Category Archives: Medfield State Hospital

On being a selectman

Posted on April 7, 2016 | Comments Off on On being a selectman

BoS

Tired this afternoon – home for dinner at 10PM last night, 9:30 PM the night before, and 9:00PM tonight, for meetings respectively of the –

  •  Board of Selectmen
    • Schools seeking approval of application to the Massachusetts School Building Authority to start the process to replace Dale Street School, perhaps with an addition onto the Wheelock School, making Wheelock a grades 2 – 5 school.
    • Met with Liz Sandeman to receive a her donation of a flag and for recognition of Donate Life Month – organ donation promotion.
    • declared a snow emergency.
    • reviewed the warrant articles for the town meeting to assign speakers.
  • Medfield State Hospital Master Planning Committee
    • planning for its 4/11/16 public forum at the MHS auditorium.
  • Medfield Energy Committee
    • update of stretch code article for the town meeting
    • update on the solar installation at the WWTP
    • update of solar at the Public Safety Building and the DPW Garage
  • Met Tuesday morning with the Larkin Brothers about their Hospital Road 40B.
    • Their plans now down to 48-52 units,
    • 75% with first floor master suites,
    • they are continuing to plan to target the empty nesters market (no shared playground for kids).
    • Meeting again in two weeks with them and their architect.
    • Sunday I saw the open house sign out at their North Street, Grove Place development, Michael Larkin toured me through a three bedroom unit there with a first floor master suite.  It had nice details, with both angled and right angle bays, windows of different sizes, and good looking quality in the kitchen and baths.
  • Met this morning with the Medfield Cares About Prevention (MCAP) (www.MedfieldCares.org) leadership team.  Report on the recent member survey, and upcoming Hidden in Plain Sight event to take place at the Natick Mall from 10-2 on May 19 and 5-9 on May 20.  Invited three millennials to join the group.

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Posted in Energy Committee, MCAP - Medfeild Cares About Prevention, Medfield State Hospital, Select Board matters, Uncategorized

Dog rules on town property???

Posted on April 6, 2016 | 1 comment

TTOR  dog-cold-weather-med

At the Board of Selectmen meeting last night I brought up that I had received complaints from a resident who had been subjected to rude and offensive behavior by a professional dog walker while the resident was walking his dog at the Medfield State Hospital property.  So I was suggesting that the town might want to look at instituting some controls, to deal with the professional dog walkers, and the inconsiderate dog owners who do not pick up after their own dogs.

Diane Borrelli was kind enough to email me the links to the The Trustees of the Reservation materials on their Green Dog Program.  The great news is that the The Trustees of the Reservation have already figured out how to handle dog walking.  Their system looks simple – get a trustees membership, each person can have up to 2 dogs if they have 2 leashes, keep the dogs under control, and you pick up after your dog.

Trustees Green Dogs Program

I will suggest that the Medfield State Hospital Building and Grounds Committee and the Medfield Police Chief come up with a workable system for dogs at the Medfield State Hospital, Wheelock, and in the rest of the town, so that the inconsiderate few do not spoil things for others. The Chief tells the selectmen that he does not have a pooper scooper law that he can enforce.

 

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Posted in Animals, Medfield State Hospital, Uncategorized

4/11 report on MSH planning

Posted on March 23, 2016 | Comments Off on 4/11 report on MSH planning

This meeting is an opportunity for all residents to both get informed about and also to provide input into the planning process for the MSH, before the scenarios to be studied in greater depth are selected.

Medfield State Hospital Master Plan Committee Update

The Medfield State Hospital Master Planning Committee (MSHMPC) will hold an open forum regarding the Medfield State Hospital property on Monday, April 11 at 7:00 PM in the Medfield High School Auditorium.

 

 

Lee Chapel at msh

Lee Chapel
Recent walking tour of the property led by Buildings & Grounds Chair John Thompson.
Photo courtesy of Kathy McCrossan

 

Community Meeting for the Medfield State Hospital Property
 

The April 11th meeting has two major goals.  The first is to provide transparency about the master planning process to Medfield citizens: to educate residents about the planning process; to summarize all that the Committee has learned; and, to outline the next steps. The second goal is to maintain an open dialog with the Town to ensure any proposal accurately addresses the goals of its residents.

