MEDFIELD FOUNDATION VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR 2014
John Thompson
The Medfield Foundation proudly recognizes John Thompson as its 2014 Volunteer of the Year for his work with the Medfield State Hospital Mediation Committee
Other organizations where John has volunteered:
- State Hospital Environmental Review Committee (SHERC), Chair for three years
- Medfield Archeology Advisory Committee, Chair for ten years
- Friends of Dwight Derby House, past president for three years
- Vine Lake Preservation Trust
- Medfield Conservation Commission, seven years and past chair
- Port of Galilee Advisory Committee, Narragansett RI Town Council
Professionally, John is an environmental engineer and Licensed Site Professional (LSP) at Woodard & Curran. John added his professional and personal concerns over the inadequate and inappropriate remediation originally being proposed by the state at the former Medfield State Hospital site along and in the Charles River, and below groundwater in the zone of influence surrounding the town’s most productive well. Under John’s leadership SHERC directed the town’s outside environmental consultants in their review of DCAMM’s reports and proposed remediation plans. After two years with the state and town getting no closer to agreement on the clean up, John proposed mediation, and DCAMM accepted. After a year and more than twenty mediation sessions, a Settlement Agreement was signed with DCAMM. John spent 500 to 1,000 hours a year for several years on these efforts, to protect the town and its environment. Town expenditures for outside consultants were significantly reduced both as a result of John’s own environmental qualifications and experience, and also as a result of the direction he provided.
The Settlement Agreement negotiated under John’s guidance will result in a remediation at the former riverside waste site that is significantly more protective of the town’s principal water supply, more protective of public health, will restore five million gallons of flood storage, and will improve public access to the Charles River. The planned restoration of the riverside area to its historic conditions will enhance the value and marketability of the adjoining Hospital property in any future reuse scenario.
While current residents and future generations will certainly benefit from the improved cleanup brought about by John’s efforts, his management of the Medfield delegation in the mediation sessions also contributed significantly to establishing today’s atmosphere of cooperation between the town and DCAMM, which is expected to positively influence that relationship as the remediation is completed, as the long-term monitoring and maintenance period begins, and as the Town pursues with DCAMM the possible purchase of the Medfield State Hospital property from the state.
John Thompson combines the best of human qualities with professional expertise all in extraordinary service to the Town of Medfield. He is patient with those who are uninformed
in matters he knows thoroughly, skilled in conveying his always accurate positions, and incredibly generous in his gift of time to the common good. His time, knowledge, and professional demeanor were the catalyst that achieved the town’s cleanup goals.
In addition to these Hospital related activities, John organized fund raising events and secured grants for the restoration of the Dwight Derby House, gave talks at the Middle School on geology, and performed historical investigations and cleaned gravestones for the Vine Lake Preservation Trust.
John Thompson and all the other extraordinary volunteers will be feted at the MFi’s 2014 volunteer recognition reception from 3 -5 PM on Sunday, March 23 at The Center at Medfield – all are welcome. Thsee seventh annual MFi volunteer awards are again sponsored by the Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation, for the third year.
Medfield Foundation (www.MedfieldFoundation.org)
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