2002 OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION PLAN

TOWN OF MEDFIELD

Prepared By:

Town ofMedfield Open Space Committee Town ofMedfield Park and Recreation Commission

July, 2002 TABLE OF CONTENTS

PLAN SUMMARY 3

INTRODUCTION 4 Statement ofPurpose 4 Planning Process and Public Participation 4 Public Hearing 6

COMMUNITY SETTING 7 Regional Context 7 ffi~ory 8 Population Characteristics 9 Growth and Development Patterns 12

ENVIRONMENTAL INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS 17 Introduction 17 Topography 17 Soils 19 Climate 22 Water Resources 23 Vegetation 25 Wildlife 27 Rare or Endangered Species 28 Scenic Resources 29 Historic Resources 29 Archaeological Resources 30 Summary ofEnvironmental Factors 31

INVENTORY OF LAND OF CONSERVATION OR RECREATION INTEREST 37 Introduction 37 ProtectedOpen Space and Conservation Lands 37 Open Space with Little Protection 38 Existing Recreation Facilities 38 Lands Acquired since 1994 38 Chapter 61, 61A, and 61B Lands 50

COMMUNITY GOALS 53

ANALYSIS OF NEEDS 55 Summary ofResource Proteetion Needs 55 Summary ofCommunity Needs 57 Summary ofManagement Needs and Potential Changes ofUse 58

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES 59 Goals Setting 59 Open Space Goals and Objectives 59 Recreation Goals and Objectives 62 FIVE YEAR ACTION PLAN 65 Open Space Recommendations 65 Recreation Recommendations 72 Potential Implementation Mechanisms 75 Medfield Five Year Action Plan Summary 79

REFERENCES 88

PUBLIC COMMENTS APPENDIX I: Open Space Survey Form APPENDIX II: Open Space Survey Results APPENDIX III: Public Hearing Information APPENDIX N: List ofActive Subdivisions APPENDIX V: ADA Compliance Survey APPENDIX VI: Topographic Map Symbols APPENDIX VII: Chapter 61 Protocol and Procedures

Tables Table 1. Population 1970 to 2000 9 Table 2. Population Density 10 Table 3. Education 10 Table 4. 1989 Income Levels 10 Table 5. 1990 Employment by Occupation 11 Table 6. 1990 Age by Category 11 Table 7. Number ofBuilding Permits Issued 1998 to 2000 16 Table 8. Rare Species Occurrences 28 Table 9. Medfield Scenic Resources 34 Table 10. Medfield Historic Resources 35 Table 11. Illventory ofExisting Open Space and Conservation Lands 40 Table 12. Inventory ofOpen Space Lands with Little Protection 46 Table 13. Inventory ofExisting Outdoor Recreation Facilities 47 Table 14. Inventory ofExisting Indoor Recreation Facilities 49 Table 15. Chapter 61 Land (Forestry) 51 Table 16. Chapter 61A Land (Agricultural) 52 Table 17. Chapter 61B Land (Recreation) 52

Maps Map 1. Current Zoning Map with Parcel Lines 13 Map 2. Current Zoning Map without Parcel Lines 14 Map 3. USGS Topographic Map 18 Map 4. General Soil Conditi~.;.. 21 Map 5. Major Watersheds 24 Map 6. Public Water Supply and DEP Approved Zone II Wellhead Protection Areas 26 Map 7. Scenic and Cultural Resources 33 Map 8. Open Space Map 39 Map 9. Chapter 61 Land 50 Map 10. Medfield State Hospital (Aerial View) 56 Map 11. Action Plan Map 66

2 PLAN SUMMARY

The 2001 Medfield Open Space and Recreation Plan represents an update of the 1994 Plan. Medfield has had previous Open Space plans drafted and approved in 1974 and 1980. Although Medfield has shown to be a very proactive town in both purchasing and preserving its open space this plan continues to focus on the need to preserve those remaining open space areas and maintain the existing open space areas in town. Throughout this planning process it was stressed to the Open Space Committee that preserving the character ofthe Town was extremely important to the residents. This plan attempts to address that issue. The plan contains the following major elements:

• Description ofPublic Input • Demographic Profile • Summary ofRecent Growth Trends • Enviromnental Portrait ofthe Town • Inventory ofexisting open space and recreational areas and facilities • Analysis ofOpen Space and Recreation Needs • .Summary ofCommunity Goals • Statement ofGoals and Objectives • Five Year Action Plan • Public Comment

This plan recommends a combination of acquisition and regulatory measures to expand the open space and recreation inventory, protect natural resources more specifically water resources, to manage growth to limit its impact on Town services and character and to provide linkages between the existing open space areas expanding the existing trail system throughout town, and to expand the recreational resources ofthe town to serve the changing needs ofthe residents ofMedfield.

3 () INTRODUCTION

Statement ofPnrpose

The purpose ofthe Medfield Open Space and Recreation Plan is to ensure that Medfield's open space and recreation resources continue to be protected and augmented as theyhave been in the past. The Town has completed Open Space and RecteationPlans in 1974,1980, 1988)1I11tH994.... 2.oo..,t These plans have guided the Town in its proactive approach to preserving open space and the rural character ofthe Town.

Great progress has been made in achieving the goals and objectives that were recommended in the 1994 Open Space Plan including the acquisition ofthe Holmquist property offPlain Street, development of a system to evaluate Chapter 61, 61A, and 61B lands, acquisition of easements surrounding Well #6, and the completion ofthe Medfield portion ofthe Bay Circuit Trail. Many ofthe goals and objectives stated in the 1994 Open Space Plan are ongoing and continue to be carried out by the Open Space Committee, the Conservation Committee, Parks and Recreation Commission and the Board ofSelectmen.

This 2001 Open Space and Recreation Plan continues to build on the accomplishments ofthese previous plans. and serves as an update to these previous plans. Many ofthe goals and objectives that were stated in these previous plans are still valid though much progress towards these goals has been achieved. Recognizing this progress the Open Space Committee has extensively reviewed and ultimately modified the goals and objectives for the 2001 Plan.

The Open Space Plan is not to be considered a static document but one that should be reviewed and updated as needed. At a minimum the Plan should be reviewed on an annual basis.. The Plan will need a complete update in 2005. The Plan should continue to provide a common vision for the Town and continue to serve as a guide in the protection of open space and recreational resources.

Planning Process andPnblic Participation

The Open Space Committee conducted this plan update with assistance from the Conservation Committee and the Park and Recreation Commission. The residents ofMedfield as well as the volunteer boards and commissions contributed greatly in establishing the goals and objectives of this plan. This is the most critical part ofthis plan since it is the residents who will ultimately ensure the implementation ofthis plan.

The first phase ofpublic participation for the plan included a town wide survey that sought input in several areas including how open space should be preserved, prioritization of preservation efforts, and how the current open space and recreational facilities in town are utilized. The information gathered from the survey served as the basis for the draft plan update. A draft plan was then placed at the Memorial Library and Town Hall for review beginning the second phase ofpublic pll\iicipation. Residents were asked to review the draft plan and attend a public hearing held on September XX, 2001 to provide comments regarding the plan.

4 Open Space andRecreational Survey

In March of 1999 a survey was distributed, through the local paper, foevery household in Medfield. A total of 4,391 surveys were distributed. A copy of the survey is included in Appendix I along with the complete results ofthe survey. The survey, divided into three parts, included a total oftwenty questions concerning both open space and recreation. The first part of the survey asked residents to identify what types of land and or buildings it was important to preserve and if necessary purchase, then went further by asking residents to prioritize the most important reasons for purchasing open space. The survey also asked residents how they currently utilize the open space areas and the trail system in town. This part of the survey concluded by asking what the residents ofMedfield like the best about the open space areas in town and what could be done to improve on these areas.

The second part of the survey focused on the recreational aspect of the plan. Residents were asked to rate the park and recreational facilities in town and identify the importance of recreational facilities to their household. Residents were also asked how satisfied they were with the facilities that were available and how those facilities were utilized. As in the first part ofthe survey, residents were questioned as to what they liked best about these facilities and what improvements could be made.

The final part ofthe survey asked residents to provide some basic demographic data including how long they had lived in town, how many residents in each household and how many children were in the household under the age of 18. Respondents also had the option of an additional section into which to provide comments for the committee. These comments are included in Appendix II.

LandAcquisition

Other expressions ofpublic input for this plan include several Proposition 2 'h overrides for land acquisition. The most important expression ofpublic support for preserving open space lies with Town Meeting. The residents have responded positively to three requests for land acquisition since the 1994 plan. These include purchasing the Newell property, which is approximately ten acres, the Wallingford property, which is approximately 30 acres, and the Hinkley property, which is ten acres. However the most memorable town Meeting vote occurred at a Special Town Meeting held in June, 1999 when voters turned out to overwhelmingly support the purchase of the 100 acre Holmquist property on both sides ofPlain Street. Although only 760 official votes were cast in the unanimous vote to purchase the land, more than 1,000 residents filled the standing room only auditorium and hallways while an additionally estimated 1,000 residents were standing in line waiting to enter the building. The purchase and required override was again overwhelmingly approved at the special election, held after Town Meeting.

5 I f~l Public Hearing on the Draft Plan i A draft plan was completed and made available at the Medfield Public Library and the Medfield Town House. A press release was issued to the Medfield Press and the Boston Globe to announce the availability of the Plan as well as the scheduled Public Hearing on November 7, 2001.

The Open Space Committee wishes to express here its appreciation to Kristine Trierweiler, Assistant Town Administrator, who has contributed much to the preparation ofthis 2001 Open Space and Recreation Plan.

6 COMMUNITY SETTING

Regional Context The town ofMedfield is situated about 18 miles southwest ofBoston, and eight miles southwest of Route 128. Massachusetts. State Highways 109 and 27,as well as the CSX railroad line, intersect in the center of Medfield. The commercial and institutional core of the community is located at this point. Due to intentional planning and public investment by the Town, this downtown area has remained viable and continues to serve as the main commercial hub of the Medfield. While there is one smaller commercial area on Route 109 to the east, there is no extensive strip development in Medfield. Relatively dense residential development surrounds the downtown area fora radius ofabout one and one halfmiles.

Like most ofits bordering towns ofDover, Sherborn, Millis, Norfolk, and Walpole, Medfield is a town with much rural character remaining. Many of its retail, professional, and medical needs are met in the larger, more urban communities of Walpole and Norwood to the east and the Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Needham, Newton corridor along Route 9 to the north. Due to its desirable location, the Town continues to attract residential development. The Charles River forms the western border ofMedfield with Millis and Sherborn. In addition to being the principal waterway in the Town, the Charles is flanked by more than 1,000 acres of wetlands and floodplains. Much ofthis area is now part ofthe U.S. Army Corps ofEngineers' Natural Valley Storage Project. This fact, in conjunction with the planningand zoning measures adopted by the Town,has limited development in the western part ofthe Town. Today, virtually all the,land adjoining the Charles River in Medfield is protected open space.

Another factor ofregional importance relating to open space and· recreation is the ownership of most ofthe Town's open space by entities other than the Town itself. In addition to the Army Corps of Engineers property, Rocky Woods Reservation (which straddles the Medfield-Doyer town line and encompasses 490 acres in Med.field) is .owned by the private non-profit organization, The Trustees ofReservations. The Trustees own a total of 1,365 acres, including more than 400 acres in the Noon Hill and Charles River areas.. Another large parcel, which forms part ofthe border with Sherborn, and spills over into Dover, is the State-owned Medfield State Hospital site. Thus, these are regional resources potentially available for use by a population larger than the Town's. the Bay Circuit Alliance, a non-profit group, oversees the Bay Circuit Trail, which passes through Medfield where it is maintained by the Friends ofMedfield Forests and Trails. The trail links open 'spaces and parks around Boston in a semi-circle. from Newbury and Ipswich in the north to Kingston and Duxbury in the south. The MedfieldportiOii ofthe Bay Circuit Trail was officially dedicate4 in 1998. .

