solutions of New England will be featuring robotic lawn mowers, a robotic snowblower, a leaf-blower, a variety of battery-powered handheld tools and more!  All tools are practical alternatives to noisy gas and oil-powered lawn maintenance tools.  Come see and try them out!  AOS contact newenglandaos@gmail.com
  • Meet some friendly local chickens and learn if backyard chicken keeping is for you!
  • Kids craft project using recycled materials

Jenga Blocks for Extinct Species

1 – 3 pm, First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, 26 North St.
Sponsored by Extinction Rebellion
Check out an oversized game of  “Extinction Jenga” and playfully learn about biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse with the endangered species Jenga Blocks.
As species become extinct (they are removed from the tower) the tower becomes less stable.

A Climate-Themed Interfaith Labyrinth Walk 

3 – 5 pm,  Church of the Advent 28 Pleasant St.
Walkers may arrive anytime between 3-5 pm

See flyer at adventmedfield.org 

You are invited to:

  • Come as you are and bring your thirst for stillness in this candle-lit labyrinth walk.
  • Come experience this ancient symbol for personal reflection, peace, world healing, and transformation.
  • Come and share our interconnectedness; walk, pray, and share the burden of sorrow for all those affected by climate change, both human and non-human. 

Hosted by Church of the Advent Creation Care Ministry Team. Contact: Jill Seiler-Moon (508) 241-5796, Veriditas Labyrinth Facilitator and Lay Eucharistic Minister

Visit a Diverse and Naturally Landscaped Lawn and Enjoy
a Fiddle Concert  

7 pm, 84 Bridge St.

Come by to see Andy Costello’s yard with almost no grass (ground covering, trees and shrubs instead) and enjoy an outdoor fiddle concert at the same time. WEATHER PERMITTING 

Monday, April 29th

Ground Source Heat Pump Conversation
7:30 pm via Zoom

Good for the ‘Burbs:  Our Ground-Source Heatpump Systems (Geothermal)

Medfield residents will chat about their respective homes’ high-efficiency ground-source heatpump, aka geothermal, systems. Providing both heating and cooling, they run clean and green. Kirsten and Glen Dabate will share their recent experience installing a Geothermal HVAC system to replace their aging gas furnace. For Fred and Lucinda Davis, it’s now been three heating seasons since they said goodbye to their oil system.

GSHP technology makes sense for Medfielders who anticipate needing to replace their oil or gas furnaces with a comfortable, all-electric, zero-carbon HVAC system. We’ll also mention how every Medfielder can now profitably opt-up to 100%-clean electricity. Here is the link to the Zoom meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4165522763?omn=83858241993

Tuesday, April 30th

Beginner Mountain Bike Ride 

5:00 pm, Bellforge Cultural Center front lawn

Rain date Wed. May 1

Beginner mountain bike ride along Charles River in Medfield Charles River Reservation. Meet at Medfield State Hospital Bellforge Cultural Center front lawn. Led by George Lester in partnership with the SE Mass chapter of New England Mountain Bike Association

Solar Power and the Value of Your Home

6:30 pm, Medfield Library, Meeting Room in the lower level

Have you thought about adding Solar panels to your home?  Is there always a financial outlay required right up front?  Worried about the return on investment time frame, and what if you decided to move? What will Solar panels do for the value of your home someday when you do sell? In this presentation, David Derian of Berkshire Hathaway Page Realty offers an overview of Solar installation options, and gives answers to these and other questions. Please email davidderian@bhhspagerealty.com if you’re interested in attending so we can plan refreshments.

Wednesday, May 1st

Swap Opens

9 – 3, Transfer Station

Come see what’s happening this season to save our planet! The purpose of the Swap Area is to divert items from going into the waste stream. The SWAP AREA is a convenient drop-off spot for unwanted items or a unique “shopping experience” at a bargain price, it is FREE!  Items are NOT disposed of at the end of the day (as was done in the past), items generally remain at the SWAP for a few weeks to give them a chance to be seen and taken before recycled/repurposed.

The Swap is open to Medfield residents who have a Transfer Station sticker. It is open through late September every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday 9-3. Some items when requested go to New Life, The Center, the Animal Shelter, High School Theater Group, All Night Graduation Party, and Hinkley Playground. The area is decluttered daily and packed up items go to Big Brother/Big Sister, MADD or St. Vincent de Paul. 

Medfield Community Electricity

10:30 am, Center at Medfield, One Ice House Rd.

