MSBA – please fund energy efficient schools

Posted on April 21, 2021 | 1 comment

As part of the celebration of Earth Day, I asked to have my signature as a Town of Medfield Select Board member added to the letter below, going to the MSBA tomorrow. Medfield Energy Committee members and other may join too. –

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April 22, 2021

Deborah Goldberg, Chair
Anne Brockelman
Sean R. Cronin
Matt Deninger
Terry Kwan
Greg Sullivan
Sheila Vanderhoef

Via email to ______

Dear Treasurer Goldberg and members of the MSBA Board,

We are writing to encourage the MSBA to require that all school building projects funded by MSBA be fully electrified, and climate resilient.

The MSBA is to be commended for its track record of helping cities and towns replace or
renovate school buildings in an environmentally sustainable manner.

As your website notes,


The MSBA’s Green Schools Program provides incentives to a district to increase the
energy efficiency and sustainability for new construction and major renovation/addition
projects, by exceeding Massachusetts Energy base code by 20% for 2 additional
reimbursement points. All projects are required to register for the most recent version of
LEED-S or NE-CHPS and exceed Massachusetts Energy base code by 10%.

The MSBA’s updated Accelerated Repair Program provides a new opportunity to apply
sustainable standards to specific building systems such as roofs, boilers and window
systems. The MSBA’s green programs aim to encourage a high standard of
sustainability for all MSBA-funded projects. The MSBA continues to monitor the
effectiveness of its sustainable policies and make recommendations for
improvement, with an emphasis on energy and cost savings, resulting in direct
operational savings for school districts. [bold added]

As municipal leaders interested in speeding the transition away from fossil fuel dependency, we were particularly pleased to see the highlighted above, as it demonstrates an interest in continuous improvement in the area of sustainability and carbon emissions reduction. We are following up on your interest in improvement to encourage you to tie school building funding to the following requirements for all new or renovated schools:

  • Heat and cooling should be supplied by clean all-electric heating and cooling systems, not oil, propane, or gas-fueled systems.
  • Parking lots should offer electric vehicle (EV) charging stations for staff and/or visitors.
  • Schools built on or near historic wetlands or in floodplains should take into account
    precipitation modeling for 2070 and beyond; this may entail a raised structure or building in an alternate location.

How do these recommendations fit into the Commonwealth’s climate goals?

• Massachusetts has a greenhouse gas reduction mandate of 80% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and a commitment to be net zero by 2050; many cities and towns have more aggressive goals. The IPCC issued a report in 2018 noting that to keep global temperatures from rising more than 1.5 degrees Celsius — a goal of the Paris climate agreement — anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions would have to be on a path to fall by about 45 percent by around 2030.
• Massachusetts also has a goal of 300,000 EVs on the road by 2025.œ As HVAC systems are built to last for at least 20-30 years, that means we must act now to eliminate this significant source of fossil fuel energy.
• The National Climate Assessment projects that the Northeast will see dramatic increases in precipitation and flooding.

Why is all-electric the more environmentally beneficial choice? Under state law, the electric grid is powered by an increasing amount of renewable energy every year. In contrast, an oil or gas boiler is running on fossil fuels from day one until the day it is retired.

School building electrification is not a new concept. In fact, schools across the state are
converting to 100% clean electricity to save money, improve air quality for students, teachers and staff, and advance climate goals.
• Lincoln is about to break ground on a Net Zero K-8 renovation school project.
• Wellesley has one net zero ready elementary school in the design phase and is in the feasibility phase of a second.
• Brookline passed a Warrant Article in May 2019 requiring that all new school buildings be fossil fuel free.
• Westborough has approved and is moving forward with a net-positive energy elementary school.
• Arlington is about to break ground on a new all-electric high school where heating and cooling systems will utilize heat pumps.
• Several Cambridge schools have been rebuilt all-electric: Martin Luther King School, King Open School and the Cambridge Street Upper School, as well as the Valente Branch Library and a new administrative building for the entire school department; the Tobin/Vassal-lane school will be rebuilt all-electric.
• Construction is underway on the new Belmont Middle and High School which will be net zero and all-electric with heating and cooling by a geothermal heat pump system.
• Amherst passed a bylaw in 2017 requiring zero energy new municipal and school buildings.
• Concord is at the end of Feasibility for a net zero design for a new middle school and expects to start Schematic Design in the next few months (there was a CV-related delay).
• Lexington’s Select Board and School Committee adopted a building policy calling for construction of all-electric buildings, maximizing onsite renewable energy, and setting high standards for indoor air quality. Lexington’s Hastings Elementary School and Lexington Children’s Place pre-school are both expected to be net positive buildings when the solar energy systems that have been approved are completed later this year.

