Posted onApril 28, 2023|Comments Off on MEA’s Climate Week starts this weekend
From Megan Sullivan –
Hello!
What a busy weekend coming up in Medfield. So exciting. Three quick announcements.
1) In addition to the Fairy Walk at Bellforge & Medfield History Weekend, the Medfield Environment Action Climate Week is starting. It looks like an amazing week with participation from many organizations. 9 days of events all over Medfield. With nearly 30 events planned, there is something for everyone! Here is a link to the full schedule with details.
I’ve attached an image you can share via social media or include in an email if you would like to share with your constituents. Here’s a tiny URL if that is helpful: https://tinyurl.com/Climateweek2023
You can follow MEA on Instagram and Facebook. There is good content which can be shared and liked!
Posted onApril 6, 2023|Comments Off on Schools Solar Survey & Go Solar, Medfield!
Email from Megan Sullivan –
Schools Solar Survey
The Medfield Energy Committee, along with the School Committee, is exploring the possibility of adding solar arrays to the schools’ parking lots and/or roofs. We would greatly appreciate it if you could take a minute to take this quick survey to inform us of the community’s current feelings on these potential solar projects.
Posted onFebruary 1, 2023|Comments Off on Great movie!!! Repeats Sunday at 1PM
I saw this movie last night at its penultimate Medfield showing at the UCC, with about forty other Medfield people, and I highly recommend it to you. Such a hopeful message about what our carbon future can be, by solving climate change with things that already exist. The movie plays again on Sunday at 1PM at the library – do not miss your last chance to see it in Medfield.
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Posted onJanuary 12, 2023|Comments Off on MEA “Movie Night” 1/31 & 2/5
From Helen Dewey –
Happy New Year! Could you please post the attached flyer on your blog? MEA is hosting 2 free screenings of the documentary 2040. It offers new hope for the climate crisis conversation! Here’s a summary.
Motivated by his 4-year-old daughter and concern for the planet she will inherit, Damon Gameau, Australian award-winning director (That Sugar Film, 2015) and actor, embarks on a global journey to meet innovators and changemakers to discover what the future of the planet could look like by the year 2040 if we embraced the best solutions already available to us, and shifted them rapidly into the mainstream.
Posted onNovember 16, 2022|Comments Off on Medfield Foundation Legacy Fund’s 2021 grantees’ report
Legacy Fund Grantees Report
Grantees of the Medfield Foundation Legacy Fund’s latest 2021 round of grants reported to the Medfield Foundation board and the Legacy Fund founders at a meeting this past Monday evening at the Public Safety Building.
Peak House Heritage Society showed a remarkably informative video produced by Medfield TV of the PHHS’s archeological dig that the PHHS’s grant funded in the basement of the Peak House. Rob Gregg reported that the most mysterious findings were three 1912 license plates, mysterious because the last residents in the Peak House left in 1910. The rest of the archeological findings are in the process of being analyzed and cataloged.
Friends of the Medfield High School Theatre Societyreported on the new cyclorama purchased with its grant which was installed at the back of the stage in the MHS auditorium, allowing for better performances. “The replacement of the MHS auditorium cyclorama allows students to engineer complex lighting scenarios; offers those performing a more complex atmosphere in which to tell their stories; and enhances the visual quality of shows for Community members who attend performances.”
Medfield Outreach used its grant to commission a survey of town needs, data designed to focus Outreach’s strategic plan. Outreach Director Kathy MacDonald reported on the survey and its results. “In the winter of 2022, Medfield Outreach began work to complete a community needs survey and create a five-year strategic plan for the department. What you see on these tabs is the result of that almost six month long undertaking.”
Sustainable Medfield used its grant to further publicize and share its mission promoting sustainability with town residents – “1. Provide residents a one-stop resource of Medfield-specific ACTIONS to improve our environment and reduce our carbon footprint. and 2. Connect community groups to network and collaborate on sustainability.”
About the Medfield Foundation Legacy Fund The Medfield Foundation Legacy Fund Is a professionally-managed endowment created to support community-driven projects. Volunteer-run and designed to complement the initiatives of Medfield organizations, the Medfield Foundation Legacy Fund raises funds from the community and makes grants to established non-profit organizations through a competitive process. For more information or to contribute to the Medfield Foundation Legacy Fund, please visit https://www.medfieldfoundation.org/legacy-fund.
