The Week Ahead...

Basil Owner Feeds DPW Crew

During Recent Snowstorms

Mondays are usually days of rest for Basil owner Tom McGue, but not during the last two big snowstorms.

Instead of taking a break from the restaurant he and his family have owned and operated for nearly 30 years, he opened the doors to serve breakfast and lunch to Medfield's exhausted and hungry Department of Public Works workers as they battled storms that dumped record-breaking amounts of snow.

DPW Director Maurice Goulet noted that about 20 plow drivers were served at Basil last Monday during the blizzard, and there may have been private contractors among them. A restaurant employee added that McGue also fed workers during the first big snowstorm in late January, which happened to hit on another early Monday morning.

One long-time resident, who has DPW workers in the family, expressed gratitude to McGue. She also shared on social media how the snowstorms impact plow drivers, noting the work "takes a toll on the body -- especially with a storm this big."

The resident added, "These guys work all night and day. They may get home for a short nap but head back out to do cleanup at night while we are in our nice warm beds."

While in a matter of months the snowy days of winter will be gone, the memories of McGue's genorosity will remain.

(Image of David and Tom McGue shown -- credit Katie Ring Photography)

On the town meeting horizon...

WC Puts Forth Override Scenarios;

Avg. Tax Impact Ranges Up to $1.2K

After multiple fiscal-year 2027 and 2028 budgeting discussions, the numbers are becoming increasingly clear regarding how different override scenarios could impact taxpayers.

At its meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 2, the Warrant Committee will discuss those scenarios, while also digging deeper into the school budget as part of its department reviews.

Factored into the override scenarios is a proposed operating budget stabilization fund – a new type of reserve account. According to Warrant Committee information, the possible option is to have one override amount raised in fiscal-year 2027. One portion of the money generated would fund the fiscal-year 2027 operating budget, while the other portion would be set aside in the new fiscal-year 2028 stabilization fund with the hope it would avert the need for another override that year.

What might this proposed two-year plan mean for taxpayers?

At the current time, based on the average, single-family home assessed value of $1,028,374 in Medfield, the Warrant Committee is estimating that the total property tax increase would range from $566 to $1,183. This range is based on potential override amounts between 2.5 and 5 percent, as reflected in a variety of different scenarios. The graphic below, and this section of the meeting packet, provides more detail.

Based on prior Select Board and School Committee discussions respectively, in order to achieve “level service” without any budget cuts, town officials have stated a 3.6 percent budget increase is needed; while school committee members sought a 5.02 percent budget increase.

However, based on new information, it appears further reductions to the proposed school operating budget has lowered the increase to 4.59 percent -- which is still above

Superintendent Jeff Marsden's recommended budget increase of 3.9 percent.

School Committee Chair Michelle Kirkby originally expressed concern about a fiscal-year 2027 budget increase that would trigger an override of any amount fearing it might negatively impact a Dale Street School project vote when the time comes. However, at the January budget hearing, she was among three other members who voted in favor of the 5.02 percent budget increase.

As additional new information, it now appears the proposed $221,000 for the district "Bookworms" K-5 Literacy Program could be placed it in its own stand-alone warrant article separate from the operating udget.

Community Engagement on School Budget a Challenge

Select Board meetings regularly provide opportunities for extensive public comment on topics, including the proposed fiscal-year 2027 budget. At the last meeting, about 45 minutes alone was spent discussing the potential loss of a part-time evenings/weekend animal control officer, with multiple community members engaged in the deliberation before Select Board voted on its prioritized budget cuts (with possible elevation of part-time Land Use Department administrative support based on Select Board input).

In contrast, School Committee:

• Held one public hearing on Jan. 29;

• Has not provided a forum where community members at large can engage in a budget discussion similar to Select Board;

• Only allows three minutes of public input per person at the start of each School Committee meeting and before votes, but will not answer attendee questions or clarify information – even when the topic at hand is on the agenda;

During the June 2023 School Committee workshop, former member and financial secretary Kristin Siminoni requested a change to the way the annual budget hearing was handled so that one hearing would be held in early January, followed by a subsequent School Committee discussion and vote later in the month. This approach, similar to the practice of other districts, would have given the community two opportunities to provide input, but it was never adopted.

Additional information:

• Budget information and resources
• Override "Frequently Asked Questions" (draft)
• Override detailed information

Medfield TV to Host Candidate Forums;

Two Contested Elections Spark Interest

Voter forums featuring candidates from the contested races in the Medfield Town Election will once again be held to provide citizens with the opportunity to hear their views and get to know them a bit better. 

