Category Archives: Medfield State Hospital

APA awards Medfield its “2024 Community of the Year Award” for our MSH project

Posted on November 13, 2024 | Comments Off on APA awards Medfield its “2024 Community of the Year Award” for our MSH project

November 13, 2024
Sarah Raposa, AICP
Planning Director – Town of Mansfield, MA
Re: 2024 APA-MA Awards
Dear Sarah,
Congratulations! The American Planning Association – Massachusetts Chapter (APA-MA) Awards Committee has selected the Town of Medfield to receive the 2024 Community of the Year Award. Thank you for your efforts on this most worthwhile submittal!
This award will be formally presented at the APA-MA Annual Awards & Holiday Luncheon on Friday December 13, 2024, from 12:00 pm-2:00 pm at the Publick House, Sturbridge. As part of this award designation, the APA-MA Chapter is providing two complimentary admissions to the award luncheon. Please register individually (use the Awardee/Guest category) by December 4th as this event is always at capacity.
Again, congratulations and I look forward to seeing you on December 13th.
Sincerely,
Alison LeFlore
Alison LeFlore, AICP
APA-MA President
cc: 2024 APA-MA Awards Committee

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

This was the Town of Medfield submittal:

Medfield State Hospital (MSH): A Decade of Acquisition, Planning, Disposition, and Redevelopment

● Summary of the project’s or planner’s qualification (one-page maximum).
The Town of Medfield has exhibited relentless and exemplary community planning techniques since acquiring the former Medfield State Hospital property from the Commonwealth in 2014, which closed the facility in 2003. With the purchase of MSH, the Town accepted the challenge of re-purposing this scenic, historic National Register-listed former state hospital grounds overlooking the Charles River.

The Town spent four years working on the reuse master plan; an arduous endeavor which is truly paying off! The MSH Strategic Reuse Master Plan was recognized by MA APA (in 2018) and APA STAR (in 2019) because it represented the consensus vision for future land use at the state hospital with an active community core, including the campus chapel and nearby buildings to be converted into an arts and culture center with multi-family residential, senior housing, and commercial uses. The plan calls for preserving public access and open space, preservation of as many of the historic buildings as is feasible, programming and uses that will draw town residents to the site, and limited development of new structures so as not to impact the overall character of the site and the town.

Medfield’s dedication to the implementation of the Plan has been demonstrated in the following ways: passage of the enabling zoning bylaws in 2019, an informal request for information process informing the future town solicitation which received two responses; one highlighting the value of good planning while not offering much money and one offering a lot of money for the demolition of the historic buildings. In deliberating the preferred response and ultimately overwhelmingly supporting the master plan-focused response, community leaders and voters signified a dedication to the values they spent years articulating.

The Town and Trinity Financial continue to work as partners through the two-phased permitting process as having certain approvals assisted the developer in securing financing and other funding to move towards the actual purchase of the property and construction (anticipated to begin in 2025).


● Explanation demonstrating how the project or planner meets the awards criteria as detailed above (three-page maximum).
The overall goal is to develop a comprehensive and coordinated vision for the sustainable redevelopment and reuse of the Medfield State Hospital. The Strategic Reuse Master Plan for Medfield State Hospital was developed to synthesize Medfield’s aspirations and to create a framework to guide future development. The Town sought to optimize three key priorities:

  1. Maintain and enhance the character and values of the Town of Medfield and its residents, including the site’s scenic and natural features, spaces for passive and active recreation, and the site’s cultural, historic, agricultural and architectural significance.
  2. Address Town housing needs, which may include smaller-footprint housing that is affordable for Medfield residents who are downsizing and would like to stay in Medfield, or any housing that brings more diversity into Medfield’s housing stock, in alignment with the Town’s Housing Production Plan.
  3. Achieve reasonable economic and financial impacts on Medfield residents and Town services, assuring that the master plan is in the Town’s economic best interests.

