From Fritz Fleischmann of the Green Sanctuary Committee at First Parish –

Dear Members of the Select Board,

This is Fritz Fleischmann, a resident of Medfield. I am writing to ask for the Select Board’s continuing support of an initiative the Board endorsed unanimously in 2015.

Ten years ago, the Green Sanctuary Committee at First Parish started a campaign to educate Medfield residents about the State’s anti-idling statute and to encourage them to stop unnecessary idling of their cars. This campaign was co-sponsored by the Medfield Police Department, the School Committee, the Board of Health, as well as civic organizations, and it was endorsed by the (then) Board of Selectmen, who authorized the installation of anti-idling signs in front of public buildings – you will have seen some of these around town.

Today, while the Commonwealth experiences an increase in childhood asthma and the climate crisis has worsened, there is ample evidence that most citizens are still unaware of the statute and the many reasons for it. However, environmental consciousness has also increased: the network of Sustainable Medfield currently includes over two dozen affiliated organizations and groups. And it is with the support of Sustainable Medfield that we are now resurrecting our original campaign, further supported by the Police Department and the Board of Health. Our shared goal is not to penalize but to educate the public.

Importantly, this time around we are working in partnership with the schools. Experience in other towns shows that young people can have significant influence over their parents – persuading them to stop idling, for instance, while waiting in line to pick them up. Our initiative can also provide learning opportunities for students, generate project ideas, and strengthen community. With the beginning of the new school year, Superintendent Dr. Marsden and the principals will inform parents about the Massachusetts statute and ask them not to idle their engines outside a school building. Sustainable Medfield has chosen this anti-idling initiative as the “Action of the Quarter” for the fall.

In 2015, we created a flyer for distribution around town (see attached), and we are currently updating it for today’s use. As part of this effort, we are asking everyone who endorsed us ten years ago to affirm their endorsement for this renewed initiative. With this letter we ask you, the members of the Select Board, to give us your formal endorsement again.

Thank for your attention, and for all your hard work in service to the residents of Medfield.

Fritz Fleischmann