Office Hours this Friday 9-10AM

Selectman Office Hours this Friday 9-10AM

My regular monthly selectman office hours are at The Center on the first Friday of every month from 9:00 to 10:00 AM (this Friday).

Residents are welcome to stop by to talk in person about any town matters. Residents can also have coffee and see the Council on Aging in action (a vibrant organization with lots going on).

I can be reached via my cell phone at 508-359-9190 or my blog about Medfield matters, where any schedule changes will be posted.

Sgt. Dan Burgess, MPD

Chief Guerette yesterday announced that the Medfield Police Department will be using the Medfield Patch to feature its personnel for residents, and that she wanted to start with the department’s senior sergeant, Sergeant Dan Burgess –

Sergeant Dan Burgess

Sergeant Dan Burgess has been a Police Officer for 31 years. He began his career with the Rockland, Massachusetts Police Department in 1993 where he worked as a Permanent Intermittent Police Officer. He transferred to the Medfield Police Department in July of 1995. While working in Medfield, Dan has held the positions of Patrolman, Detective, Patrol Sergeant and for the past 11 years he has been the “Administrative Sergeant” of the department. You may recognize Sergeant Burgess from interactions with him as the firearms licensing Officer or from a community event, as he assists the Chief in coordinating many of the town events such as road races, holiday events, parades etc. 

Sergeant Burgess has enjoyed working with the fine residents of Medfield. He strives to provide a safe and secure community for the residents of Medfield. Sgt. Burgess values a high standard of quality of life stating, “Medfield is a beautiful, quintessential New England town and I’m proud to work here every day”. Sgt. Burgess looks forward to continuing his role as the senior officer, mentor and leader within the department. 

On an “off” day, Dan can be found on a hot sunny beach, walking a golf course or landscaping his yard. 

Select Board 5/23/20024

TOWN OF MEDFIELD
MEETING
NOTICE

Posted in accordance with the provisions of M.G.L. c. 30A, §§18-25
This meeting will be held remotely. Members of the public who wish to participate via Zoom may do so by joining by one of the following options:

1. To join online, use this link:
   https://medfield-net.zoom.us/j/88530366678?pwd=clhLODVKcnlDN3dFTDJWQjBCVzJ5Zz09
   a. Webinar ID: 885 3036 6678
   b. Password: 637025
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: 885 3036 6678
   b. Enter the password: 637025
   
3. Select Board
   Board or Committee
   PLACE OF MEETING DAY, DATE, AND TIME
   Remote meeting on Zoom Thursday, May 23, 2024 at 2:00 pm
   Agenda (Subject to Change)
   Open Session
   Call to Order

1. Vote to sign the contract with Shady Tree Landscaping for lawn mowing and landscaping
   services at the COA
2. Vote to approve $14,752 for Baxter Park Electrical Repairs to be paid for by Norfolk County
   ARPA allocation
3. Vote to approve a not to exceed amount of $10,000 for Zoom Webinar and Meeting licenses
   for town staff to be paid for by Norfolk County ARPA allocation
4. Roll Call Vote to go into Executive Session To discuss strategy session in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel – Police Chief Michelle Guerette

MSBC upcoming forums 5/19, 5/29, & 5/30

SBC Forums
• Wednesday, May 15th, Dale Street School cafeteria @ 7:00 p.m
• Sunday, May 19th Dale Street School cafeteria @ 4:00 p.m.
• May 29 at the Town House @ 11:00 a.m
• May 31st the Senior Center @ 10:30 a.m

Medfield School Building Committee Letter to the Community

Dear Medfield Community,

May 1, 2024

The Medfield School Building Committee (SBC) is writing to update the community on our work. We want to share a very preliminary estimate of what a future building project may cost. When we use the words “future building project” this means a new building OR an addition/renovation (add/reno) of the Dale Street School. What we actually build will be determined after thoroughly discussing all options and gathering extensive feedback from the community.

Medfield constructed the original Dale Street School during the 1940’s. The building is well past its useful life, and it should either be replaced or subject to an add/reno process.

The reality which we are facing is that the cost of this project is going to be high, and we do not want this to be a shock to the community. We do not know precise figures but we felt providing the community with a financial framework would be prudent. Based on very high level estimates, a new school for 475-500 students will cost between $90-100 million. There are many variables that will ultimately influence the project cost such as interest rates at the time the Town seeks a bond to finance construction, design of the proposed project, the cost of project materials, and the cost of modular units (temporary classrooms for students) if an add/reno option at the current Dale Street location is used. If you assume that the town borrows $93 million at the current projected interest rates, the cost per average household (based on a valuation of $902,000 – (the average home valuation in Medfield) will be approximately $983 per year with
Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) funding, or $1,341 per year without MSBA funding.