Energy efficient all electric schools are cost-effective to build and operate, while providing a healthier and safer learning environment for students and teachers alike.

Schools built on wetlands are more likely to suffer from mold and poor air quality, and need expensive repairs, especially as our region sees more frequent and intense rainfall.

Thank you for your consideration of our views. From the Green Communities Program to the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program to the Complete Streets grants and more, we are so appreciative of the Commonwealth’s partnership in supporting cities and towns efforts to advance our transition to a clean economy and make our communities more resilient as we face a changing climate. We would welcome the opportunity to speak with you in more detail about these recommendations and help you build support to enact them.

Sincerely,

Amherst
Darcy Dumont, Town Council, District 5
Dorothy S. Pam, Town Council, District 3
Patricia De Angelis, Town Councilor

Andover
Maria Bartlett, Member of Green Advisory Board

Arlington
Joseph A. Curro, Jr., Select Board Member
Adam Chapdelaine, Town Manager

Ashland
Robert Scherer, Select Board Member

Barnstable
Gordon Starr, Town Councilor, Precinct 1

Becket
Alvin Blake, Planning Board

Bolton
Jonathan Keep, Select Board Member

Boston
Kenzie Bok, City Councilor
Annissa Essaibi-George, City Councilor (At-Large)
Ed Flynn, City Councilor
Matt O’Malley, City Councilor

Braintree
Julia Flaherty, Town Council, District 1
Kelly J. Cobb-Lemire, School Committee Member

Brookline
Raul Fernandez, Select Board Member
Werner Lohe, Climate Action Committee (co-chair)

Burlington
Martha Simon, School Committee Member

Cambridge
Patricia Nolan, City Councilor
Quinton Zondervan, City Councilor

Concord
Charles Parker, Middle School Building Committee Member

Dalton
Robert Bishop, Select Board Chair
Cheryl Rose, Conservation Commission
Henry Rose, Commissioner, Conservation Commission
Joseph Fish, Chair, Green Dalton Committee

Dedham
Jessica Portee, Planning Board Member

Framingham
Geoff Epstein, School Committee Member, District 6

Gloucester
Jennifer Holmgren, Councilor-at-Large

Hopkinton
Jeffrey S Barnes, Conservation Commission (Chair)
Lakeville
Jesse L. Medford, Open Space Committee (Chair)

Lawrence
Jonathan Guzman, School Committee Member – District F

Lexington
Mark Sandeen, Select Board Member

Marlborough
Samantha Perlman, City Councilor

Medford
Zac Bears, City Councilor
Nicole Morell, City Councilor
Paul Ruseau, School Committee Member
Jenny Graham, School Committee

Newton
Susan Albright, City Council President
Alicia Bowman, City Councilor
Deb Crossley, City Councilor
Andreae Downs, City Councilor
Maria Scibelli Greenberg, City Councilor
Bill Humphrey, City Councilor
David Kalis, City Councilor
Josh Krintzman, City Councilor
Marc Laredo, City Councilor
Rick Lipof, City Council Vice President
Julia Malakie, City Councilor
Chris Markiewicz, City Councilor
Emily Norton, City Councilor
John Oliver, City Councilor
Holly Ryan, City Councilor

Northampton
Bill Dwight, City Councilor at Large
Alex Jarrett, City Councilor
Karen Foster, City Councilor, Ward 2
Susan Voss, School Committee Member
Chris Mason, Energy & Sustainability Officer

Pittsfield
Mary Stucklen, Commissioner – Green Commission

Reading
Vanessa Alvarado, Select Board Member

Somerville
Will Mbah, City Councilor
Ben Ewen-Campen, City Councilor
Katjana Ballantyne, City Councilor
Kristen Strezo, City Councilor-at-Large

Taunton
Phillip Duarte, City Councilor

Wakefield
Mehreen N. Butt, Town Councilor
Julie Smith-Galvin, Town Councilor
Susan Veilleux, School Committee Member
Rob Darnell, Environmental Sustainability Committee (Chair)
Mary Hajjar, Environmental Sustainability Committee (Vice Chair)
Robin Greenberg, Environmental Sustainability Committee
Jennifer Kallay, Gas & Light Board Commissioner
Elizabeth Sheridan, ESC Student Liaison

