Category Archives: History

CPA information 12/10 at 7pm

Posted on November 20, 2015 | Comments Off on CPA information 12/10 at 7pm

This from the newly formed CPA group –

Peak House Gateway Tilden Village

WHAT IS THE
COMMUNITY PRESERVATION ACT (CPA)?

Could it benefit Medfield?

Join us to learn more and take action:

7-8:30 p.m. – Thurs., Dec. 10 – Zullo Gallery
Wine, beer, nibbles

Signed into law in 2000 by Gov. Paul Cellucci and Lt. Gov. Jane Swift, the CPA is a smart-growth tool that helps communities:

  • Preserve open space
  • Protect historic sites
  • Create affordable housing
  • Develop outdoor recreational facilities

A local Community Preservation Fund is fueled by a surcharge of 1%, 2% or 3% of property tax bills (not an increase in the tax rate), with the percentage amount decided by voters. Exclusions, (such as low-income residents, certain types of businesses, etc.) are also decided by voters.

In addition to local funds collected, communities receive annual distributions from the state Community Preservation Trust Fund, administered by the Department of Revenue. It’s like putting that 1-3% surcharge in a savings account that earns high interest.

It was recently announced that for 2015 alone, 156 communities together will receive $36 million from the CPA Trust Fund thanks to a 29.7% state contribution*. Medfield was not among them since we have yet to adopt the CPA. (*Source: www.communitypreservation.org)

Norfolk, Medway, Millis, Holliston and Needham are some of the nearby towns that have benefited from the CPA.

Many of the proposed projects at the Medfield State Hospital site could qualify for CPA funding.

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Posted in Affordable housing / 40B, Budgets, History, Open space, Recreation

Medfield History Day this Saturday

Posted on June 9, 2015 | Comments Off on Medfield History Day this Saturday

On Saturday, June 13, MEMO, will have Harding 02042 as its theme for the annual Discover Medfield History Day. Boston’s Old Town Trolley with Town Historian Richard DeSorgher as tour guide will roll through the streets and history of “Harding,” visiting that north end economic center and section of Medfield and then driving through the campus of what was Medfield State Hospital.

 The buildings, homes, gas stations, post office, stores, etc that use to make up the distinct Harding part of Medfield will be brought back to life and those on the trolley will get to feel what it was like growing up there; and get to tour the hospital grounds and envision what the hospital grounds will become in the future.

 The six one-hour trolley tours will include a ride through the campus grounds as well as history and stories on the former Medfield State Hospital.

 The tickets for the annual event are on sale at Needham bank; $9 adults $6 seniors or students. Tickets may also be purchased on the day of the trip if seats remain. The trolley will leave the Hinkley Swim Pond on the hour starting at 9:00 am, the last trolley trip will depart at 2:00 pm

 Most people in Medfield today have no idea what you are talking about when you mention the Harding section of Medfield. But it is listed on all the old maps and it even had its own zip code: 02042

 When Medfield State Hospital opened in 1896, one of the first impacts it had on the town was the creation of a new economic center that began to develop its own identity. The north end of town; the area from Medfield Junction (West Mill and Adams Street), along Harding Street and Hospital Road and up to the hospital itself became known as the Harding section of Medfield. The large number of hospital employees and staff created an economic need. Built in Harding were a number of stores, tea rooms, lunch rooms, inns, reported houses of ill repute and later gas stations.  

 Their existence was dependent upon the hospital. Also to be built that same year the hospital officially opened was a post office for this new economic center of Medfield. It was established “for the convenience of the asylum and the neighborhood.” The office was given the name “Harding” in honor of one of the town’s oldest families who lived on what is today Harding Street. The original post office, made out of stone, is still standing today and is located at the corner of Harding Street and Hospital Road: 2 Hospital Road. 

 In 2003, the state hospital closed, large numbers of new residents have moved into the area and the Harding identity in the north end of town has faded. But for many, the 02042 zip code will always bring to mind the little rustic post office on Harding Street and for many of the old timers living along Harding Street and Hospital Road, their official address, when asked, will always be Harding, Massachusetts. Join the trolley ride and see what Harding was all about.