MSHMPC will start with a brief overview of its work with VHB, an established master planning consultant that is assisting the Committee.  Results of the three surveys sent out this past summer will be reviewed.  These surveys provide invaluable feedback to MSHMPC in assessing the priorities given to any particular aspect of a plan. The Committee will discuss initiatives and uses that are under consideration and intends to introduce various study scenarios used to strengthen the planning process.  An explanation of the financial model employed in the study  scenarios will also be included.

An update on the Buildings and Grounds will be provided.  The property is becoming a popular venue for a broad variety of passive recreation uses and is increasingly providing a source of enjoyment to many residents.

Future outreach will be discussed. The forum will close with an extended Question and Answer period to get feedback from the residents and to answer questions.

All citizens are encouraged to attend. Medfield TV will cover the meeting for those unable to attend in person.

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Posted in Medfield State Hospital, Planning, Uncategorized

Medfield is planning

Posted on February 29, 2016 | Comments Off on Medfield is planning

planning

The following memo, about the various planning efforts that are underway and will get addressed in various ways at the annual town meeting on April 25, was circulated this afternoon by Kristine Trierweiler.  After a 50+ year hiatus we are initiating lots of planning –

20160229-KT&SR-Proposed Studies for ATM2016_Page_1MICHAEL J. SULLIVAN Town Administrator TOWN OF MEDFIELD Office of BOARD OF SELECTMEN TOWN HOUSE, 459 MAIN STREET MEDFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS 02052-0315 (508) 359-8505 To: Board of Selectmen Michael Sullivan, Town Administrator From: Kristine Trierweiler, Assistant Town Administrator Sarah Raposa, Town Planner Re: Plans and Studies for the ATM2016 Capital Improvement Plan A Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) allows for a systemic evaluation of all existing municipal buildings. Planned infrastructure investment can reduce operating costs and help avoid future high replacement costs or unexpected crisis in the future. This twenty year plan will inventory existing building infrastructure, identify building maintenance projects that need to be undertaken, indicate a method to finance those improvements, and ultimately establish project priority. The MA DOR states that a full CIP can have the following benefits:  Facilitates coordination between capital needs and the operating budgets.  Enhances the community's credit rating, control of its tax rate, and avoids sudden changes in its debt service requirements.  Identifies the most economical means of financing capital projects.  Increases opportunities for obtaining federal and state aid. ·  Focuses attention on community objectives and fiscal capacity  Keeps the public informed about future needs and projects.  Coordinates the activities of neighboring and overlapping units of local government to reduce duplication.  Encourages careful project planning and design to avoid costly mistakes and help a community reach desired goals. The Capital Budget Committee has received bids for the project and anticipates a cost of $80,000 to complete the CIP. The Town received a Commonwealth Community Compact Grant for $30,000 to defray the overall cost of the plan. The request for the CIP at the 2016 ATM is $50,000. Capital Budget Capital Budget is the authorization for spending for the upcoming fiscal year as part of the annual operating budget. This is the main method of implementing the Capital Improvement Plan. The Capital Budget considers projects identified in the Capital Improvement Plan as well as vehicle fleet needs and other departmental needs. An item must be at least $5,000 and a useful life of five years to be considered for inclusion in the capital budget. Municipal Building Needs/Feasibility Study A feasibility study of municipal buildings is the first step in identifying a long term solution for future municipal building infrastructure needs. The feasibility study provides a physical needs assessment, programmatic needs assessment, and development options. The development options will analyze cost and timing of the projects, ranking each municipal building. The most recent feasibility study completed in December 2012 was an examination of a new Police/Fire Station and a planning study for Dale Street Campus, which was completed under the direction of the Permanent Planning and Building Committee. Town Wide Master Plan Master plans are considered "blueprints for the future" and are long-range planning and policy guidance. A careful, thoughtful planning process better directs a town’s future actions than sequential "adhockery." Master plans are promulgated under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 41Section 81D and contain the following required elements: Land Use, Housing, Economic Development, Natural and Cultural Resources, Open Space and Recreation, Services and Facilities, Circulation (Transportation). The last master plan was prepared in 1964 with a brief update in 1997 (a Master Plan is considered current for 10-15 years). The rational planning process enables us to steer growth and redevelopment where it is more easily absorbed, and identify resources and partners to sustain open spaces, habitats, and historic assets that need protection. Master plans are important because the process of creating a local master plan increases citizens’ involvement in their self- governance, and helps town officials and volunteer boards and committees coordinate their work. Furthermore, if land use regulations are challenged, a consistent master plan can help in court. Master plans ensure eligibility for state grants and also allow for better bond ratings. Medfield State Hospital Master Plan The Medfield State Hospital Master Plan Committee (MSHMPC) is currently engaged in a planning process for a strategic reuse plan for the Medfield State Hospital property. The MSHMPC is working with a consultant to facilitate the creation of a conceptual use scenario(s) for the MSH property as well as adjacent properties. The strategic reuse plan will include identification of best uses relative to the Town’s objectives, economic analysis, implementation plans, design and zoning guidance, as well as assistance with disposition for redevelopment if necessary. The MSHMPC is currently in Phase I of a proposed three phase plan:  Phase I - Create Conceptual Plans & Economic Analysis for the Land Reuse  Phase II - Develop Zoning Modifications and Design Guidelines  Phase III - Disposition Plan20160229-KT&SR-Proposed Studies for ATM2016_Page_3

