Category Archives: Medfield State Hospital

What the 2013 MSH LDA Says Re the 12 Acres on Parcel B

Posted on May 13, 2026 | Leave a comment

FROM THE LAND DISPOSITION AGREEMENT BETWEEN MEDFIELD AND THE STATE:

(6) The Town shall restrict development on Parcel B to approximately 12 acres
of Parcel B. Prior to disposition or redevelopment of any portion of Parcel B
and in any event no later than two (2) years after the conveyance of Parcel B
to the Town, the Town shall place an Agricultural Preservation Restriction
upon the remainder of Parcel B, containing approximately 27.877 acres, in
accordance with the provisions of the letter dated December 16, 2008 from
the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, a copy of which is
attached to this Agreement as Exhibit J.

(7) On or before the date which is one (1) year after the conveyance of Parcel A
and Parcel B to the Town, the Town shall place an Agricultural Preservation
Restriction upon the property known as the “Holmquist Property” in
accordance with the provisions of said letter from the Massachusetts
Department of Agricultural Resources .

(B) Survival/Enforcement. . . . in the
event that the Town does not establish the Agricultural Preservation Restriction on
Parcel B or the “Holmquist Property” in accordance with clause (A)(6) and (7),
respectively, above or require a purchaser of Parcel B or the “Holmquist Property” to
do the same, the Commonwealth may cause title to Parcel B to revert to the
Commonwealth by (i) giving written notice to the Town which notice shall state that if
the Town does not establish said Agricultural Preservation Restriction within ninety (90)
days of said notice, the Commonwealth may record with the Norfolk Registry of Deeds
a notice stating that title to Parcel B has reverted to the Commonwealth. Upon
satisfaction by the Town of the Town’s Surviving Covenants set forth in Section 6(A)(6)

NB – 1. No Obligation to Designate the 12 Acres & 2. No Fear of Reverter If Not Designated Due to 90 Day Notice & Opportunity to Cure – i.e – we would designate the 12 acres during the 90 days provided to cure after getting any notice.

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Posted in Development, Information, Medfield State Hospital, State, Town Meeting

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MSH site closed

[ PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 4, 2026 MEDFIELD STATE HOSPITAL CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO CONSTRUCTION [Medfi eld], [March 4, 2026] - On March 3, 2026, at a duly called and posted Select Board Meeting, the Select Board unanimously voted to close the Medfi eld State Hospital grounds to the public eff ective Thursday, March 5th at 7am until further notice. Phase I construction is underway at the Medfi eld State Hospital campus as part of planned utility and intersection improvements. Installation of new underground sewer, drainage, and electrical infrastructure in these areas is expected to continue through April 2026. Access restrictions are being put in place to protect residents, visitors, and dogs from potential injury related to ongoing construction activities. The Select Board agreed to revisit this determination again at their next meeting scheduled for March 17th. For media inquiries, please contact: Brittney Franklin, Medfi eld Assistant Town Administrator/Public Information Coordinator e: bfranklin@medfi eld.net p: 508-906-3012 459 Main Street, Medfi eld www.town.medfi eld.net X (formally Twitter): @TownofMedfi eld

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Posted on March 4, 2026 in Medfield State Hospital

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Town, Trinity, & MSH Get Additional $4.5m. State Grant

Commonwealth of Massachusetts EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF HOUSING & LIVABLE COMMUNITIES Maura T. Healey, Governor  Kimberley Driscoll, Lieutenant. Governor  Edward M. Augustus Jr., Secretary 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 300 www.mass.gov/eohlc Boston, Massachusetts 02114 617.573.1100 Via email: ktrierweiler@medfield.net January 9, 2026 Town Administrator Kristine Trierweiler Town of Medfield 459 Main Street Medfield, MA 2052 Dear Ms. Trierweiler: Application: Medfield 00266 – Increased Award Thank you for working with the Healey-Driscoll Administration to update us on your efforts on the Medfield State Hospital Redevelopment Project. On behalf of the Healey-Driscoll Administration, I am pleased to award the Town of Medfield an additional $4,500,000 in funding through the FY26 HousingWorks Infrastructure Program. These additional funds will amend the FY26 award from the original $1,000,000 by an additional $4,500,000 from the HousingWorks Infrastructure Program (HWIP) for a revised total FY26 award of $5,500,000. Through three consecutive awards in FY24, FY25 and FY26, the Commonwealth will have awarded a total of $10,486,600 in HWIP funds to support this project. Please be advised that this letter does not constitute an agreement or contract with the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The grant award is not final until the town has executed a contract with the EOHLC. You should not proceed with any grant activities related specifically to these additional funds until a contract is in place. Compliance with the MBTA Communities Act, which is determined by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities remains a requirement of this grant.We applaud Medfield’s efforts to achieve compliance and note that the receipt of grant funds is contingent upon the grantee being able to certify that it will continue to comply with the Massachusetts General Laws, including G.L. c. 40A, § 3A, the MBTA Communities Act. If you or your team have any questions about this additional award, please contact McKenzie Bell, Senior Community Grants Coordinator, at McKenzie.Bell@mass.gov with questions. Sincerely, Edward M. Augustus Jr. Secretary, EOHLC cc: Senator Rebecca Rausch Representative Joshua Tarsky Representative Marcus Vaughn