 

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Posted in History, Medfield State Hospital

Clark Tavern hearing this week

Posted on February 24, 2015 | Comments Off on Clark Tavern hearing this week

The Land Court is holding a hearing on the cross motions for summary judgment this week on the pending appeal of the ZBA permit issued to the Linnerts to turn the Clark Tavern into a restaurant.

Summary judgment is a mechanism that is applicable only when there is “no material fact in dispute,” such that the judge can decide the case on the legal issues alone, without needing to conduct a trial to determine the factual issues.  A party seeking to defeat summary judgment will attempt to show that there really is a “material fact” in dispute that must be determined via a trial.

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Posted in History, Permitting

Establishment of Massachusetts Income Tax

Posted on February 19, 2015 | Comments Off on Establishment of Massachusetts Income Tax

This article was in the Massachusetts Dept. of Revenue’s Div. of Local Services’ newsletter today-

 

A Brief Look Back: The Establishment of the Massachusetts Income Tax
Tony Rassias – Bureau of Accounts Deputy Director

City & Town is pleased to announce a new feature. “A Brief Look Back” will review issues that affected municipal finance in the early twentieth century as written in the Annual Reports of what is now known as the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. This month, City & Town features a brief history of the events that led to the Massachusetts income tax.

Introduction

The high cost of the Civil War and the rapid growth of cities thereafter increased public expenditures and strained the Massachusetts property tax system, especially in the taxation of intangible personal property. Taxation of personal property was vexing. Taxpayers concealed their ownership of it and even moved their property out of state to avoid payment. The problem plagued assessors around the country.

After considerable discussion and review by special commissions, a Constitutional amendment and other legislation on the matter, the old system of taxing intangible personal property was scrapped and a state income tax, in some ways similar to the one already in effect in Wisconsin, was approved.

Revenue from the new tax, to be distributed to cities, towns and districts, was projected to replace the loss of revenue from the old personal property tax. In 1917, the first year of implementation, the new tax raised about $11.2 million, a significant jump when compared to the $8.8 million raised the previous year under the old tax system.

On January 23rd, 1918, Tax Commissioner William D. Trefry gave his annual report for 1917 to Speaker of the House of Representatives Channing Cox. The Tax Commissioner began his report with a brief history of the state’s early form of taxation after which he presented a summary of the new income tax law.

The following are excerpts from his full report.

By the Commissioner

In 1634 there was enacted in the Colony of Massachusetts Bay the first general tax law in any American colony, and included in this act was a provision for the assessment of each man “according to his estate and with the consideration of all other his abilityes whatsoever.” From that date to the present there has been at all times upon the statute books of Massachusetts legislation providing in some form or other for a partial tax upon incomes, although the colonial faculty tax, as this earlier form was called, bears little relation to the modern income tax.

Under the law, therefore, as it had existed for many decades, the income of intangible property, although this class of property had rapidly grown in amount and importance, was not subject to taxation, but in theory the property itself was subject to the varying local rates. With no provision for a compulsory return of this or any other class of property, local assessors were peculiarly at a disadvantage in discovering it for taxation, and there was a great incentive to overlook this class of property, when the usual result of taxing it at its full value at the local rate was either to drive the taxpayer to some other more favorable community with a low rate of taxation, or even to force him to remove his domicile from the Commonwealth.

These two evil results of attempting to apply the general property tax to this class of property gradually assumed alarming proportions.

The movement for a reform was furthered in the Governor’s inaugural in 1911, and after the determination that a constitutional amendment was necessary the proper amendment was enacted and ratified in 1915 by an overwhelming majority of the voters.

To view the Tax Commissioner’s entire piece, click here.

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Posted in History

CPA – Medfield is missing out

Posted on January 28, 2015 | 1 comment

This week I got the letter below from the Register of Deeds, Bill O’Donnell, which highlights how Medfield loses twice by not having adopted the Massachusetts Community Preservation Act (CPA):

  • first because our residents paid $45,290 in 2014 in Registry of Deeds surcharges to support the CPA, money that then got distributed to other towns, and, then
  • second because Medfield has not adopted the CPA it does not share in the matching state monies given to communities that do participate.

