Congressman Jake Auchincloss was at the Blake Middle School Tuesday doing an impressive job teaching and fielding questions from an auditorium full of kids, and the kids questions were notable. Jake commented afterwards that their questions were better than he gets from high schoolers. Asked about his regrets, Jake suggested to focus on challenges not pursued.
I updated Jake on the town progress to use his Federal earmark monies he secured to upgrade the sidewalks on Pleasant Street, Federal monies he cautioned before the administration might seek to claw back.
Posted onMay 13, 2026|Comments Off on Town “Flips the Switch” On Memorial Solar Array
This past Monday the Medfield Energy Committee and the Schools flipped the switch to officially make the solar array at the Memorial School operational. Thank you to both for making it a reality.
The Medfield Energy Committee plans more solar arrays for more school roofs as new roofs are installed and to follow up on a canopy solar array in the Medfield High School parking lot.
Chris Gordon of the Medfield Energy Committee
Town official jointly flip the switch.
FROM THE PATCH
This project represents a significant step forward in the Town’s commitment to renewable energy and long-term fiscal responsibility.
Memorial School Students at “Flip the Switch” Solar Installation (Courtesy Image)
Town of Medfield “Flips the Switch” on New Solar Installation at Memorial Elementary School
374 kW project marks a major milestone in Town’s Net Zero 2050 Climate Action Plan
Medfield, MA – On May 11, the Town of Medfield hosted a “Flip the Switch” ceremony at the Memorial Elementary School to celebrate the completion of a new 374.40 kW solar array. This project represents a significant step forward in the Town’s commitment to renewable energy and long-term fiscal responsibility.
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The celebration brought together town leadership, project partners, educators, students, and community members on a beautiful sunny morning to mark the milestone. Speakers included Dr. Jeffrey J. Marsden, Ed.D., Superintendent of Medfield Public Schools; Eileen Murphy of the Board of Selectmen; Christopher Gordon of the Medfield Energy Committee; Penni Conner of Eversource; and Byron Woodman of Solect Energy. The event featured a ceremonial ribbon cutting, followed by a special “Flip the Switch” to commemorate the recent activation of the project. Residents, parents, and attendees joined the celebration, along with two first-grade classes from Memorial Elementary School.
Students created handmade posters for the event; one class designed colorful “Flip the Switch” signs, while another learned about renewable energy and created step-by-step posters explaining how solar power works. Adding to the excitement, the new solar array generated enough electricity this past April to fully power Memorial Elementary School for the month, with excess energy benefiting the town through carbon credit savings on municipal energy bills.
“The solar canopy is a great accomplishment for the town that will help secure our environmental and fiscal health for long after these children at Memorial walk through the halls of Medfield High School for graduation,” said Christopher Gordon, Member of the Medfield Energy Committee.
The Memorial Elementary installation is the latest and largest addition to Medfield’s solar portfolio, joining two existing operational sites: the Department of Public Works (DPW) building (216.50 kW) and the Thomas Blake Middle School (122.88 kW). Together, these projects demonstrate Medfield’s proactive approach to reducing its carbon footprint and energy costs through strategic infrastructure investments.
“We are implementing solar to help save the town money, reduce energy usage, and lower our carbon footprint, so this is truly a win-win-win all the way around,” said Penni Conner of Eversource. “This particular installation alone will save the town over half a million dollars over 25 years.”
The project was developed and installed by Solect Energy through the PowerOptions Solar & Storage Program. By leveraging this partnership, the Town was able to utilize pre-negotiated contracts and a power purchase agreement (PPA), ensuring a seamless development process without the burden of upfront capital costs.
“PowerOptions exists to make clean energy projects affordable and achievable – and Medfield’s new solar canopy is exactly what that looks like in practice,” said Walter Gray, Program Director at PowerOptions. “Our group procurement program opened the door with competitive pricing and a streamlined process, but it was Medfield’s determined leadership that carried this across the finish line. This solar canopy is more than an energy asset; it’s a lasting symbol of what a committed community can accomplish – and an inspiration to students and residents for decades to come. PowerOptions is proud to have helped make this happen.”