Another factor of regional significance is the MetropoIit~ kea Planning Council's (MAPC) MetroGreen Plan. MetroGreen is the Land Resources Protection Element of MetroPlan 2000, the regional development plan for metropolitan Boston. MetroGreen was adopted by MAPC at its May 1992, meeting. Its four major goals are to preserve and protect critical land resources; to shape the growth ofthe region; to help preserve and enhance a "sense ofplace" for the region;

7 i ;C) and fulfill the recreational needs of the region's population and to provide acces~, when appropriate, to protected open areas. The recommendations of this .report, including recommended regulatory measures as well as open space acquisition and trail development, are compatible with MetroGreen. ..'

Of the towns which adjoin Medfield, the town of Walpole approved an Open Space and Recreation Plan in 1996. Walpole will be updating this plan in the year 2000. Millis adopted an Open Space Plan in September 1999. Norfolk complet~ a master plan in 1992, and'an Open Space Plan in 1996. Dover's Master Plan also recommended that an Open Space and Recreation Plan be prepared which was completed in October 1997. The Town ofSherborn does not have an Open Space and Recreation Plan.

History I Originally a part ofthe Town ofDedham, Medfield was founded by thirteen original settlers in 1649 and was incorporated as the 43 rd Town in Massachusetts on June 2, 1651. It remained principally a farming community unti1)800. At that time, the Town had a population of745. A I facility for the manufacture of straw hats was opened that year and this was to become the principal industry in the town until 1954. In addition to the original settlers, the straw hat factory attracted Scottish and English workers from northern New England and Canada.

In 1892, Medfield State Hospital, a state institution for the mentally ill, was established in \ Medfield on land above the Charles River. The State Hospital became, and continued to be, a / significant factor in the life ofthe Town until the 1950s when the patient and staffpopulation of the Hospital was greatly reduced. The handsome "campus" of. the Hospital, with its brick­ walled, slate-roofed buildings and its green quadrangle, remains an important Town landmark. It was designated as both a local and national historic district in 1994.

During the latter part of the twentieth century, Medfield has become primarily a suburban residential community with a limited but healthy iridustrial element. However one ofthe largest industrial companies, a Bayer medical research and ·manufacturing facility, which is located in the restored hat factory buildings downtown, has announced that it wiII be relocating out of Medfield by the year 2001. This could have a negative e~ect on the downtown businesses.

The downtown business district which has been confined primarily to the center oftown through strictly applied zoning has experienced a.n increase in the number ofstore front vacancies despite a significant amount ofpublic investment in the downtown, including the newly renovated Town House and. Public Library. Despite the pressures of growth and inevitability of change, the Town has succeeded in retaining much of the character ofit self-sufficient, centralized, partly . industrial and partly ~ral New England town, a character which is highly prized by many of . Medfield's inhabitants, and which they continue to work towardpreserving.

The people ofthe Town of Medfield consider their community to be rich in historical heritage and put a high value on protection of its historical resources, both for their visual richness and diversity and for their role in signifYing the "character" and evolution ofthe Town.

8 Population Characteristics Population Gruwth The population ofthe Town of Medfield had been relatively stable from 1970 to 1990, but has grown substantially since 1990 as indicated in Table 1. According to the U.S. Census, the population increased from 9,821 in 1970 to 10,220 in 1980, and to 10,531 in 1990. The latest Town Clerk's Census indicates a population of 12,381 on January 1, 2000. Thus Medfield's population has steadily increased since 1990.

Table 1. Population 1970 to 2000.

Year Population Increase % Increase 1970 9,821 NA NA 1980 10,220 399 4.06 1990 10,531 311 3.04 2000 12,381 1,850 17.57

Source: U.S. Census, 1970, 1980, 1990,Town Census, 2000

Figure 1. Medfield Population Change 1970 to 2000.

14,000

12,000

10,000

8,000

6,000

4,000

2;000 , . J 0 1970 1980 1990 2000

9 Density

The population density ofMedfield is compared with that ofthe State ofMassachusetts in Table 2. M~dfield has maintained a density slightly higher than the state as a whole. It should also be noted that the overall population figures showing a moderate increase masks the actual impact on open space. The older residential core of Medfield is relatively dense. The newer residential sections outside that core have been developed at much lower densities resulting in the conversion oflarge areas ofopen space into residential uses.

I Table 2. Population Density (persons per square Mile)

I 1980 1990 1994 Medfield 708 730 781 Massachusetts 693 726 NA Source: U. S. Census, 1980, 1990, Town Census, 1994

Education Table 3 compares the educational levels in Medfield with the State average. Medfield residents have attained a higher education levels than residents ofthe state as a whole.

Table 3. Education (percent ofthose 25 and older)

High School or More College or More Medfield 93.2% 49.1% Massachusetts 80.0% 27.2% Source: U.S. Census, 1990.

Income The median household and per capita income levels of Medfield residents compared to the Commonwealth ofMassachusetts as a whole is shown in Table 4. The median income and per capital income levels are higher in Medfield than the State average.

Table 4. 1989 Income Levels

Median Household Per Capita

Medfield $73,524 $26,103 Massachusetts $38,952 $17,224 Source: U. S. Census, 1990

10 Employment The occupations of Medfield residents are shown by major category in Table 5. As would be expected from the education and income levels discussed previously, Medfield has a higher percentage of residents whose occupations are in high paying categories such as ManagersfProfessionals and lower percentages in Production/CraftlRepair, OperatorslLaborers I and Service Occupations. Table 5. 1990 Employment by Occupation

Medfield Massachusetts MangersfProfessionals 48.5% 36.2% Sales/Admin. Support 33.2% 28.6% Service Occupations 6.1% 12.8% Farming/Fishing/Forestry 0.7% 0.9% Productions/Craft Repair 6.0% 10.0% OperatorslLaborers 5.6% 11.4%

Source: U.S. Census, 1990

Age A comparison ofage breakdown between the Town ofMedfield and the State is shown in Table 6. The Table indicates a larger percentage ofchildren under eighteen and a lower percentage of citizens 65 years of age and older than the state as a whole. This data is useful in planning ! recreation programs for the residents ofMedfield. I.

Table 6. 1990 Age by Category

Medfield Massachusetts 0-17 26.9% 22.5% 18-24 8.3% 11.8% 25-44 34.0% 33.6% 45-64 22.5% 18.5% 65+ 8.3% 13.6%

Average Age 34.0 35.9

Source: U.S. Census, 1990

11 Growth and Development Patterns

Patterns and Trends The general land use pattern in Medfield remains highly residential. However, significant development pressures have been placed on developable and marginally developable lands to accommodate commercial and industrial uses, and new housing. These pressures have been fostered by a healthy economy, excellent services, and a desirable location.

The densely settled areas of Medfield, including the downtown center, dense residential areas, and commercial/industrial complexes, lie within a I V, mile radius ofthe intersection ofRoutes 109 and 27. The majority ofdevelopment lies to the east ofRoute 27 due to the wetlands along the Charles River, and the planning and zoning policies ofthe Town.

Beyond the I V, mile radius, recent subdivision development (primarily since 1974) has extended into the southwest quadrant to Noon Hill and Indian Hill and into the northeast quadrant towards Dover and Walpole. The southwest quadrant consists of hilly areas surrounded by wetlands, while the northeast quadrant is largely uplands.

During the 1980s, smaller, more affluent families and single persons moved into Medfield, resulting in more single family as well as condominium development. This helped attract more commercial development as well. The reconstruction ofRoute 27 also resulted in an increase in , industrial and commercial development, including the rehabilitation and expansion of existing ,, buildings along Route 27 and Route 109. The town has been very successful at maintainingthe vitality of its commercial/institutional core and limiting strip development along these state highways.

Infrastructure This section briefly discusses the three major infrastructure elements that impact development: transportation, water supply, and sewer. The Town of Medfield has 74.72 miles of roadway. The most prominent roadways are Routes 27 and 109. Route 27, which traverses the town in a northwest-southeast direction (and connects Medfield to Sherborn, Natick and beyond to the north and to Walpole, Sharon, Stoughton, and beyond to the south), was rerouted and rebuilt north ofRoute 109 during the early 1990s. Most ofRoute 109, which is perpendicular to Route 27 (and links Medfield with Milford to the west and Boston to the east), was resurfaced in 1993. The area near the intersection ofthese roadways constitutes the commercial and institutional hub ofthe town. Most ofthe older residential neighborhoods are within I-V, miles ofthis hub. Some of the major roads are West Street, Hospital Road, North Street, Pine Street, Hartford Street, South Street and Causeway Street.

A freight railroad line runs just east and parallel to Route 27. Another rail line, presently unused, runs through the northwest part of Town perpendicular to the freight line. This line is being considered for commuter rail service. Commuter rail service is presently available in Walpole, Norfolk, and Needham. C6inmuter bus service is also available from a line that runs between Milford and Boston on Route 109 twice daily.

12 !_-- i,,\., _

------~- j) i Town of Medfield Zoning Map

o Medfield Parcels o Town of Medfield

_ Agricultural l!I!I!!l!!l Business o Business Industrial _ Industrial Extensive l%,iii!{iii,,1 Residential Estate III Residential Suburban 1;<1 Residential Town _ Residential Urban

'~'-dl

N Source: MassGIS, Town of Medfield GIS + --~ ===~_---==--==-":=lJ--' ~ Town of Medfield Zoning Map

Major Roadways o Town of Medfield Zoning Classification II Agricultural • Business D Business Industrial II Industrial Extensive Residential Estate II Residential Suburban D Residential Town 1: II Residential Urban

ffS:,~,y In.. +d\ \ N Source: MassGIS, Town of Medfield GIS +

! ! Medfield has a water system that serves most of the Town. The system includes four current wells; Well #5 is currently closed due to water discoloration problems, and a new Well #6 that was fully operational in March of 1998.. To meet future water demands, Well #5 will likely be expanded and a treatment system instalIed. Well #4 is also in need of treatment as a result of manganese in its aquifer.' The total feet ofwater main in Medfield is 396,000.

The Town's sewer system serves about a third of its residents. The present capacity of the treatment plant, located on the Charles River, is 1.5 million gallons per day (MGD). Originally designed to be expanded handle 5 MGD, it may be sufficient to accommodate any foreseeable growth. The proliferation of lift stations to serve new development is becoming an increasing problem. The Town completed a water and sewer master plan in 1998.

Long Term DevelopmentPatterns The primary land use control in Medfield is the Zoning By-Law. The current Zoning Map is shown in Figure 1. The Zoning By-Law provides for four residential districts with minimum lot sizes of 12,000 square feet and frontages of 80 feet to 80,000 square feet and 180 feet of frontage. It also designates two commercial zones, an industrial zones as well as an agricultural district. .

The Zoning By-Law also allows for Open Space Residential developments. These development project, which require a special permit, maintain the same overall density as the underlying district would allow, but permit the lots to be smaller so that a portion ofthe parcel is reserved for donation to the Town as permanently protected open space. One such subdivision, Hawthorne Village, was approved in 1993 and resulted in 60 acres of open space being donated to the Town.

Medfield also has the Aquifer, Watershed, and Floodplain Protection Overlay Districts to protect its water supply, the quality of surface waters and to help prevent flooding. The Conservation Commission administers the Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act as well as the Medfield Wetlands By-Law.

