Every year, Medfield’s First Parish Unitarian Universalist church holds a special Sunday service in honor of Earth Day. For this year’s service, at 10 AM on Sunday, April 19, I have been invited to be the featured speaker. I will speak about my experiences as a member of Medfield’s Energy Committee and about the climate issues and challenges faced by Medfield and similar towns in our area. All are invited.
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Posted in Budgets, Climate, Energy Committee, Green
From Emily Lowney of the Medfield Energy Committee –
The Medfield Energy Committee will hold a Heat Pump Pizza Party on January 29th at 12:00 p.m. at the Center on Ice House Road, as part of the Council on Aging’s Lunch and Learn series. If you have ever wondered about incorporating heat pumps for heating and/or cooling your home, this is sure to be an informative community event.
Greg Sine, an energy efficiency consultant with Eversource, will discuss how investments in efficiency upgrades can make your home or business more comfortable and less expensive to operate. Greg will also discuss the technology behind heat pumps, what makes them so efficient compared to traditional systems, and how their adoption might impact your energy bill — with special consideration of the new residential heat pump rate.
The Energy Committee will also share information about a new Building Code that residents will be asked to vote on at Town Meeting in 2026. The Specialized Code, if adopted in Medfield, would require new homes to be built to increased energy efficiency standards.
Please pre-register for this event by calling the COA at 508-359-3665 by January 27th.
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Posted in Climate, Council on Aging, Energy Committee, Green, Information
From the NYT.
Posted in Climate, Environmental, Safety Committee, TOMCAP, Transportation
From the Medfield Energy Committee –
The Medfield Energy Committee will hold two public forums on Wednesday, October 22nd to discuss a new building energy code known as the Specialized Code. Medfield residents will likely be asked to vote on adoption of the Specialized Code at Town Meeting in 2026, and MEC is continuing to educate the public on this topic. Fifty-five other towns in Massachusetts have already chosen to adopt this code.
The Specialized Code requires new construction, only, to be built to increased energy efficiency standards. It is very important to note that the Specialized Code DOES NOT affect any existing homes, renovations/additions to homes, or historic homes. Under the Specialized Code, new buildings can comply by being built all-electric (meaning no oil, gas, or propane fuel is used anywhere in the home). If a new building’s design includes the use of some fossil fuels for heating, cooking, etc., this is still allowable under the Specialized Code, but the code requires that such buildings be pre-wired for future electrification, and to have on-site solar generation.
The Medfield Energy Committee supports adoption of the Specialized Code, given that it is an opportunity to ensure that new buildings in town are built to the best available energy efficiency standards. Additionally, enhanced state funding is available to towns that have adopted the Specialized Code and fulfilled other requirements, as part of the Climate Leaders Program, the next tier of the Green Communities program. Medfield has already received $666,000 in funding under the state’s Green Communities program, and would be eligible for continued and enhanced funding opportunities as a Climate Leaders community. These grants have allowed Medfield to install energy efficient upgrades in municipal buildings and schools when equipment needed replacing, leading to energy savings and reduced carbon emissions.
The forums on October 22nd will be held via Zoom, and will offer two separate sessions. Session 1, beginning at 5:00 p.m., will be geared towards construction professionals, and will include technical information and time for feedback. Session 2 will begin at 7:00 p.m. and is intended for the general public. The Zoom links for these sessions can be found at the MEC website: https://www.town.medfield.net/2308/Specialized-Code
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Posted in Buildings, Climate, Energy Committee, Environmental, Green
Tagged climate-change, environment, news, sustainability, Technology
Recently authored by Medfield Community Electricity
MCE is Medfield’s electricity supply program designed to provide Town residents and businesses with regulated (DPU and Town oversight) alternatives to Eversource’s Basic Service supply offering and offerings from third party suppliers by leveraging the town’s collective buying power. This program was approved by the Medfield Town Meeting in 2021, approved by the Department of Public Utilities in January 2024 and implemented month end in June 2024. Nearly 170 other cities and towns in Massachusetts, including Millis, Walpole and Westwood have similar programs.
Eversource renews its Basic Service contract every 6 months with probable rate change at each renewal.