A community meeting to learn about Medfield Community Electricity, a town-run  program launching in June of 2024 that seeks to offer new electricity supply options that provide more renewable energy and stable prices for all Medfield residents and businesses. Committee members will be on hand to answer any questions.

Demo/Display of Temperature Blanket (knit and crochet)
2 – 3 pm, Medfield Library

The Temperature Blanket originated with the Tempestry Project to represent global warming – a way to visualize temperature change in fiber Art. This is a knitted or crocheted blanket that uses different colors of yarn to record each day’s temperature over the course of a year. It is a visual representation of climate change. Come hear how the Tempestry Project began as a data art movement. Donna Luft will talk about the project and show how to start a blanket of your own. History and instructions will be shared. A knitted and a crocheted blanket – both in progress will be on display.


Complete Guide to Making Temperature Blankets 

A Year In Yarn: How To Knit or Crochet A Temperature Blanket | Lion Brand Notebook 

Temperature Blanket As Climate Change Activism 

Solar Panel and Electric Vehicle Charging Open House
4:30 – 7:00 pm, 3 Hospital Rd.

Come chat with Heidi and Tripp Johnson if you’re considering solar, an EV or heat pumps and would like to ask any questions about the benefits of each or to see 7 years’ worth of $0 electric bills! Check out the 45 solar panels on our roof and the corresponding net meter equipment for the electric company reading as well as the Solar Edge data collection dashboard. Also see our Tesla Y with installed Tesla charger in our garage and an additional 240V outlet that we also installed to help charge our daughter’s Chevy Bolt when she visits. We also can speak to our heat pump heating/cooling solution at our paneled house in Maine.

Talk Tesla

5:30 – 6:30 pm, 36 Whichita Rd.

Come kick the tires (not literally!) of a 2022 Tesla Model Y. Have an up-close look at the electric vehicle and check out the frunk. Megan Sullivan will share her charging set-up and personal experience driving to and from Florida.

Thursday, May 2nd

Walk or Bike to School Day – Dale Street School

Meet at Hinkley Pond at 7:30 am

Raindate: Friday, May 3rd

 Participating students will be entered in a raffle to win tokens for the school’s new book vending machine!  Students are welcome to meet at Hinkley Pond at 7:30 am to join a “bike train” which will proceed to the school.  Sign up by April 30th (see flyer Climate Week flyers for QR code or email medfieldbike2school@gmail.com). Bus transportation will still be available and follow the normal route and schedule.

Children’s Library Storytime

10:40 – 11:00 am Medfield Public Library Children’s Room

Storytime for ages 18 months – 5 years with a caregiver. Join Miss Andrea for songs, stories, handplays & movement activities with an Environmental theme for Medfield Climate Week. This is a great opportunity for caregivers to model singing, playing & sharing the early literacy experience with their littles! Caregivers should plan to sit with their child and participate. There will also be an Earth Month Display of books.

Fabric Scrap Wreath Workshop for Adults

6 – 8 pm Medfield Public Library

Celebrate Medfield Climate Week by helping the librarians use up their fabric scraps! Sign up to make a fun and colorful wreath made of scraps leftover from library sewing classes – or bring your own scraps from home!

Supplies are limited. Please visit the May Events page at MedfieldPublicLibrary.org/EVENTS starting April 16th to register. 

Friday, May 3rd

Children’s Library Storytime

10:40 – 11:00 am, Medfield Public Library Children’s Room

Storytime for ages 18 months – 5 years with a caregiver. Join Miss Andrea for songs, stories, handplays & movement activities with an Environmental theme for Medfield Climate Week. This is a great opportunity for caregivers to model singing, playing & sharing the early literacy experience with their littles! Caregivers should plan to sit with their child and participate. There will also be an Earth Month Display of books.

Swap Is Open

9 – 3 pm, Transfer Station

Come see what’s happening this season to save our planet! The purpose of the Swap Area is to divert items from going into the waste stream. The SWAP AREA is a convenient drop-off spot for unwanted items or a unique “shopping experience” at a bargain price, it is FREE!  Items are NOT disposed of at the end of the day (as was done in the past), items generally remain at the SWAP for a few weeks to give them a chance to be seen and taken before recycled/repurposed.