The number ofbuilding permits issued for single-family homes, since 1988, is shown in Table 7. It is evident that while there was a significant increase in number of building permits issued between 1992 and 1994 the number ofpermits issued has been steadily decreasing. In 2000 only 24 building permits were issued; this is the lowest amount issued since 1990. The trend in Medfield appears to have shifted toward adding on to existing homes vs. construction of new homes.

-I

15 Table 7. Number ofBuilding Permits Issued 1988 to 2000

Year # ofBuilding Permits 1988 34 1989 32 1990 26 1991 26 1992 70 1993 79 1994 97 1995 58 1996 60 1997 45 1998 43 1999 28 2000 24

Source: Medfield Building and Inspections Office

16 ENVIRONMENTAL JNVENTORY AND ANALYSIS

Introduction As an introduction to the individual factors which compose the environmental character of Medfield, it is useful to understand the geologic constraints that shaped the environment. Glacial Lake Medfield formed by the retreat ofthe southern edge ofthe Wisconsin Glaciation, covered most ofMedfield. As the stagnant ice zone moved, melted, to a position somewhat north ofthe Town, deltaic sand and gravels were deposited in open water south ofthe ice front. After retreat of the glacier, a catastrophic draining of Lake Medfield by water breaking into the Neponset River Valley took place. Apparently, after the melt, the edges ofglacial "dikes" impounding the lake suffered major breakouts, allowing the lake to drain rapidly to form the river valley area. Then a layer of windblown material derived from glacial drift was deposited over the area, forming the medium for the development ofthe vegetation.

In general, Medfield is underlain by lower to middle Paleozoic plutonic divides and granites, and metamorphosed volcanic rocks. Surficial deposits consist mostly of glacially derived till and stratified sand and gravel. Glacial-stream deposits consist ofgravel, sand and silt deposited by melt-water streams normally in contact with blocks ofstagnant ice. Glacial-like deposits consist of sand, silt, gravel and clay deposited in or graded to glacial Lake Medfield. Post glacial sediments include wind blown sand, silt alluvium, and swamp deposits.

This morphology, when taken with climate, has created conditions that have influenced the character and composition ofMedfield's environment. Topography, soils, the impoundment of water, and the climate affect the vegetation (flora and fauna), which provides the habitats to support wildlife, and influence the quality and quantity ofwater resources available to sustain the vegetation and wildlife.

Topography Deltaic deposits and formations created by the ice-melts and the draining of glacial Lake Medfield and adjacent Lake Charles to the west, occupy the majority ofMedfield's land, forming a vast area which runs diagonally from the northwest comer ofthe Town to the southeast comer along most ofits western border. These are generally gently sloping uplands which transition to relatively flat and wet lowlands. Though a few prominent upland areas in these formations may exhibit slopes exceeding 25 to 30% gradient, the majority ofthe upland areas in the deltas have topography of0-5% gradient, with limited interspersed areas increasing to 15%.

Glacial stream deposits exhibit a topography that is typically hummocky, with some closed depressions from the collapse of the surface of deposits following melting of buried blocks of ice.

Glacial Lake Medfield deposits exhibit a topography that is generally flat or deltaic at various thickness, with erosion areas oflake outlets forming river and streambeds throughout the Town.

Till deposits, left by the retreating glacier, exhibit a topography that includes steep upland areas, and also comprise the underlying layers, up to 100' thick, ofvalley and drumlin areas. Bedrock

17 ~-

Town of Medfield USGS Topographic Map

CJ Town of Medfield

Please see Appendix VI for Topographic Key

w+.N Source: MassGIS USGS Quad 1987 s areas, gouged by the glacier, compromise the majority of the steeper upland areas of greatest prominence and elevation.

These upland areas of some prominence generally surround the lands formed by deltaic deposits by forming a range ofbroken low hills, 300-370' in elevation, in the northern, northeastern, and eastern sectors ofthe Town (Castle Hill, Mine Hill, Cedar Hill, and Mt. Nebo). A smaller range to the south, Noon Hill and Indian Hill, are divided by the delta areas. These areas are primarily bedrock and till.

Upland areas such as the south central area ofNoon Hill and the northeast area of Mine and Cedar Hill reach elevations of 370± feet above mean sea level. These hills offer prominent views with slopes offtheir tops exceeding 30% in places. Mt. Nebo and Castle Hill reach 300± feet in elevation with slopes exhibiting gtadients from 10-20% offtheir tops.

Windblown deposits, overlying gentler upland areas and the flat lowlands, contribute to the soils cover necessary to support vegetation. These are finer materials, which serve as growth media.

In many instances, the topography lent itselfto agricultural uses. Bottomlands could be drained and then tilled, providing souls rich in organic matter. Upland areas were generally left forested or cleared and utilized for open pastureland, but not cultivated ortilled.

Soils Understanding the characteristics ofthe soils comprising a community is extremely valuable in planning. Soil properties influence the manner in which land should or can be used.

The kinds of soils that develop in any area depend upon the parent material, climate, living organisms, topography, and time. Most ofthe soils in Massachusetts were formed under a humid climate and a mixed hardwood and coniferous forest where the annual rainfall and evaporation permit leaching of soils materials and nutrients. Relief of the land, or topography, and parent material have been the most significant factors in forming the different soils in Medfield.

In general, the geological formations ofMedfield from which the soils are derived consist ofthe following:

• Surficial "Upper Hill" deposits, consisting primarily of silt, sand, pebbles, cobbles, and boulders (some more than 20 feet in diameter), which vary in thickness from zero to about 15 feet in upland areas, to 40 feet in valley areas, and up to 100 feet beneath drumlins; • Glacial-stream deposits ofprimarily sand, as well as pebble cobble and boulder gravel; • Glacial-lake deposits consisting ofand, silt, gravel, and clay; and • Wind-borne deposits, which cover milch ofthe level and gently sloping areas and provide the soils media to support the most dense vegetation. .

Soils, on the basis of soil characteristics, are classified in series. A soil series consists ofthose soils that have similar characteristics in the kind, thickness, and arrangement of soil layers or horizons, and is named after the place where the soils comprising the series were first found. A soils series is further subdivided into soil phases because ofthe differences in slope, amount and size of stones,· amount of exposed bedrock or some other feature that affects the soils use or management.

The many different kinds of soil in a community occupy the landscape in natural recurring groups called soil associations. Because soils occur on the.landscape in such a groups, it is possible to delineate broad areas having the same kinds and combinations of soils. A general soil area is made up ofa few dominant soils and several other soils oflesser extent. Commonly, properties of the dominant soils within a general soil area have about the same degree of limitation for a particular use. These areas are called general soil areas or soil area associations. Figure 3 is a General Soils Map that includes the Town ofMedfield.

In 1970, the Soil Conservation Service ofthe U.S. Department of Agriculture published a report titles "Soils and their Interpretation for Various Land Uses for the Town of Medfield, Massachusetts." This work was done in cooperation with the Norfolk Conservation District, and is available in the Conservation Commission files. The report analyzes each ofthe 22 soil types grouped into six associations found in Medfield in relation to its suitability for particular land use purposes. The soils and soil associations ofMedfield have been evaluated and mapped for the following eight uses or conditions:

1. Soil Limitations for Septic Tank Sewage Disposal 2. Soil Limitations for Commercial and Industrial Sites 3. Soil Limitations for Home Sites \ ) 4. Soil Limitations for Wetland Wildlife Sites 5. Soil Limitations for Sources ofSand and Gravel 6. Soil Limitations for Roads 7. Relationship ofSoils to Surface Runoff 8. Land Slope Characteristics

The largest soil area association in the Town is the Hinckley-Merrimac-Windsor Association. It covers 3,554 acres or 38% of the Town. These are droughty well-drained sandy and gravelly soils, with predominantly 0·15% slopes, occupying the nearly flat areas between the steeper uplands and hills. The soils have few limitations for residential, commercial and industrial, and recreational purposes, are rapidly permeable, and are suitable for agricultural production, early truck crops, with supplemental irrigation. Most ofthe central area oftown was developed on this type of soil. Soils ofthis association have good overall suitability for residential, commercial and industrial uses. They are highly desirable as sand and gravel sources, serve well as septic tank filter beds, and are a good potential source ofgroundwater for public and private use. The latter characteristics conflict since a rapidly permeating soil under septic tanks threatens groundwater purity. .

The second largest soil area in Medfield, the Muck-Whitman Association, is comprised of approximately 2,135 acres of fresh water marsh and 226 acres of open water. Together they occupy approximately 25% of the entire Town. These are very poorly drained organic and mineral soils of0-3% slope.

20 LEGEND

(NOT ALL SOIL UNITS OCCUR IN BOTH COUNTIES)

FREETOWN-SWANSEA~SACO; Very deep, nearly level. \leT)' poorly drained 'SOils formed in highly decomposeq organic material and silty alluvium: on flood plains of and ~t outlets of the Charles and Nepohset Rivers .

HINCKLEY·MERRIMAC·URBAN LAND: Very deep, nearly level to steep, excessively drained and somewhat excessively drained soils formed in sand.y and loamy glacial outwash . overlyi"ng stratified sand and gravel, and areas 01 !Jrban Jand; in major stream valleys and on coa51al plains

CANTON·CHARLTON-HOLLIS: Very deep and shallow, gently sloping 10 stef!P. somewhat excessively dFained and well drained, loamy soils f

WOODBRIOGE·PAXTON·MONTAU\(: Very deep, nearly· level 10 steep, moderately well l;lrained and well drained sciils formed in- friable, loamy glacial till overlying a firm sub· stratum; on upfand, oval hills - NEWPORT-URBAN LAND; Very deep, gently sloping to moderately steep, wen drained soils form!!d in friable, loamy glacial till overlying a firm substratum, and areas of urban land; on steep hillsides in the Boston Basin UOORTHENTS·URBAN LAND: Very deep, nearly level to DOVEl moderatelv steep, loamy and sandy soils that have been altered. and areas of I,lrban land; in and around the city of Boston 4 -I COMPILED 1985 I

u.s. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SOiL CONSERVATION SERViCE M~SSACHU$ETTSAG~ICULTUR.AL EXPERIMENT STATlqN GENE~AL SOIL MAP. NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK COUNTIES MASSACHUSETIS

4

r I, i· Other significant soil area associations include the Hollis Association (stony and rocky, shallow to bedrock soils with frequent ledge outcrops) and the Canton-Hollis Association (deep, well drained stony soil developed in loose sandy glacial till, and stony and rocky, shallow to bedrock soils with frequent ledge outcrops). These soils are found in the gently sloping, rolling and steep hills, and occupy about 25%, 2,255 acres, of the Town. They have· moderate to severe limitations for development and septic and water systems, and slight limitations for woodlands and recreational uses.

A lesser soil area association, comprising only 8% ofthe Town's area, is the Millis-Woodbridge Association. It consists ofdeep, well-drained and moderately well-drained stony soils formed in glacial till with hardpan less than 40 inches beneath the surface, and a gently rolling to steep topography of smooth rounded hills. This soil area has severe limitations for development and septic and water systems, and only a slight limitation for woodlands and many kinds of recreational uses.

A lesser soil area association, comprising only 8% ofthe Town's area, is the Millis-Woodbridge Association. It consists ofdeep, well-drained and moderately well-drained stony soils formed in glacial till with hardpan less than 40 inches beneath the surface, and a gently rolling to steep topography of smooth rounded hills. This soil area has severe limitations for development and septic and water systems, and only a slight limitation for woodlands and many kinds of recreational uses.

The smallest soil area association, comprising just 4% of the town's area, is the Paxton­ Woodbridge Association. These are well drained and moderately well drained soils with hardpans on dominantly 3 to 15% slopes, conforming to uplands and smoothly rounded hills. It has only slight limitations for woodlands, wildlife !\Ild some kinds of recreational uses, severe limitations for high density development related to septic or groundwater systems.

