The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention pulled about $11.4 billion in Covid-19 pandemic response grants allocated to state and community health centers on Wednesday. The Department of Health and Human Services said the agency will “no longer waste billions of taxpayer dollars responding to a non-existent pandemic that Americans moved on from years ago.” In a statement released Wednesday, Gov. Healey said the grants are expected to bring nearly $100 million to Massachusetts over the next year, but that “much” of the funding has already been obligated in the state — the Trump administration is moving to eliminate the unobligated parts of the grants. Healey condemned the federal decision, calling it “yet another example of President Trump and Elon Musk undermining the health and wellbeing of the people of Massachusetts and people across this nation.”
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Dear Colleagues, I know that many of you have heard from colleagues or from media reports that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has notified state departments of public health — including the Massachusetts Department of Public Health — about the termination of multiple COVID-19 related federal awards. Obviously, this news is troubling. We rely on these funds to carry out important ongoing work at the Department and with our partners in the community. These resources fund our state lab, supplement our statewide vaccine infrastructure, and provide the support needed for community-based organizations across the state. These are more than just COVID-19 awards; they represent investments in the core functions of public health.
We are working quickly to analyze the fiscal and operational impacts of these abrupt terminations. We are also in close contact with our colleagues in the Healey-Driscoll Administration to consider what we might be able to do to mitigate the impacts, recognizing that we do not have the state resources to replace these federal funding sources.
We are still sorting through the implications of these sudden terminations and do not have all of the answers. Still, I think it is important for you to know where we are given the potential impacts on our work, our community partners, and our colleagues. We will share additional information about the short-term and longer-term impact of these announcements when we know more.
With gratitude, Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD (he/him) Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Public Health
The House today passed a bill that would extend the authorizations for local boards and committees to hold public meetings remotely or in a hybrid format for more than two more years.
The bill, H. 62, would also extend the remote meeting option for representative town meetings and permit reduced quorums for open town meetings. The extensions would run through June 30, 2027.
The Senate is expected to take up the bill later this week. …
Posted onMarch 16, 2025|Comments Off on Curbside Compost Collection Now in Medfield
From Jackie Alford –
Curbside Compost Collection Now Available in Medfield
Medfield residents can easily reduce their organic waste by participating in the new curbside compost collection program provided by Black Earth Compost. This program is the easiest way to divert food scraps from the trash and build a resilient local food system.
How It Works Participants receive a curbside collection cart and certified compostable bin liners to sort their food scraps into. All food scraps, including meat, bones, dairy, soiled paper products, and certified compostable products, are accepted. The material is picked up every other week and taken to one of Black Earth’s four local compost facilities, where it is mixed with carbon, like leaves and sticks, to make finished compost. Participants receive a voucher for a free cubic foot bag of compost, redeemable at participating garden centers in the spring.
Environmental Benefits Curbside composting is gaining momentum as cities and towns across the state support these programs to meet the MA DEP’s Waste reduction goal of 30% reduction by 2030. In addition to reducing waste, composting addresses several environmental crises: • Builds Healthy Soil: Compost improves soil ecology and adds nutrients, leading to healthier foods and higher yields. • Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions: It reduces methane created in landfills and sequesters atmospheric carbon in the soil, supporting our climate. • Protects Our Waterways: Composting reduces reliance on synthetic fertilizers and improves soil moisture retention, reducing runoff. • Creates Resilient Communities: It supports the local agricultural system, reducing our dependence on imported goods.
Subscription and Pricing Subscription plans for every other week pick up are $89.99/6 months or $16.99/month, plus the cost of the bin. The price lowers for everyone as more people sign up. When 350 Medfield households are signed up or pre-registered, the price will be lowered by 20%.
Posted onMarch 16, 2025|Comments Off on MFi Legacy Fund Grant Applications due 3/21
MEDFIELD FOUNDATION LEGACY FUND NOW ACCEPTING GRANT APPLICATIONS
The Medfield Foundation has announced that applications are now being accepted for its 2025 Legacy Fund Community Impact grants. Up to $40,000 in grants will be awarded, and any Medfield-based nonprofit or Town department is eligible. Applicants are welcome to submit a grant request online at https://www.medfieldfoundation.org/ by March 21st, 2025.