Each year the MSBA selects a number of schools to receive state funds to offset some of the cost of school building projects, and we estimate the amount of state reimbursement for our project’s eligible expenses to be approximately $20-25 million. In 2023, the Town reapplied for MSBA Program funding, but the MSBA did not invite Medfield back into the MSBA Program. The Select Board and School Committee reapplied to the MSBA Program for December 2024. If the Town does not get invited into the MSBA Program funding in December 2024, then Medfield will need to consider doing a building project without the MSBA support, which means funding the entire
project.

Some of you may be wondering: Would an add/reno option cost less than new construction? We do not know the answer to that question at this time, The FutureThink company just provided Medfield with an updated enrollment projection which will be very helpful in planning the size and scope of the building project. Please check the SBC website to read their report.

Your engagement as we continue to evaluate options is critical, The SBC is planning to conduct a series of forums with Town residents in the hope of receiving feedback and questions related to cost and other matters.

The focus of our first forums will be on location.

SBC Forums
• Wednesday, May 15th, Dale Street School cafeteria @ 7:00 p.m
• Sunday, May 19th Dale Street School cafeteria @ 4:00 p.m.
• May 29 at the Town House @ 11:00 a.m
• May 31st the Senior Center @ 10:30 a.m

We hope to see you there!

For additional information on the SBC please visit our Town website or the Medfield School Building Facebook page.

Sincerely,

MEDFIELD SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
Mike Weber (Co-Chair)
Meredith Chamberland (Co-Chair)
Michelle Kirkby
I.co Brehm
William C. Werner
Robert Meaney
Teresa James
Anthony Papantonis
Peter Michelson
Robert Worth
John Messina
Carolyn Casey

Talk at 6:30 tonight on its innovative AR art

From Chris McCue –

Zullo Launches Invisible Art Exhibit with Augmented Reality

Medfield becomes AR canvas for “Evolution of a Small Town” show in which 20 experiences come to life via handheld devices.

Chris McCue,Community Contributor

Posted Sat, May 11, 2024 at 3:12 pm ET|Updated Sat, May 11, 2024 at 3:17 pm ET

Artist Ann Gorbett has created several AR experiences for the Zullo Gallery exhibit under the title of “Celebrating Medfield: Its History And Its Future.” For the one shown, she created historical images floating in spheres over Baker’s Pond. (Ann Gorbett)

Noah Paessel’s AR creation, “Ephemeral Forms,” was inspired by “Lake Nemi,” a painting by famous artist George Inness (1825-1894) whose historic home & studio is at 406 Main St. Visitors can experience the work from the sidewalk in front of the property. (Noah Paessel )

Artist Tatianya Keating created an explosion of color and abstract shapes in front of the Medfield Town House for her AR work, “Press Play,” inspired by the influence of community and action. (Tatianya Keating )

The Zullo Gallery serves as home for Duncan Reid’s AR piece, “Self-reflection of the Grandmother of Invention,” featuring a virtual astronaut that comes to life as a giant that can be moved around the gallery space. (Duncan Reid)

Historical images captured in balls floating over Baker’s Pond…the work of a famous artist coming to life in front of his former studio (now a historic site)…an astronaut and futuristic spy providing a sci-fi vibe — these are just examples of the 20 experiences around Medfield created by artists for the groundbreaking Zullo Gallery augmented reality (AR) exhibit, “Evolution of a Small Town.”

To help members of the public get the most out of the new exhibit, the Zullo at 456A Main St., offers a variety of opportunities to try out AR, learn about participating artists, and get information about viewing all the sites around town:

• On-site at the Zullo Gallery during regular hours — Saturdays and Sundays, 12 to 5 p.m.;
• A special “launch talk” at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 16; and
• An artists’ reception at the gallery from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 30.

The AR exhibit runs through Sunday, June 23, with nearly a dozen participating artists from the Greater Boston area who developed work to experience through a hand-held device, typically a cell phone or iPad.

Featured presenter for the free May 16 launch talk is Hoverlay co-founder Nicolas Robbe, who has been working with the Zullo and artists over many weeks to teach them about augmented reality, guide their work, and help the gallery with the innovative initiative funded by a grant from the Medfield Foundation Legacy Fund. Acton-based Hoverlay specializes in the development and creative use of AR technology.