Climate Medfield's climate is classified as follows:

Group: Midlatitude (3 O· to 50· North Latitude) Type: Moist Continental Sub-Type: Humid

In general, the climate is typical of central and eastern portions ofNorth America, experiencing strong seasonal temperature contrasts, highly variable daily weather conditions, and ample precipitation, w~ch is rather uniform throughout the year. Cold winters are dominated by cold polar and arctic air masses flowing from sub arctic source regions. The variability of temperatures and weather results from the confrontation ofwarm and cold air masses typical of the polar-front zone.

Specifically, the climate of the Medfield area can be described by average record mean temperatures and precipitation as follows (1956-1985):

22 1. Temperature from an average mean temperature of38.6° F in January to 72.70 in July, the annual average record mean temperature is 50,40 F.

2. Precipitation from an average record mean amount of3.13 inches in July to 3.88 inches in November. The annual average record amount of precipitation is approximately 42 inches.

These characteristics, when taken with the morphology of the area, form the conditions necessary to permit a Moist Continental Forest (see Vegetation). In general, these conditions control the extent and type of outdoor recreation activities which people participate in by creating a warm season from the end ofMay to early September, a reasonably severe cold season from mid-December to mid-March, and transitional periods of alternating warm and brisk periods from early September to mid-December and from mid-march to the end ofMay.

Water Resources The principal waterway in Medfield is the Charles River, which meanders from south to north along the western edge of Town, and forms the boundary with Sherborn to the northwest arid Millis to the west. The River has always been significant in the life ofthe Town for its beauty, its demarcation ofthe Town boundary, and its recreational value. Its floodplain provided straw that attracted the hat industry and encourage settlement in the area.

In Medfield, about one thousand acres offloodplain land adjacent to the Charles is owned in fee or easement by the U.S. Army Corp ofEngineers in order to preserve the land as a "Natural Valley Storage Area" for flood control purposes. The "North Meadow" of the Charles has become a striking scenic asset to Medfield since being opened to public view as a result ofthe relocation of Route 27 through the meadow in 1974. Ongoing efforts of the Charles River Watershed Association and others in recent years have resulted in significant improvements to the quality ofthe river and its environs.

The main tributary to the Charles River in Medfield is the Stop River, a stream that flows northerly into Medfield from Norfolk at South Street then curves around the Noon Hill area and flows northwest through an extensive floodplain area to join the Charles just beyond Causeway Street. The Stop River is navigable by small boats during certain seasons.

Several small brooks, some ofthe linked by manmade ponds, flow toward the Stop and Charles Rivers. Among these are Nantasket Brook, Sewall Brook, Vine Brook, which flows through the Town Center, and Turtle Brook. Although much of the Town lies in the Charles River Watershed, eastern Medfield lies in the Neponset River Watershed. Here, other brooks flow to the south and east toward the Neponset River. The principal stream in this watershed is Mill Brook, which becomes Mine Brook as it flows from Jewell's pond. Mill Brook/Mine Brook is noteworthy in the Town's history as a power source for both the old Fork Factory near the east entrance to Medfield on Route 109 and the gristmill and mill race at Jewell's pond (sceniclhistoric landmarks). Today, the brook and its underlying aquifer are of critical importance to the Town as a municipal water source. Three ofthe Town's five wells, supplying more than halfits water, lie in the Mine Brook aquifer.

23 L...... _ '--- L_..---.--...J ---~ rr- Town of Medfield Major Watersheds

IV Major Roadways N Major Streams and Rivers Ii!lOO ~ Major Ponds and Lakes D Town of Medfield Major Watersheds [] CHARLES

[] NEPONSET

W~E'>it Source: MassGIS, Town of Medfield GIS S• Of the many ponds in Medfield, several are of particular significance for their beauty, their recreational value and their historic associations: Baker's Pond, also known as Meeting House Pond, in the Town Center; Vine Lake in the Town Cemetery; Kingsbury Pond, across from the landmark Kingsbury Homestead; Hinkley Pond, the Town's swim pond; Jewell's Pond; Holt's Pond at Noon Hill; and Chickering Lake at Rocky Woods Reservation, a regional'recreational area owned and managed by the Trustees ofReservations.

Wetlands and floodplain areas in Medfield are delineated on an over1ay~zoning map (Figure II), and are protected both through a zoning regulation and through a Town Wetlands Bylaw administered by the Conservation Commission. . Protection measures for the two primary aquifers, Charles River and Mine Brook, were developed by the Town's Aquifer Protection Bylaw Committee and passed at the 1988 Annual Town Meeting.

Vegetation The vegetation of Medfield, based upon climate, soils, precipitation, is considered a Moist Continental Forest Environment. With cold winters, warm summers, a broad annual temperature range and substantial annual precipitation, the soil water is frozen throughout one to three months (reducing plant material water need to near zero). The annual water surplus is moderate to large with only a slight soil water shortage in summer even though there is a peak in water need by plant materials at that time.

These conditions suit the formation of a class of forest known as mixed boreal and deciduous forest, of which Medfield's upland areas are typical. Most forested areas are dominantly deciduous, entering dormancy in the winter.

Little or no original forest remains over large portions ofthe community due to previous clearing for settlement and agricultural purposes; wood fuel harvesting, and later development. Existing forests throughout the Town are mostly transitional and immature forests.

Traditional agricultural activities in the Town during the 18th and 19th centuries consisted primarily of dairy or animal farming and activities related to it such as hay and other feed production, and open pastures, with only limited cash or food crops grown for personal consumption or for resale. While some agricultural or other clearing activities have taken place and continue to a limited extent, acidic forest materials and unfavorable glacial terrain deter such activity.

North slopes generally exhibit white pine, hemlock and mountain laurel as the most dominant species in evergreen forests with some oaks, maples and a variety ofunderstory materials. South slopes generally exhibit oaks, birch, maples, Euonymus, bayberry, and beech with some white pine. They have a greater variety of understory materials than north slopes. Yellow and black birches, dogwoods, alders, red maples, and other species preferring wet soils encroach from wet lowlands into upland areas on both north and south slopes creating a great variety ofmaterials at lower elevations.

25 l." ~-

Town of Medfield Public Water Supply and DEP Approved Zone II Wellhead Protection Areas

/ J

/ ~ / / D Town of Medfield I / A Town Boundaries I / 1 \1 "

Oil Public Water~ Supply (Wells) N Major Streams and Rivers 11\1 Major Lakes and Ponds 0 Zone II Wellhead Protection Area '\ ~\ MILLiS I / It>

" '" \ ,~ /1

N

Source: MassGIS, Town of Medfield GIS "+1", As part of the glacially formed terrain that was generally unfavorable to agricultural use and development, the lowland areas consisting of wetlands, streams, floodplains, lakes and ponds . constitute a major portion of the Moist Continental Forest Environment. As stated previously, the climate subtype "Humid" exhibits a significant water surplus, with much water held in a frozen state in winter (with water needs near zero), only to be released rapidly in spring thaw. Spring floods are probable, with larger streams and all rivers maintaining their flow even through the summer months. In addition to this "stored" water surplus, it is common to have increased precipitation in the fall, thereby increasing. available water which will then be stored in a frozen state for the next cycle to begin.

Additionally, the addition of extensive amounts of organic materials due to the dominance of deciduous materials and their subsequent decomposition in moist areas provide the medium for many wetland species of vegetation. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Classification ofWetlands, all wetlands in Medfield are as follows:

Ecological System: Palustrine Subsystem: None

Class: Forested Subclass: Broadleaved deciduous

Class: Scrub/shrub , Subclass: Broadleaved deciduous ,", Class: Emergent Subclass: Not specified

Class Open Water (unknown bottom)

In many of the identified wetland areas, a combination of Forested and Scrub/shrub, and Emergent and Scrub/shrub may be found together, with neither dominating.

Wildlife f)'lti 'wetlands along the Charles River and its tributary, the Stop River, are recognized as some of the most important wetland habitats within the Charles River Watershed. The Natural Valley Storage Area along the Charles River, which includes more than 1,000 acres, is under lease to I the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MDFW) for fish and wildlife habitat I management. Present management activities ofthe State include stocking the area with pheasant and snowshoe rabbit. The region is situated on the Atlantic Flyway, a major migratory route along the East Coast. The Charles River, its tributaries and ponds all provide nesting and feeding sites for waterfowl and other migratory birds.

, !

27 According to Walter Hoyt, Jr., Northeast District Supervisor for MDFW, the swamps and marshes of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Charles River Natural Valley Storage project support large numbers ofmigrant and nesting waterfowl and songbirds, and many forms ofwater associated mammals such as muskrat, mink, otter, and beaver.

Waterfowl only lightly use the large wetlands along the Charles River during the fall migration unless the areas are flooded. Limited numbers of black, wood, and mallard ducks nest in the area. Deer may frequently be seen in many areas ofMedfield. I. The MDFW has an active program for restoration ofandadromous fish runs in the Charles River. It has successfully transported American shad from the Connecticut River to the Charles, and has increased the populations ofrainbow smelt, alewife, and blueback herring.

Only a few streams are capable of supporting a resident coldwater fishery such as trout. Among the warm water species the principal game fish are large mouth bass and chain pickerel. Redfin pickerel, common sunfish, perch, yellow bullhead, brown bullhead, bluegill sunfish and carp are also present.

Rare or Endangered Species The Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife received its first documented record of a species in Medfield, which fall under the protection of the rare species amendment of the State's Wetlands Protection Act Regulations (310 CMR 10.00) in 1993. That species is the Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttatta). The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife has documented other following rare species occurrences in Medfield including those listed in Table 8.

Table 8: Rare Species Occurrences

Name Latin Name Last Status Sighted Timber Rattlesnake Croatalus hurridus 1700s Considered Endangered Purple Milkweed Asclepias 1945 Considered Threatened purpurascens American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus 1970s Considered ofSpecial Concern Sedge Wren Cistothorus platensis 1884 Considered Endangered . Lion's Foot Premanthus 1921 Considered Endangered serpentaria Great Laurel Rhodendrum 1981 Considered Threatened and Continuing to maJ(lmum Exist Britton's Violet Vila brittoniana 1886 Considered Threatened and Continuing to Exist River Bulrush Scirpus fluviatilis 1986 Continuing to Exist

28 The locations of these rare and endangered species are purposely not described in order to protect their continued existence. Environmental policy guidelines indicate revealing these locations accurately on maps increases visitation and threatens the rare species existence.

Scenic Resources Sites with significant or unique natural and cultural features are illustrated on Figure III, Scenic and Cultural Resources Map. The largest and most scenic area in Medfield is listed in OEM's Massachusetts Scenic Inventory. It is a vast area along the Charles River and its Stop River Tributary. Significant and unique views and vistas are available throughout this area.

. Locally significant views were identified in 1988 through a consensus of the Open Space Planning Committee, which included representatives ofthe Conservation Commission, Board of Selectmen, Planning Board, Public Works Department, The Trustees of Reservations, and the Master Plan Implementation Committee. Factors considered in evaluating the significance of views include natural and manmade landscape features such as fields, streams, and ponds, stonewalls and fences, and woodlands. Features recalling the early history ofMedfield such as historic farmhouses and their outbuildings, mill races, the cemetery, and the town streetscape of historic houses, churches and certain commercial structures were also considered.

Table 9 represents the inventory of significant scenic resources identified in 1988. Each item is lettered to correspond with the letter on the Scenic and Cultural Resources Map, which marks its location. All ofthe sites identified in 1988 are included. Those that no longer exist are listed in italics while those that are threatened resources are so noted in order to demonstrate their vulnerability ofsome ofthese resources.