Watertown
Caroline Bays, Town Councilor
Angeline B. Kounelis, Town Councilor
Tony Palomba, Councilor-at-Large

Wellesley
Lise Olney, Select Board Member

Williamstown
Anne O’Connor, Select Board Member

Winchester
Michael Bettencourt, Select Board (Chair)

1 Comment

Posted in Energy Committee, Green, Schools, State

Earth Day letter from MEC

Posted on April 20, 2021 | Comments Off on Earth Day letter from MEC

Fellow Medfielders,

As we recognize Earth Day 2021, global responsibility is clearer than ever, and local action more urgent than ever.

Some Medfielders have already made the transition, but now all households need to go EV, HP, PV:Subscribe

  • EV: for anyone who must own a car, start driving Electric when it is time to buy the next Vehicle.
  • HP: when the boiler or furnace starts to fail, go electric with a HeatPump system.
  • PV: putting PhotoVoltaics on the roof is a very profitable step.

For each of these decarbonizing steps, yes, there are considerations, as with any change. But, the transition is not usually particularly burdensome, and often is surprisingly advantageous.

The three steps are the transition to low-carbon that is needed. Beyond them, there are indeed many other wonderful things Medfielders can and should do to benefit the environment. But
taking any of these three steps, by far, will have the largest climate impact. These steps are also absolutely essential to meeting local, state, national, and global climate goals. And, no
one is likely going to force anyone to take them.

Literally, it is up to us.

Medfield Energy Committee (MEC) and Medfield Environment Action (MEA) are recommending passage of a number of key Warrant Articles at Town Meeting aimed to responsibly help accelerate the decarbonization transition locally. Your support will be appreciated.https://f58f435f01693e6841d462c24030fa4b.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

It should also be mentioned that an unexpected outcome, after a year of Covid quarantining, is that we each now have a better idea of what other carbon-reducing efforts will work for us, in our
post-pandemic lives. Awful as it has been, we have learned what might help us come-back-carbon-better.

Medfielders making these careful and caring consumer choices is exactly what is necessary to prevent the worst climate cataclysm for our children and grandchildren.

It’s what will make for a great Earth Day.

Sincerely,

Fred Davis, Chair – Medfield Energy Committee

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Posted in Energy Committee

Select Board 4/20/21

Posted on April 19, 2021 | Comments Off on Select Board 4/20/21

> Meeting packet is accessible here.<

TOWN OF MEDFIELD MEETING NOTICE Posted in accordance with the provisions of M.G.L. c. 30A, §§18-25 Due to the COVID-19 emergency, this meeting will take place remotely. Members of the public who wish to view or listen to the meeting may do so by joining via the web, or a conference call. 1. To join online, use this link: a. https://medfieldnet. zoom.us/j/81577342022?pwd=ZTV3VU1EMnRBOHJINGh6SS9wV3dvdz09 b. Enter Password: 060672 2. To join through a conference call, dial 929-436-2866 or 312-626-6799 or 253-215-8782 or 301-715-8592 or 346-248-7799 or 669-900-6833 a. Enter the Webinar ID: 815 7734 2022 b. Enter the password: 060672 The packet with meeting materials for this meeting will be uploaded at this link: https://www.town.medfield.net/DocumentCenter/View/5142/BOS-Meeting-Packet-April-20- 2021 Board of Selectmen Board or Committee PLACE OF MEETING DAY, DATE, AND TIME Remote Meeting held on Zoom Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at 7:00 pm Agenda (Subject to Change) Call to Order Disclosure of video recording Chair to identify Board members who are participating remotely We want to take a moment of appreciation for our Troops serving around the globe in defense of our country Appointments / Potential Votes 1. Medfield Energy Committee to discuss two Town Meeting Warrant Articles regarding Community Choice Aggregation and Climate Goals First Posted: Discussion (potential votes) 2. COVID-19 status update 3. Federal Funds update and discussion: CARES, FEMA, and American Rescue Plan Act 4. Fiscal Year 2022 Operating and Capital Budgets and Financial Policies Action Items 5. Request from Eversource for license to install new padmount transformer at the Algonquin Gas Rectifier site located on North Meadows Road 6. 2021 Annual Town Meeting and Warrant Articles a. Board of Selectmen to discuss and vote on warrant articles 7. Approve contract with Rhona Kerans, LICSW for clinical oversight and supervisory services for employees of Medfield Outreach 8. Approve Massachusetts School Building Authority Budget Revision Request Number 3 for the Dale Street School project 9. Approve request for Medfield High School volleyball banquet at the Medfield State Hospital 10. Recommendation from the Board of Water and Sewerage for a water conservation restriction of odd/even watering due to the state declaration of a Level 2 Significant Drought in the Southeast Region Consent Agenda Town Administrator Updates Next Meeting Dates  May 4, 2021  May 11, 2021  Annual Town Meeting May 17, 2021 Selectmen Reports Informational