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The Town of Medfield Climate Action Plan (TOMCAP) was published today after a year and a half of work by the Medfield Energy Committee TOMCAP working group.
Posted on: September 23, 2022
Town of Medfield Climate Action Plan (TOMCAP)
In 2021, the residents of Medfield voted to support a Net Zero 2050 climate goal and charged the Town with writing a climate action plan.
The Energy Committee is proud to presenting the draft of the Town of Medfield Climate Action Plan (TOMCAP) for public comments.
Maurice Goulet, Director of the DPW addressed the status of the drought and the watering ban issues at the Select Board meeting last night.
My key take always were:
despite recent rains and an easing of the drought tiers, the town still has an outdoor watering ban in effect, so that only hand held outdoor watering is currently permitted.
Moe said that the town will re-examine that status in the near term (week to two weeks), to see if lawn irrigation can be permitted so as to allow residents to plant and establish new grass this fall before it becomes too late to do so.
For those like me searching for a lawn solution beyond my current tall fescue, I recently came across this interesting drought tolerant and very expensive grass, sold at Whole Foods Market.
I just bought a lot of white clover seed, to reinstall the clover in my lawn, which my recent reading tells me I killed off by fertilizing the grass. But clover needs watering too.
Posted onAugust 9, 2022|Comments Off on Drought now Level 3-Critical – We are told to stop watering!
From: Burney, Danielle (EEA) Sent: Tuesday, August 9, 2022 3:03 PM Subject: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Drought Conditions Worsen in CT River Valley, Southeast, and Cape Cod Regions
Drought Conditions Worsen in CT River Valley, Southeast, and Cape Cod Regions
Public is Asked to Continue to Practice Water Conservation Methods
BOSTON — Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Beth Card today declared the Connecticut River Valley and Southeast Regions will join the Northeast and Central Regions as a Level 3-Critical Drought. The Cape Cod Region will elevate to a Level 2-Significant Drought, and the Islands and Western Regions will remain at a Level 1-Mild Drought. As outlined in the Massachusetts Drought Management Plan, a Level-3 Critical Drought and a Level 2-Significant Drought calls for the convening of an inter-agency Mission Group, which has already began to meet, to more closely coordinate on drought assessments, impacts, and response within the government. Additionally, a Level 1-Mild Drought recommends detailed monitoring of drought conditions, close coordination among state and federal agencies, and technical outreach and assistance to the affected municipalities.
“With the majority of the state now experiencing a Level-3-Critical Drought, it is incredibly important that we all practice water conservation and adhere to local requirements and recommendations in order avoid over stressing our water resources,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Beth Card. “Efforts to minimize water usage now will help our water systems to rebound more quickly, and ensure that essential public health, safety and environmental needs continue to be met.”
“The continued dry, hot weather has increased drought-related hazards for much of Massachusetts including the risk for fires,” said Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Acting Director Dawn Brantley. “We need the public to be especially careful during this time by adhering to local water use restrictions, and exercising caution around any outdoor activities that increase the risk of brush and forest fires such as barbecues, campfires, and safe disposal of smoking materials.”
The month of July 2022 experienced minimal precipitation and high temperatures throughout the state. Rainfall was the lowest across eastern Massachusetts, particularly within Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard reporting less than an inch of rain, less than 50% of normal precipitation. Within eastern Massachusetts, rainfall totals ranked within the top 15 driest Julys on record with Boston and the Blue Hills experiencing the 4th driest. However, slightly higher rainfall totals occurred across much of central and western Massachusetts, ranging from 50 to 100 percent of normal, as well as on Nantucket. Totals ranged mostly between two and four inches, while some locations in the Springfield area and southern Berkshire County experienced higher totals of four to five inches.