In addition to the scenic resources in Table 9, Medfield also has five scenic roads (Figure III). The following roads, or portions thereof, were designated as "Scenic Roads" by vote ofMedfield Town Meeting, under MGL Chapter 40A, § l6C Scenic Roads Act:

1. Causeway Street 2. Noon Hill Road 3. Orchard Street 4. Foundry Street 5. Pine Street (from Maplewood Road to Dover line)

These roads were selected for protection under this law because oftheir attractive rural character, their shad trees and stone walls, and their status as secondary rather than primary connector streets.

Historic Resources The information on historic resources described in Table 10 was provided by the Medfield Historical Commission. Sites, structures, etc. are identified by historic name or address withdut identifYing the current owner in deference to their property. Historic properties, National ,

29 (~1 Register sites and other resources ofhistoric significance are listed in Table 10. Each has also been marked by its corresponding number on Figure ill, Scenic and Cultural Resources Map. I In addition to the individual historic sites listed in Table 10, Medfield has four historic districts. A Main Street Historic District was initially proposed to the Annual Town Meeting in 1979, after a year of study by a Committee appointed by the Board of Selectmen. The Town rejected the proposal in 1979, but approved the creation of a West Main Street Historic District in 1989 which was enlarged in 1996. Also, in 1994, the 228-acre Medfield State Hospital site was approved as both a national and local historic district. It is significant to note that in both cases, the entire 228 acre parcel is included in the historic district, not just the portion with the buildings. This is due to the significance of the farmland as an integral part of the hospital's history. The Clark-Kingsbury Historic District was approved by Town Meeting in 1997 and the Town Center Historic District was approved in 1999.

It should be noted that Medfield adopted a demolition bylaw at its 1993 Annual Town Meeting. This bylaw allows the Town's Historical Commission to recommend a six-month delay in issuing a demolition permit for historically significant buildings. The bylaw was amended in 1994 to apply to archaeological sites as well as historic buildings. The bylaw was further amended at the 1999 Annual Town Meeting to allow for a twelve-month delay in issuing a demolition permit for historically significant buildings. This twelve-month period affords an opportunity to determine if there is an interested buyer or buyers for the property who would restore rather than demolish the building.

In 1999, an Historic Preservation Plan was completed for the Town of Medfield. The Historic Commission is working very diligently on implementing the action items that were identified in the plan. This document is considered a working document and not a static study.

A.,rcbeolilgit:al Resources It "Cuttaral Resource Survey" of Medfield prepared in 1977 by an archaeologist from Brown Uniiller-sity in conjunction with a Town sewer interceptor project showed four areas of archaeo~Bgip,a1 sensitivity and significance. The survey described the following areas and their relation ~ ,the proposed sewer easement (which was subsequently relocated to protect the ~tive areas):

Area 1: A knoll area south of Sewall Brook, including the south slope of the knoll for a distance of about 200 feet. Fragments of burned rock and charcoal in the subsoil and favorable locational attributes indicate a potential for a prehistoric site.

Area 2: Terrace area north of Sewall Brook and below Laurel Drive. Prehistoric camping debris, burned rock and artifacts indicate a site on the south end of the terrace. Sensitive area extends on both sides ofthe easement and continues north along it for roughly 200 feet.

30 Area 3: Low terrace with sandy subsoil bordering the Charles River Floodplain. Know prehistoric site located to the east of the easement. Sensitive area involved entire . width often-ace on a north-south line, a distance ofroughly 150-200 feet.

Area 4: Terrace area sloping toward upper section ofKingsbury Pond north ofPenn Central railroad embankment and south of South Street. Prehistoric artifacts have been found in the easement area by the property owner, and prehistoric chipping debris and. artifacts were found during the current survey. The sensitive area includes about 150-200 feet ofthe easement and areas on both sides ofit.

In 1997 a sensitive site offofSouth Street was documented by the Town.

As mentioned above, the Demolition Bylaw was amended in 1994 to apply to these archaeological sites as well as buildings. Thus, the bylaw affords a modicum of protection for these sensitive areas. It should be noted that the town of Medfield is one of only a few Massachusetts towns to have a town-sponsored Archaeological Advisory Committee. The Committee was founded in 1996.

Summary ofEnvironmental Factors

Due to the Town's prehistoric geology and morphology, the characteristics ofthe land require very sensitive maintenance of surface and sub-surface conditions, and therefore quite detailed studies for development that is environmentally sensitive. The extensive "wild areas", generally unsuitable for development, sustain an abundance of vegetation, habitat, and wildlife which, in order to continue through a relatively natural evolution process, must be protected from abuse, and managed such that a reasonable balance ofcontrolled and uncontrolled (unaltered) areas (i.e. open fields vs. allowing forests to dominate) continue to support this process.

The evolutionary process, though dynamic, is normally extremely slow, barring occasional catastrophic events of nature. However, the geology of the area suggests that no catastrophic event from within should be anticipated. Therefore, .it is essential to continue the existing conditions (i.e. water levels and flows, wild vs. managed lands, types offlora and fauna, etc.) in order to maintain this balance which creates the environment specific to the undeveloped areas of Medfield. Although much ofthe prehistoric and historic forest has been altered by man (through clearing for agriculture or harvesting wood for fuel or lumber), much ofthe land has extensively healed itselfby means ofnatural reforestation.

Medfield's open spaces offer a significant opportunity to allow someone to pursue leisure activities, to recreate, and to establish a rapport with nature. Though only about 9,200 acres in size, 3,581 acres (38.8%) are available to provide citizens with a broad variety of respite and ,I recreation, and to support wildlife. It should be noted, however, that not all ofthese lands are ! permanently protected and many ofthem could be converted to other uses if steps are not taken to help ensure that they remain in their current uses.

Medfield is just coming out ofthe most intense development experienced in decades. Existing land use regulations need to be examined in order to continue to manage growth in a manner that

31 is consistent with the future vision for Medfield. Furthermore land use law, in the wake ofsuch U.S. Supreme Court cases as DoHan vs. City of Tigard and NoHan vs. California Coastal Commission, appears to be moving in a direction which makes it increasingly difficult for local governments to justify development controls. Technology is making development possible in areas that were previously undevelopable. These factors necessitate an increasingly dynamic and creative package ofland use controls in order to ensure that Medfield's vision can be attained.

32 / ) Town of Medfield Scenic and Cultural Resources

Cl Town of Medfield N Major Roadways. . .. 1:2~i,W;ji\1 Kingsbury Farm Historical Dlstnct It!JJl1fK!1 Town Center Historic District o Hospital Farm Historic District . • 1 John Metcalf Historic District (Extension)

...... _- .--I';W;i!titIJohn-MetcalfHistoricDistrict c::::J Medfield State Hospital A Please see Table 9

1 Please see Table 10

Source: MassGIS, Town of Medfield GIS Table 9. Medfield Scenic Resources Scenic Resource Cbaracteristics /- , ) A. North Street Entrance into Town from Dover, old walls, fields, historic house

B. Pine Street Old walls, open land, woodlands, town designated scenic way (Developed in 1993)

Rocky, hilly woodlands, trails and ponds, maintained as a reservation by the C. Rocky Woods Reservation Trustees ofReservatious.

Wooded wetlands and farmed field under control ofThe Trustees ofReservations to D. Hartford Street south ofstreet, and Rocky Woods Reservation is to the north ofthe street

Fork Factory Brook Reservation and corridor, with brook and distinctive woodland E. East Main Street (Route 109) (also ofhistoric importance

Open rolling fields and distinctive old stonewalls. Important as primary entrance to F. Route 109 at Walpole Line Town, establishing country "character" which has always been a distinguishing feature ofthe Town. (Lost to Development)

Open rolling meadows, fences, walls, and wooded areas. Under long time use by G. North Street Norfolk Hunt Club

H. Hospital Road Farm bnildings and open fields sloping to Charles River (At Risk)

"Streetscape" view down Main Street to Town Center, (large street trees lost), 1. Main Street at Peak House distinctive old houses and historic downtown buildings such as Baptist Church. Of prime significance in defining town character.

Vine Lake Cemetery, a historic and beautiful site with rolling hills sloping to a small J. Main StreeJINorth Meadows Road lake, handsome specimen trees, and direct visual access from two primary Town streets.

Mt. Nebo (site ofwater tower), distant views over town and beyond from wooded K. Eastmount Road hilltop, and views to City ofBoston skyline.

Jewell's Pond, old stone walls and fields, the historic grist mill and mill race, and the L. Foundry Street old homestead and outbnildings ina carefully preserved setting. (Scenic Road)

M. Elm Street Open fields between Wheelock School and town wells, sloping down to Mine Brook

Kingsbury Homestead and pond, ofextreme local significance for the scenic beauty N. Spriug Street ofthe pond, the old mill race, and the historic house an outbuildings in their carefully preserved setting (Now and Historic District)

Danielson Pond and old homestead in setting ofopen fields, stonewalls, farm and O. High Street (Route 27) outbuildings, all visible from primary town road. Openfields, stonewalls, farm and outbuildings are nowgone.

Open fields, old walls, and an old homestead on narrow country road with iroportant P. Plain Street scenic value.

Old wall and open fields sloping to Stop River with exceptional view ofNoon Hill Q. South Street (extension) Reservation. Manyfzelds lost since 1988. Old wall lost in 1998.

Significant landmark feature ofMedfield, rising between Stop River and Charles R. Noon Hill River, with unspoiled woodlands aDd a pond with historic earthen dam.

34 l i '1 Table 10: Medfield Historic Resources ,\ / I Historic Resource Address Significance I Churches r- .. First Parish Unitarian North Street 1789 l. Local Histol)' Church 2. United Church ofChrist Main Street 1877 Local Histol)' 3. Baptist Church Main Street 1838 Local HistOl)' 4. St. Edward's Church Spring Street Local Histol)' (Destroyed by fire; notbing remains)

Public Buildings I 5. TownHouse Main Street 1874 I Architecture, Local Histol)' L 6. Medfield Public Libral)' Main Street 1917 ! Architecture, Local and National Histol)' Nalional Register Properties: ffistoric Landmarks

Architecture, Local and National Histol)', Part of 7. Peak House 347 Main Street 1680 Cluster with #8-#11 8. ''Elialdm Morse House" 339 Main Street 1750 Architecture, Local Histol)' 9. "Clark Tavern" 355 Main Street 1740 Lorraine Laverty, Local Histol)' 10. 344 Main Street Main Street ' 1873 Architecture, Local Histol)' 11. 10 Pouod Street Pouod Street 1744 Architecture, Local Histol)' , Medfield State Hospital Hospital Road I 12. 18~ Local and National Histol)' I Property Noted Personages 13. Hannah Adams House -I Ehn Street I Local and National Histol)' 14. George Inness House 406 Main Street Architecture, Local and National Histol)' 15. George Innes Studio 406 R Main Street National Histol)' ofArt - 16. Lowell Mason House 25 Adams Street Architecture, Local and National Histol)'

Early New England Farm Homesteads with Outbuildings -- 16. Kingsbul)' Homestead 145 Spring Street Architecture, Local and National Histol)' 17. Kingsbmy Pond Grist Mill Spring Street Dates back to 17th Cental)' _.. . ------18. 86 Philip Street Philip Street 17th Cental)' Beginnings --" -~ 19. Scribner Farm 112 Harding Street ffistoric Clusters Located at Approaches to Town Ceuter 20. I 260 North Street North Street E l 17th Cental)', Architecture, Local Histol)' 21. 243 North Street North Street Architecture, Local Histol)' 22. 230 North Street North Street ------'---'----+ ------" - 653 Main Street 1798 Architecture, Local Histol)' ~-~~-" Tannery Farm l th -- ~--,,-~-~- 661 Main Stree_t__ Main Street Early 18 Cental)', Architecture, Local History 24. Vine Brook Cemetel)' J