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Drought – water use limits

Posted on April 19, 2021 | Comments Off on Drought – water use limits

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Posted in Uncategorized

Select Board 4/20

Posted on April 15, 2021 | Comments Off on Select Board 4/20
TOWN OF MEDFIELD MEETING NOTICE Posted in accordance with the provisions of M.G.L. c. 30A, §§18-25 Due to the COVID-19 emergency, this meeting will take place remotely. Members of the public who wish to view or listen to the meeting may do so by joining via the web, or a conference call. 1. To join online, use this link: a. https://medfieldnet. zoom.us/j/81577342022?pwd=ZTV3VU1EMnRBOHJINGh6SS9wV3dvdz09 b. Enter Password: 060672 2. To join through a conference call, dial 929-436-2866 or 312-626-6799 or 253-215-8782 or 301-715-8592 or 346-248-7799 or 669-900-6833 a. Enter the Webinar ID: 815 7734 2022 b. Enter the password: 060672 The packet with meeting materials for this meeting will be uploaded at this link: https://www.town.medfield.net/DocumentCenter/View/5142/BOS-Meeting-Packet-April-20- 2021 Board of Selectmen Board or Committee PLACE OF MEETING DAY, DATE, AND TIME Remote Meeting held on Zoom Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at 7:00 pm Agenda (Subject to Change) Call to Order Disclosure of video recording Chair to identify Board members who are participating remotely We want to take a moment of appreciation for our Troops serving around the globe in defense of our country Appointments / Potential Votes 1. Medfield Energy Committee to discuss two Town Meeting Warrant Articles regarding Community Choice Aggregation and Climate Goals First Posted: Discussion (potential votes) 2. COVID-19 status update 3. Federal Funds update and discussion: CARES, FEMA, and American Rescue Plan Act 4. Fiscal Year 2022 Operating and Capital Budgets and Financial Policies Action Items 5. Request from Eversource for license to install new padmount transformer at the Algonquin Gas Rectifier site located on North Meadows Road 6. 2021 Annual Town Meeting and Warrant Articles a. Board of Selectmen to discuss and vote on warrant articles 7. Approve contract with Rhona Kerans, LICSW for clinical oversight and supervisory services for employees of Medfield Outreach 8. Approve Massachusetts School Building Authority Budget Revision Request Number 3 for the Dale Street School project 9. Approve request for Medfield High School volleyball banquet at the Medfield State Hospital 10. Recommendation from the Board of Water and Sewerage for a water conservation restriction of odd/even watering due to the state declaration of a Level 2 Significant Drought in the Southeast Region Consent Agenda Town Administrator Updates Next Meeting Dates  May 4, 2021  May 11, 2021  Annual Town Meeting May 17, 2021 Selectmen Reports Informational

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Posted in Select Board matters

State budget clears House

Posted on April 14, 2021 | Comments Off on State budget clears House

Medfield’s #s in the budget proposal –

Contact Your Legislator Today!
HOUSE W&M COMMITTEE OFFERS $47.65B FY22 BUDGET WITH KEY INVESTMENTS IN MUNICIPAL & SCHOOL AID   • INCLUDES THE FULL $39.5M INCREASE IN UGGA • INCREASES CHAPTER 70 BY $21M ABOVE GOV’S BUDGET TO FUND THE STUDENT OPPORTUNITY ACT ON SCHEDULE • INCREASES CHARTER SCHOOL REIMBURSEMENTS BY $37M • ADDS $55M FOR STUDENT ENROLLMENT AND SUMMER SCHOOL GRANTS • INCLUDES $367M TO FUND THE SPECIAL EDUCATION CIRCUIT BREAKER • RESTORES $6M TO LEVEL FUND REGIONAL SCHOOL TRANS. AT FY21 LEVEL • ADDS $1M TO McKINNEY-VENTO REIMBURSEMENTS OVER FY21 •ADDS $2M TO PILOT  