Additionally, the Commonwealth is also experiencing decreasing levels in some reservoirs, dry streambeds, ponding, and diminished extent of streams in many watersheds leading to lack of flow, increased turbidity, higher water temperature, and increase in growth of plants and algae in the water. Groundwater, which is a slow reacting index, is starting to be impacted in many regions. Caution is also advised as fire activity has increased across the state as drought conditions have set in, and wildfires in remote areas with delayed response are now burning deep into the organic soil layers. Drought induced fire behavior can result in suppression challenges for fire resources and result in extended incidents so residents are asked to exercise caution while working with open flames, and to completely drown all campfires out cold.
The agricultural sector continues to also experience drought impacts, such as some depletion of water sources, and production acreage and are irrigating crops on a more consistent basis due to current precipitation deficits, high temperatures, and low soil moisture. Consumers are encouraged to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, and other products at local farm stands and retail stores throughout the Commonwealth.
The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) water supply system is not experiencing drought conditions, as defined within its individual plan. Private wells, local streams, wetlands, vernal pools, and other water-dependent habitats located within MWRA-serviced areas are being impacted by drought conditions while water quality in ponds can deteriorate due to lowering of levels and stagnation.
Below are recommendations for communities and individuals living and working within a Level 3 – Critical Drought, Level 2 – Significant Drought and Level 1 – Mild Drought region, including those utilizing a private well. Residents and businesses are also asked to check with their local water system in case more stringent watering restrictions are in place.
For Regions in Level 3 – Critical Drought
Residents and Businesses:
Minimize overall water use.
Stop all non-essential outdoor watering.
Immediate Steps for Communities:
Adopt and implement the state’s nonessential outdoor water use restrictions for drought; Level 3 restriction calls for a ban on all nonessential outdoor water use.
Provide timely information on the drought and on water conservation tips to local residents and businesses.
Enforce water use restrictions with increasingly stringent penalties.
Strongly discourage or prohibit installation of new sod, seeding, and/or landscaping; washing of hard surfaces (sidewalks, patios, driveways, siding); personal vehicle or boat washing; filling of swimming pools.
Establish or enhance water-use reduction targets for all water users and identify top water users and conduct targeted outreach to help curb their use.
Short- and Medium-Term Steps for Communities:
Establish a year-round water conservation program that includes public education and communication.
Implement or establish drought surcharge or seasonal water rates.
Prepare to activate emergency inter-connections for water supply.
Develop or refine your local drought management plan using guidance outlined in the state Drought Management Plan.
For Regions in Level 2 – Significant Drought
Residents and Businesses:
Minimize overall water use;
Limit outdoor watering to hand-held hoses or watering cans, to be used only after 5 p.m. or before 9 a.m.
Follow local water use restrictions, if more stringent.
Immediate Steps for Communities:
Adopt and implement the state’s nonessential outdoor water use restrictions for drought; Level 2 restriction calls for limiting outdoor watering to hand-held hoses or watering cans, to be used only after 5 p.m. or before 9 a.m. If local restrictions are more stringent, continue to keep them in place during the course of the drought.
Limit or prohibit installation of new sod, seeding, and/or landscaping; watering during or within 48 hours after measurable rainfall; washing of hard surfaces (sidewalks, patios, driveways, siding); personal vehicle or boat washing; filling of swimming pools.
Establish water-use reduction targets for all water users and identify top water users and conduct targeted outreach to help curb their use.
Short- and Medium-Term Steps for Communities:
Establish a year-round water conservation program that includes public education and communication.
Provide timely information to local residents and businesses.
Implement or establish drought surcharge or seasonal water rates.
Check emergency inter-connections for water supply.
Develop or refine your local drought management plan using guidance outlined in the state Drought Management Plan.
For Regions in Level 1 – Mild Drought
Residents and Businesses:
Toilets, faucets and showers are more than 60% of indoor use. Make sure yours are WaterSense efficient.
Limit outdoor watering to one day a week (only from 5:00 pm – 9:00 am), or less frequently if required by your water supplier
Immediate Steps for Communities:
Adopt and implement the state’s nonessential outdoor water use restrictions for drought.
Limit or prohibit installation of new sod, seeding, and/or landscaping; watering during or within 48 hours after measurable rainfall; washing of hard surfaces (sidewalks, patios, driveways, siding); personal vehicle or boat washing; filling of swimming pools.
