June 11th- 6PM at the High School

One of the most significant issues facing Medfield over the next few years will be how we handle the land up at the state hospital.  Two people I respect very much–and who have spent YEARS on this effort– are John Harney and Bill Massaro.  While I have started to get more involved since March, I have much to learn.  It is a complex yet vital issue for the future of Medfield.  Both John and Bill have sent me emails and I have combined them below.  Two things:  1) I hope you will take the time to read them–both  make some great points and 2) I hope you will make sure your voice is heard by attending the public sessions.  The first meeting is Thursday, June 11th – 6PM at the High School.

Here is John Harney’s email.

Bill Massaro’s forwarded email message makes the important implicit point that the reuse ultimately decided on for the hospital property will fundamentally and gravely impact Medfield’s character.  A fractured hip’s status prevents my attending the 6/11 meeting but I, too, urge you to be there and to voice your convictions as to what course is best for the Town.  Only an informed and firm citizens’ reaction will ensure that haste and false values do not propel extensive development.

Long involvement with all the issues that have brought us to this time of decision cause me to believe:

1. Very few of the buildings – perhaps four – can be reasonably salvaged.  The Town should move to demolish the other structures with the cost thereof  – $10 to $15 million – paid by bonding over 20 years.
2. The land, once cleared, offers the Town many attractive opportunities including badly needed fields for the Park and Rec programs; youth sports development; walking, running, biking; aquifer protection; environmental education; cultural interests and future Town needs.
3. The over sixty acres of Commonwealth property, open in perpetuity, abutting the Town land further enhance the value of the Town property.
4. The land, accordingly, should not be sold to a developer for intensive housing development.  Studies conducted in the past conclude that extensive housing would be the most likely result if the property was marketed.  Significant development, hundreds of housing units, will inevitably involve burdensome consequences for the Town.  A limited number, circa fifty, of housing units situated on the perimeter and serviced by existing utility infrastructure could, however, offer both a response to 40B concerns and revenue to offset near term costs.  There may, too, be an opportunity for buildings committed to assisted living or analogous congregate living use.

In short, Medfield now owns over one hundred and thirty acres of truly beautiful, highly valuable riverfront land.  We have a marvelous asset furthering every value and aspect of community life.  It simply should not be sold for what will be ruinous development.  The Town has yet to experience the consequences of the ninety plus West Street units.
Please plan to attend the 6/11 meeting at the high school and voice your position on this Town determining situation.

With thanks and a hope that you will forward this message.

John

===================> Bill Massaro’s email <==================

Hi Everyone,
Thursday June 11 at the High School  beginning at 6:00pm, the Town’s recently-hired consultant will hold the first public meeting

on the Reuse/Redevelopment of the Medfield State Hospital property.  (See Flyer below)

The meeting  is intended to give you the opportunity to ask questions about the property and, more importantly, to let the consultant and Medfield’s Hospital Planning Committee know what you would like to see there .

Based on the reuse concerns and preferences you provide at this meeting, over the summer the Committee and the consultant will develop 4 alternatives and their costs/benefits impact on the Town.

You voted to purchase the property because you believed the Town could come up with a better use for it than the State would.

This is your opportunity to ensure that we do…..

Please mark your calendars and forward this e-mail to your friends and neighbors

Bill