The expansion of on-site solar generation aligns directly with the Town of Medfield Climate Action Plan (TOMCAP). Following the 2021 resident vote to support a Net Zero 2050 goal, the Town has prioritized strategies identified in its Townwide Masterplan and Municipal Vulnerability Plan to transition toward a cleaner, more resilient energy future.
“The installation of solar canopies requires a strong collaboration between multiple parties, and we’re incredibly grateful for the teamwork and partnership of the Town of Medfield, the School District, Eversource and Solect to successfully complete the solar canopy,” said Byron Woodman, Senior Business Development Manager at Solect Energy. “We look forward to continuing to support Medfield as they expand their sustainability and solar initiatives and deliver long-term savings to the community.”
With the Memorial Elementary system now fully operational, the Town of Medfield continues to set a regional standard for municipal sustainability, turning climate goals into tangible results for the community and its students.
About the Town of Medfield
The Town of Medfield is committed to a sustainable future, guided by its Net Zero 2050 climate goal and the Town of Medfield Climate Action Plan (TOMCAP). Through the leadership of the Energy Committee and collaboration across town departments, Medfield continues to implement green initiatives, including large-scale solar and energy efficiency upgrades, to protect the environment and enhance the quality of life for all residents.
About Solect Energy
Solect Energy is a leading provider of solar and energy storage solutions for businesses, schools, cities, towns, and nonprofits in the Northeast, with 900+ installed projects totaling 185+ MW. Headquartered in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, Solect is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pattern Energy Group. Visit us at: solect.com.
Media Contact: Elaine Vescio, Senior Marketing Manager at Solect Energy, evescio@solect.com or 508-612-3000
About PowerOptions
PowerOptions is New England’s largest energy-buying consortium for nonprofits and the public sector, with more than 800 members across Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine and Rhode Island. A nonprofit serving other nonprofits since 1998, PowerOptions’ solar program has completed over 300 projects totaling 120+ megawatts. Learn more at poweroptions.org.
Comments Off on Town “Flips the Switch” On Memorial Solar Array
Overhead image of the Solar Canopy at Memorial School (Courtesy image )
Flip the Switch Event To Celebrate New Solar Canopy At Memorial School
The Town of Medfield will hold a “Flip the Switch” celebration on Monday, May 11, at 10 a.m. in the north parking lot of Memorial School to mark the official launch of the new solar canopy installation.
Medfield School Superintendent Jeff Marsden, Director of Finance and Operations Michael LaFrancesca and Memorial Principal Missy Bilsborough will be attending the event and brief remarks will be made from several speakers. Other Town Administration officials and members of the Select Board have also been invited. Memorial School students will also participate in the ceremony. Members of the Medfield community are also invited to attend as the Town celebrates a major step toward clean, cost-saving renewable energy.
The Medfield Memorial Elementary School solar canopy system has a capacity of 374.4 kW DC.
The project was completed in partnership with Solect Energy, a nonresidential solar and energy storage developer and integrator serving the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Hopkinton, the company provides services including design, development, installation, financing, and ongoing operations and maintenance.
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Stephen Callahan, Chair of the Warrant Committee, shared the following slides on how the Warrant Committee reached its decision of the override it is supporting. Steve and the Warrant Committee have been working diligently despite difficult parameters. –
Reading to Mrs. Gutierrez’ 4th graders this week, in the jester hat the students chose for me –
Email from Leah Beaudoin, Library Media Specialist, Dale Street School –
Thank you so much for volunteering to read at Dale Street School this week. You made Read Across America week incredibly special and memorable for our students. Students in Mrs. G’s class loved getting to know you and appreciated your willingness to donate your time to them. They also shared how much they enjoyed listening to the book you read, thank you for giving them time to just sit and listen to a good book.
We strive to teach our students the importance of being a strong community member. In a short 20 minute block you showed our students what it means to be an active community member in Medfield. This town is a special place because of you and the example you set for our students.