The Swap is open to Medfield residents who have a Transfer Station sticker. It is open through late September every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday 9-3. Some items when requested go to New Life, The Center, the Animal Shelter, High School Theater Group, All Night Graduation Party, and Hinkley Playground. The area is decluttered daily and packed up items go to Big Brother/Big Sister, MADD or St. Vincent de Paul.

Saturday, May 4th

Swap Is Open

9 – 3 pm, Transfer Station

Come see what’s happening this season to save our planet! The purpose of the Swap Area is to divert items from going into the waste stream. The SWAP AREA is a convenient drop-off spot for unwanted items or a unique “shopping experience” at a bargain price, it is FREE!  Items are NOT disposed of at the end of the day (as was done in the past), items generally remain at the SWAP for a few weeks to give them a chance to be seen and taken before recycled/repurposed.

The Swap is open to Medfield residents who have a Transfer Station sticker. It is open through late September every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday 9-3. Some items when requested go to New Life, The Center, the Animal Shelter, High School Theater Group, All Night Graduation Party, and Hinkley Playground. The area is decluttered daily and packed up items go to Big Brother/Big Sister, MADD or St. Vincent de Paul. 

Electronics Recycling

9 – 12 pm, Church of the Advent, 28 Pleasant St.
Donation based Electronics Recycling Event in Partnership with Data Recycling New England. See flyer at adventmedfield.org for details.

Demo/Display of Temperature Blanket (knit and crochet)
10 – 10:45 am  Medfield Library

The Temperature Blanket originated with the Tempestry Project to represent global warming – a way to visualize temperature change in fiber Art. This is a knitted or crocheted blanket that uses different colors of yarn to record each day’s temperature over the course of a year. It is a visual representation of climate change. Come hear how the Tempestry Project began as a data art movement. Donna Luft talks about the project and shows how to start a blanket of your own. History and instructions will be shared. A knitted and a crocheted blanket – both in progress will be on display.
Complete Guide to Making Temperature Blankets 

A Year In Yarn: How To Knit or Crochet A Temperature Blanket | Lion Brand Notebook 

Temperature Blankets as Climate Change Activism 

Spring Dance Party at Expresso Yourself Coffeehouse
7 – 10 pm,  First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, 26 North St.
Join us for International Folk Dancing with The Larger Circle Band and professional dance caller Jacob Bloom. Complimentary desserts, coffee & tea. Share a song, story, or poem in the open mic. Learn to do international folk dances! Join in the fun! Adults, teens, and children welcome. Tickets in advance: $10. Tickets at door: $12. Children $5. Funds collected will go to an environmental justice organization.

Sunday, May 5th

Electric Vehicle Car and Truck Show, Kids Craft,
and Rail Trail Ride or Walk

1 – 3 pm, Sunday, The Center at Medfield parking lot – One Ice House Rd. Medfield Energy Committee, Medfield Park and Recreation, and Sustainable Medfield

Join fellow drivers and learn about their experiences with their electric cars and trucks. We have an assortment of vehicles including battery-only and hybrid models. Have you checked out the versatile Lightning pickup truck? Come on by!

      The kids can create a gel leaf imprint, learn about nature and have a fun craft to take home. 

      Walk or ride the Rail Trail while you are there. Entrance is on Ice House Rd.

Textile and Sewing Machine Mending Clinic

1 – 4 pm, Medfield Public Library

Extend the life of your clothing and household textiles! Bring your ripped, torn, stained, and deteriorated clothes, cushions, and linens to the Mending Clinic at the library to work with a volunteer Mender for some hands-on assistance. We’ll also have folks available to look at that old sewing machine you’ve got gathering dust in your attic.  We’ll help you fix it if we can and show you how to maintain it going forward.  Drop in anytime to visit the Button Station to find and sew on replacement buttons.  Don’t know how to sew on a button? We’ll teach you!

Registration for Mender Appointments is required.  Click the links below to reserve your spot!

To register for Textile Mending, click here or copy and paste this link into your browser: https://forms.gle/J4Uvr6s6cewrxFfc9

To register for Sewing Machine maintenance or repair, click here or copy and paste this link into your browser: https://forms.gle/6Y4FQdAR36yVNv7w5

Private Events Happening Around Town

Children’s Clothing Swap at Medfield Children’s Center

Jenga Blocks for Extinct Species 4 – 6 grade MAP

Other Climate Awareness Activities

Annual Medfield Clean-Up Days

Sat/Sun April 20 and 21, 8 – 3 pm
Call Medfield DPW to volunteer (508) 906-3003.