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Posted in Buildings, Medfield State Hospital, Planning, Town Meeting, Uncategorized

Sports complex for Lot 3 withdrawn

Posted on November 30, 2015 | Comments Off on Sports complex for Lot 3 withdrawn

LOT 3

The proposal for an indoor sports facility on Lot 3 off of Ice House Road was formally withdrawn today by means of a letter from the attorney to the Economic Development Committee. A copy of that letter appears below.

The Medfield State Hospital Master Planning Committee had previously voted unanimously within the past month and written last Monday to the Board of Selectmen that the MSHMPC recommended no action on the Economic Development Committee’s pending RFP for the lease of Lot 3 until the planning process for the MSH property was completed.  The MSHMPC has been targeting Lot 3 and the Hinkley lot for senior housing due to the synergies of its location next to the The Center and the agreed need for such housing in town.  A copy of the MSHMPC’s recent missive to the BoS is also attached below

 

MEDFIELD STATE HOSPITAL
MASTER PLANNING COMMITTEE

To: Board of Selectmen
From: Stephen Nolan, Chair, MSHMPC
Date: November 23, 2015

Re: Economic Development Committee – LOT 3 Proposal

At the duly posted meeting of the Medfield State Hospital Master Planning Committee on October 7, 2015, the Committee approved a motion to recommend that the Town should not proceed with the leasing proposal for a private athletic facility on Lot #3 Ice House Road pending completion of our development plan for the former state hospital and surrounding properties. Five members supported the motion, while two abstained from the vote, and one member was absent. The Committee believes that Lot #3 Ice House Road and the Hinkley property may be ideal sites for possible senior and/or affordable housing as they have the twin virtues of being in the vicinity of the Center and not being subject to the sales partnership model, which requires sharing of sales proceeds with the State. As you know, the Hinkley property and Lot #3 were included within our charge when the Selectmen appointed us to work on a master plan for the former MSH property. The Committee is considering plans for a phased development of the Town-owned property in the vicinity of the former MSH and the possible sale of the Hinkley property and Lot #3 might provide a short term response to the demand for additional senior housing in Town while also providing possible seed monies for use in re-developing the MSH property. While any disposition of Lot #3 and the Hinkley property would require a competitive bidding process, we believe that if the properties were re-zoned to allow for some combination of senior and affordable housing they might well command a significantly higher price than available under current zoning.

 

The Law Offices of
JAMES W. MURPHY
Post Office Box 1327
Sherborn, Massachusetts 01770

November 30, 2015

Economic Development Committee
c/o Sarah Raposa, Town Planner
Town of Medfield
459 Main Street
Medfield, MA 02052

Re: Future Development of Ice House Road Lot 3

Dear Sarah:

Please consider this letter to be confirmation of Medfield Investment, LLC’s
willingness, along with the Town, to terminate and/or have deemed withdrawn its previous submittal of a Proposal to enter into a Long Term Ground Lease with the Town of Medfield for the development of a sports facility on the property commonly known as Ice House Road Lot 3.

To the extent necessary, Medfield Investment LLC releases the Town from any
obligations that the Town may have had to respond to its Proposal, and likewise
considers this letter to be a corresponding release by the Town of any rights, duties or obligations that Medfield Investment, LLC may have had to the Town.
With the different recommendations from the State Hospital Committee and the
EDC, it was recognized that the timing to move forward with this proposal now was not optimal and that it would be best to withdraw gracefully at this time. Thank you to the many people who gave this matter attention. I understand that you will bring this letter to the attention of the Town Administrator, Mr. Michael Sullivan and to the Selectman.

Please let me know if this letter is sufficient or if you need anything further from
me or from my client.