Once completed and generally accepted, the Town pivoted from a planning committee to the MSH Development Committee (MSHDC or DC) with the sole purpose of disposing of the MSH property. The Committee worked with the former MHSMPC, Select Board, and Planning Board to pass the enabling zoning at a special town meeting in the fall of 2019. Simultaneously, the DC drafted a request for information and worked with the five respondents on evaluating the property for a formal RFP process which informed STM voters on the likelihood of a future viable project.
The Town of Medfield released a Request for Proposals for the Medfield State Hospital on April 5, 2021. The Request for Proposals was developed by the Medfield State Hospital Development Committee prior to submission to the Medfield Board of Selectmen. The Town received two proposals, which represented bookends of potential development scenarios. One consisted of demolition and construction of new apartment buildings and the other proposed historic preservation and adherence to the objectives outlined in the master plan. Interviews with both developers were recorded and broadcast via YouTube. The two proposals were evaluated by the Medfield State Hospital Development Committee.
On November 2, 2021, the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to designate the proposal submitted by Trinity Financial of Boston, MA as the most advantageous proposal. The Board of Selectmen further authorized the MSHDC to negotiate a provisional development agreement with Trinity Financial for its review.
On March 22, 20222, the Board of Selectmen voted to name an affiliate of Trinity Financial as the designated developer of the Medfield State Hospital and enter into a Provisional Designation Agreement with Trinity. This designation, which was provisional, kicked off a period of additional due diligence for both parties ahead of a Special Town Meeting in June 2022, when voters considered whether to approve a proposed sale of portions of the hospital campus. During this period of due diligence, Trinity had access to the Medfield State Hospital buildings and grounds for continued evaluation of existing conditions, to conduct environmental assessments and other studies, and to further develop its proposal for the campus. Simultaneously, the MSHDC initiated its next phase of evaluation of the proposal, including an updated analysis of impacts and benefits to the Medfield community. Trinity’s proposal is intended to fund all of the project’s infrastructure costs as part of the construction and according to Trinity’s projections is expected to generate over $700,000 per year in net tax revenues to the Town once it is complete.
The special town meeting (STM) on June 21, 2022 went quickly, and resulted in a virtually unanimous vote to proceed with the Land Disposition Agreement (LDA) with Trinity Financial to build 334 units of rental apartments (25% affordable) in the existing buildings at the former Medfield State Hospital site. The Board of Selectmen and Trinity signed the LDA after the meeting and Trinity began preparing for its permitting process.


● Representation:
✔ Puts MSH on the tax rolls for the first time
o Trinity estimate is ~$700,000 annually (net)
o Town will recover more than the $4.5 million spent to date
o No cash outlay by the Town/taxpayers
✔ Resolves environmental and physical condition of buildings at no cost to Town – and removes liability
✔ Adds housing consistent with Town objectives
o Puts Town over 40B threshold for foreseeable future
✔ Leaves open space open and in Town control
✔ Complementary with proposed Cultural Arts Center
o Contributions toward construction and programming
o Lend development expertise
✔ Generally consistent with 2018 Master Plan
o Specifically attempting to meet Town’s stated goals
✔ Intended to comply with zoning adopted by Special Town Meeting in 2019 by more than 2/3 vote.
o Campus setting
o Historic preservation; building design and massing
o Infrastructure
o Landscaping and improved streetscape

● How has the nominee promoted the cause and advanced the merits of planning?
Nothing exemplifies the merits of planning more than a near-unanimous approval of approximately 700 voters at an open town meeting. Back in 2014, as Medfield’s residents contemplated the question of whether they wanted to acquire the Medfield State Hospital property from the state, the rallying cry in favor of the town buying the property was that the purchase would allow the town to “control its own destiny.”

As evidenced by the MSH Master Planning Committee spending four years soliciting opinions, ideas, and feedback from town residents on what they would like to see the town do with the state hospital property; the results of that comprehensive effort were documented in the award-winning Medfield State Hospital Strategic Reuse Master Plan. At the 2019 Special Town Meeting, the town confirmed its support for the master plan by voting to adopt special zoning requirements to ensure that redevelopment would be consistent with the intentions of the master plan. The town established the MSH Development Committee to move forward with the process of redevelopment per the approved zoning requirements. The committee spent its first year vetting the hospital master plan and zoning requirements with the real estate development community to confirm that they reflected what Medfield’s residents wanted and presented an economically viable opportunity for real estate developers. The result of that investigation confirmed that there was an economically viable opportunity from the development community’s perspective.

With that affirmation in hand. The Development Committee spent two years (with welcome financial help and general advice from the state through Mass Development) putting together a responsibly structured, disciplined, and open process for identifying potential qualified developers; soliciting and evaluating developer proposals; and negotiating a contract with the selected developer, Trinity Acquisitions LLC, to carry out a redevelopment project on the property. Throughout this process, Medfield’s residents have had continuing opportunities to review progress and provide feedback. While it is impossible to give everybody everything they want, town residents recognize the efforts the MSH Development Committee, along with the MSH Master Planning Committee that preceded it, have made to satisfy as many people in town as possible during this process. These committees have done their best to enable the town of Medfield to “control its own destiny.”