35 24. a I 679 Main Street Main Street I Late 17th Century th 2~~_~MainStreet Main Street ILate 18 Century 26. 669 Main Street I 18th Century Historic Resource Address Significance 27. 3 Causeway Street 1800s Architecture, Local History 28. Entrance to Town of Medfield beginning at Entrance to Town Charles River (The Willows) ---

Town Center . 17th Century, Architecture, Local and National 29. DwightDerby House 7 Frairy Street History. Nominated for National Historic Register

29. a I. Meeting House Pond Frairy Street 1724 : 479 Main Street 1724 30. IBusiness Block Architecture, Local History Plumpton-Woodard House 505 Main Street

Harding Street

74 Harding Street 31. 68 Harding Street - I .~ 32. - Old Post Office 33. North Street 1'1690 ~Architecture. Local and National History

Town Pound [j~-,,-gS_tr_eet_-,------l-[_. ----''--_1 _ J

Mill Sites

35. Elm Street 36. Fork Factory onRoute 109 - Phillips Road (Jewell's 37. I Pond) I ,

Sites of the Garrison Houses [ 38. -, Comer, North and Dale Streets I I 39. Harding Street I I 40. Comer, Brook and Main Streets South end, near the Bancroft 41. ---_. House . -- L th t-_4~. Smith-Hamant House 22 High Street 17 Century Homestead - 43. ICutnery-Ellis 101 East Main Street 17 tb Century Homestead

36 INVENTORY OF LANDS OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION INTEREST

Introduction This section iilVentories existing open space and recreation lands in four categories. These include protected open space and conservation lands, open space and conservation land with little protection, outdoor and indoor recreation facilities and Chapter 61, 61A and 61B lands. This section was compiled using the town's geographic information system (GIS).

The inventory of open space and conservation lands and the inventory of recreation facilities were designed to be mutually exclusive. Since conservation lands can also serve recreational purposes, land that provides passive recreation activities, or that generally utilizes the natural features ofthe land for recreation purposes were classified as open space and conservation lands. Those lands that provide active recreation, necessitating major physical changes to the land and intensive maintenance, were classified as recreational facilities.

Protected Open Space and Conservation Lands The existing protected open space and conservation lands are shown in Table 11. The list is organized by general areas ofthe Town. The areas include • Lands along the Charles River north ofRoute 109 • Lands along the Charles River south ofRoute 109 • East Medfield • Medfield Center • NoonHill • North Medfield • Southeast Medfield • Stop River

.Within each area the parcels are listed by their name, owner, acreage, manager, zoning, zoning overlay districts. Comments are also included for each parcel. These parcels are indicated in FigtireIV. .

As Table 11 and Figure IV illustrate, most of the open space in Medfield is located along the Charl~s and Stop Rivers and at Noon Hill. The owner ofthe most open space is The Trustees of R~ns, which owns 1,365.26 acres of land according to the Medfield Assessor's Office. ,. :-;..., ... . . ·. '''''Owns about 1,000 acres, the Commonwealth about 500 acres, including the 228 acre ", llRi!l'Sl5ital Property. The U.S. Army Corp ofEngineers owns more than 500 acres and holds 'C(jnse~on easements on another 500 acres, some ofwhich includes land owned by the Town and The Trustees ofReservations as well as private land.

I' I

37 ·A summary ofthe protected open space and conservation lands by area ofTown is as follows:

Acres' Charles River (North ofRoute 109) 561.40 Charles River (South ofRoute 109) 339.31 East Medfield 180.40 Medfield Center 129.83 Noon Hill 515.99 North Medfield 681.20 Southeast Medfield 105.40 Stop River 490.58 Total 3,004.11

Open Space with Little Protection Table 12 presents significant open space parcels that are not permanently protected to remain in their present condition or use. The most prominent among these is the Medfield State Hospital site. Others include land owned by the Wardner Farm Trust, Medfield Sportsmen's Club, Westwood Gun Club, and two other privately owned parcels ofland. These lands, which should be targeted for additional protection as open space parcels, represent an additional 414.39 acres.

Existing Recreational Facilities , The existing outdoor recreational facilities are listed in Table 13. Recreation areas constitute a / total area of284.77 acres. The existing indoor recreational facilities are listed in Table 14.

The outdoor and indoor recreation facilities, together with the open space and conservation lands, provide the opportnnity for a wide range of passive and active recreation activities in the Town ofMedfield. The system ofopen space and recreation sites could be greatly enhanced and accessibility improved with a system oftrails linking the various sites to one another and to the residential areas in Town. ,

Lands Acquired since 1994 Since the Open Space and Recreation Plan approved in 1994, several parcels ofland have been acquired or protected. In 1994, Town Meeting voted to acquire approximately twenty acres of the Wallingford property and approximately 15 acres of the Newall property. In 1999 Town Meeting approved the purchase 100 acres ofthe Holmquist property offofPlain Street.

38 Town of Med'fleld Open Space Map

Protected Open Space

II Town of Medfield

~ Department of Public Works

III Conservation Commission D Dept. of Environmental Management II Army Corp of Engineers 1'1 Trustees of Reservations

Unprotected Open Space o Wardner Farm Trust o Medfield State Hospital Property 11m Westwood Gun Club Property o Chapter 61 Forestry ~ ~ Chapter 61 A Agriculture

Chapter 61 B Recreational

W*ES Source: MassGIS, Medfield GIS ._L.

Table 11. Inventory ofExisting Open Space and Conservation Lands

Parcel Name Owner GIS # Manager Zoninj!; Overlays Acreage Comment

Charles River (North ofRoute 109) Charles River Reservation Commonwealth ofMass "DEM A FPD,APD 179.18 Used for model Charles River Reservation Commonwealth ofMass DEM A FPD,APD 7.40 airplaoes aod Charles River Reservation Commonwealth ofMass DEM IE FPD 2.25 agriculture Charles River Reservation Commonwealth ofMass DEM A FPD,APD 40.26 Subtotal 229.09

Natural Valley Storage Project Private ACOE A FPD,APD 0.59 PriInarily flood plain. Natural Valley Storage Project Private ACOE RT FPD,APD 20.87 Used also for wildlife Natural Valley Storage Project Private RS FPD,APD 17.48 maoagement ACOE Natural Valley Storage Project Towu ofMedfield ACPE IE FPD,APD 68.75" has CR on parcels it Natural Valley Storage Project The Trustees ofReservations TTOR A FPD,APD 1.05 does not own. Natural Valley Storage Project The Trustees ofReservations TTOR A FPD,APD 5.00 Natural Valley Storage Project The Trustees ofReservations TTOR A FPD,APD 2.78 Natural Valley Storage Project U.S. Army Corp ofEngineers A FPD,APD 29.75 Natural Valley Storage Project U. S. Army Corp ofEngineers A FPD,APD 1.10 Natural Valley Storage Project U.S. Army Corp ofEngineers A FPD,APD 108.61 Natural Valley Storage Project U. S. Army Corp ofEngineers ACOE IE FPD,APD 29.44 Natural Valley Storage Project U.S. Army Corp ofEngineers ACOE IE FPD,APD 11.51 Natural Valley Storage Project U. S. Army Corp ofEngineers ACOE RT FPD 5.00 Natural Valley Storage Project U.S. Anny Corp ofEugineers ACOE RT FPD,APD 10.90 Natural Valley Storage Project U.S. Army Corp ofEngineers ACOE RT FPD,APD 19.48 Subtotal 332.31

TOTAL OPEN SPACE IN AREA 561.40

40 __1 _

Parcel Name Owner GIS # Manager Zoning Overlays Acrea~ Comment

Charles River (South ofRoute 109) Natural ValIey Storage Project Town ofMedfield ACOE RT FPD,APD 46.00 ACOEhasCR Natural ValIey Storage Project Town ofMedfield ACOE RT FPD,APD 31.65 ACOEhasCR U.S. Army Corp ofEngineers U.S. Army Corp ofEngineers ACOE RT FPD,APD 31.14 U.S. Army Corp ofEngineers U.S. Army Corp ofEngineers ACOE RT FPD 4.26 U.S. Army Corp ofEngineers U.S. Army Corp ofEngineers ACOE RT FPD,APD 3.63 U.S. Army Corp ofEngineers U.S. Army Corp ofEngineers ACOE RT FPD,APD 9.63 Subtotal 126.31

Charles River (South ofRoute t09) OffWichita Road Town ofMedfield RT FPD,APD 4.0 ACOEhasCR Heruy L. ShaUuck Reservation The Trustees ofReservations TTOR RT FPD 198.28 Medfield Lots The Trustees ofReservations TTOR RT FPD,APD 10.72 Subtotal 213.00

TOTAL OPEN SPACE IN AREA 339.31

East Medfield Old Scout Land Town ofMedfield RE 14.0 Millbrook Road Town ofMedfield RS WPD 5.30 Pumping Station Town ofMedfield RE WPD 24.74 Well Site Adjacent to pumping station Town ofMedfield 4.9 OffHigh Street Town ofMedfield CONCOM RT wpD 56.18 OffElm Street Town ofMedfield CONCOM RE 3.12 Ehn Street Town ofMedfield CONCOM RT 2.00 Danielson Pond Town ofMedfield RT wpD,APD 7.98 Donated in 1993 Great Brook Land Town ofMedfield RT 21.30 Purchased, 1994 TOTAL OPEN SPACE IN AREA 139.52

41 1 _ _L.

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Noon Hill Area Noon HillReservation Town ofMedfield ACOE RT 116.00 Several Miles oftrails Noon HillReservation Town ofMedfield ACOE RT 24.80 throngh woods, fields, Noon Hill Reservation Town ofMedfield CONCOM RT WPD 144.22 and a pond. Noon Hill Reservation Town ofMedfield CONCOM RT ·FPD, WPD 2.30 Used for fishing and Noon Hill Reservation The Trustees ofReservations TTOR RT FPD 207.00 biking. Scenic vistas TTOR RT FPD 21.67 Noon Hill Reservation The Trustees ofReservations from peak.