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Posted on January 9, 2026 in Development, Medfield State Hospital, State

Norfolk Hunt Club PACE today at MSH

Posted on August 10, 2025 | Comments Off on Norfolk Hunt Club PACE today at MSH

1922 NHC map – I was interested to see the “Poor Farm” and “Death’s Bridge” – latter apparently was the family’s name.

There are lots and lots of horses at the former Medfield State Hospital today as the Norfolk Hunt Club is running what I learned is called a Pace. I saw that the riders start at intervals and I was told they try to ride the many mile course through Medfield, Dover and Sherborn at the “right pace,” alternately walking, cantering, and galloping depending on the trail conditions. I understood that the target pace may even vary depending upon the level of expertise of the riders.

I was struck by the vast variety of horses – strikingly different markings, colors, and most surprising to me sizes.

This is one of my historic photos of the NHC’s drag hunt at Thanksgiving – today no one is dressed up in that finery and there are way, way more horses.

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Posted in Medfield State Hospital, Norfolk Hunt Club

Fringe Tree in Bloom – but waning

Posted on May 22, 2025 | 3 comments

The spectacular fringe tree that sits atop the front Great Lawn at the former Medfield State Hospital site was blooming last weekend when I went by, but this year it is not as full of blooms and as robust looking as it has been in the past.

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Posted in Medfield State Hospital

Town Land For Sale

Posted on May 8, 2025 | 2 comments

Monday at the annual town meeting (ATM) Steve Dragotakes asked about what town owned land was currently for sale, and Select Board chair Murby mentioned the land at the former Medfield State Hospital site known as Parcel B which is South of Hospital Road where a basketball facility was recently proposed – shown as The South Field on the above plan.

For me the primary town property I would like to see monetized first is not that Parcel B which are beautiful open fields and woods, but rather the land that the Medfield State Hospital Master Planning Committee called The Arboretum. The Arboretum is about 12 acres that contains the former employee homes around the Stonegate entrance (the entrance nearest the downtown).

I suggest the town should first seek to sell The Arboretum after the Trinity Financial project is built, as then The Arboretum land will substantially increase in value. In the interim, I would suggest that the town change the zoning on that land from the sparse density the Medfield State Hospital Master Planning Committee placed on it, so as to permit more dense development and add more to its sale value.

We all want to preserve open space, but to me the open space I treasure at the former Medfield State Hospital site are the fields surrounding the already built areas, and I am not bothered by building greater density in the already built areas. 

I see Old Village Square off of RTE 27 as a model for the density and curb appeal of what could go in The Arboretum. Old Village Square nets the town a large net profit of real estate taxes over municipal costs each year – maybe $600,000/year. The Arboretum developed in a similar manner could add maybe $1,000,000/year to our tax base without much town cost. My path to lowering our high residential real estate taxes is more via building housing that has minimal municipal costs, instead of looking to more business, commercial or industrial development – which few developers seem to want to locate in Medfield.

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Posted in Buildings, Development, Medfield State Hospital, Open space, Planning, Select Board matters

New Life & Soles 5K – 4/27

Posted on March 15, 2025 | Comments Off on New Life & Soles 5K – 4/27

New Life Furniture Bank of MA and Soles of Medfield 

Announce 5K/10K Run and Fun Run

Medfield, MA – March 17, 2025 – New Life Furniture Bank of MA, in partnership with the running club Soles of Medfield, is proud to announce the second annual New Life 5K/10K Run and Fun Run, taking place on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at McCarthy Park & Fields (44 Hospital Hill Road). This community-driven event welcomes participants of all abilities—from competitive runners to casual walkers, as well as those with dogs or strollers—for a day of fitness, philanthropy, fun.

The event will begin at 9:00 AM with a Fun Run, providing an excellent opportunity for younger participants and families to get involved. At 9:30 AM, the 5K and 10K races will commence, offering a challenge for seasoned runners, while also accommodating those who prefer a more relaxed pace. Official timed results will be provided by Second Wind.

This event offers an opportunity to not only challenge oneself physically but also to support an important cause. Proceeds will directly benefit New Life Furniture Bank of MA, helping provide essential furniture and household items to individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness. Additionally, 10% of funds raised will support the Soles of Medfield Scholarship Fund, reinforcing the event’s broader mission of community enrichment.

“Every step taken on race day contributes to the journey of a family transitioning out of homelessness,” said Andy Crossley, Executive Director of New Life Furniture Bank. “Whether participants are running, walking, or cheering from the sidelines, this event fosters a sense of unity and purpose.”

To register and learn more, please visit newlifefb.org/race.

New Life Furniture Bank of MA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals and families in need by providing essential furniture and household items at no cost through a network of referring agencies. The organization envisions a future where no one is forced to live, eat, or sleep on the floor. Through the generosity of donors and volunteers, New Life transforms empty spaces into homes, restoring dignity and comfort to those in transition. To support, donate, or volunteer with New Life Furniture Bank, please visit newlifefb.org.