Medfield State Hospital has been an integral factor defining the identity and character of Medfield since the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Medfield’s caring town culture largely resulted from the town’s awareness of, and involvement with, the residents of the state hospital over the years it was operating. But that alone doesn’t account for the full significance of the state hospital to the town. Medfield’s agricultural roots can be found at the state hospital, along with its connections to the arts. The redevelopment of the hospital campus, proposed by Trinity, offers the opportunity to maintain connections with all of that by updating those purposes to reflect the needs and uses of Medfield today. Trinity’s proposed project enables us to repurpose the historic resource for new uses that link to past uses. The destiny chosen for Medfield reflects the preferences expressed over the several years since acquiring the hospital property from the state.

● Document support of the project, plan or planner through materials related to public outreach or letter(s) of recommendation.
The public participation and engagement undertaken in the development of the MSH Strategic Reuse Master Plan involved all members of the Medfield community – town government activists, high school students, fiscal hawks, preservationists, cultural advocates, recreation and sports advocates, senior citizens, new residents and old-timers, and residents from all geographic areas of Medfield. The public participation in the MSH Strategic Reuse Master Plan was significantly more robust than most state hospital reuse initiatives.

Thousands of people were involved, using a wide range of engagement formats, from social media, its website, surveys, walking tours, meetings, community workshops, open houses, and participation in the annual Medfield Day events. During the three-and-a-half-year planning period, the MSHMPC hosted an informational website (www.mshvision.net, subsequently migrated to the Town’s website), the primary information portal for all things Medfield State Hospital.

The MSHDC implemented the following suite of public engagement techniques in during the solicitation and disposition process: dedicated webpage containing information on and links to the 6 public forums with presentations; due diligence and peer reviews covering: fiscal impact analysis, Traffic Report, Market Study, Utilities & Infrastructure, Environmental Assessment, Hazardous Materials Report, Regulatory Compliance, and Peregrine Group’s review of financial documentation related to Trinity Financial; 11 MSH Redevelopment Newsletters focusing on The Disposition Process, Selling & Keeping, Historic Preservation, Trinity’s Proposal, MSH Q&A, Due Diligence Reports, Save the Date & More Q&A, Trinity Due Diligence Q&A, Water & Sewer, Traffic, Schools, and Fiscal Impact, A Letter from the Chair of our Board of Selectmen; Planning Board approval process phase I for site plan approval and inclusionary zoning special permit (2023), Planning Board approval process phase II for stormwater permitting, submittal of final site plan documents (landscaping, lighting, master signage, etc), and subdivision of land (anticipated 2024-2025)

● 1-3 photos (.jpg format) representative of the project or plan, with an individual file size of no more than 1 Megabytes.