TOTAL OPEN SPACE IN AREA 515.99

North Medfield Hospital Well Site Commonwealth ofMass DMH RT WPD 21.87 Hospital Well Site Town ofMedfield RT WPD 3.44 Hospital Well Site Town ofMedfield RT WPD .82 Subtotal 26.13

42 I ~-- L __ ---'--

Parcel Name Owner GIS # Manager Zoning Overlays Acreage Comment

North Medfield (continued) Castle Hill Land Town ofMedfield CONCOM RT 9.26 Trail Transfer Station Site . Town ofMedfield IE FPD,APD 20.26 OffNorth Street Town ofMedfield RT WPD 2.07 OffNorth Street Town ofMedfield RT WPD 6.58 Rocky Woods Reservation The Trustees ofReservations TTOR RT WPD 488.0 Has several ponds; picnic tables and facilities; pavilion; softball field; trails for hiking, cross-couotry skiing, horseback riding, Parking Area Fork Factory Brook The Trustees ofReservations TTOR RT WPD,APD 124.90 Tralls for walking, natore stody, bird watching. Site of fonner fork factory. Upper Charles Conservation Upper Charles Conservation, UCCT RT APD 4.0 Donated in 1993 Inc. Subtotal 655.07

TOTAL OPEN SPACE IN AREA 681.20

43 ~L_ ~'---

',,-,/

Parcel Name Owner GIS # Manager Zoning Overlays Acreage Comment

Southeast Medfield OffPlain Street Town ofMedfield CONCOM RT WPD 13.30 OffPlain Street Town ofMedfield CONCOM RT 3.10 Rocky Lane Town ofMedfield CONCOM RT 7.40

TOTAL OPEN SPACE IN AREA 23.80 Stop River Natural Valley Storage Medfield Sportsmen's Club ACOE RT FPD 20.03 ACOE has CR on Project parcels it does not Private ACOE RT FPD 29.11 own. Private ACOE RT FPD 16.19 Private ACOE RT FPD 3.50 Private ACOE RT FPD 16.00 Private ACOE RT FPD 24m Private ACOE RT FPD 1.48 Town ofMedfield ACOE RT FPD 1.40 Town ofMedfield ACOE RT FPD 7.00 Town ofMedfield ACOE RT FPD 14.00 U.S. Army Corp ofEngineers ACOE RT FPD 50.56 U.S. Army Corp ofEugineers ACOE RT FPD 55.71 U. S. Army Corp ofEngineers ACOE RT FPD 21.40 U.S. Army Corp ofEngioeers ACOE RT FPD 9.70 U.S. Army Corp ofEugineers ACOE RT FPD 21.24 U.S. Army Corp ofEugineers ACOE RT FPD 1.56 U.S. Army Corp ofEngioeers ACOE RT FPD 2.06 U.S. Army Corp ofEngioeers ACOE RT FPD 1.00 Town ofMedfield RT FPD 3.20 The Trustees ofReservations TTOR RT FPD 191.41

TOTAL OPEN SPACE IN AREA 490.58 TOTAL MEDFIELD OPEN SPACE 2594.73

44 ~L ~--,

~

KEY Manager Zoning Comments DEM Massachusetts Department ofEnvironmental A Agricultural CR Conservation Mgmt Restriction ACOE U.S. Army Corp ofEngineers IE Industrial, Extensive APR Agricultural Preservation Restriction TTOR The Trustees ofReservations RT Residential, Town W&S Water and Sewerage Board RS Residential, Suburban Overlays CONCOM Conservation Commission RE Residential, Estate FPD Flood Plain District WGC Westwood Guo Club RU Residential, Urban APD Aquifer Protection District UCCT Upper Charles Conservation, Inc. BI Business Industrial WPD Watershed Protection District MSP Medfield Sportsmen's Club

45 __L

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Table 12. Inventory ofOpen Space Lands with Little Protection

> Parcel Name Owner GIS # Manal!er Zoninl! Overlavs Acreage Comment

No Nome Private RE WPD 10.90 Westwood Gun Club Westwood Guo Club WGC RS 12.74 Medfield State Hospital Commonwealth ofMass DMH B! 227.85 Has trail, and is usedfor bird watching WardoerFann Trost Wardoer FannTrost NRC RT WPD 49.00 Usedfor drag Wardoer FannTrost Wardoer FannTrost NRC RT WPD,APD 52.00 huots, horse shows, riding camp. No Name Private RS 17.60 Medfield Sportsmen's Club Medfield Sportsmen's MSP RS 29.80 Trap range, rifle Club range Medfield Sportsmen's Club Medfield Sportsmen's MSP RT 14.50 Club

Total 414.39

KEY Manager Zoning Overlays DEM Massachusetts Department ofEnvironmental A Agricultural FPD Flood Plalo District Mgmt ACOE U.S. Army Corp ofEngioeers IE Indostrial, APD Aquifer Protection District Extensive TTOR The Trostees ofReservations RT Residential, Town WPD Watershed Protection District W&S Water and Sewerage Board RS Residential, Suburban CONCOM Couservation Commission RE Resideutial, Estate WGC Westwood Gun Qub RU Residential, Urban UCCT Upper Charles Conservation, Inc. B! Business Industrial MSP Medfield Sportsmen's Club

46 I ~:~- __~I-

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Table 13. Inventory ofExisting Outdoor Recreation Facilities

Facility Name Acreage GIS # Manager Facilities Activities Comments

Hinkley Pond 19.20 PR Swim Pond, 2 docks, play Swimming, children's play Vme Brook and equipment, batliliouse, picnic area, volleyball, picuicking associated wetlands tables, nature trails, bleachers, traverse site. grills, shuffleboard, uopaved parking area, volleyball court, playground

Baxter Park 1.00 PR Grassy area, memorial Passive recreation, tree monument, flag pole, lighting ceremony, annouocement board Memorial Day ceremonies

Metacomet Park 8.70 PR Fenced Little League field, with Little League baseball, Trail to Kingsbury bleachers, shed and lights, soccer, tennis, children's Pond is planned batting cage, soccer field, tot lot, play area picnic tables, parking area, four (4) lighted tennis courts

Peak House 1.00 He

Fifty-Six Acres 56.36 PR Two softball fields Softball, baseball

Ralph Wheelock Fields 102.92 SD One softballlLittle League field, Softball, baseball, soccer, 5-6 soccer fields, football field, 3 football, basketball, and basketball backboards on paved children's play area surface, play equipment, parking area

Dale Street Fields 20.90 SD Play equipment, paved area with Baseball, softball, flag Town managed two basketball backboards, 3 football, children's play area tennis court is playgrouods, multi-purpose across Dale Street. grassed field with 2 Memorial School softballJLittle League fields, fields included parking lot

47 _.1_- __ L

'",-.,-..--/'~

Facilitv Narne Acreal!:e GIS # Man,al!:er Facilities Activities Comments

. Medfield Ir/SrHigh School 73.29 SD One football field, 2 baseball Football, baseball, field SouthPlain Brook fields, 1 field hockey field, 2 hockey, softball, track, runs through site. practice football fields, 1 basketball, tennis softball field, I track, 2 paved temrislbasketball courts, 2 basketball courts, parking area - Baker's Pond 1.00 PR Benches, green spaces, pond Skating, fishing, site of annual Medfield Day - Memorial Park .35 PR Gazebo, lawn Concerts, weddings, sitting

Total Outdoor Recreation Area 284.72

Key

Manager PR Park and Recreation Commission SD School Department HC Historical Commission

..

48 ~" _1_ "'\

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Table 14. Inventory ofExisting Indoor Recreation Facilities

Facility Name Mana2er Facilities Activities Comments

Memorial Elementary School School Department A combined gym-auditorimn with Theater, indoor sports, seating capacity around 250, Meetings, arts and crafts basketball backboard, stage and piano. Cafeteria suitable for meeting and arts andcrafts

Dale Street School School Department A combined gym-auditorimn with Indoor sports including seating capacity around 350, two volleyball, gymnastics, basketball backboards and stage. basketball, movies, band and Cafeteria suitable for meetings and drill. Meetings, arts and crafts arts and crafts

Hanna Adams PfaffCommunity Center Park and Recreation Kitchen, meeting and activity rooms, Meetings, youth and senior FormerHigh School parking area., sand box and picnic citizen activities, dances, Park converted to recreation tables outside and Recreation Commission use offices

Ralph Wheelock School School Department Cafeteria-auditorimn with stage and Meetings, theater, arts and seating capacity around 300. Two crafts, and indoor sports gyms with basketball courts. (basketball, volleyball, gymnastics)

Thomas A Blake Middle School School Department Cafeteria-auditorimn with stage and Meetings, theater, movies, seating capacity around 300. Gym etc., Indoor sports suchas with two sections (each with . badminton, volleyball, bleachers, basketball courts, and basketball, gymnastics, etc. locker rooms). Total seating capacity and dances around 600.

Amos C. Kingsbury High School School Department Gym with two sections (each with All types ofindoor sports basketball courts, bleachers, and including volleyball, locker rooms. Audience capacity is basketball, badminton, and 500, capacity for socials is 800. gymnastics. Large meetings, Auditorium with stage bas capacity theater, movies, shows, etc. of350, cafeteria has capacity around Meetings, arts and crafts, etc. 225. Weight room.

49 ~----~ --'--- .--_._--- _.._-.---'

Town of Medfield Chapter 61 land

Classified Land

• Chapter 61 Forestry

III Chapter 61A Agriculture III Chapter 61 B Recreational LJ Medfield Parcels

N 0.1 o 0.1 0.2 Miles ~ W*E s Source: Medfield GIS Chapter 61, 61A, and 61B Lands Tables 15, 16, and 17 list the Chapter 61, 61A, 6lB lands in Medfield. Chapters 61, forestry lands, have declined from 163.45 acres in 1994 to 132.33 acres in 1999. This represents a decline of approximately 19 percent. Although there is a reduction in the amount of land held under Chapter 61,a portion ofthese acres that were removed from Chapter 61 were purchased by the Townfor Conservation Purposes. The amount of agricu1tura11and, Chapter 61A, had a slight increase from 29:52 acres to 31.39 acres since 1994. Chapter 61B, recreationa11and, has remained the same with 193.29 acres from 1994 to 1999. Overall, the total amount ofland under Chapter 61, 61A, and 61B has decreased by 29.25 acres or 7.5% since 1994. These landsshould be considered as suitable for protection through acquisition, conservation restrictions or other means.

Table 15. Chapter 61 Land (Forestry)

Chapter 61

MaplParcel Acreage Location 1. 45-55A 17.90 Foundry Street 45-74 1.43 Foundry Street 45-54 18.75 Foundry Street 45-60 27.34 Foundry Street

2. 39-2A 2.90 Philip Street 39-4A 1.20 Philip Street 39-l~A 26.70 Philip Street

3. 5I-tfA 19.11 Main Street

4. 6~hIiA:. 17.00 Hartford Street I"~ €hiipter 61 Total 132.33

51 Table 16. Chapter 61A Land (Agriculture)

Chapter 61A .

Map/Parcel Acreage Location 1. 52-42 2.40 Linden Court 52-47 4.71 Nebo Street 52-109 .92 Main Street 60-25 6.96 Main Street

2. 74-12A 16.40 . Chapter 61A Total 31.39

Table 17. Chapter 61B Land (Recreation)

Chapter61B

Map/Parcel Acreage Location 1. 57-20 4.40 School Street 57-21R 25.00 Wight Street 57-68 1.49 School Street

I 2. 21-01 1.30 Noon Hill Road 21-02 29.80 Noon Hill Road 27-01 14.50 Rear Causeway St

3. 82-06 27.60 North Street, 74-01 21.40 Pine Street 65-01 52.00 North Street 73-13 3.50 North Street

4. 53-11 12.30 Main Street Chapter 61B Total 193.29 I ! . j . Grand Total 357.01

52 COMMUNITY GOALS

Description ofProcess

The formal public participationprocess for the Open Space Plan began in January 2000 with the development of an Open Space Survey. The survey, developed by the Open Space Committee and the Park and Recreation Committee, was distributed by mail via the local community newspaper to approximately 4,391 residential households in town. Additional surveys were available at several locations throughout town including the town's website. Respondents were asked to return surveys at several drop off locations throughout town including the Town Hall and the Transfer Station. A total of 367 surveys were returned for a response rate of8.4%..A complete copy ofall survey responses is included for review in Appendix 1.

The survey was developed to allow the Open Space Committee to assess how the current open space and recreation land was utilized, determine support for expansion of existing facilities and/or purchase offuture facilities and determine how existing facilities could be improved. The design ofthe survey allowed for many open ended questions to allow residents to provide more personal use information to the Committee. Although these types ofquestions proved lengthy in tabulating the survey, these questions received a higher response rate than the Committee anticipated and allowed a greater insight into how the open space and recreation land in Medfield is utilized. These open-ended responses, included in Appendix II, have been extremely helpful in setting the Goals and Objectives for this plan and were more telling than the numbers and statistics that the survey generated.