The CPA is akin to a town savings account for three specified areas:

  • historic preservation,
  • affordable housing, and
  • open spaces or recreational uses.

Once a town adopts the CPA, it taxes itself 1-3% extra each year, and the state provides matching monies.  The match started at 100%, but as more towns opted in the match has dropped to around 30% – still free state monies.  A town committee would decide on what to spend the CPA monies.  I heard about lots of uses for CPA funds in other towns at the MMA annual meeting last weekend

For me it is crazy not to pick up the free state monies, if we think/know that we will be spending monies on the three covered areas any time in the future.  It is one clear way to save on our property taxes. The only reason for someone not to want to adopt the CPA is if they do not intend to continue living in Medfield.

Therefore, I will ask that a warrant article be placed on the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting about adopting the CPA.

For more information on the CPA click through to http://www.communitypreservation.org/

COUNTY OF NORFOLK
COUNTY OF PRESIDENTS
REGISTRY OF DEEDS
NORFOLK REGISTRY DISTRICT OF THE LAND COURTWILLIAM P. O’DONNELL
REGISTER OF DEEDS
ASSISTANT RECORDER OF THE
LAND COURT

January 2015

Medfield Board of Selectmen Osier L. Peterson 10 Copperwood Rd. Medfield, MA 02052

Dear Selectman Peterson.

As Register of the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds. I thought the reverse side chart that illustrates the amount of funds generated from the Community Preservation Act (CPA) would be of interest to you. This revenue is based on recorded real estate filings from your community in calendar year 2014.

The Registry, at no cost to the Commonwealth or local communities, collects these revenues for the state when a document is recorded. These monies are then forwarded to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue on a monthly basis. The funds collected by the Commonwealth are then redistributed to communities that have adopted the CPA through a variety of formulas.

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds which is located at 649 High Street, Dedham. is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners. mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. For assistance please contact our Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101. or visit our website at http://www.norfolkdeeds.org.

I hope you find this information informative and useful. If I can ever be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact me at 781-461-6116 or by email at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org.

Sincerely yours.
William P. O’Donnell
Norfolk County Register of Deeds
WPO/aag
649 HIGH STREET. DEDHAM. MASSACHUSETTS 02026 TELEPHONE: 781-461-6116 FAX: 781-326-4246
EMAIL: registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org
http://www.norfolkdeeds.org
You
facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds
twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds □ youtube.com/NorfolkDeeds linkedin.com/company/Norfolk-County-Registry-of-Deeds

NORFOLK COUNTY REGISTRY OF DEEDS
COMMUNITY PRESERVATION ACT (CPA) SURCHARGES BY TOWN FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2014

TOWN TOTAL
AVON $14,950.00
BELUNGHAM $58,070.00
BRAINTREE $116,160.00
BROOEUNE $163,040.00
CANTON $83,640.00
COHASSET $38,980.00
DEDHAM $80,070.00
DOVER $26,170.00
FOXBOROUGH $53,420.00
FRANKLIN $101,410.00
HOLBROOK $37,250.00
MEDFIELD $45,290.00
MEDWAY $44,910.00
MTU IS $26,370.00
MILTON $85,270.00
NEEDHAM $109,060.00
NORFOLK $39,010.00
NORWOOD $79,800.00
PIATNVILLE $26,610.00
QUINCY $244,340.00
RANDOLPH $90,080.00
SHARON $59,550.00
STOUGHTON $94,330.00
WALPOLE $81,880.00
WELLESELY $95,300.00
WESTWOOD $53,710.00
WEYMOUTH $172,260.00
WRENTHAM $44,500.00

 

1 Comment

Posted in Budgets, History, Open space, Recreation

Hunt Club history lecture next Monday

Posted on October 27, 2014 | Comments Off on Hunt Club history lecture next Monday

This from Gil Rodgers of the Norfolk Hunt Club –

David Lewis, Jr., ex-MFH, to Speak on the History of the Norfolk Hunt Club

The featured speaker at the Medfield Historical Society meeting on Monday, November 3, 2014 will be David W. Lewis, Jr. , ex-Master of the Fox Hounds (MFH) (1973 – 1980) and member of the Norfolk Hunt Club.   The narrated slide presentation will be held in the basement of First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, 26 North Street, Medfield beginning at 7:30 PM.