3 program options: Medfield Basic, Medfield Standard, Medfield 100
| Medfield Community Electricity Program Options | ||||
| Medfield Basic (Equivalent to Eversource Basic Service) | Medfield Standard (default registration) | Medfield 100 | Eversource Basic Service- Residential | |
| Price | $0.1265/kWh | $0.13063/kWh | $0.14108/kWh | $0.14884/kWh |
| Additional Renewable Energy Content | No additional renewable energy content beyond State requirement | Adds 10% renewable energy (MA Class I RECs) beyond State requirement | Provides 100% renewable energy by adding 37% more renewable energy (MA Class I Recs) beyond what the state requires | No additional renewable energy content beyond State requirement |
| Program Duration | 30 months: June 2024 meter reads until December 2026 meter reads | 30 months: June 2024 meter reads until December 2026 meter reads | 30 months: June 2024 meter reads until December 2026 meter reads | 6 Months: August 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026 |
| Enrollment (July 2025) | 288 | 3396 | 72 | 615 |
| MCE cannot guarantee savings beyond the current (August 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026) Eversource Basic Service 6 month term rate of 14.885 cents/kWh since future 6 month term rates are unknown. 2025 State minimum renewable energy content required of electricity suppliers – 63% | ||||
The Eversource Basic Service Rate for August 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026 is included in the chart above for comparison with the MCE offerings. All MCE options will recognize more savings in the forthcoming 6 month Eversource contract period (August 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026). Eversource rates in effect during the MCE program’s first year are as follows (Note: Eversource Small Business Rates have varied slightly from the Residential Rates shown here):
| Eversource Basic Service Rates | ||||
| Term Period | June 1, 2024 – July 31, 2025 | Aug. 1, 2024 -Jan. 31, 2025 | Feb. 1, 2025 – July 31, 2025 | Aug. 1, 2025 -Jan. 31, 2026 |
| Rate ($/kWh) | 0.17216 | 0.15772 | 0.13241 | 0.14884 |
| Average Residential MCE Subscriber Savings vs Eversource Basic Service June 2024 – June 2025 meter reads* | ||
| Medfield Basic | Medfield Standard | Medfield 100 |
| $206 | $167 | $68 |
| *Most Medfield residents and businesses have a meter read on or around the 23rd of the month. Exact dates are in your Eversource bill. | ||
Small business savings over this period approximate those of residential subscribers.
To join an MCE program of choice, use the form at electricity.medfield.net or call the supplier, Direct Energy, at (866) 968-8065.
To opt-in or out or to switch plans, use the form at electricity.medfield.net or call the supplier, Direct Energy, at (866) 968-8065.
For more information about the Medfield Community Electricity program, go to electricity.medfield.net
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Posted in Climate, Environmental, Town Services, Utilities
From Fritz Fleischmann of the Green Sanctuary Committee at First Parish –
Dear Members of the Select Board,
This is Fritz Fleischmann, a resident of Medfield. I am writing to ask for the Select Board’s continuing support of an initiative the Board endorsed unanimously in 2015.
Ten years ago, the Green Sanctuary Committee at First Parish started a campaign to educate Medfield residents about the State’s anti-idling statute and to encourage them to stop unnecessary idling of their cars. This campaign was co-sponsored by the Medfield Police Department, the School Committee, the Board of Health, as well as civic organizations, and it was endorsed by the (then) Board of Selectmen, who authorized the installation of anti-idling signs in front of public buildings – you will have seen some of these around town.
Today, while the Commonwealth experiences an increase in childhood asthma and the climate crisis has worsened, there is ample evidence that most citizens are still unaware of the statute and the many reasons for it. However, environmental consciousness has also increased: the network of Sustainable Medfield currently includes over two dozen affiliated organizations and groups. And it is with the support of Sustainable Medfield that we are now resurrecting our original campaign, further supported by the Police Department and the Board of Health. Our shared goal is not to penalize but to educate the public.
Importantly, this time around we are working in partnership with the schools. Experience in other towns shows that young people can have significant influence over their parents – persuading them to stop idling, for instance, while waiting in line to pick them up. Our initiative can also provide learning opportunities for students, generate project ideas, and strengthen community. With the beginning of the new school year, Superintendent Dr. Marsden and the principals will inform parents about the Massachusetts statute and ask them not to idle their engines outside a school building. Sustainable Medfield has chosen this anti-idling initiative as the “Action of the Quarter” for the fall.
In 2015, we created a flyer for distribution around town (see attached), and we are currently updating it for today’s use. As part of this effort, we are asking everyone who endorsed us ten years ago to affirm their endorsement for this renewed initiative. With this letter we ask you, the members of the Select Board, to give us your formal endorsement again.