For the 2026 election, two candidates are running for one seat on Select Board, and four candidates are running for two seats on School Committee.

Moderating the forums will be former town moderator Scott McDermott. 

Participating in the School Committee forum at 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11, in Chenery Hall at Medfield Town House, 459 Main St., will be these four candidates:

• Diana Frascella (incumbent)

• Will Horne (incumbent)

• Michael McCabe

• Roseli Weiss

Participating in the Select Board forum at 3 p.m. on Friday, March 13 at Medfield TV, 18 North Meadows Rd., will be these two candidates: 

• Gus Murby (incumbent)

• Pete Saladino

Both forums are open to the public (including Medfield TV studio), and voters are encouraged to attend in person at either site or to view the events virtually. Live broadcasts can be viewed on Comcast 22, Verizon 45, medfield.tv/watch or youtube.com/medfieldtv.

Medfield TV has also invited all candidates in the 2026 town election to record messages to the community.

Forum organizers will work together to choose candidate questions for each forum. As part of this, questions that were submitted last year will be considered, and additional community input is welcome. Community members can submit questions for consideration here by 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 8.

Along with Medfield TV, Medfield Insider and Medfield Environment Action are sponsoring the forums.

The Medfield Town Election will be held on Monday, March 30, with polls open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at The Center at Ice House Road.

(Pictured: McDermott interviewing 2025 Select Board candidate Eileen Murphy as part of last year's forum initiative.)

Resignation of Secretary Augustus

Spurs New MSH Advocacy Efforts

Feb. 27 was the last day for Ed Augustus, who resigned as the Massachusetts Secretary of Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC).

It was less than two months ago that Augustus was sitting in the Chenery Room in Medfield Town House committing to $4.5 million of additional state funds for infrastructure needs at the former Medfield State Hospital (MSH) site.

With Augustus now assuming the position of CEO of UniBank, Medfield, Trinity and Bellforge officials are now networking with other state officials in hopes of keeping state funds flowing to the MSH projects. Among them is the former Regional Administrator for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and former State Representative Juana Matias. She has taken the place of Augustus as new Secretary of EOHLC.

Elsewhere at MSH, Dogs are Focus

As work on the Bellforge project begins, and town budget constraints take its own center stage, the rules around dog walking at the MSH will likely change -- and sooner versus later.

More than any other topic, a $20,000 price tag on an annual dog waste removal service has given some town officials paws. The DoodyCalls contract is now one of the top proposed budget cuts for fiscal-year 2027 -- that is, unless some kind of revenue-generating medallion or sticker program can be implemented.

At the same time, concerns have also been raised about dogs off leash on the MSH campus, and the risk of animals getting hurt by construction vehicles and equipment. Crews have already reported close calls. At the upcoming Select Board meeting on Tuesday, March 3, this topic will be addressed once again.

News Briefs & Reminders...

• A Superintendent Advisory will be held on Wednesday, March 4 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in the Blake Middle School Library Media Center. Hosted by Superintendent Jeff Marsden, this is an informal gathering. A fiscal-year 2027 school budget update is an anticipated topic of discussion.

• Select Board member Pete Peterson announced via his blog that he will hold his monthly office hour at The Center on Ice House Road from 9 to 10 a.m. on Friday, March 6. Residents are welcome to stop by to talk in person to Peterson about town matters.

• The February issue of the "Townhouse Minute" is now available. It includes a town budget overview and update, seasonal updates from Department of Public Works (including a spring wildflower project), an employee spotlight, Medfield State Hospital/Trinity update, Medfield Community Electricity information, and a list of open town board/committee seats, plus employment opportunities.

• Medfield Energy Committee together with Medfield TV have released a public service announcement to provide information on the municipal opt-in specialized energy code. At 2026 Town Meeting in May, residents will be asked to vote on adoption of the specialized code -- a legally binding standard that governs how buildings are designed and constructed with regard to energy efficiency. 

• Due to the recent snowstorm and Town House two-day closing, meetings that were scheduled on Monday or Tuesday last week have been rescheduled for this week or the week of March 8. The Monday, Feb. 23 Historic District Commission meeting was the only one that continued despite the storm after shifting from a hybrid meeting, to entirely on Zoom. The commission granted preliminary approvals of proposed installation of solar panels on the roof of First Parish Unitarian Universalist (the historic Meetinghouse), and changes to AT&T antennas on the water tank located at 45 Hospital Rd. The final decisions are pending public hearings for one or both projects.