Soles of Medfield is an inclusive community group of runners of all distances and all paces.  Learn more at www.solesofmedfield.run

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Posted in Medfield State Hospital, New Life Furniture Bank of MA, Soles of Medfield, Sports, Trails

ONYX presentation hand out as a PDF

Posted on February 26, 2025 | Comments Off on ONYX presentation hand out as a PDF
20250225-Onyx-presentationDownload

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Posted in Bellforge Arts Center, Buildings, Development, Medfield Park & Recreation Commission, Medfield State Hospital, Select Board matters

ONYX’s presentation

Posted on February 26, 2025 | 1 comment

Last night ONYX Partners Ltd. (Anton Melchionda of Dover) presented the following proposal to a joint meeting of the Select Board, Warrant Committee, and Medfield Park & Recreation Commission.

Points from my notes:

  1. ONYX’s entity as the developer would be a for profit real estate entity owning the land and the 80,000 sq. ft., 8 court basketball facility.
  2. Medfield Park & Recreation Commission gets a 20,000 sq. ft. facility.
  3. ONYX would still go ahead if the # of courts were reduced to as few as four.
  4. ONYX’s prime tenant (30-40%) would be the non-profit BB program for kids K-12 Anton runs.
  5. ONYX would pay property taxes.
  6. Structures could be moved around on the site.
  7. Bellforge Arts Center stated it is also interested in acquiring the use of the same 12 acres for purposes related to its cultural arts center.

My initial thoughts:

  1. The town needs to know the financial details, but those are only likely to come much later, after the annual town meeting (ATM) and responses to a town request for proposals (RFP).
  2. The large amount of traffic generated would severely impact residents.
  3. I would place any structures next to the RR tracks, as far as possible from Hospital Road, so they are as hidden as much as possible from Hospital Road by the elevation change, in order to protect the view scape from the top of the hill as much as possible.
  4. If an RFP is put out, it should be for any and all uses, so the town can evaluate all possible options for this precious town asset, including one from the Bellforge Arts Center.
  5. Finally, as an alternative, I encourage Medfield Park & Recreation Commission to consider doing its own building, on the basis that the town borrows the money for MPRC’s building and MPRC commits to paying the debt service on that building out of the fees MPRC charges for programs they run out of the building. A former director of MPRC opined that the program revenues could financially pay the debt service.

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Posted in Bellforge Arts Center, Buildings, Development, Medfield Park & Recreation Commission, Medfield State Hospital, Select Board matters, Sports

Basketball Facility at MSH Site – presentation at 6pm tonight

Posted on February 25, 2025 | Comments Off on Basketball Facility at MSH Site – presentation at 6pm tonight

A large Basketball facility is proposed for town owned land in the area South of Hospital Road at the former Medfield State Hospital, and the proponent will explain his proposal this evening to a joint meeting of the Select Board, Warrant Committee, and Medfield Park & Recreation Commission this evening at 6PM. The Zoom link to that meeting is below.

I suspect the facility is being proposed for the area shown as the South field in the plan below, but note that is not the proponent’s plan. Per the Land Disposition Agreement (LDA) between the state and the town when the town bought the Medfield State Hospital property, the town is permitted to develop only 12 acres of the almost 40 acres South of Hospital Road, because they are prime agricultural soils. The town swapped a restriction on 12 acres of the Holmquist land to be able to use those 12 acres. Per the LDA, the town also has to pay half of whatever it receives for the land to the state.

This is a link to my prior post about my call with Anton about his proposal.

BELOW IS THE MEETING NOTICE FROM the TOWN WEBSITE:

TOWN OF MEDFIELD
MEETING
NOTICE
Posted in accordance with the provisions of M.G.L. c. 30A, §§18-25
This meeting will be held in a hybrid format. The Select Board will attend in person and
members of the public may attend in person. In addition, members of the public who wish to
participate via Zoom may do so by joining by one of the following options:

  1. To join online, use this link:
    https://medfield-net.zoom.us/j/88530366678?pwd=clhLODVKcnlDN3dFTDJWQjBCVzJ5Zz09
    a. Webinar ID: 885 3036 6678
    b. Password: 637025
  2. To join through a conference call, dial 929-436-2866 or 312-626-6799 or 253-215-8782
    or 301-715-8592 or 346-248-7799 or 669-900-6833
    a. Enter the Webinar ID: 885 3036 6678
    b. Enter the password: 637025
    Select Board
    Board or Committee
    PLACE OF MEETING DAY, DATE, AND TIME
    Chenery Hall, Medfield Town House
    Remote participation available through Zoom Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at 6:00 pm
    Agenda (Subject to Change)
    Call to Order
    6:00PM Presentation by Onyx Partners Ltd. regarding their proposal for a portion of the 40 acres
    of town-owned property located at Map 63, Parcel 004 Hospital Road also known as Parcel B of
    the former Medfield State Hospital property
    6:45PM Questions and Public Comment
    7:30PM Adjourn

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Posted in Buildings, Development, Medfield State Hospital, Select Board matters