The Bellforge Arts Center (Bellforge) in partnership with local State Rep Marcus Vaughn is planning a sustainability fair in Medfield, MA on April 20 (10am-2pm). This event will be part-recycling drive and part-environmental and social action fair. The Green Team in partnership with Eversource will be on site hosting a recycling drive for unusual items like dehumidifiers, mattresses, etc.

The goal of this event is to raise awareness in our community about ways to get involved in social and environmental action.  

There will be music and other family-friendly entertainment, food, lawn games and lots of fun! 

Holistic Wellness Center 

18 North Meadows Rd. 

The shop employs numerous sustainable practices every week of the year. They use paper or reusable gift bags. They serve water from a 5 gal jug in compostable cups and use the same cups for lotions during treatments. Sustainable needles are used for acupuncture and mylar blankets are used and saved for each client to cut back on the need for laundry. They sell certified Fair Trade products. They have insulation made from recycled blue jeans and most lighting is LED.  

****************


Thanks for your interest and support of Medfield’s Second Annual Climate Week!

Look for the MEA leaf at each of the Climate Week events!

Comments Off on Climate Week 4/27 – 5/5

Posted in Climate, Energy Committee, Environmental, Green, Medfield Environmental Action, Sustainable Medfield

House budget issued per MMA

Posted on April 10, 2024 | Comments Off on House budget issued per MMA

The Massachusetts Municipal Association emailed this afternoon about what is in the House version of the budget, which was released this afternoon. The Governor proposed raising our UGGA by 3%, but the House only came through with a 1% increase. Medfield’s draft Cherry Sheet based on these House numbers will be available later this week.

In general, state aid to Medfield has been declining for years, meaning that more of what the town needs to provide for its citizens must be done with property taxes.

House Ways & Means Committee Files $57.9B FY2025 Spending Proposal  
April 10, 2024  

Earlier today, the House Ways & Means Committee released a $57.9 billion state budget plan for fiscal 2025. The proposal includes several important investments in schools and municipalities, despite more modest state revenue expectations than in recent years.   The House Ways & Means Committee budget, H. 4600, offers important progress on a top local aid priority, by adding $37 million to lift the per-pupil minimum aid amount from $30 per student to $104. This is welcome news for 228 districts across the Commonwealth that were statutorily set to receive an increase of less than $104 per student in Chapter 70 aid funding.   The HWM budget includes a 1% increase in Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA) over last year, lower than the 3% increase offered by the Governor. During the budget debate and legislative session, the MMA will work to build on this figure, and will continue to advocate strongly for a further increase in Unrestricted General Government Aid as well as other key municipal aid accounts. The state’s changing revenue landscape underscores the need for collective advocacy from local officials in several essential areas.  

The MMA will reach out in the weeks ahead with more information on critical advocacy opportunities during the House budget debate.   The following are key components of the HWM proposal for municipalities:  

Unrestricted General Government Aid – $12.7 million increase The HWM budget includes a $12.7 million increase in the Unrestricted General Government Aid account, a 1% increase over fiscal 2024. This is below the Governor’s recommendation of a 3% increase for fiscal 2025.  

Chapter 70 School Aid – $308.7 million increase lifts Minimum Aid to $104 Per Student The HWM budget recommendation continues implementation of the funding schedules in the 2019 Student Opportunity Act to stay on track with the law’s intended schedule. The proposal represents funding year four of the law’s six-year rollout. In a major win for cities and towns, the House Ways and Means proposal increases per-pupil spending for Minimum Aid districts from $30 to $104 per student, leveraging surtax revenues to increase the total for Minimum Aid districts by $37 million. This would benefit the 228 out of 318 districts that were set to receive an increase of less than $104 per student for fiscal 2025.  

Charter School Reimbursements – $199 million The HWM budget would fund the charter school reimbursement account at $199 million, intended to meet the commitment to fund the state’s statutory obligation to mitigate Chapter 70 losses to charter schools.  

Rural School Aid – $7.5 million The HWM budget would fund Rural School Aid at $7.5 million for eligible towns and regional school districts. The grant program helps districts facing the challenge of declining enrollment to identify ways to form regional school districts or regionalize certain school services to create efficiencies. This amount reflects a decrease from fiscal 2024, which was funded at $15 million.  

Special Education Circuit Breaker – $492.2 million The HWM budget would fund the Special Education Circuit Breaker program at $492.2 million. By leveraging $75 million from a recently passed fiscal 2023 supplemental budget, total funding in fiscal 2025 would be $567 million via this proposal.  