Very truly yours,

James W. Murphy, Esq.

 

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Posted in Medfield State Hospital, Planning

Vic Cevoli photos of MSH

Posted on November 30, 2015 | 2 comments
Hi Osler, it’s been a while since I’ve sent along photos from the Medfield Hospital project.  Here’s a quick update.
It seems that each time I photograph the property it presents a different facet of itself.  This past Saturday was no exception.  The weather was most unpleasant and the resulting photographs captured the dark and dreary mood that I observed that morning.  They are by no means “beautiful” photographs, but I believe they have a role to play in the story.
– v
20151128-VC-branches raindrops 20151128-VC-quad infared 20151128-VC-stop 20151128-VC-ugly infared

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Posted in Medfield State Hospital

MSH photos

Posted on November 24, 2015 | Comments Off on MSH photos

More Edmund Prescottano photos of the Medfield State Hospital  –

Edmund Prescottano

 

Medfield State Hospital

 

 
           
Medfield State Hospital

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Posted in Medfield State Hospital

MSH night photos

Posted on November 23, 2015 | 1 comment

MSH-night-1

The photographer, Edmund Prescottano, took these wonderous looking photos of MSH at night, with really long exposures.    Click here to see all the photos.   The photos were shared by David Temple, the explanation below is from Ed. –

 

How Ed Prescottano took these unusual pictures:

These were all taken between 7 pm and 11 pm. Exposure were all around 5 minutes. I light painted all the buildings with a flash light. The horizon light or brightness is from the light pollution from Sherborn or even  Natick when facing north or any other town in the distance when facing other directions. The streaks in the sky was due to the clouds moving during the long exposure. Later in the evening the clouds became very thick so there is less streaking and fewer startrails to be seen if any.

I hope to do more up there at night but will need to get permission from someone.

It really is a fascinating place and I would love to document it before much is gone or changed

Edmund

 

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Posted in Art, Medfield State Hospital

Gateway opening

Posted on October 30, 2015 | Comments Off on Gateway opening

Gateway-1

This morning was the official ribbon cutting and opening of the new Charles River overlook dubbed the Gateway at Medfield.  Over one hundred people gathered in the strong fall winds at Medfield’s newest jewel, high above the Charles –  some walked, some rode bikes, and some came on horses.  Richared DeSorgher officiated with a loud speaker’s voice honed by years in the classroom.

Richard declared it Arbor Day in town, reading the proclamation citing teh 55 trees planted at the site, and then introduced the series of speakers:

  • Carol Gladstone, DCAMM Commissioner
  • Carol I. Sanchez, DCR Commissioner (see photo below)
  • Mike Francis, TTOR Superintendent
  • Bob Zimmerman, CRWA Executive Director

Gateway-3

Bill Massaro, John Thompson, and John Harney were signaled out repeatedly for their efforts that turned the ship of the Massachusetts state away from its less expensive, simplistic, but legally sufficient cap and cover formulaic clean up, to the result that has created the state’s newest park, with dramatic views down to the Charles River below and the largest recreated wetlands in the history of the river.

Even the ruins of the old pump house has been made interesting –

MSH-pump house after

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Posted in Environmental, Events, Green, Medfield State Hospital, On being a selectman

Met with MA Secretary of Housing & Economic Development

Posted on October 30, 2015 | Comments Off on Met with MA Secretary of Housing & Economic Development

Jay Ash

Yesterday morning Mike Sullivan, Richard DeSorgher and I met with Jay Ash, the Massachusetts Secretary of Housing and Economic Development to learn what the state can do to assist Medfield with our economic development and housing issues (see photo above).

After that four town meeting (Wrentham, Norfolk, Walpole, and Medfield) at the Wrentham Town Hall, Medfield showed the Secretary the former Medfield State Hospital site (see photo below).

Jay Ash at MSH

My main take aways:

  • the opportunities to get the MSH site listed as ready for development on the MassEcon 100,
  • to have the man who talks to more developers than any one else in the state be able to talk up our site, and
  • to just have the man who administers all state economic development and housing monies know about the MSH site and its expected development so he can help get the word out and be knowledgeable if and when grant applications are made.

Interesting tidbits learned during the discussions:

  • Electric Time reportedly could not complete on price with what The Parc was willing to pay for that site, so an industrial site became a residential site, and
  • Walpole is negotiating with an international company to site a facility that will provide 600 jobs – company is looking for 90% reduction in its taxes.

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Posted in Development, Medfield State Hospital, State