MEDFIELD OUTREACH – Winter Newsletter

Posted on January 16, 2026 | Comments Off on MEDFIELD OUTREACH – Winter Newsletter

From Viktorria Glissendorf, MPH, Prevention Coordinator, Medfield Outreach –

SHARE: Join Our Email List Upcoming Events & Current Offerings Photovoice GalleryWalkthrough Join us for a gallery walkthrough of theMedfield Photovoice student art project on January 22 from 3:30–4:30 p.m. at the Medfield High School Library. Through avariety of expressive media includingphotography and digital art, Medfield HighSchool students explored the interpersonaland community environments shaping theirhealth and well-being. The reception willalso feature spoken reflections fromselected Medfield students, accompaniedby live music from the Medfield GuitarClub.
SHARE: Join Our Email List Upcoming Events & Current Offerings Photovoice Gallery Walkthrough Join us for a gallery walkthrough of the Medfield Photovoice student art project on January 22 from 3:30–4:30 p.m. at the Medfield High School Library. Through a variety of expressive media including photography and digital art, Medfield High School students explored the interpersonal and community environments shaping their health and well-being. The reception will also feature spoken reflections from selected Medfield students, accompanied by live music from the Medfield Guitar Club. Parent Coffee Hour Thursday, January 29 from 10:30-11:30 AM @ Medfield Public Library We are excited to offer a Coffee Talk for parents and guardians of tweens and adolescents! Have a cup of coffee with us as we share tips on talking with your kids about technology use and discuss successful strategies families have used to navigate digital safety in a changing world. No need to RSVP, just show up! SPACE Treatment Contact Medfield Outreach to schedule! We are pleased to announce that we are now offering SPACE treatment, which stands for Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions. The SPACE treatment approach centers on empowering parents to make changes in their own behavior, rather than directly trying to change their child's behavior. Participants in the program will learn two primary strategies: how to respond more supportively to their anxious child and how to gradually reduce accommodations made for their child's symptoms. QPR Training Contact Medfield Outreach to schedule! Did you know that you don't have to be a professional to offer hope and help to those considering suicide? Medfield Outreach can provide a FREE 2-hour QPR: Suicide Prevention Training for Medfield residents, aged 18+. All you need is a group of 8-15 people willing to learn how to offer hope in a time of distress. Call your friends and schedule a training today! Medfield Mobile Task Force Presents: Screenagers January 26 | 7:00 PM | Medfield High School Auditorium To thoughtfully address the opportunities and concerns arising from technology and social media, Medfield Public Schools convened a Mobile Technology Task Force, a collaborative forum bringing together students, parents, educators, and members of the Medfield School Committee to examine the role of mobile technology in our schools and community. Medfield Outreach is proud to partner with Medfield Public Schools on this initiative. On January 26th at 7:00 PM in the Medfield High School auditorium, the Mobile Task Force will host a screening of the award-winning film Screenagers. Through insights from authors, psychologists, and brain scientists, Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition reveals how tech time impacts kids’ development and offers solutions for empowering kids to navigate the digital world and find balance. For more information, please contact Jeff Marsden at jmarsden@email.medfield.net. Wait until 8th Pledge The Wait Until 8th pledge empowers parents to rally together to delay giving children a smartphone until at least the end of 8th grade. Let’s protect the elementary and middle school years from the distractions and the dangers of a smartphone in Medfield. Did you know that 12% of Medfield parents have already signed this pledge? We would love for you to join us. Click here for more information and to sign the pledge. 7th Grade Wellness Visits Recap Throughout November, nearly 200 7th graders in Mr. Woods’ Wellness classes took field trips to Medfield Outreach! Students learned about the social services available to Medfield residents, the many ways communities can work together to prevent substance misuse, the positive health impacts of gratitude, and opportunities to join MCAP-advised clubs like Medfield Youth Leadership Program and Medfield BREATHE. At the end of the visit, students were invited to post to our Gratitude Wall. These visits were a valuable way to familiarize students and their families with the resources Outreach offers, as well as an opportunity to learn how community substance use prevention works in Medfield. The Research Corner Learn what the research says about substance use, mental health, and wellness! This edition, we are highlighting the the health benefits of dry January and the positive trends in high school cannabis consumption trends in Medfield. Health Benefits of Dry January - What the Science Says Thinking about kickstarting your 2026 with Dry January? One study found that going 31 days without alcohol had noticeable health benefits for regular drinkers, even without changes in diet and exercise. By the end of the month, participants who abstained from alcohol showed improvements in: Insulin resistance Weight Blood pressure Liver function Cancer-related growth factors In the long term, cutting back on alcohol can improve mood, sleep, cancer risk, and immunity. Ready to hop on the “sober curious” trend this January? Click here for 40 fun mocktail recipes to enjoy all month long. Source article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29730627 Cannabis Positive Community Norms Did you know that on average, people tend to overestimate the prevalence of substance use in their communities? From college campuses to high schools, people consistently misperceive the likelihood that the people around them are using substances. In Medfield, the vast majority of middle and high school students do not use cannabis (marijuana), and that percentage has followed a downward trend over time. Through sustained education, public health awareness campaigns, and other multi-sector prevention initiatives aimed at creating healthy communities, Medfield has seen a significant decrease in the percentage of students who use cannabis. By continuing the conversation at home, you can reinforce these healthy decisions with the youth in your life. Click here to access our Adult Guide for Substance Use Prevention with tips for talking to youth about substances. iDECIDE: Evidence-Based Substance Use Education for Youth To support high school students who would like to learn more about substance use prevention, we are offering a voluntary psychoeducation program developed in partnership by Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, the MA Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Institute for Health and Recovery (IHR). iDECIDE is an educational program intended to inform students of brain development, neurobiology, risk and protective factors, industry tactics, and healthy alternatives to substance use. This program is intended to support students in making informed decisions about their substance use and health. Click here to complete the iDECIDE interest form, or email Krissy King at kking@medfield.net for more information. Ready to join get involved in this important work? Attend a meeting! Medfield Outreach Advisory Board - the 4th Monday of every month | 6:00-7:30 PM | Medfield Outreach office Medfield Coalition for Suicide Prevention (MCSP) - the 4th Wednesday of every month | 12:00 - 1:00 PM | Zoom Medfield Cares About Prevention (MCAP) - the last Wednesday of every month | 4:30 - 5:30 PM | Hybrid: In-person at the Medfield Outreach Office & via Zoom *Email medfieldoutreach@medfield.net for more information and Zoom links! Connect with us! Would you like to receive the next edition of our newsletter directly to your inbox? Subscribe today! Subscribe Medfield Outreach | 88R South St Door 12 | Medfield, MA 02052 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice

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Posted in Children, Events, health, Information, MCAP - Medfeild Cares About Prevention, MCSP - Medfield Coalition for Suicide Prevention, Medfield High School, Medfield Outreach, Schools, Teens

Medfield TV Open House 1/17, 12-2:30

Posted on January 14, 2026 | Comments Off on Medfield TV Open House 1/17, 12-2:30

From Katie Duval, Executive Director, Medfield TV –

Medfield TV Invites Community to Open House on January 17


Medfield TV is opening its doors to the community for a fun and informative Open House on Saturday, January 17, from 12:00–2:30 p.m. at Medfield TV, 18 North Meadows Road. Residents of all ages are invited to stop by, meet the staff, explore the station, and get a behind-the-scenes look at how local media is made.

Step into our studio to try your hand at podcasting, record a talk show on the sound stage, and jump into the control room to switch cameras and experience live production firsthand.

In the conference room, staff will provide a quick introduction to field production equipment –the same gear used for filming events and stories all around town!

The event is free and includes free pizza and snacks. Whether you’re curious about media production, interested in getting involved, or just looking for a fun Saturday activity, Medfield TV’s Open House offers something for everyone. Medfield community members of all ages are welcome!

________________

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Posted in Medfield TV

Warrant Committee on Budget/Override

Posted on January 14, 2026 | Comments Off on Warrant Committee on Budget/Override