● Additional supporting documentation
○ Photo repository https://drive.google.com/file/d/1klfsP2dK94XoW0Tor7f1Pf8Tz_cFriNA/view?usp=drive_link
○ Medfield State Hospital webpage
■ https://www.town.medfield.net/1959/Medfield-State-Hospital
○ Land Disposition Agreement between Town and State (2014)
■ https://www.town.medfield.net/DocumentCenter/View/3354/Land-Disposition-Agreement-with-Exhibits-PDF
○ MSH Strategic Reuse Master Plan (2018) Executive Summary
■ http://ma-medfield.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/1882/MSH-Master-Plan-Executive-Summary-08-20-18-PDF
○ MSH Strategic Reuse Master Plan (2018) Full Document
■ http://ma-medfield.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/1879/MSH-Strategic-Reuse-Master-Plan-08-18-18-PDF
○ MSHMPC Newsletters
■ https://us3.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=969913ab9f145eb34dd576afd&id=a5f053b613
○ Zoning Amendment
■ https://ecode360.com/36301159
○ Request for Proposals
■ https://www.town.medfield.net/2003/Medfield-State-Hospital-RFP
○ RFP Responses
■ https://www.town.medfield.net/2004/Redevelopment-Proposals
○ Trinity Financial Interview
■ https://youtu.be/bO6V-9hHCl0?t=70
○ Pulte Homes Interview
■ https://youtu.be/RnvysufHLdE
○ Provisional Designation Agreement with Trinity
■ https://www.town.medfield.net/DocumentCenter/View/6113/Medfield-Trinity-Fully-Executed-PDA
○ Land Disposition Agreement
■ https://www.town.medfield.net/DocumentCenter/View/6229/Medfield-Trinity-LDA?bidId=
○ MSHDC Newsletters
■ The Disposition Process: http://eepurl.com/h0irdz
■ Selling & Keeping: http://eepurl.com/h0GC3f
■ Historic Preservation: http://eepurl.com/h1mHe9
■ Trinity’s Proposal: http://eepurl.com/h116IP
■ MSH Q&A: http://eepurl.com/h2Ab9z
■ Due Diligence Reports: http://eepurl.com/h28etT
■ Save the Date & More Q&A: http://eepurl.com/h3DS3j
■ Trinity Due Diligence Q&A: http://eepurl.com/h3_oxr
■ Water & Sewer: http://eepurl.com/h4v_AX
■ Traffic, Schools, and Fiscal Impact: https://mailchi.mp/be8fcec952c9/msh-redevelopment-news-5228596?e=1860c08e0f
○ Planning Board Decision (Phase I)
■ https://www.town.medfield.net/DocumentCenter/View/7144/Trinity—SP-SPA-23-01-re-MSH-Decision-pdf
○ National Park Service National Register of Historic Places
■ https://www.nps.gov/places/medfield-state-hospital.htm
○ MAPC Medfield State Hospital Creative Placemaking Project
■ https://www.mapc.org/resource-library/medfield-creative-placemaking/
○ The Patch, December 3, 2014 Town of Medfield Now Owns the Medfield State Hospital
■ https://patch.com/massachusetts/medfield/town-medfield-now-owns-medfield-state-hospital-0
○ The Patch, April 3, 2016 Medfield State Hospital Property usage…
■ https://patch.com/massachusetts/medfield/medfield-state-hospital-property-usage-0
○ The Patch, August 23, 2018 The Medfield State Hospital MASTER PLAN is Here!!
■ https://patch.com/massachusetts/medfield/medfield-state-hospital-master-plan-here
○ The Patch, October 29, 2019 Medfield State Hospital: Balancing Costs and Benefits
■ https://patch.com/massachusetts/medfield/medfield-state-hospital-balancing-costs-benefits
○ The Patch, November 7, 2019 Medfield State Hospital – Rezoning – What and Why?
■ https://patch.com/massachusetts/medfield/medfield-state-hospital-rezoning-what-why
○ The Patch, January 6, 2022 Proposed Medfield State Hospital Redevelopment Advances
■ https://patch.com/massachusetts/medfield/proposed-medfield-state-hospital-redevelopment-advances
○ The Patch, March 30, 2022 Designated Developer Selected For Medfield State Hospital
■ https://patch.com/massachusetts/medfield/designated-developer-selected-medfield-state-hospital

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Morning meeting with CRWA, State Rep candidate, & our MSH expert

Posted on August 26, 2024 | Comments Off on Morning meeting with CRWA, State Rep candidate, & our MSH expert

Copied from Emily Norton’s LinkedIn post. Thank you Blue Moon Bagel Café for hosting us and letting me safely roll on –

Emily NortonEmily Norton (She/Her) • 1st (She/Her) • 1stExecutive Director at Charles River Watershed AssociationExecutive Director at Charles River Watershed Association39m • Edited • 39 minutes ago

Was great to meet up at Blue Moon Bagel Cafe in Medfield this morning with local leaders Select Board member Osler “Pete” Peterson, community leader Bill Massaro*, and former Norfolk Select Board member Kevin Kalkut. Bill has been holding the state’s feet to the fire on the Medfield State Hospital project, which entailed cleanup of a very contaminated site, and fingers crossed, it will soon be transformed into hundreds of units of housing in historic buildings, but in the meantime it’s a lovely trail next to the Charles River, I highly recommend it. We also talked stormwater, dams, and flooding. Decisions made at the local level are vital when it comes to a cleaner Charles River, and protecting our communities from impacts of climate change such as flooding and heat!

*Bill is kind of a big deal: https://lnkd.in/eJZ8-RBw

Image preview

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A fringe tree blooms at the MSH

Posted on May 27, 2024 | Comments Off on A fringe tree blooms at the MSH

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Posted in Medfield State Hospital

New Life/Soles of Medfield 5k/10K race on 5/11

Posted on April 16, 2024 | Comments Off on New Life/Soles of Medfield 5k/10K race on 5/11

From Tod Dimmick –  

New Life/ Soles of Medfield 5k/10K road race hits the road on May 11th  

The Soles of Medfield 10K and the New Life 5K Trail Run are uniting! The New Life/ Soles of Medfield 5k/10k and Kids Fun Run will take place on Saturday, May 11th  on the Medfield State Hospital grounds.  