April 14, 2021  

Dear Osler Peterson,  

Earlier today, the House Ways & Means Committee advanced a $47.65 billion fiscal 2022 state budget plan to the full House for consideration later this month. The plan would increase overall state expenditures by 2.6 percent over the current year’s budget, and reflects a 3.9 percent increase over the Governor’s January budget proposal. The HW&M budget matches the 3.5% increase in Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA) in the Gov’s budget, adds a significant increase to Chapter 70 school aid and Charter School reimbursements, and includes $55 million in important new grant programs.  

The full House will start debate on the FY22 budget on April 26, and House members must file all budget amendments by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 16. The House usually considers over 1000 amendments during budget debate week.  

H. 4000, the House Ways & Means budget, provides progress on many important local aid priorities, including the full $39.5 million increase in Unrestricted General Government Aid that the Governor proposed and communities are counting on. The House Ways & Means budget also mirrors the Governor’s proposed increase for Special Education Circuit Breaker, with an increase over FY 2021 of $22.5 million.  

The HW&M budget would increase funding for other major aid programs, by adding $21 million to Chapter 70 aid above the House One recommendation, for a total increase of $219 million; $37 million in additional funds for Charter School Mitigation payments, and an additional $1 million for McKinney-Vento transportation for homeless students. To acknowledge student enrollment declines due to the public health emergency, H. 4000 would set aside $40 million in a one-time reserve account to assist districts impacted by the decline, as well as $15 million in one-time grant funding for summer school and student mental health support. The proposal would also provide an increase of $1 million for public libraries and $1 million for regional public libraries. H. 4000 also proposes a $2 million increase for the Payment-in-Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) for state-owned land account.

Later Today or By the End of the Week You Can Use this Link to See Your Community’s Local Aid and Preliminary Cherry Sheet Numbers in the House Ways & Means Budget, as Posted by the Division of Local Services   You Can Link to the HW&M Committee’s Budget Here  

$39.5 MILLION INCREASE IN UNRESTRICTED MUNICIPAL AID

In January, the Administration kept its commitment to cities and towns to tie the increase in Unrestricted General Government Aid to the projected rate of growth in state tax revenues. This year, that increase was 3.5%, representing an increase of $39.5 million. The House Ways and Means FY 2022 plan would provide $1.168 billion for UGGA, reflecting the same increase proposed by Governor Baker. In a statement released by the Chairs of the Joint Ways and Means Committee last week, the two chambers have reached an agreement on this amount and every city and town will see their UGGA funding increase by 3.5%. This is welcome news to provide stability and predictability in municipal budgeting.  

CHAPTER 70 AID RETURNS TO ORIGINAL STUDENT OPPORTUNITY ACT SCHEDULE

The House budget committee is proposing a $219 million increase in Chapter 70 education aid ($21 million higher than the $197.7 million increase in H. 1), which would fund the “goal rates” originally set forth in the Student Opportunity Act. The SOA schedule set a 7-year schedule beginning in FY 2021, but that was sidelined last year due to the public health emergency. To get back on track, the MMA joined with other education advocates to ask the Legislature to fund Chapter 70 at an SOA implementation rate of 1/6th rather than 1/7th in order to return to the intended schedule.   Last week, House and Senate leaders reached a local aid funding agreement, which included this commitment to fund the increases in the SOA at 1/6th, funding Chapter 70 at a total of $5.503 billion. While this is important progress for districts, most districts remain at minimum aid.  

CHARTER SCHOOL MITIGATION PAYMENTS WOULD INCREASE BY $37 MILLION

House Ways & Means is proposing a total of $154 million for Charter School Mitigation Payments, which reflects an increase of $37 million over the current fiscal year. In keeping with the first year of a 3-year phase-in funding schedule outlined in the Student Opportunity Act, this investment meets the Legislature’s statutory obligation to fund charter school reimbursements at 75%. Charter school finance still presents a major challenge to many districts, in a number of cases negating the increases districts realize in Chapter 70 aid.  

$367 MILLION FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION CIRCUIT BREAKER

In line with the Governor’s budget recommendation in January, the House Ways & Means Committee’s budget includes the Governor’s recommendation of $367 million for Special Education Circuit Breaker, a $22.5 million increase over FY 2021. The Student Opportunity Act expanded the circuit breaker by including out-of-district transportation, an important enhancement for cities and towns.  