The Legacy Fund Committee will review all submissions and select the finalists who will be invited to PITCH IT!, a Shark Tank-type event to be held in person on April 16th, 2025. At PITCH IT!, applicants present their proposal, goals, and financial needs and directly engage with the Legacy Fund Committee on their projects. The Legacy Fund Committee will make its final selection of grant recipients for the 2025 funding round in May 2025.
The Medfield Foundation has awarded close to $100,000 over 5 years for the benefit of Medfield through its Legacy Fund Community Impact grants. Recipients include Cultural Alliance of Medfield, Friends of the MHS Theatre Society, Friends of the Medfield Rail Trail, Medfield Cares About Prevention, Medfield Outreach, The Peak House Heritage Center, Sustainable Medfield, Hinkley Helpers, Medfield TV, Kingsbury Pond Gristmill Committee, Zullo Gallery Center for Arts and Friends of the Dwight-Derby House.
Grantees have used their awards to further important projects in Medfield and in some cases to leverage significant additional resources such as matching grants or federal or state funding. This year’s applicants should be prepared to illustrate a strong and compelling current need for funds, and possibly present how those funds may generate additional investments from the Medfield community as well.
Act fast to take advantage of this spectacular opportunity!
ABOUT THE MEDFIELD FOUNDATION LEGACY FUND The Medfield Foundation Legacy Fund raises private funds for public good. The Medfield Foundation Legacy Fund is a professionally managed endowment created to support community driven projects. The Medfield Foundation Legacy Fund invests for the long term while also helping to address current community needs through annual competitive grantmaking for immediate positive impact.
For more information or to contribute to the Medfield Foundation Legacy Fund, please visit www.medfieldfoundation.org/legacy-fund. Or you may contact us directly at info@medfieldfoundation.org.
Make an impact. Leave a Legacy!
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Posted onMarch 15, 2025|Comments Off on New Life & Soles 5K – 4/27
New Life Furniture Bank of MA and Soles of Medfield
Announce 5K/10K Run and Fun Run
Medfield, MA – March 17, 2025 – New Life Furniture Bank of MA, in partnership with the running club Soles of Medfield, is proud to announce the second annual New Life 5K/10K Run and Fun Run, taking place on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at McCarthy Park & Fields (44 Hospital Hill Road). This community-driven event welcomes participants of all abilities—from competitive runners to casual walkers, as well as those with dogs or strollers—for a day of fitness, philanthropy, fun.
The event will begin at 9:00 AM with a Fun Run, providing an excellent opportunity for younger participants and families to get involved. At 9:30 AM, the 5K and 10K races will commence, offering a challenge for seasoned runners, while also accommodating those who prefer a more relaxed pace. Official timed results will be provided by Second Wind.
This event offers an opportunity to not only challenge oneself physically but also to support an important cause. Proceeds will directly benefit New Life Furniture Bank of MA, helping provide essential furniture and household items to individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness. Additionally, 10% of funds raised will support the Soles of Medfield Scholarship Fund, reinforcing the event’s broader mission of community enrichment.
“Every step taken on race day contributes to the journey of a family transitioning out of homelessness,” said Andy Crossley, Executive Director of New Life Furniture Bank. “Whether participants are running, walking, or cheering from the sidelines, this event fosters a sense of unity and purpose.”
New Life Furniture Bank of MA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals and families in need by providing essential furniture and household items at no cost through a network of referring agencies. The organization envisions a future where no one is forced to live, eat, or sleep on the floor. Through the generosity of donors and volunteers, New Life transforms empty spaces into homes, restoring dignity and comfort to those in transition. To support, donate, or volunteer with New Life Furniture Bank, please visit newlifefb.org.
Soles of Medfield is an inclusive community group of runners of all distances and all paces. Learn more at www.solesofmedfield.run
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.