Against the backdrop of the iconic Medfield State Hospital, participants of all abilities – from seasoned runners to casual walkers – can enjoy a fun day out on routes that wind through the beautiful Charles River Reservation, the Rail Trail, and surrounding neighborhoods. Not a runner? No worries! Join us to soak in the vibrant atmosphere, enhanced by entertainment from Bellforge Arts Center. Whether you crave the challenge of a 10K race, a friendly 5K, or cheering from the sidelines, this event promises something special for everyone.

Registration is open at https://newlifefb.org/race/. An “early bird” discount of $30 for the New Life 5k Trail Run, and $40 for the Soles of Medfield 10k is available until April 29; after that registration online and race day registration will be $35 for the 5k and $45 for the 10k. On-site Kids Fun Run registration will be $5. On-site registration opens at 7:30 am on race day. Children ages 4-10 are invited to join us for the Kids Fun Run at 9:00 am, with the 5k and 10k starting at 9:30 am. Live music will follow the race. The sooner you register, the more likely it will be that you will receive a t-shirt on race day.  

“Last year, New Life served over 700 households, and the demand for our services is greater than ever,” said Rich Purnell, New Life Executive Director. “This event is a fun and effective way to help us empower the individuals and families we serve with the means to furnish their homes.” 

“Soles of Medfield is excited to collaborate with New Life to bring the New Life 5k Trail Run and the Soles 10k race together,” said Adam Graber of Soles of Medfield. “This is a community building event with an important purpose. Whether you are a runner, a walker, or just want to join the scene and enjoy some music, come be part of the fun.” 

The New Life/ Soles of Medfield 5k/10K benefits New Life Furniture Bank of MA and its mission to provide gently used household furnishings to individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness. The  Medfield-based non-profit organization operates a Walpole Donation Center and serves the MetroWest and Greater Boston area. New Life provides a meaningful option for folks who are downsizing, renovating or disposing of a loved one’s property. In addition, 10% of funds raised support the Medfield Pedestrian, Runner, and Cyclist Safety Fund.

Those interested in being a sponsor, volunteering, donating home furnishings, or making a financial contribution are encouraged to visit www.newlifefb.org.  

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

MBTA Communities Act Zoning guest post by Chris Potts

Posted on March 27, 2024 | Comments Off on MBTA Communities Act Zoning guest post by Chris Potts

Guest post by Chris Potts, shared from her Medfield Insider –

Click here to see the better formatted version that Chris did, which does not look as good here    


Special Edition – March 26, 2024IMPORTANT UPCOMING PUBLIC HEARINGS



There’s a lot to digest with the MBTA Communities Zoning article coming up for a vote at this year’s Town Meeting on Monday, May 6 at 7 p.m. in the Medfield High School gym.
Here are two chances to learn more, ask questions, and become better informed far in advance of the meeting:

Public hearings via Zoom

1. Thursday, March 28 (6:30 p.m. bylaw review, 7:30 p.m. public hearing)

2. Monday, April 1 (7:30 p.m.)

(Do you plan to attend? Would an in-person information session before Town Meeting be helpful? Your feedback here will be relayed to town officials.Questions can also be directed to Maria De La Fuente, Director of Land Use and Planning; phone 508-906-3027).

Three quick takeaways
MBTA Communities Act only requires special zoning to be created — there is no town mandate to build housing.

Towns retain a certain amount of control over what gets built and where under MBTA Communities Zoning, and no land is taken against an owner’s will because of the law.
Towns become ineligible for state funds due to failure to enact MBTA Communities Zoning by their deadline (Dec. 31, 2024 for Medfield).

Much is at stake with MSH
As noted by Abby Goldenfarb, VP at Trinity Financial, the firm charged with redeveloping the former Medfield State Hospital (MSH) site, “It is imperative that the Town prioritizes compliance with the state housing law requirements imposed by the MBTA Communities Act.” 

In a recent letter to the Select Board, Goldenfarb explained that if a successful town meeting vote is not achieved — as mandated by law — the town will no longer be eligible for the millions of dollars of state grants on which Trinity depends for creation of MSH infrastructure and other redevelopment needs.

Town officials have acknowledged that the new law has created unique challenges for Medfield – a town that has been diligently increasing affordable housing, and created the MSH redevelopment master plan to help achieve its objectives. It has taken more than 10 years for the MSH vision to come to fruition.