Establish water-use reduction targets for all water users and identify top water users and conduct targeted outreach to help curb their use.
Short- and Medium-Term Steps for Communities:
Establish a year-round water conservation program that includes public education and communication.
Provide timely information to local residents and businesses.
Implement or establish drought surcharge or seasonal water rates.
Check emergency inter-connections for water supply.
Develop a local drought management plan using guidance outlined in the state Drought Management Plan.
Practicing water conservation now will greatly help reduce water use to ensure essential needs, such as drinking water and fire protection, are being met, habitats have enough water to support their natural functions, and to sustain the Commonwealth’s water supplies in the long-term. State agencies will continue to monitor and assess current conditions and any associated environmental and agricultural impacts, coordinate any needed dissemination of information to the public, and help state, federal and local agencies prepare additional responses that may be needed in the future. Furthermore, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) will continue to provide technical assistance to communities on managing systems, including emergency connections and water supplies assistance.
“Under current drought conditions, it is critically important that all residents heed their water suppliers’ requests to cut back on nonessential water use,” said MassDEP Commissioner Martin Suuberg. “Cutting back on outdoor water use and following local conservation requirements will help sustain our water sources until precipitation rates can rebound.”
The Drought Management Task Force will meet again on Tuesday, August 23, 2022, at 10:00AM. For further information on water conservation and what residents can do, please visit EEA’s drought page and water conservationpage. To get the most up-to-date information on the drought indices, go to the state’s drought dashboard page.
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With major climate and clean energy legislation moving through Congress, this is a big week for climate action. And it could get even bigger. In Massachusetts, there’s a bill on Gov. Charlie Baker’s desk that would help make our homes and businesses more energy-efficient and put more electric vehicles on the road. But Gov. Baker only has until Thursday night to act on the climate bill — and he hasn’t said yet whether he’ll sign it into law or veto it. We need to show the governor that there’s broad support for the commonsense climate policies in this bill. Whether you’re a municipal official, small business owner, civic leader, or concerned citizen, your voice can make a difference.
Will you call Gov. Baker today and ask him to sign the climate bill into law?
Here’s the number to call: (617) 725-4005
When you call the Governor’s office, you might speak with a live person or you might be directed to voicemail. Either way, you should keep your message short and sweet. Here’s what you can say:
Hi, my name is _______ and I live in ______ (your town). I’m calling about the climate bill, House Bill 5060. I’m asking Governor Baker to sign this bill into law. [You can add a sentence or two about why the bill matters to you.]
Once you make the call, reply to this email and let us know how it went!
Thanks for taking action. With your help, we can take a big step toward a cleaner, healthier, and safer future.
Sincerely, Ben Hellerstein State Director P.S. After you call Gov. Baker’s office, share our tweet and help us spread the word!
Wait a minute. This all sounds familiar. Wasn’t there a climate bill on Gov. Baker’s desk a couple of weeks ago?
In a word, yes. The Massachusetts House and Senate passed a climate bill on July 21 with broad, bipartisan support. The following week, Gov. Baker sent the bill back to the Legislature with suggested amendments. Legislators then passed a revised version of the bill, adopting some of the governor’s amendments while rejecting others.
The bill that’s currently on Gov. Baker’s desk reflects a compromise between the governor’s vision for climate legislation and the efforts of House and Senate leaders. This bill would take several important steps toward powering Massachusetts with 100% clean energy. If signed into law, it will:
* Ensure that 100% of the cars sold in Massachusetts are electric vehicles by 2035.
* Allow up to 10 cities and towns to adopt local policies requiring new buildings to use fossil-fuel-free heating and appliances, an important step toward safer, healthier homes and businesses for everyone.
* Require the owners of large buildings — such as offices, apartment buildings, hospitals, and universities — to disclose their energy use each year, in order to help identify the biggest opportunities to improve energy efficiency.
You can help make sure this bill becomes law by calling Gov. Baker’s office today!
Copyright (C) 2022 Environment Massachusetts. All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you took action on Environment Massachusetts’ clean energy campaigns.
Our mailing address is: Environment Massachusetts 294 Washington St Suite 500 Boston, MA 02108 Add us to your address book
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.