From Stephen Callahan, Chair of the Warrant Committee, this afternoon –

Discussion of Operating Budget Override Article Warrant Committee January 13, 2026 Discussion of Operating Budget Override Article Warrant Committee January 13, 2026 Updates Budget A (Prop 2 ½ budget): New department guidance recommends 1.3% growth rate and asks departments to idenfify cuts and savings to achieve a balanced budget. The Select Board has voted for a placeholder for an operating budget override on the 2026 Town Warrant. The Governor’s budget preview is expected on January 23rd, after which updated guidance will be provided. Many municipalities, as reported in a recent Boston Globe article, are struggling with their budgets this year. Why is there an Article to Override the Levy Limit? Proposition 2 ½ : The Structural Math • Major Cost Drivers: +4 – 18% per year Health Insurance Special Education Transportation Utilities Contractual Wages Result: A predictable multiple year structural gap Preference for residents to be provided with a choice to restore some costs and service cuts while weighing the related tax impact.Why Now? Inflationary pressures remain high, especially in health insurance. Growth in state aid is modest and not sufficient to cover increased costs and Federal relief funds have been exhausted. Department level service budgets are estimating annual increases of 3% -5% for FY 2027. Proactive planning is necessary to avoid future negative “cliff” decisions. Voter approved override can bridge the gap, maintaining service levels and preventing cuts. Scenario Modeling of Department Budgets Estimate of FY 2027 Baseline Average Single Family Tax Bill Increase of $401 Department Budget Growth Scenarios of: +2.5% +3.0% +3.5% Override to the Levy Limit: Impact to Average Single Family Tax Bill Budget Options Budget A ( Prop 2 ½ budget): • Warrant Committee provided department budget growth guidance of 1.3% with request to identify prioritized cost and service cuts. Budget B (Override budget): • When deciding which cuts to restore, departments are looking for WC guidance and input. • What is a reasonable department growth rate? What is a reasonable single family tax increase that is sustainable and has the best possibility of passage at Town Meeting? Scenario Modeling of Department Budgets Estimate of FY 2027 Baseline Average Single Family Tax Bill Increase of $401 Department Budget Growth Scenarios of: +2.5% +3.0% +3.5% Override to the Levy Limit: Impact to Average Single Family Tax Bill Department Budget Growth of 2.5% FY 2026 FY 2027 Forecast Prop 2 /12 $ Change FY 26 to FY 27 % Change FY 26 to FY 27 FY 2027 Forecast $ Change FY 26 to FY 27 % Change FY 26 to FY 27 Override Amount Remaining Revenue Available for Departments $ 59,082,913 $ 5 9,829,657 $ 746,744 1.3% $ 60,559,986 $ 1,477,073 2.5% $ 730,329 School Department $ 44,598,730 $ 4 5,158,788 $ 560,058 1.26% $ 45,706,535 $ 1,107,805 2.48% Town Departments $ 14,484,183 $ 1 4,670,869 $ 186,686 1.29% $ 14,853,451 $ 369,268 2.55% Total $ 59,082,913 $ 5 9,829,657 $ 746,744 1.3% $ 60,559,986 $ 1,477,073 2.5% Impact to Average Single Family Tax Bill FY 2027 Assumed Department Growth 2.5% 3.0% 3.5% Assumed Override Amount $ 730,329 $ 1,025,743 $ 1,321,158 Estimated Average Single Family Tax Bill Impact for Department Override $ 1 75 $ 247 $ 319 Estimated Average Single Family Tax Bill Impact within Prop 2 1/2 $ 4 01 $ 401 $ 401 Estimated FY 2027 Total Single Family Tax Bill Impact with Override $ 5 76 $ 648 $ 720 Assumes Average Single Family Assessed Value $1,028,374 Assumes the Estimated Property Tax Increase Within Prop 2 ½ is $1,680,701 Preferred Scenario ??? • Final recommended override amount will be after Warrant Committee review of savings from department detailed cost reductions and services from a Level Service budget. • Criteria will include tax impact on residents, service restoration extent, alignment with community priorities and fiscal sustainability. • Provide preliminary guidance (subject to change) to departments for Override budgets

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Posted in Budgets, Financial, Town Meeting, Town Services, Warrant Committee

FY27 PROPOSED OPERATING BUDGET REDUCTIONS

Posted on January 14, 2026 | Comments Off on FY27 PROPOSED OPERATING BUDGET REDUCTIONS

From Town Administrator, Kristine Trierweiler this morning, her FY27 PROPOSED OPERATING BUDGET
REDUCTIONS to the Warrant Committee last night –

FY27 PROPOSED OPERATING BUDGET REDUCTIONS Department Proposed Cuts Police Department Eliminate on-call animal control officer Police Department Eliminate funding to staff community events at no charge Assessor’s Department Reduce Full Time Admin to Part Time MSH Maintenance Eliminate dog waste pickups Select Board Eliminate printing GFOA Budget Book Select Board Eliminate offsite storage at Montrose Facilities Reduction of electricity budget due to solar Parks and Recreation Reduction in overtime budget

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Posted in Budgets, Financial, Town Meeting, Town Services

ATM Warrant Articles

Posted on January 14, 2026 | Comments Off on ATM Warrant Articles

From Town Administrator, Kristine Trierweiler this morning, the draft list of annual town meeting (ATM) warrant articles:

Draft Jan 6th, 2026 Department Member Transfer of Care Custody and Control of Baxter Park Select Board/Parks and Recreation Zoning Articles Article Description Sponsor Sign Bylaw Update Planning Board Mixed Use Zoning Overlay Planning Board Citizen Petitions Article Description Sponsor Amend Town Bylaw - Sign Surface Area Christian Donner Feasibility Study Intergenerational Community Center Peter Saladino Free Cash Article Description Sponsor Free Cash Board of Assessors

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Posted in Town Meeting

The Best of People, the Worst of People

Posted on January 10, 2026 | Comments Off on The Best of People, the Worst of People

Seen at the Medfield Post Office:

Someone brought flowers:

Someone else must have left dog poop in the paper recycling bin:

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Posted in Uncategorized

Michael Roth Eagle Scout Court of Honor

Posted on January 10, 2026 | Comments Off on Michael Roth Eagle Scout Court of Honor

This afternoon at the UCC, current BC freshman and Medfield High School graduate Michael Roth, shown below with his parents, had his Eagle Scout Court of Honor. In an especially poignant moment, Michael gave his father Peter Roth an award for being his Eagle Mentor.