HW&M PROVIDES MIXED FUNDING FOR SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION ACCOUNTS

The House Ways & Means budget level funds regional transportation at $82 million. The budget would increase transportation for homeless students under McKinney-Vento by $1million to $14.4 million. There is no line item for out-of-district vocational transportation, which last year was funded at $250,000.  

PAYMENTS-IN-LIEU-OF-TAXES (PILOT) AND LIBRARY AID

Recognizing the importance of Payments-in-Lieu-of-Taxes (PILOTS) for state-owned land, the House Ways & Means Committee increased the line-item by $2 million to $33 million. The Governor’s budget had recommended level-funding at $31 million. Underfunding PILOT over the years has created a significant hardship for smaller communities with large amounts of state-owned property. The accounts for public libraries and regional public libraries would each see an increase of $1 million.  

SUMMARY

It is clear that House leaders are prioritizing K-12 funding and other increases for cities and towns, as they advance an agenda to ensure stability during a time of uncertainty. The local funding aid agreement reached by the Joint Ways and Means Committee last week, including commitments to UGGA, Chapter 70, and the acknowledgement of school enrollment challenges, will create a more stable budget-setting process for cities and towns in the weeks and months ahead. This progress is deeply appreciated.   During the budget debate and legislative session, the MMA will work to build on this progress, and will continue to advocate for full funding of the education funding priorities outlined in the Student Opportunity Act, fixing the serious problems caused by the current charter school system, securing higher Chapter 70 minimum aid increases, achieving full funding for all municipal and school reimbursement programs, and providing higher PILOT funding.  

Please Call Your Representatives Today to Thank Them for the Local Aid Investments in the House Ways and Means Committee Budget   Please Explain How the House Ways and Means Budget Would Impact Your Community, and Ask Your Representatives to Build on this Progress During the Budget Debate   Thank You!

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Posted in Budgets, Financial, State

Soles of Medfield Running Club loves the New Life 5k Trail Run

Posted on April 14, 2021 | Comments Off on Soles of Medfield Running Club loves the New Life 5k Trail Run

This Running Club loves the New Life 5k Trail Run

By Tod Dimmick

Soles of Medfield Running Club is one many teams with deep local roots that will participate in the New Life 5k Trail Run. We asked John Trigg, one of the Club organizers, about Soles of Medfield, and why they love this particular event.

Trigg said that Soles of Medfield has members from all around the “greater Medfield” area, including Medfield, Millis, Sherborn, Norfolk, Walpole and other towns. “We started as a loose collection of friends and neighbors training for a half marathon in 2015, and the team snowballed from there,” he said. He added that what evolved from a mailing list to a Facebook group is now a formal non-profit running club with a regular schedule of runs of all lengths. Trigg says team members come from all experience levels; from ‘couch to 5k’ to ultramarathoners. He said, “We’re just here to provide community and support.”

“The New Life 5k Trail Run is one of our favorite events,” Trigg said. “Not only is the event local, and benefits such a great organization, but the route and use of the state hospital sets it apart from just about every other 5K.  The course is challenging, but provides great scenery all the way around. Runners of all levels will enjoy it.” Trigg said he loves that the New Life 5K Trail Run benefits the mission of the New Life Furniture Bank of MA.

New Life Furniture Bank of MA collects high-quality, gently-used furniture and household essentials that are made available at no cost to individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness. In the midst of the pandemic in 2020, New Life found a way to safely serve almost 500 families.  The Medfield-based not-for-profit organization operates a Walpole Donation Center, and serves the MetroWest and Greater Boston area.

This year, the 5k organizers hope that participants will have the choice of whether to participate in-person on May 8th at Medfield State Hospital, or virtually between April 17th and May 8th.


New Life 5k Trail Run registration is open at www.newlifefb.org/5k, with discounts for teams of four or more.  New teams are welcome. The registration fee is $30. T-Shirts are available for purchase. Those interested in being a sponsor, volunteering, donating home furnishings, or making a financial contribution are encouraged to visit www.newlifefb.org.

Other teams participating this year include Team Babson, Yates, Walk Ins Welcome, UCC Medfield Trail Blazers, Eliot Church XC, and others.