David is the editor of the definitive book on the history of Norfolk Hunt Club, “The Norfolk Hunt: One Hundred Years of Sport,” 1995. He will talk about the history of (drag) fox hunting with the Norfolk Hunt Club since its origins in 1895 interjecting entertaining stories about some of its prominent members — such as Henry Vaughn (MFH) and Miss Amelia Peabody, and notable events of the Club over the last 100 years — such as annual Farmer’s Day celebration and the traditional Thanksgiving Day hunt.

This is an opportunity to learn first-hand about a tradition that is emblematic of the rich and distinctive culture of Medfield, Dover, Sherborn, and surrounding towns.

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Posted in Entertainment, History, Norfolk Hunt Club, Open space, People

1964 undefeated football team celebrated

Posted on October 23, 2014 | Comments Off on 1964 undefeated football team celebrated

Great event last Friday night.  This from the Boston Globe –

Medfield celebrates 50th anniversary of unbeaten team

 By Brandan Blom

 | Globe Staff   October 21, 2014
Members of the 1964 Medfield football team are honored during a halftime ceremony Saturday.

Aram Boghosian/For the Globe

Members of the 1964 Medfield football team are honored during a halftime ceremony Saturday.

Medfield remembers its perfect past.

It’s been 50 years since Bob Curry, Kraig Magnussen, Don Clive, and the rest of the 1964 Medfield football team last took the field together.

During halftime of Medfield’s home game against Holliston on Friday, the 1964 team took the field once again, this time to be honored as the only unbeaten and untied football team in school history.

In the early 1960s, the Medfield football program was no powerhouse. The decade before, the team went on a 32-game losing streak that ended in 1961 when coach Ed Keyes arrived. Keyes, along with assistant coaches Burt Able and Harry Kreshpane, led Medfield to consecutive five-win seasons in 1962 and 1963 before they put everything together, going 9-0 in 1964.

“Everybody was friendly. We played together forever,” said John Roskilly, a senior tackle and defensive lineman on the 1964 team. “Since playing dodge ball in elementary school to football and basketball in high school, we had a lot of team camaraderie.”

Curry, one of the team captains in 1964, remembers the toughest game the Warriors had that season. It was against a good Millis team that finished 8-1.

Co-captains Bob Curry (left) and Craig Magnussen took the field during Medfield's halftime ceremony honoring the 50th anniversary of their 1964 unbeaten team Saturday.

Aram Boghosian for The Boston Globe

Co-captains Bob Curry (left) and Kraig Magnussen led Medfield to a 9-0 record in 1964.

“We were tied at halftime,” Curry said. “Coach Keyes had put in a stunting defense just for that week. We started blitzing and they didn’t know what gaps we were going to come through.”

Medfield won 20-12, the only blemish on Millis’ record. The closest game that fall, though, came against Leicester in a 13-12 win.

“Leicester is a tough place to play,” Curry said. “We were losing at halftime and we were all a little bit in shock, but we were able to get a close win. That game taught us not to take things for granted.”

Friday’s ceremony came together when Lee DeSorgher remembered in the spring that this would mark the 50th anniversary of the 1964 season. DeSorgher called Curry and teammate Harry Pitroni, and they got a hold of a few more teammates to put the celebration together.

“The town was wonderful,” DeSorgher said. “It was very surreal. Where else but a small town would you have three police cars and two fire trucks escorting us?

“It was like we won the championship again.”

Follow Brandan Blom on Twitter @brandan_blom.

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Posted in History, Sports

Jazz at Dwight-Derby House tonight

Posted on October 16, 2014 | Comments Off on Jazz at Dwight-Derby House tonight

This from the Cheryl O’Malley –

Hi everyone,

 

Don’t miss tonight’s October Festival at the Dwight-Derby House from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. You will experience the best Medfield has to offer with music, food,beer and wine tasting in a very historic setting.