Regional School Transportation – $99.4 million The HWM budget submission would fund regional transportation reimbursements at $99.4 million for fiscal 2025. According to updated cost projections from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, this represents an 87% reimbursement of anticipated claims.  

McKinney-Vento Reimbursements – $28.6 million The HWM budget would fund reimbursements for the transportation of homeless students at $28.6 million for fiscal 2025. The impact of this funding level by community will depend on the number of homeless families that remain sheltered in local hotels and motels. According to updated cost projections from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the HWM proposal represents 74.4% of anticipated claims for fiscal 2025.   The HWM budget does not have a line item for out-of-district vocational transportation, which was funded at $1 million in fiscal 2024.  

Payments-in-Lieu-of-Taxes (PILOT) – $51.8 million The HWM budget would fund PILOT payments at $51.8 million, an increase of $334,000. This amount should hold communities harmless from recent valuations.  

Surtax Investments   Fiscal 2025 is the second year that revenue from the Fair Share amendment will be allocated. The HWM budget proposes $1.3 billion in Fair Share investments in education and transportation needs, including the following of note to municipalities:  

Supplemental Local Road and Bridge Funding – $25 million The HWM budget proposes an additional $25 million of surtax revenue for supplemental local road and bridge funding. This amount would be separate from the annual Chapter 90 bond authorization. This funding would be put to use immediately by cities and towns to repair crumbling local roads, advance critically needed projects, and improve safety on our neighborhood roadways.  

Green School Works – $10 million The HWM proposal includes $10 million for the Green School Works grant program that was launched during fiscal 2024. This program, administered through DESE, provides financial support to K-12 districts to install or maintain clean energy infrastructure.  

Universal School Meals – $190 million The HWM proposal includes $190 million to continue the Universal School Meals program, allowing all Massachusetts students to eat for free at school, regardless of household income.  

Outside Sections   Disaster Relief and Resiliency Fund The HWM budget includes an outside section (Section 37) to establish a permanent Disaster Relief and Resiliency Fund, which intends to provide relief to municipalities impacted by extreme weather events. Outside Section 92 directs the state’s comptroller to transfer $14 million from any consolidated net budget surplus for fiscal 2025 to the Disaster Relief and Resiliency Fund.  

Creation of an iLottery, Dedicated to Early Education The HWM budget includes an outside section that would allow the Massachusetts State Lottery to create an online platform, or iLottery, with the resulting new revenue targeted to early education and care programming. While these are very worthwhile programs, they are not the intended mission of the Lottery for more than 50 years, which is to fund aid to cities and towns.  

Next Steps Members of the House have until 5 p.m. on Friday to file budget amendments. The House is expected to begin debate on its fiscal 2025 state budget proposal on April 24. The Senate will take up its budget process in May, with the goal of having a final bill on the governor’s desk in time for the July 1 start of the fiscal year.   The MMA will continue to reach out to local officials in the weeks and months ahead to engage in advocacy efforts on behalf of many critical municipal and school aid programs.  

Helpful Links:

The Division of Local Services will update the Preliminary Cherry Sheets to reflect the House Ways & Means proposal later this week.

Click here to see the full text of the House Ways & Means budget proposal.    

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Posted in Budgets, Financial, Legislature, State

EV car show in COA lot 5/5/24, 1-3PM

Posted on April 5, 2024 | Comments Off on EV car show in COA lot 5/5/24, 1-3PM

From Chris Gordon of the Medfield Energy Committee –

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Posted in Climate, Energy Committee, Green, Medfield Environmental Action, Sustainable Medfield, Uncategorized

Select Board office hours tomorrow

Posted on April 4, 2024 | Comments Off on Select Board office hours tomorrow

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.
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 Uncategorized