“We realize there has been some frustration with the mandate, but the upcoming vote is not the time for any of us to be tilting windmills. For Medfield especially, so much of our state hospital progress is on the line if we do not comply with the new law,” said Select Board member Gus Murby at a recent forum. “Thanks to the work of the Planning Board, we have a solid path forward that will allow us to adhere to the mandate, while still respecting the character of our town.”



A short explanation
The word “zoning” can often make eyes glaze over, but it simply means establishing a set of rules for how land is used, regulating the structures that go on it, and guiding development decisions.

Massachusetts cities and towns have been given the authority to adopt their own ordinances and bylaws. However, in the case of MBTA Communities Zoning, the state is mandating that Medfield and many other Commonwealth communities enact specific multi-family housing zoning by right based on proximity to MBTA transit services.

Medfield has been deemed an “adjacent town” because of its proximity to the Walpole and Norfolk MBTA Commuter Rail.

No mandate to build
As stressed by town officials, the MBTA Zoning law in no way requires that multi-family housing must be built – only that the town rules and regulations (via zoning bylaws) must permit the development plans.
However, unlike the 40B law, the MBTA Communities Act gives towns and cities more flexibility to establish certain parameters and exclusions, which could involve protection of wetlands, historic structures and conservation land.



Arriving at a proposal
Based on Medfield’s “Adjacent Community” status, the state is requiring the town to create zoning that would allow for a total of 50 acres providing a minimum capacity of 750 multi-family units (once again, this refers to zoning only — there is no actual requirement for the units to be built). 

The total unit quota can be reached a variety of ways. For example, no town or city is expected to create one site that can house all of the required units – the state allows multiple districts to be created, as long as certain requirements are met for density, size and contiguity.
After the Medfield Planning Board analyzed all of the variables, allowances, and restrictions underlying the law and took into consideration public feedback, it settled on three town areas (“districts”) to propose for MBTA Zoning compliance at Town Meeting:

The PARC
Medfield Gardens (with Olde Village Square)
Core downtown

With substantial amounts of multi-family housing already located in the districts identified for rezoning, town planners have been able to minimize potential negative impacts of new construction that may be pursued down the road as a result of the MBTA Communities law.
(Pictured: 71 North St., a relatively new multi-housing development with eight units in the core downtown district.)

The path forward
Developing the MBTA Zoning proposal for the town has taken substantial time and effort, and has benefited from the guidance of independent consultants. Multiple officials have recently stated they believe the Town Meeting proposal is the best possible path forward for Medfield to adhere to the mandate.

“We encourage Medfield community members to attend an upcoming hearing and review as much information as possible beforehand, so that questions and concerns can be addressed far in advance of Town Meeting,” said Town Administrator Kristine Treirweiler.

Frequently Asked QuestionsTown Website
Medfield Insider | 7 Curve St., Medfield, MA 02052Unsubscribe christine.mccue@verizon.netUpdate Profile | Constant Contact Data NoticeSent by editor@medfieldinsider.ccsend.com powered byTry email marketing for free today!

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Posted in Development, Downtown, Medfield State Hospital, Zoning

NLFB’s 6th annual 5k Trail Run and Kids Fun Run – 5/13

Posted on March 27, 2023 | Comments Off on NLFB’s 6th annual 5k Trail Run and Kids Fun Run – 5/13

From Tod Dimmick –

The 6th New Life 5k Trail Run hits the trails on May 13th  

New Life Furniture Bank is excited to host its 6th annual 5k Trail Run and Kids Fun Run, on Saturday, May 13th on the Medfield State Hospital grounds (at Hospital Rd. & Service Dr., Medfield, MA). The route winds through the beautiful Charles River Reservation, and the event is open to runners, walkers and everyone in between. Bellforge Arts Center will host a live DJ, food trucks, and fitness activities. 

Trail Run registration is open at newlifefb.org/5ktrailrun. An “early bird” discount  of $25 is available until April 29; after that registration will be $30 until May 11; and $35 on race day. On-site Kids Fun Run registration will be $5. There is a $5 group discount for teams of four or more when the registrations are made at the same time.  On-site registration opens at 9:00 am on race day. Children ages 4-10 are invited to join us for the Kids Fun Run at 10:00 am, and the Trail Run starts at 10:30 am, with live music to follow. The first 250 people to register will receive a t-shirt on race day.  

The Trail Run benefits New Life Furniture Bank of MA and its mission to provide gently used household furnishings to individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness.

The  Medfield-based non-profit organization operates a Walpole Donation Center and serves the MetroWest and Greater Boston area. New Life provides a meaningful option for folks who are downsizing, renovating or disposing of a loved one’s property.  