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Posted in Scouts

Image

Town, Trinity, & MSH Get Additional $4.5m. State Grant

Commonwealth of Massachusetts EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF HOUSING & LIVABLE COMMUNITIES Maura T. Healey, Governor  Kimberley Driscoll, Lieutenant. Governor  Edward M. Augustus Jr., Secretary 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 300 www.mass.gov/eohlc Boston, Massachusetts 02114 617.573.1100 Via email: ktrierweiler@medfield.net January 9, 2026 Town Administrator Kristine Trierweiler Town of Medfield 459 Main Street Medfield, MA 2052 Dear Ms. Trierweiler: Application: Medfield 00266 – Increased Award Thank you for working with the Healey-Driscoll Administration to update us on your efforts on the Medfield State Hospital Redevelopment Project. On behalf of the Healey-Driscoll Administration, I am pleased to award the Town of Medfield an additional $4,500,000 in funding through the FY26 HousingWorks Infrastructure Program. These additional funds will amend the FY26 award from the original $1,000,000 by an additional $4,500,000 from the HousingWorks Infrastructure Program (HWIP) for a revised total FY26 award of $5,500,000. Through three consecutive awards in FY24, FY25 and FY26, the Commonwealth will have awarded a total of $10,486,600 in HWIP funds to support this project. Please be advised that this letter does not constitute an agreement or contract with the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The grant award is not final until the town has executed a contract with the EOHLC. You should not proceed with any grant activities related specifically to these additional funds until a contract is in place. Compliance with the MBTA Communities Act, which is determined by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities remains a requirement of this grant.We applaud Medfield’s efforts to achieve compliance and note that the receipt of grant funds is contingent upon the grantee being able to certify that it will continue to comply with the Massachusetts General Laws, including G.L. c. 40A, § 3A, the MBTA Communities Act. If you or your team have any questions about this additional award, please contact McKenzie Bell, Senior Community Grants Coordinator, at McKenzie.Bell@mass.gov with questions. Sincerely, Edward M. Augustus Jr. Secretary, EOHLC cc: Senator Rebecca Rausch Representative Joshua Tarsky Representative Marcus Vaughn

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Posted on January 9, 2026 in Development, Medfield State Hospital, State

Mason Allan’s Eagle Project – the new Reindeer Quest at Rocky Woods.

Posted on January 2, 2026 | Comments Off on Mason Allan’s Eagle Project – the new Reindeer Quest at Rocky Woods.

From Patti Allan about Troop 89’s Scout Mason Allan’s eagle project –

Mason Allan’s Eagle Project – the new Reindeer Quest at Rocky Woods.

Mason Allan, a junior at MHS and Life Scout with Troop 89, designed and executed an Eagle Scout project that combines his creative side, awareness of mental health in his peer community, and his love for Medfield’s Rocky Woods.

As you explore The Trustees of Reservations’ Rocky Woods this winter season, keep your eyes open for nine wooden reindeer — hand built by Medfield Troop 89 scouts and friends — hidden along the trails.

Each reindeer is named after someone or something significant in Medfield’s history (plus one special friend referencing a neighboring Trustees’ property!).

The Rocky Woods Reindeer Quest is designed to get you outside enjoying the trails with your family and friends. The decreased light and increased cold of the winter months can lead to increased loneliness, and many suffer from a lack of Vitamin D due to spending more time indoors. Mason’s project focuses on increasing community connections in nature during this time of year!

This URL links to a brochure with information about the nine names:  https://bit.ly/m/rockywoodsreindeerquest 

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Posted in Scouts, Uncategorized

2026 Office Hours Friday

Posted on December 31, 2025 | Comments Off on 2026 Office Hours Friday

Select Board Office Hours this Friday

The COA website says The Center is open Friday, so I will be there for my monthly office hours.

I hold regular monthly office hours at The Center on the first Friday of every month from 9:00 to 10:00 AM. 

Residents are welcome to stop by to talk in person about any town matters. 

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Posted in Uncategorized