• Thursday, March 5 is the deadline for the Parks & Recreation Commission survey. Parks & Rec continues to seek community feedback to help it determine possible paths forward regarding its facilities and programming. Click here to access the short survey.

• Anyone interested in purchasing a discounted rain barrel through the Transfer Station and Recycling Committee (TSARC) initiative has until midnight on March 15 to place an order through the Great American Rain Barrel community program. The discounted cost is in the price range of $80-89. Orders will then be available for pick up at Medfield Transfer Station, 55 North Meadows Rd., on Saturday, March 28 between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. A Transfer Station sticker will not be required to enter the facility for pick up, but proof of residency may be requested. Click here for the flyer with more details.

• At 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, Medfield Cares About Prevention (MCAP) is partnering with the regional Building Bright Brains youth wellness campaign to bring New York Times bestselling author Jessica Lahey to caregivers through a free live webinar. Attendees can learn the latest science-backed insights about how to promote children's self-efficacy during a time when many teens report feeling checked out, distracted and overwhelmed. Register for the event here or by scanning the QR code on the flyer.

• Beyond the rain barrel promotion, the Transfer Station and Recycling Committee is planning ahead for other initiatives, including a textile collection at St. Edwards, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22; a household goods collection at Transfer Station from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. on April 11; a foam collection also at Transfer Station on April 11, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.; and reopening of the SWAP at the end of April (weather permitting). Further ahead, an electronics recycling day is scheduled for May 2, and a household hazardous waste collection is set for June 3.

• Residents are reminded to return their completed town census, and renew or obtain dog licenses before April 1 to avoid the $25 late fee on top of the $10 registration fee. More information is available here.

(Gmail users: Click on "message clipped" at bottom of your e-mail to view entire message, including community event information.)

SOCIETY ISSUES March newsletter, hosts tavern talk

Medfield Historical Society has published the March edition of "The Portal," its monthly e-newsletter. This latest issue includes articles about the founding of the Medfield Drill Team in 1960, a historic phonograph concert in G.A.R. Hall, a story from "Further Afield" to broaden historic knowledge beyond the town, plus upcoming event information.

At 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10 at Medfield Public Library, Medfield Historical Society will host a talk on the role of taverns in the American Revolution. Guest speaker is Malcolm Purinton, Ph.D., a Northeastern University history professor and author. More information on this free program, co-sponsored by Medfield Public Library, is available here.

GARDEN CLUB hosts hummingbird talk

At 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 11 at United Church of Christ, 496 Main St., Medfield Garden Club is sponsoring the presentation “Make Ready for Hummingbirds” with guest speaker Alexis Dandreta.

Attendees will learn about hummingbirds’ feeding habits, nesting behaviors, and migration patterns, as well as how to attract them -- including the flowers they

prefer. For non-members, doors open at 9:45 a.m. and a $5 donation is requested; members are free.

Also this month, Medfield Garden Club will also host "Art 'N Bloom" at Medfield Public Library to showcase floral arrangements inspired by artwork from Medfield High School students. The free event runs from Friday, March 13 to Sunday, March 15 during regular library hours. While no pre-registration is needed, those interested in attending can sign up to get an automated reminder.

ZULLO HOSTS phonograph concert

On Saturday, March 14, the Zullo Gallery and Johnny Dalton will present "The Victrola Experience" -- a night featuring 100+ year-old Victrola records accompanied by live acoustic music. Dalton, a master engineer, musician and discographer, will be joined by singer/songwriter Cara Brindisi and indie/folk duo Sweet Petunia.

Doors open at 6 p.m. with records playing shortly thereafter. Live music kicks off at 7 p.m. More information and tickets available here. Seats of two or more will be reserved based on the order of purchase.

LEGACY FUND encourages grant applications

Applications are now being accepted for 2026 Medfield Foundation Legacy Fund Community Impact Grants. Up to $40,000 in grants will be awarded, and any Medfield-based nonprofit or Medfield municipal department is eligible to apply. The deadline to submit a grant request online is March 15, 2026.

This year marks the sixth round of Legacy Fund Community Impact grants. To date, more than $136,000 has been awarded to 13 organizations.

The press release with other key dates, plus details about the process, can be found here.