Posted onDecember 30, 2025|Comments Off on Republished on the day of John Harney’s funeral
The Medfield Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award bestowed on John Harney in 2012 is republished here on the day of John’s funeral. Whereas that award was about John’s civic engagement in Medfield, his funeral was about the man and his family that fortunately shared our hometown since 1965.
John Harney – Lifetime Achievement Award — Medfield civic and community leadership
John Harney is a 47-year resident of Medfield, and was nominated for the Lifetime Achievement award by Medfield resident and retired Medfield High School teacher Richard DeSorgher, who described Harney as “a shining example of the role of a citizen in society. Democracy is not a spectator sport, and without the John Harneys of this world, our government could not exist.”
Harney’s role as a Medfield civic leader began in 1978 as an elected member of the School Committee. From there, Harney served as a Medfield Selectman, joined a number of committees and boards involved with the Medfield State Hospital site, was a 14-year member of the town’s Economic Development Committee, and involved in Collective Bargaining Teams and the Solid Waste Committee.
DeSorgher noted that as selectman, Harney led the drive to save the Dwight-Derby House, and he also fought for the preservation of open space in Medfield.
“John led the drive at Town Meeting to purchase several parcels of land here in Medfield, including the Wheelock property, the Plain Street/Community Gardens land, and the Cronin/Wight Street property. He also fought hard to obtain the Route 27/Plain Street open space that was defeated at Town Meeting,” said DeSorgher.
DeSorgher noted, “Whether in my classroom, the newspapers, in the community, or at public meetings, John Harney can be seen making democracy work. John speaks out on issues, popular or not, because he believes his cause is right and just. The result of John’s volunteer and civic service is a better town of Medfield for all of our almost 13,000 residents.”
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The Warrant Committee’s joint budget workshop with the Select Board and School Committee last night was ended by this tree on the wires along Main Street that turned off the electricity to the Medfield High School library, putting the meeting into darkness – the MHS’s emergency generator failed to come on. The meeting proceeded in the dimness for a short time illuminated only by the light from the computer screens and cell phones, and apparently was still being broadcast on backup power.
The workshop discussion will be re-scheduled and the discussions will continue.
Issue = only an additional 1.2% budget monies are available for spending increases for FY27, so even level funding is not possible. Plus large capital expenses required:
$120 m. required to repair town buildings over the next 20 years.
$100 m. required in next 5 years for priority building repairs – roofs and building envelopes.
Someone in Medfield has complained about the MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey to a national media outlet and several other national media outlets have picked up the story.
My statement is posted on our website and below:
Statement from Jeffrey J. Marsden, Ed.D.
Superintendent, Medfield Public Schools
November 5, 2025
Several out-of-state media outlets have reported recently on the Medfield Public Schools participation in the MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey, administered by EDC, and some of the coverage contains misleading and/or inaccurate information. Superintendent Marsden issued the following statement to clarify the facts with the media outlets, as well as with Medfield families and staff.
The Medfield Public Schools has participated in the MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey since 2006. This survey is administered every two years to more than 40,000 students in grades 6–12 across 25 school districts in the MetroWest region of Massachusetts. Parents are provided the opportunity to review the survey in advance and may opt their child out if they choose.
This tool provides districts with critical data about the needs, attitudes, and behaviors of our adolescent students, so that we can effectively plan programming, determine staffing needs, pursue grant funding, and ensure we are providing appropriate support for students.
Comments Off on Superintendent Responds to Complaints about MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey
I started this blog to share the interesting and useful information that I saw while doing my job as a Medfield select board member. I thought that my fellow Medfield residents would also find that information interesting and useful as well. This blog is my effort to assist in creating a system to push the information out from the Town House to residents. Let me know if you have any thoughts on how it can be done better.
For information on my other job as an attorney (personal injury, civil litigation, estate planning and administration, and real estate), please feel free to contact me at 617-969-1500 or Osler.Peterson@OslerPeterson.com.
Memorial School Students at “Flip the Switch” Solar Installation (Courtesy Image)