Select Board 4/2

Posted on March 30, 2024 | Comments Off on Select Board 4/2

  1. To join online, use this link:
    https://medfield-net.zoom.us/j/88530366678?pwd=clhLODVKcnlDN3dFTDJWQjBCVzJ5Zz09
    a. Webinar ID: 885 3036 6678
    b. Password: 637025
  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: 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/7785/Select-Board-Meeting-Packet_04022024
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 Select Board 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/88530366678?pwd=clhLODVKcnlDN3dFTDJWQjBCVzJ5Zz09 a. Webinar ID: 885 3036 6678 b. Password: 637025 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: 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/7785/Select-Board-Meeting-Packet_04022024 Select Board Board or Committee PLACE OF MEETING DAY, DATE, AND TIME Chenery Hall, Medfield Town House Remote participation available through Zoom Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at 6:00 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. Public Hearing - Alteration of Premises application by Kingsbury Club Medfield, Inc to amend their on-premise Section 12 all alcoholic beverages license to include 2 self-pouring units which will be in addition to the restaurant and portable bar 2. 6:30 PM Dr. Marsden and Mike Weber to discuss and request a vote on submission of the Statement of Interest for the Dale Street School 3. Police Chief Michelle Guerette to request a vote to amend the effective date for the appointment of William Crisafulli from March 22 to March 26, 2024 4. 7:30 PM Select Board to attend Warrant Committee Public Hearing Discussion Items (Potential Votes) 2024 Town Meeting and FY25 Budget Items 5. Discussion and potential votes on remaining warrant articles 3, 4, 17, 19, 23, and 32 6. Vote to sign the 2024 Town Meeting Warrant Action Items 7. Board and Committee Appointments and Resignations: a. Accept the resignation of Mike Pastore from the OPEB Trust Committee and Collective Bargaining Committee 8. Vote to sign the agreement with the Town of Hopkinton for MassCALL3 Part B, a regionalized approach to youth substance abuse prevention 9. Vote to sign the 40B Technical Assistance award letter from Massachusetts Housing Partnership for up to $10,000 to be used to pay for the consulting services of Paul Haverty to assist with the review of 441 Main Street Citizen Comment Consent Agenda 10. Request from Soles of Medfield/New Life Furniture Bank promoting the 10K at North/Main from April 27 to May 11 Meeting Minutes February 6, 2024 Town Administrator Updates Next Meeting Dates April 16, 2024 April 30, 2024 May 6, 2024 - Annual Town Meeting Select Board Member Reports Actions Taken on Bills and Warrants for Payments Informational ● Trinity Financial’s Letter to the Select Board regarding the critical importance of compliance with the MBTA Communities Law

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Posted in Uncategorized

EV car show 5/5 in lot at The Center

Posted on March 30, 2024 | Comments Off on EV car show 5/5 in lot at The Center

From Chris Gordon of the Medfield Energy Committee and Sustainable Medfield –

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Posted in Climate, Energy Committee, Green, Medfield Environmental Action, Sustainable Medfield

MBTA Communities Act Zoning guest post by Chris Potts

Posted on March 27, 2024 | Comments Off on MBTA Communities Act Zoning guest post by Chris Potts

Guest post by Chris Potts, shared from her Medfield Insider –

Click here to see the better formatted version that Chris did, which does not look as good here    


Special Edition – March 26, 2024IMPORTANT UPCOMING PUBLIC HEARINGS



There’s a lot to digest with the MBTA Communities Zoning article coming up for a vote at this year’s Town Meeting on Monday, May 6 at 7 p.m. in the Medfield High School gym.
Here are two chances to learn more, ask questions, and become better informed far in advance of the meeting:

Public hearings via Zoom

1. Thursday, March 28 (6:30 p.m. bylaw review, 7:30 p.m. public hearing)

2. Monday, April 1 (7:30 p.m.)

(Do you plan to attend? Would an in-person information session before Town Meeting be helpful? Your feedback here will be relayed to town officials.Questions can also be directed to Maria De La Fuente, Director of Land Use and Planning; phone 508-906-3027).

Three quick takeaways
MBTA Communities Act only requires special zoning to be created — there is no town mandate to build housing.

Towns retain a certain amount of control over what gets built and where under MBTA Communities Zoning, and no land is taken against an owner’s will because of the law.
Towns become ineligible for state funds due to failure to enact MBTA Communities Zoning by their deadline (Dec. 31, 2024 for Medfield).

Much is at stake with MSH
As noted by Abby Goldenfarb, VP at Trinity Financial, the firm charged with redeveloping the former Medfield State Hospital (MSH) site, “It is imperative that the Town prioritizes compliance with the state housing law requirements imposed by the MBTA Communities Act.” 

In a recent letter to the Select Board, Goldenfarb explained that if a successful town meeting vote is not achieved — as mandated by law — the town will no longer be eligible for the millions of dollars of state grants on which Trinity depends for creation of MSH infrastructure and other redevelopment needs.