 

Shane Wood, a Medfield resident and well known jazz musician, will bring the best in Jazz to your ears which is brought to you by a grant from the Medfield Cultural Counsel. 

 

Tim Larkin of Larkin’s Liquiors will tantalize your taste buds with a selection of wines and beer that will be sure to please your taste buds.

 

Last but not least, there will be an amazing spread of food from Roach Brothers for the Brother’s Market the newest venue in Medfield. The evening will start with wine and cheese, then move to the main course of Beef Stroganoff or Chicken Parmesan and Broccoli & Cauliflower Au Gratin or Thyme Roasted Carrots and finish with European Pastries.

 

Our store will also be open for your shopping convenience. We have lots of new products for all your gift giving needsd.

 

Don’t let the rain keep you from enjoy this wonderful evening for only $25 at the door. All proceeds will support the on going maintenance, preservation, restoration and operations of the Dwight-Derby House a significant historic structure of Medfield which is managed by the Friends of the Dwight-Derby House a non-profit organization.

 

I hope to see you there!

 

Cheryl O’Malley

President

Friends of the Dwight-Derby House

P.O. Box 527

7 Frairy Street

Medfield, MA. 02052

508-359-7264

www.dwightderbyhouse.org

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Posted in Cultural, Downtown, History, Music

Garage open house & Grist Mill turbine

Posted on October 15, 2014 | Comments Off on Garage open house & Grist Mill turbine

On Saturday October 25

  • the DPW hosts a once in a lifetime open house from 10 – 2 at the new Highway Garage, and
  • the Kingsbury Pond Committee holds a once in a lifetime turbine installation event employing a team of draft horses at the Grist Mill from 2 – 4 PM.

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Posted in Buildings, DPW, History

Historical Society seeks storage

Posted on August 26, 2014 | 1 comment

Email today from the Historical Society, looking for storage space for our town’s artifacts –

Desperately seeking more exhibit and storage space for historical society
Several private individuals, who have graciously been storing some Medfield’s largest historic artifacts, need their space and are – or will be – pressing the historical society to take these significant pieces of Medfield’s past.
Examples include the Lord’s sign (27 feet long), exterior doors with stained glass from the Harwood mansion, the Medfield Junction sign (10 feet long), the old Post Office sign, the state hospital sign, the 18th century fireplace surround from a large Pine Street house that was demolished 15 years ago, etc.
Do you know of space to accommodate large artifacts like these? If not, who do you know that could help us find it?  Please feel free to forward this email.
To store and exhibit these…and who knows how many other large artifacts yet to come?… we need an historical society annex, ideally over 500 square feet and within easy walking distance from the society.  (Other than being a little small, our society building/museum is extremely well suited to our needs – convenient, rock-solid construction, new roof, and an impregnable vault for more valuable items.)
The historical society doesn’t have money to buy or rent or rehab an annex. It would have to be a space in a building owned by the town, or (long shot) owned by a generous private individual with a large barn willing to allow occasional access by historic researchers and other members of the public. Possibilities suggested include something on the campus of the former state hospital or an unused section of a school.
The historical society has gone through some very serious downsizing and decluttering this year to provide order and working room– but we still have too little space.
What’s enabled us to declutter is the collection policy we adopted a few years ago.  Basically, if something isn’t relevant to the history of Medfield, its people, businesses, organizations, or buildings – we don’t keep it in the collection.  If there are multiple copies of something we want, we keep just two and sell or recycle the rest.  This practice is consistent with that of other historical societies.
I found this tremendously liberating, and it enabled us with a clear conscience to clear out a large amount of detritus that was old but irrelevant. It is now becoming possible to walk around the basement and use it as a research facility!
Without added storage/exhibit space, I’m afraid we’ll start backsliding.  That’s why we need your help.
In your reply, please include my original message.

David Temple
David F. Temple, Inc.
300 South Street
Medfield, MA 02052
508-359-2915

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Posted in History