“Last year, New Life served over 700 households and the demand for our services is greater than ever,” noted Rich Purnell, Executive Director of New Life. “The Trail Run is a fun and effective way to make a difference for the individuals and families we serve as we empower them with the means to furnish their homes.” Over the years, the Trail Run has become a community-building event and New Life is grateful to Bellforge for collaborating to enhance the race atmosphere.  

Those interested in being a sponsor, volunteering, donating home furnishings, or making a financial contribution are encouraged to visit www.newlifefb.org.  

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Posted in Bellforge Arts Center, Charity, Children, Entertainment, Events, Medfield State Hospital, Teens, Trails

Trinity Financial’s submission to Planning Board for 3/6 hearing

Posted on March 4, 2023 | Comments Off on Trinity Financial’s submission to Planning Board for 3/6 hearing

From: Sarah Raposa <sraposa@medfield.net>
Date: March 3, 2023 at 4:26:17 PM EST
To: Lisa Mead
Subject: Trinity Submission Updates for Monday



BCC to PB and FYI to others – Please see HERE for Trinity’s latest submission for Monday’s Planning Board meeting. I hope you find the cover letter with matrix helpful. The information is also being posted on the Planning Board’s webpage and shared with the Longmeadow/Evergreen folks. 

Here is the link for Monday’s meeting (7:30 pm): Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device:
    Please click this URL to join. https://medfield-net.zoom.us/j/88330845134?pwd=YWY5c1BKVGtsTlI4akxacTMrZzA2Zz09
    Passcode: 291696

Or One tap mobile:
+16469313860,,88330845134#,,,,*291696# US
+19294362866,,88330845134#,,,,*291696# US (New York)

Or join by phone:
    Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
        US: +1 646 931 3860

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Posted in Medfield State Hospital, Permitting, Planning

CultureFest at Bellforge Arts Center 10/8, 10-3

Posted on September 26, 2022 | Comments Off on CultureFest at Bellforge Arts Center 10/8, 10-3

From Lauren Zembron –

The Gund Kwok Asian Women’s Lion Dance will feature a dance performance, during which the
lion will “eat” a head of lettuce (representing money) and two oranges (representing gold). The
lettuce and oranges will then be tossed back into the audience to symbolize sharing of good
fortune and luck. There will also be a costume try-on session for children following the
performance.

Next up will be Kurt Jackson, a beloved Medfield teacher, artist, and children’s storyteller, who
will be sharing his energetic and engaging storytelling with the audience.

Following Kurt will be Sista Dee, a Caribbean Steel Pan Artist. Originally from Trinidad and
Tobago, Sista Dee is known for her steel pan playing & vocal style. She performs all around the
world.

After Sista Dee, there will be an African Dance Workshop with Simdaca African Dance
Academy. Simdaca focuses on expression through authentic Authentic Urban, Traditional
Western & Central African Dances, and Afro-Contemporary Dance. Both adults and kids are
welcome to join the dance workshop!

Comelia Latin Jazz Band will be on stage next. This ensemble band features instrumental jazz
standards performed with Latin rhythms.

Given that CultureFest is the Saturday prior to Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we are especially
excited about and thankful to be welcoming The Nettukkusqk Singers to the performer lineup.
Comprised of women from both the Wampanoag and Nipmuc Tribes, this group performs
traditional and contemporary songs accompanied by hand drums, rattles, and water drums. In
the Natick dialect of Algonquin, “nettukkusqk” means “my sister”.

The last performance of the day will be the Turkish string ensemble, Bengisu Gokce Trio, joined
by the Boston Music Project. The Boston Music Project is comprised of teaching artists and
Boston Public School students. It is of interesting note that composer, Lowell Mason, was born
in Medfield and is widely considered to be the “father of public music education in America”. The
addition of music into the standard school curriculum was largely due to efforts Mason made in
Boston in the mid-19th century. Thus, it is fitting to have Boston Public School students
performing in the birthplace of Lowell Mason.

All are welcome to attend this fun day out and join in celebrating and learning about the
customs, traditions, artwork, music, and food of diverse people within and around Medfield. In
addition to the musical and dance performances, there will be kids’ activities, arts & crafts
vendors, and food purveyors. CultureFest runs from 10 am to 3 pm on October 8th at Bellforge
Arts Center, located at 45 Hospital Road (https://bellforge.org/getting-here/). Rain date is
October 9th. There is plenty of free parking and visitors are encouraged to bring blankets or
lawn chairs to enjoy the festival.