Town officials have acknowledged that the new law has created unique challenges for Medfield – a town that has been diligently increasing affordable housing, and created the MSH redevelopment master plan to help achieve its objectives. It has taken more than 10 years for the MSH vision to come to fruition.

“We realize there has been some frustration with the mandate, but the upcoming vote is not the time for any of us to be tilting windmills. For Medfield especially, so much of our state hospital progress is on the line if we do not comply with the new law,” said Select Board member Gus Murby at a recent forum. “Thanks to the work of the Planning Board, we have a solid path forward that will allow us to adhere to the mandate, while still respecting the character of our town.”



A short explanation
The word “zoning” can often make eyes glaze over, but it simply means establishing a set of rules for how land is used, regulating the structures that go on it, and guiding development decisions.

Massachusetts cities and towns have been given the authority to adopt their own ordinances and bylaws. However, in the case of MBTA Communities Zoning, the state is mandating that Medfield and many other Commonwealth communities enact specific multi-family housing zoning by right based on proximity to MBTA transit services.

Medfield has been deemed an “adjacent town” because of its proximity to the Walpole and Norfolk MBTA Commuter Rail.

No mandate to build
As stressed by town officials, the MBTA Zoning law in no way requires that multi-family housing must be built – only that the town rules and regulations (via zoning bylaws) must permit the development plans.
However, unlike the 40B law, the MBTA Communities Act gives towns and cities more flexibility to establish certain parameters and exclusions, which could involve protection of wetlands, historic structures and conservation land.



Arriving at a proposal
Based on Medfield’s “Adjacent Community” status, the state is requiring the town to create zoning that would allow for a total of 50 acres providing a minimum capacity of 750 multi-family units (once again, this refers to zoning only — there is no actual requirement for the units to be built). 

The total unit quota can be reached a variety of ways. For example, no town or city is expected to create one site that can house all of the required units – the state allows multiple districts to be created, as long as certain requirements are met for density, size and contiguity.
After the Medfield Planning Board analyzed all of the variables, allowances, and restrictions underlying the law and took into consideration public feedback, it settled on three town areas (“districts”) to propose for MBTA Zoning compliance at Town Meeting:

The PARC
Medfield Gardens (with Olde Village Square)
Core downtown

With substantial amounts of multi-family housing already located in the districts identified for rezoning, town planners have been able to minimize potential negative impacts of new construction that may be pursued down the road as a result of the MBTA Communities law.
(Pictured: 71 North St., a relatively new multi-housing development with eight units in the core downtown district.)

The path forward
Developing the MBTA Zoning proposal for the town has taken substantial time and effort, and has benefited from the guidance of independent consultants. Multiple officials have recently stated they believe the Town Meeting proposal is the best possible path forward for Medfield to adhere to the mandate.

“We encourage Medfield community members to attend an upcoming hearing and review as much information as possible beforehand, so that questions and concerns can be addressed far in advance of Town Meeting,” said Town Administrator Kristine Treirweiler.

Frequently Asked QuestionsTown Website
Medfield Insider | 7 Curve St., Medfield, MA 02052Unsubscribe christine.mccue@verizon.netUpdate Profile | Constant Contact Data NoticeSent by editor@medfieldinsider.ccsend.com powered byTry email marketing for free today!

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Posted in Development, Downtown, Medfield State Hospital, Zoning

TOWN ELECTION TODAY – please vote on leaving civil service

Posted on March 25, 2024 | Comments Off on TOWN ELECTION TODAY – please vote on leaving civil service

POLLS OPEN UNTIL 8PM AT THE CENTER

LEAVING CIVIL SERVICE ON BALLOT

I just voted and can report that the voting is extremely light when I was there. Please vote.

Civil service is on our ballot. The Select Board has asked to have the town removed from the civil service system. The Medfield Police Department’s police union supports the town leaving civil service. In fact, the union has created signs that make the somewhat confusing question clear –

SUPPORT MEDFIELD POLICE VOTE YES

Additionally, the union members will be holding those signs at the polls all day. This writer thanks the union and its members for their support and their activity at the polls.

ONE EXAMPLE IS ALL THE REASON WE NEED

The example of why Medfield would be better out of civil service is shown by the MPD’s recent attempt to hire of a new officer having been nixed by another town who civil service states controlled the officer. That town that cancelled our hire is not even the town where the officer currently works, but rather the town the officer left 4 years and 9 months ago, but which town under the archaic civil service rules still controls that officer and has to approve our hiring.