Thank for your attention, and for all your hard work in service to the residents of Medfield.
Fritz Fleischmann
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Posted in Climate, Green, health, Schools, Select Board matters, Uncategorized
From Helen Dewey –
Medfield Environment Action MEA is excited to announce Medfield’s third annual Climate Week, Saturday May 3 – Saturday May 10! There will be a variety of unique events throughout the week at various locations around town that will get one thinking about climate change and ways to help. Check out the complete Schedule of Events at MEAMedfield.org. Check back frequently as new events may be added. Most events are free, and all are welcome!
For the second year, Dale Street School will celebrate “Bike or Walk to School Day” on Wednesday, May 7. Last year the event was well attended and several police officers rode along with the kids. Other transportation related activities include an Electric Vehicle Car Show on Sunday May 4, 1-3 pm at the Center at Medfield parking lot with an opportunity to test drive a Lucid. A showing of the documentary “Idle Threat: A Man on Emission” which raises awareness of the impact of unnecessary engine idling, will be on Saturday, May 3. In addition, there are nature hikes, walks along the Rail Trail and a bike ride along scenic trails in Medfield.
New this year will be a Repair Café in which you can bring your broken items (jewelry, lamps, textiles, small furniture, small appliances and locks (rekeying). Volunteer Fixers will be on hand on Saturday, May 3, 2-5 pm. Fixing is free but not guaranteed. The Medfield Swap will be open both Saturdays, Wednesday and Friday of that week. The library is hosting a Visible Mending Workshop for Denim.
The annual yard sale to benefit the Council on Aging will take place on Saturday, May 3.
During the week, there will be presentations on Gardening Water Wisdom, Wind and Solar Power and Eating Sustainably with “Nuggets”. Several homeowners will provide informal demonstrations of sustainable practices such as an effective, simple, no spray mosquito control or a natural lawn and No Mow May. Another homeowner will show off his solar roof shingles and share his solar production and savings.
Shopping locally is sustainable in and of itself. Local businesses are offering various promotions throughout the week such as used clothing at the Butterfly Tree Shop, meatless pizza at Medfield House of Pizza, organic wine at Larkin’s Liquors, organic juices/smoothies at Juice on Main and art produced sustainably at Aesthetic Intent. The Peak House will be open on Saturday, May 10 offering a colonial cooking activity utilizing vegetables and greens from their sustainable garden.
Bring the family to First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church on Sunday, May 4, 1-4 pm. There will be interactive Carnival Climate related games to try, a sale of gently used clothing accessories and for $1 you can try a small, vegan “ice cream” cone.
If you are worried about the climate you are not alone! There will be several informal opportunities to sit down with others and discuss your concerns and ways of coping. Another creative outlet is Expresso Yourself Climate Action Poetry Slam which will take place on Saturday, May 10 and will donate all funds to an environmental justice organization. Learn how to knit a temperature blanket which is a visual reflection of the Earth’s changing temperature.
Mark your calendar and attend as many Climate Week Events as you would like! There is something for everyone! Email, meamedfield@gmail.com with any questions. The full schedule for Climate Week, 2025 with more details on each event, can be found at meamedfield.org. Check back often as it will be continually updated.
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Posted in Climate, Events, Medfield Environmental Action
The state tells Medfield when it has to employ watering bans, and the state uses the water level in the Charles River as one measure of when such water bans are required. This graph shows the water level in the Charles River over the past year. I do see that the data is from the federal government, so it is possible that data may not be available in the future.
Medfield needs to regulate the water usage of private wells in town, as low water levels are a shared issue. I hope the private wells annual town meeting (ATM) warrant article that subjected the 87 private wells in town to bans which was recently withdrawn can get enacted next year.
Posted in Climate, Water & Sewer
From Chris Gordon, Medfield Energy Committee.
I just wanted to give you our latest flyer that has updated information, including we will have EV BMWs for test drives, and what my kids are most excited about, an ice cream truck.
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Posted in Children, Climate, Council on Aging, Energy Committee, Entertainment, Environmental, Events, Green, Information, Medfield Environmental Action, Transportation
From Chris Gordon of the Medfield Energy Committee –
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Posted in Climate, Energy Committee, Green, Medfield Environmental Action, Sustainable Medfield
Medfield Select Board member
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.
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