We hope to see you there!

CultureFest Performers


(Medfield, MA): Medfield Together and Bellforge Arts Center are excited to share the performer
lineup and schedule for CultureFest, a multicultural festival held on October 8th at Bellforge Arts
Center. The performance schedule will be as follows:

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Posted in Bellforge Arts Center, Cultural, Events, Medfield State Hospital

“CELEBRATE WOMEN” concert at Bellforge Arts Center 9/30

Posted on September 13, 2022 | Comments Off on “CELEBRATE WOMEN” concert at Bellforge Arts Center 9/30

From Stacey David, Director of Marketing & Communications, Bellforge Arts Center

BELLFORGE ARTS CENTER ANNOUNCES “CELEBRATE WOMEN” CONCERT

(Medfield, MA): The Bellforge Arts Center and the Blackstone Valley String Quartet are pleased to bring you “Celebrate Women,” a concert celebrating notable female songwriters and composers, both modern and historical. From Taylor Swift to Madeline Sirmen, hear the works of fabulous female musicians as you enjoy this outdoor concert at Bellforge on Friday, Sept. 30 at 5:30 pm. Tickets are $19 and can be purchased at https://bit.ly/BellforgeCelebrateWomen. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket and a picnic dinner to enjoy this outdoor concert.

Celebrate Women is one of many concerts, festivals, and events organized by Bellforge for the summer. For more information about the Bellforge Arts Center, including a schedule of upcoming programs and events, please visit www.bellforge.org. For more information about the Blackstone Valley String Quartet, please visit www.blackstonevalleyquartet.com.

# # #

The Bellforge Arts Center is a new multi-arts complex being built on the grounds of the former Medfield State Hospital to support artists, expand cultural opportunities, and nurture the creative community. Bellforge currently offers outdoor concerts, festivals, and community events, along with over 200 miles of nature trails and outdoor recreation space. Once fully renovated, the center will also offer visual and performing arts studios, arts education, a 300-seat performance venue, and more.

The Blackstone Valley String Quartet’s mission is to bring quality music to the community in the Blackstone Valley area and beyond. They provide community concerts, perform for local community events, volunteer time for community projects and provide event services. The BVQ is committed to the goal of providing quality musical experiences for all areas of community life.

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Posted in Bellforge Arts Center, Medfield State Hospital, Music

Dance Festival at Bellforge Arts Center 9/11

Posted on August 26, 2022 | Comments Off on Dance Festival at Bellforge Arts Center 9/11

From Stacey David, Director of Marketing & Communications, Bellforge Arts Center –

BELLFORGE ARTS CENTER ANNOUNCES FALL DANCE FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

(Medfield, MA): The Bellforge Arts Center announced today the schedule for their fall Dance Festival on Sunday, Sept. 11, from noon to 5:00 pm. This free event will showcase performances by professional companies, plus interactive workshops in a variety of dance forms and booths hosted by area studios, companies, and dancewear suppliers with information on classes, performances, and more. The family-friendly event is open to all. The schedule includes:

12:00-12:45: BoSoma Dance Company performance (contemporary)

12:45-1:00: Irish step workshop with BoSoma

1:00-1:45: African fusion workshop with Simdaca

1:45-2:15: Festival Ballet Providence performance (classical ballet)

2:15-3:00: Choreographer and dancer Dr. Shriya Srinivasan, founder of of Anubhava Dance Company, and Triveni School of Dance performances (Indian classical dance)

3:00-3:30: Ballroom dance workshop with 2x U.S. National Ballroom Showdance Champion Mariko Cantley

3:30-4:00: Hawaiian hula workshop with Etnia Fusion

4:00-4:30: Pantos Project Dance performance (contemporary)

4:30-5:00: Hip hop workshop with Mass Motion Dance

The Bellforge Dance Festival is sponsored in part by Pantos Project.

A variety of food options will be available for purchase during the afternoon. For more information, or to apply for booth space if you are a dance studio, company, or dance-related retail shop, visit bit.ly/BellforgeDance. The festival’s rain date is Sept. 10. For directions and parking information, please visit bellforge.org/getting-here.

The Bellforge Dance Festival is one of many free concerts, festivals, and events organized by Bellforge for the summer. Attendees are invited to bring a blanket or lawn chair to enjoy this outdoor event. For more information about the Bellforge Arts Center, including a schedule of upcoming programs and events, please visit www.bellforge.org.

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Posted in Bellforge Arts Center, Cultural, Medfield State Hospital