I am told that if Medfield votes today to leave civil service (a YES vote), then Medfield will be able to proceed with our hiring of that new officer tomorrow.

Please vote also to affirm that we believe that Mike Pastore will be a great moderator, and support all our other fellow residents volunteering to make out town run.

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Posted in Elections

Town election Monday – Please consider a vote for me!

Posted on March 24, 2024 | 1 comment

Tweet from Town of Medfield –

Town of Medfield

@TownofMedfield

The Annual Town Election will be held on Monday, March 25, 2024 from 6AM-8PM at the CENTER at Medfield, 1 Ice House Road. The Specimen Ballot can be viewed here: https://town.medfield.net/DocumentCenter/View/7691/Specimen-Ballot-Local-Election_03252024…

Image

1 Comment

Posted in Elections

Select Board 3/26/2024

Posted on March 23, 2024 | Comments Off on Select Board 3/26/2024
  1. To join online, use this link:
    https://medfield-net.zoom.us/j/88530366678?pwd=clhLODVKcnlDN3dFTDJWQjBCVzJ5Zz09
    a. Webinar ID: 885 3036 6678
    b. Password: 637025
  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: 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/7766/Select-Board-Meeting-Packet_03262024
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 Select Board 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/88530366678?pwd=clhLODVKcnlDN3dFTDJWQjBCVzJ5Zz09 a. Webinar ID: 885 3036 6678 b. Password: 637025 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: 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/7766/Select-Board-Meeting-Packet_03262024 Select Board Board or Committee PLACE OF MEETING DAY, DATE, AND TIME Chenery Hall, Medfield Town House Remote participation available through Zoom Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at 6:00 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 6:00 pm: Reorganization of the Select Board Appointments 1. Kerry Dunnell, Charles River Health District, to provide update to the Select Board 2. 6:30PM Dog Control Bylaw Committee to discuss proposed Dog Control Bylaw warrant article for the 2024 Town Meeting and to request a potential vote on the bylaw proposal Discussion Items (Potential Votes) 2024 Town Meeting and FY25 Budget Items 3. Review and potential vote on Warrant Articles 1-34 4. Vote to submit Article 33, Zoning Enforcement Fees; Article 35, Authorize Select Board name change in Town Bylaws; and Article 37, MBTA Communities Zoning District to the Planning Board for review Action Items 5. Board and Committee Appointments a. Vote to appoint Ramaa Rao as an associate member of the Board of Health 6. Vote to authorize the Town Administrator to sign a contract with Clear Span Fabric Structures, Inc. for the replacement of two clarifier covers at the wastewater treatment plant, the cost of which will primarily be paid for through insurance proceeds 7. Vote to sign the contract with Kraft Power Corporation for a new generator for the wastewater treatment plant for $272,891 8. Vote to sign the contract with Truax Corporation for our annual catch basin cleaning at $19.95/catch basin for a total of $41,895 (2100 catch basins) 9. Vote to sign the contract with Rise Engineering for rooftop heat pump units at the Library for $31,918 10. Vote to sign the contract with Norel for the replacement of the sprinkler heads at the Medfield Public Library for $27,302.93 11. Vote to sign the contract with Suburban Glass and Mirror for ceiling repairs at the Parks and Recreation Center for $7,840 12. Vote to sign the Schedule Z for the solar array at the DPW Garage 13. Vote to approve a sandwich board request to advertise the opening of the Medfield Community Market at North/Main from May 5 through May 19 and a request for the additional weeks of April 1 through April 15 Citizen Comment Consent Agenda 14. Request to place signs at the usual locations to advertise the Medfield Garden Club’s Spring Plant Sale from April 20 to May 4 15. Request to place signs at the usual locations to advertise the Medfield Energy Committee’s EV car show from April 21 through May 5 16. Request to place signs at the Transfer Station, intersection of Main/North and intersection of South/Rte. 27 advertising Climate Week from April 20 to May 4 Meeting Minutes January, 16, 2024 January 23, 2024 Town Administrator Updates Next Meeting Dates April 2, 2024 April 16, 2024 April 30, 2024 May 6, 2024 - Annual Town Meeting Select Board Member Reports Actions Taken on Bills and Warrants for Payments Informational ● Impact of non-compliance with MBTA Communities Act Zoning on the Medfield State Hospital Project

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Posted in Select Board matters