Soles of Medfield welcomes new members. Learn more at solesofmedfield.com and on Facebook and Instagram. Questions are welcome at solesofmedfield@gmail.com. “Maybe run with us to see if you like who we are and our runs,” Trigg suggests. “Come find people to run with.”

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Posted in Charity, Entertainment, Events, Medfield State Hospital, Nature, Recreation, Sports

Image

VIRTUAL SERVICE ACADEMY DAY

Saturday, May 1, 2021 10:00AM-11:30AM 617-332-3333 AUCHINCLOSS.HOUSE.GOV Kevin.ONeil@mail.house.gov If you plan on attending the VirtualAcademy Day, please RSVP here and if youhave any questions, please contact ouroffice. This virtual meeting will help you gain abetter insight into the Congressionalnomination process, the programs of eachAcademy and provide you with anopportunity to ask any questions you mayhave about life at the Academies. ARE YOU INTERESTED IN ATTENDING A U.S. SERVICE ACADEMY? CONTACT US AT: VIRTUAL SERVICE ACADEMY DAY Please join the Office of Congressman JakeAuchincloss and representatives from theU.S. Service Academies.

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Posted on April 14, 2021 in Federal Government, Schools

Federal covid monies for Medfield

Posted on April 12, 2021 | Comments Off on Federal covid monies for Medfield

This email today from the Division of Local Services (DLS) contains a link to a spreadsheet that details the Federal covid related monies the Town of Medfield and the 350 other Massachusetts cities and towns have been allocated and have received – by clicking here;

COVID-Related Federal Funding Information

On behalf of Governor Baker, Lieutenant Governor Polito, and Secretary Heffernan, please find information about COVID-related federal funding that is available to or has already been claimed by the municipalities. The goal of these documents is to consolidate existing information and present it in a format that can be a resource for you.
 
Please be advised that this information changes regularly as the federal government provides updates and additional guidance.
 
The information provided, which is current as of April 1, 2021, includes:
An excel spreadsheet with information broken down by municipality available by clicking here;
 A companion document, entitled “Municipality Program Descriptions”, which explains each source of funding and their eligible uses as determined by the federal government available here.For additional details on general Covid-19 Federal Funds, you can also refer to this website: http://www.mass.gov/federalfunds.
 

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Posted in COVID-19, Federal Government, Financial, State

New Life 5k Trail Run Update

Posted on April 12, 2021 | Comments Off on New Life 5k Trail Run Update

From Tod Dimmick –

Here’s an update on the New Life 5k Trail Run. Six teams have entered already!

Tod
***

New Life 5k Trail Run Update

Now is the time to register for the 2021 New Life 5K Trail run. The event is open for runners, walkers and everyone in between. Participants have the choice of registering to run in-person on May 8th at Medfield State Hospital, or virtually between April 17th and May 8th. Each year the event brings out hundreds of enthusiastic supporters. Last year, the “Virtual 5k” was a tremendous success, after organizers offered one of the first virtual races in Massachusetts. Virtual runners participated last year from as far away as Australia!

The in-person component will only occur if Massachusetts moves into the stage of Phase 4 that allows Road Races.  The organizers will determine whether or not the in-person event will occur by April 30th (If the in-person event is not permitted, in-person registrations will become virtual registrations). The in-person 5k Trail Run will include measures to ensure safe participation, such as staggered start times throughout the day on May 8th.   

The virtual component will be structured much like last year. Participants create their own 5k route, or use fitness apps like MapMyRun and Strava, and then complete their route anytime between April 17 and May 8. Participants can log their times on RaceWire. On May 9, results will be posted and awards will be given.

The event benefits New Life Furniture Bank of MA, which collects high-quality gently-used furniture and household essentials that are made available at no cost to individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness. New Life has remained vigilant throughout the pandemic and has continued to serve people in need by finding creative and safe ways to operate online and with minimal contact.  In 2020, New Life served almost 500 families.  The Medfield-based not-for-profit organization operates a Walpole Donation Center, and serves the MetroWest and Greater Boston area. New Life provides a meaningful option for folks who are downsizing, renovating or disposing of a loved one’s property to donate their gently used goods and furniture. 

New Life 5k Trail Run registration is open at www.newlifefb.org/5k, with discounts for teams of four or more.  New teams are welcome. The registration fee is $30, and T-Shirts are available for purchase. Those interested in being a sponsor, volunteering, donating home furnishings, or making a financial contribution are encouraged to visit www.newlifefb.org.

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