Author Archives: Select Board member Osler "Pete" Peterson

Dance Festival at Bellforge Arts Center 9/11

Posted on August 26, 2022 | Comments Off on 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.

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Posted in Bellforge Arts Center, Cultural, Medfield State Hospital

Martin Sexton at Bellforge 9/17

Posted on August 26, 2022 | Comments Off on 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.

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Posted in Bellforge Arts Center, Medfield State Hospital, Music

Medfield Town Moderator is Reaching Out: Can We Talk?

Posted on August 23, 2022 | Comments Off on 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

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Posted in Buildings, Schools, Town Meeting, Warrant Committee

Rte. 109 construction starts Friday & will take a week

Posted on August 17, 2022 | Comments Off on 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

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Posted in DPW

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

Posted on August 17, 2022 | Comments Off on 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.

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Posted in Bellforge Arts Center, Music

Affordable Housing Lottery opening for Aura at Medfield

Posted on August 17, 2022 | Comments Off on 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

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Posted in Affordable housing / 40B

Tier 5 now – hand held hose use now prohibited

Posted on August 15, 2022 | Comments Off on 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).

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Posted in Water & Sewer

Aura – local preference sign up runs 8/17 to 10/17

Posted on August 10, 2022 | Comments Off on Aura – local preference sign up runs 8/17 to 10/17

From Town Planner, Sarah Raposa –

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hi all – Local preference opportunities exist for the first lease-up so please spread the word that the lottery for affordable units starts August 17th with applications due 10/17/22. All questions about units, qualifications, and financials should be directed to the lottery consultant. 

Thanks!

Sarah 

For Lottery Information and Applications go to www.sebhousing.com or call (617) 782-6900×1 and leave a message

Affordable Housing Lottery – Aura

Ad_Medfield_Aura_2022 Opens in new window

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.

14 units available: 

  • 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.

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) 782-6900×1 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.

Aura at Medfield (rental apartments)
50 Peter Kristoff Way, Medfield, MA 02052
(508) 242-5078 
https://www.auramedfield.com/

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Posted in Affordable housing / 40B

BAMS at Bellforge Arts Center – 12-7PM on 8/20

Posted on August 10, 2022 | Comments Off on BAMS at Bellforge Arts Center – 12-7PM on 8/20

From Jean Mineo, Executive Director, Bellforge Arts Center

BELLFORGE ARTS CENTER BRINGS BOSTON’S BAMS FEST TO MEDFIELD

(Medfield, MA): The Bellforge Arts Center and BAMS Fest will present #SOULFULL on Saturday, Aug. 20, from noon to 7 pm. The well-established Boston festival will be bringing six notable artists to Medfield for an all-day music event featuring Tenille Ja’Nae, Ava Sophia, The Undaunted Professor Harp, Jonathan Suazo, D. Ruff, and DJ SavSoul.

“The Boston Art & Music Soul (BAMS) Festival is one of the fastest growing urban arts and music festivals in the City of Boston that celebrates Afro-centric identity and Black artistry, all while amplifying the voices and creative contributions from local, regional and national entertainers of color,” says BAMS Fest organizers.

#SOULFULL will offer not only a great line up of Blues, Soul, Jazz, and R&B artists, but also a variety of food options from Suya Joint, 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 the artists, can be found online at https://bit.ly/BellforgeBAMSAug. Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chair to enjoy the outdoor concert. Aug. 21 is set as the rain date.

The BAMS Fest Pop Up is one of many free concerts, festivals, and events organized by Bellforge for the summer. 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.

BAMS Fest is a cultural movement led by Greater Boston Black and Brown artists, culture makers and creative entrepreneurs who are on the front lines of racial equity, spatial justice, and economic empowerment.

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Posted in Bellforge Arts Center, Entertainment, Events, Medfield State Hospital, Music

Remove Black Swallow Wort before the seeds pods pop

Posted on August 10, 2022 | 1 comment

From the City of Newton Conservators – view here to see all images

My black swallow wort seems less effected by the drought than the rest of the plants. I am about three years into a multi year effort to eradicate it all, and I am making progress. This year I pulled my neighbors’ BSW that was not observing the property lines.

Be sure to dispose of the BSW seed pods in the trash, not in the compost. I put mine in a plastic trash bag. It is persistent, but does pull out easily, so persist in pulling it every year.

Black Swallow-wort

August 13, 2020

Identification

Black Swallow-wort is a perennial vine from Europe that emerges in June.   It has somewhat glossy, opposite leaves (i.e. the leaves are in pairs exactly opposite to each other along the vine stem).  It has small purple flowers (starting in June, with new flowers over the rest of the summer), and then develops long seed pods that look like pea pods hanging down.  The pods dry and burst in late summer and seeds are dispersed on white fluffy fibers by the wind.

Characteristics

BSW is our newest invader and a formidable problem.  It clambers up fences, or through shrubs, and if those are not available it simply twines upon itself.  It prolifically grows and seeds in sun or shade.  It is also a threat to Monarch butterflies:  because it is in the milkweed family, they may lay their eggs on it, but because it is not the right milkweed, the Monarch larvae find it inedible and they do not survive.

Control

The spaghetti-like root system spreads with runners, and though individual plants can be dug up and a small infestation can be eradicated, once a larger infestation has taken hold of an area it is very difficult to dig.

Dig up individual plants using a garden knife or digging tool (a “japanese garden knife” is excellent for this).  Dig a couple inches away from the stem down a few inches and try to loosen and pull out the spaghetti like roots.

If pods are on the vine, the pods or the entire plant must be disposed of as trash, not with yard waste, to prevent dispersal of seeds.

If it is not possible/feasible to dig up the plants, at least remove/pull off all the seed pods in mid summer before the pods dry and burst (put the seed pods in trash, NOT yard waste).  You can also pull and break the stem at the base, but still pull off the pods.  The plants will grow again next year, but at least removing the pods prevents innumerable more seeds from being dispersed in the wind.

Links and Resources

For more information on how to identify and control Black Swallow-wort, please refer to the resources below:

  1. Black Swallow-wort flyer for our flyer
  2. Mass Audubon for identification
  3. Michigan Department of Natural Resources for identification and control

Gallery

vine with opposite leaves and spaghetti roots
Black Swallow-Wort
spaghetti-like roots; get as much out as you can
prolific seed pods look like green beans hanging down – get them off before they burst in mid-late summer
burst seed pod filled with many seeds on fluffy fibers dispersed in the wind
last year’s burst seed pod; this year’s flower buds forming

Categories

Invasives

Tags

Invasive plants

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Posted in Uncategorized