651 Yes, 295 NO

68.8% Yes

The vote at the special town meeting last night to change the zoning at the Medfield State Hospital had to pass by a two-thirds vote (i.e. 66.67%), and it got 68.8%, meaning that it both passed by the slimmest of margins and that it was also preferred by a landslide majority of residents in attendance.

Next steps will be for the Development Committee to:

• vet requests for qualifications from developers,
• draft a request for proposals (RFP), and
• then solicit requests for actual development proposals.

Those proposals will then tell the town what the real world market actually thinks.

The selectmen will select from among the proposals.  The town, as the property owner, can write into the land disposition agreement with the developer, whatever assurances the town feels are needed to safeguard both the property and the town’s long term interests in the property.

Ultimately, the chosen proposal and the land disposition agreement will be submitted to the residents at a town meeting for their approval, which vote will again require a two-thirds vote to proceed.  The town residents are thereby assured full control over any development that will occur.

The attendance at the STM last night was large enough that the cafeteria was employed as an overflow space, and the cafeteria was reportedly full as well.

The following was part of the official report published by Town Clerk Carol Mayer:

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VOTED: To amend the code of the Town of Medfield Chapter 300 Zoning by adding a new Article 300-20, Medfield State Hospital District as printed in the warrant and further to amend the official zoning map as printed in the Warrant except in Section 2. Definitions. “MSHD Map” substitute 89 acres for 135 acres, Section 3A. Establishment of Medfield State Hospital District substitute 89 acres for 135 acres and Section 3B. Sub-Zones substitute six Sub-Zones for eight Sub-Zones. MOTION PASSED BY 2/3 VOTE YES-651, NO- 295 (11/18/2019)

And you are directed to serve the Warrant by posted an attested copy thereof, in the usual places for posting warrants in said Medfield, fourteen days at least before the time of holding said Special Town Meeting.

Hereof fail not and make due return of this Warrant with your doings thereon, unto the Town Clerk at the time and place of the Special Town Meeting aforesaid. Given unto our hands this thirty first day of October, Two-Thousand and Nineteen.

Gustave H. Murby /s/
Osler L. Peterson /s/
Michael T. Marcucci /s/
BOARD OF SELECTMEN

By virtue of this Warrant, I have notified and warned the inhabitants of the Town of Medfield, qualified to vote in elections and at town meetings, by posting attested copies of the same at five public places fourteen days before the date of the Special Town Meeting as within directed.

Constable: Robert Flaherty /s/
Date: October 31, 2019

A TRUE COPY ATTEST:
Carol A. Mayer, CMMC /s/
Town Clerk