Zullo Gallery Executive Director Bill Pope noted that the talk will be especially useful for helping members of the public better understand AR and get guidance on using the free Hoverlay app so they can fully experience all of the exhibit sites. “We’re excited to expand artistic horizons by taking an exhibit out of the Zullo and literally bringing it to the streets of Medfield,” said Pope.

“As one of the first galleries to virtually expand into its community through augmented reality, the Zullo is pioneering a new way to bring local art directly to the public,” said Robbe. “This innovative approach not only transcends the physical boundaries of a gallery, but also forms a deeper connection between local artists and the community.”

Inside the Zullo itself, a variety of AR experiences are featured, including exhibits related to Medfield history, interactive drawings, and a larger-than-life astronaut that moves around the room.

Other artistic AR subjects as part of the exhibit, include:

• Former George Inness home and artist studio (“Lake Nemi” inspired virtual sculpture – 406 Main St.);
• Medfield Public Library/Gazebo (confetti celebration & sparkles – 468 Main St.);
• Medfield Historical Society & Main/North St. power box (Jack the Dog – 6 Pleasant St. & 478 Main St.);
• Medfield Town House (colorful interpretation of community & action – 459 Main St.);
• Rail Trail (train station theme – Farm Street intersection);
• Peak House Heritage Center (Colonial kitchen garden – 347 Main St.);
• Old Meetinghouse/First Parish UU church (ghostly experience – 26 North St.);
• Baker Pond (suspended balls over water with historic sites enclosed – North & Frairy St.);
• Medfield State Hospital (historical- & nature-themed works – Sledding Hill and Main Campus off Hospital Road, and MSH Cemetery off Rte. 27); and
• Bank of America (electric vehicle charging station – 406 Main St. parking lot).

Prior to visiting the sites, viewers should download the free Hoverlay AR browser app from Apple App Store, Google Play or via https://hoverlay.io/ZulloARCanvas.

Once the app is set and the viewer’s location is enabled, ZulloARCanvas becomes the launch site for all the Medfield experiences, complete with a map that marks the sites, and a built-in GPS to help direct users to the best viewing spot. (QR codes will soon be placed in certain locations.)

The artists showcased in the exhibit are:

• Polo Barrera
• Kathy Desmond
• Gail Fischer
• Ann Gorbett
• Tatianya Keating
• Michael Lewy
• Sasja Lucas
• Noah Paessel
• Duncan Reid
• Daniel Robartes
• Amy Schubert

The Medfield Foundation Legacy Fund is a professionally managed endowment created to support community-driven projects. Volunteer-run and designed to complement the initiatives of Medfield organizations, the Medfield Foundation Legacy Fund raises private funds for public good.

Since 1988, the Zullo Gallery has hosted art exhibits, art classes, live music, community events, and private rental space. More information about the gallery is available at Zullogallery.org.

BELLFORGE Art & Craft Festival this Saturday

From Patch Mayor Colleen Sullivan –

Medfield|Local Event

BELLFORGE Art & Craft Festival

Colleen M. Sullivan, Patch Mayor

MAY18

Event Details

Sat, May 18, 2024 at 11:00 AM

Add to calendar

45 Hospital Rd, Medfield, MA, 02052

First time FORGE:  Art & Craft Festival at Bellforge Arts Center!

Discover creativity at the FORGE+ Art & Craft Festival, MetroWest’s newest gathering for art enthusiasts and craft connoisseurs.

Join Us…..OVER 35 Vendors will be there displaying their Arts and Crafts.

CLICK HERE for more information

Medfield Community Market opens Sunday

Medfield Community Market opens this Sunday.

P&R commissioner opening

The Medfield Park & Recreation Commission has one open commissioner position that will be filled on June 11. 2024 by a joint vote of the Medfield Park & Recreation Commission and the Select Board at a joint meeting of the two boards.

Interested candidates must submit an expression of interest by June 4, 2024.

Select Board 5/14/2024

1. To join online, use this link:
   https://medfield-net.zoom.us/j/88530366678?pwd=clhLODVKcnlDN3dFTDJWQjBCVzJ5Zz09
   a. Webinar ID: 885 3036 6678
   b. Password: 637025
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: 885 3036 6678
   b. Enter the password: 637025
   The packet with meeting materials for this meeting is available at this link:
   https://www.town.medfield.net/DocumentCenter/View/7905/Select-Board-Meeting-Packet_05142024

Anti-Racism Vigil 5/30

From Patch –

Anti-Racism Vigil To Be Held In Medfield On Thursday, May 30th

Stones of Sorrow, Ripples of Hope, Anti-Racism Vigil to be held on the grounds of the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church at 7pm.

Colleen M. Sullivan,Patch Mayor

Where in Medfield?