The following are the major findings from the survey:

.• The trail system is very important to the residents of Medfield but there is a need for more public outreach/information regarding the location and/or allowable uses on the trails (86% ofrespondents are interested in more information about the trails, and 85% of respondents believe the system should be expanded) • There is strong support for purchasing open space to meet water and conservation needs and to protect the Town's aquifer areas through growth management • Residents repeatedly cite the aesthetics ofthe town and the importance ofthe small town, country/rural character ofMedfield when asked what they liked best about the open space in town • Most residents are satisfied with the various recreational facilities in town however feel they should be expanded in certain areas such as teenage and adult programs

Statement ofOpen Space and Recreation Goals

The Town of Medfield has benefited greatly over the years from a proactive approach to preserving and purchasing open space lands that have been made available to the Town. The public purchase ofthis open space in addition to numerous land donations has allowed Medfield to maintain its small town character even through the largest periods of development. These

53 natural resources provide the town with clean water, passive and active recreational areas, and a ( ') high quality oflife that was mentioned by residents throughout the open space survey.

The Open Space com!llittee would like to continue this proactive approach to preserving open space land throughout the Town. In addition, the Committee recognizes the importance of maintaining and managing land that has been previously acquired. The goal ofthe Open Space and Recreation Plan is to provide the Committee with the tools necessary to continue to protect and preserve the natural resources and aesthetics that are so important to the residents of Medfield.

As a result ofthe survey findings the Open Space Committee recommends the following overall Open Space and Recreation Goals for the Town ofMedfield:

• Maintain and preserve the small town character ofthe community and quality oflife through methods ofresidential growth management including the continued public purchase ofopen space

• Protect the natural environment, more specifically critical water resource areas including groundwater aquifers to reduce the negative consequences ofdevelopment

• Maintain and expand the existing trail system throughout Medfield through better trail management and maintenance, increased neighborhood linkage, and increased public outreach and/or awareness

• Expand the recreational!educational programs so that all segments ofthe population and age groups qenefit

I

I

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54 ANALYSIS OF NEEDS

Summary ofResource Protection Needs . .. As was discussed in the 1994 Open Space Plan, the increase in developmental pressures has resulted in a loss of open space, threatened wildlife habitats, and impacted water resources. Development in Medfield continues to take place on marginal lands that have poor soil, ledge, and/or wetlands. In response to this development pressure the Open Space Committee, in conjunction with the Conservation Commission, has worked to ensure that yearly appropriations are made at Town Meeting in an effort to be prepared for open space land that becomes available for purchase. The Town has been proactive in using this Land Purchase Account to purchase open space, such as the Wallingford and Holmquist properties, and continues to prioritize the remaining open space in town. The Town has also been proactive in encouraging residents to use Conservation Restrictions to further protect "private" open space.

The Open Space Committee has determined that there are two private parcels of land that remain, as they have in previous open space plans, as the number one priority for open space acquisition. The first parcel is the Wardner Farm Trust Land, which is privately owned and commonly referred to as the "Hunt Club Property". This property, maintained and used by the Norfolk: Hunt Club, is comprised of approximately one hundred acres and is currently used for bird and fox hunting, horse shows and a riding camp. This land is located in both an aquifer protection district and a watershed protection district and is currently zoned RT (residential, town). There is currently no protection in place to keep this land from being fully developed.

The second area in need ofprotection is the Medfield State Hospital site. The Hospital land is approximately two hundred and fifty acres and includes open space and the hospital campus. The land, currently under the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, is zoned business industrial (BI) and is located in the Hospital Farm Historic District. While there are several committees, including the Medfield State Hospital Preservation Committee, the Open Space Committee and thll Park and Recreation Commission working towards ,preserving this land as open space there is currently no protection from the land being developed. The main concern is the possibility ofthe Commonwealth ceasing operation ofthe hospital and seIling the land.

The Open Space Committee recognizes that there are other important parcels in town and other areas ofthe town that remain in unprotected private ownership and will always be susceptible to development pressures. In addition to the above named priority areas there is little protection in the southeastern area of town. The Committee will continue to monitor these areas and recommend their acquisition whenever possible.

The Open Space Committee is concerned with the protection ofthe scenic vistas and entrances to the Town. For example, the Route 27 corridor from the intersection ofRoute 109 north to the Dover Sherborn line is a modern four-lane highway that has been described by the following: "the impression is that ofpassage through undeveloped and open wetlands, and forest, with very

55 ~-- ~/ ~'-- --~ -;;;;;==:==---=--=-'-":]-~ -") ----, Town of Medlfie~d Medfield State ~-iospital Aeria~ View

o Medfield Parcels ,(/\v ,I Town Boundaries

WE

Source: MassGIS, Town of Medfield GIS S sparse development."l Other entrances into the town have been described as rural-residential areas of "forested open space and wetlands dotted with historic sites". It was mentioned throughout the survey that maintaining and preserving the rural char:;tcter or country atmosphere ofMedfield was a priority and in some cases the primary reason for locating in Medfield. It is clear that these open spaces, woodlands, wetlands, and pastures that are contiguous to the maj or routes in town do contribute to the character ofthe town and must be protected and preserved.

Summary ofCommunity Needs

The expanding and changing population has created the need to expand the recreational programs to meet diverse needs and interests of all residents. The Park and Recreation Commission has seen an increased demand in programs for preschool age children, youth programs, as well as adult and elderly programs. In addition, recreational programs need to be developed and expanded to address the needs for handicapped andlor special needs residents. The Park and Recreation Commission also acknowledges that recreational programs and the scheduling of these programs will need to be developed to address the needs oftoday's family including traditional, single parent, working parents, single adults, and a growing senior population.

In order to address these recreational needs the current facilities and growing space needs will need to be addressed including the renovation and/or improvements that need to be made to the Hannah Mams Pfaff Center which currently houses the Park and Recreation Commission. The growing youth population has created an ever-growing demand for additional playing field space for sports such as soccer, lacrosse, baseball and softball. The existing playing field space has in some cases been overused and is in the need of rehabilitation. The Park and Recreation Commission will need to work with the Town to identify opportunities for increasing playing field space.

Several respondents to the Open Space Survey requested that the town bring back public skating to Rocky Woods. The Committee would like to point out that the town no longer maintains Rocky Woods, it is maintained by the Trustees ofReservations. They have indicated to the Open Space Committee that at this time there is no plan to bring back public ice skating to Rocky Woods.

The Committee has identified the number one need for the community is community awareness of the existing open space in town and the trails that link these areas. The town has been very proactive in purchasing open space, making connections to the trail system, and providing linkages to various recreational areas, however most ofthe residents in town are not aware ofthe town's open space or the existing trail system. When asked ifthey were familiar with the trail system, 32% responded no, 69% do not use the trail system, while 86% would like more information. In the open ended response section ofthe survey respondents repeatedly asked for more information on where certain open space areas were located, how to access them, and suggested an updated trails map and open space map would be very helpful.

1 1988 Medfield Open Space and Recreation Plan

57' Summary ofManagement Needs, Potential Change ofUse

As discussed earlier the town has led a very proactive approach to acquiring open space,adding trail and providing linkages to recreational areas. However the town has not been clear as to whose responsibility it is to maintain and manage these properties. In some cases it is not clear if the land is under the jurisdiction of the Conservation Commission, the Department of Public Works, the Parks and Recreation Commisson or the town in general. A comprehensive management plan for all the open space and recreational areas needs to be developed. This will provide a tool to address not only the daily maintenance issues ofthe open space and recreational areas but also allow for the development oflong-term goals for these properties. This will result in a more efficient use and operation ofthis land. It will identify the possibility of expanding facilities and resource sharing between different groups in town.

The Open Space Committee will continue to work with the owners ofthe large tracts ofland in Medfield, including the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Health, the Trustees of Reservations, the Medfield Sportsmen's Club, and the Wardner Farm Trust, to ensure that separate management programs are not at odds with each other and work to compliment each other. .

As identified in the 1988 and the 1994 Open Space Plan, the biggest potential change ofuse is still the Medfield State Hospital site. The Commonwealth has no plans to close the facility however the patient load continues to operate at one-tenth ofits peak. The site is approximately 228 acres offarmland as well as forty-one currently vacant buildings that make the site prime for redevelopment. The land is currently zoned business industrial (BI). The Medfield State Hospital Preservation Committee continues to work with the state organizations and our local legislators to identify the viability ofpreserving Medfield State Hospital in its current operation as well as possible reuse ofthe site should the Hospital fail to continue in its present operation. Any preservation efforts or change in use decisions ultimately lie with the state. The town does have some local control, as the hospital is located within both a national and local historic district. Additional controls including conservation or preservation restrictions on the farmland areas, mixed used zoning (i.e., planned unit development, village center' zoning) for the "campus" portion ofthe site, or other protective zoning tools should continue to be investigated.

58 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Goals Setting The goals and objectives included in this plan represent a modification to the goals and objectives included in the 1994 Open Space and Recreation Plan. The following town boards and commissions were asked to review the 1994 goals and objectives and suggest any changes that were necessary:

Board ofSelectmen Conservation Commission Planning Board Open Space Planning Committee School Department Department ofPublic Works Park and Recreation Commission Historical Commission

The Committee received input from several of the above boards and their comments and suggestions are reflected in these goals and objectives. In addition to these comments the Committee reviewed both the previous years goals and the open space survey results and findings. The Park and Recreation Commission have recently completed a planning process, which resulted in a Recreation Plan for the town. The goals and objectives outlined in this plan are included in this section ofthe Open Space and Recreation Plan. While many ofthe goals and objectives have not changed dramatically since the 1994 Open Space Plan they have been reviewed and modified where necessary. The Committee felt that overall the goals for open space have been consistent since 1994 while the objectives have changed based on work that the Committee has achieved since 1994. A draft version of these goals and objectives were presented at the public hearing on November 7, 2001.

Open Space Goals and Objectives

GOAL 1: ACQUIRE ADDITIONAL LANDS FOR CONSERVATION, RECREATION, AND OTHER MUNICIPAL NEEDS

Objectives: 1a. Develop future land use requirements in consultation with other Town Boards and create a system to prepare in advance so that such land needs can be met.

lb. Acquire, through fee simple purchase, easements, conservation restrictions, or purchase of development rights, donations or other means, lands whose protection advances one or more ofthe above goals and objectives.

59 lc. Provide for neighborhood playgrounds, especially in newly developing areas.

GOAL 2: PRESERVE AND PROTECT THE WATER SUPPLY

Objectives: 2a. Preserve and protect the drinking water supply and aquifer recharge areas

GOAL 3: PRESERVE AND PROTECT SCENIC VIEWS, HISTORIC SITES, WILDLIFE HABITAT AND AGRICULTURAL USES

Objectives: 3a. Preserve scenic views and their aesthetic value.

3b. Protect historic sites

3c. Protect wildlife habitat

3d. Encourage preservation ofagricultural uses

GOAL 4: LINK OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION SITES WITHIN MEDFIELD TO EACH OTHER, TO RESIDENTIAL AREAS, AND TO OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION SITES IN ADJACENT TOWN

Objectives: 4a. Provide opportunities for a variety ofrecreational activities, such as hiking, cross country skiing, horseback riding, bicycling, which require linear trails or paths.

4b. Maintain Medfield's link ofthe Bay Circuit Plan

4c. Provide migratory paths for wildlife

4d. Provide alternatives to automobile access among open space and conservation sites, and between such sites and residential areas

4e. Protect existing trails, easements, etc. and create new ones where feasible and appropriate

60 GOAL 5: IMPROVE FORESTLAND, WATER SITES, AND OPEN LANDS FOR ACTIVE AND PASSIVE RECREATION

Objectives: Sa. Improve the quality ofpublic open space areas

Sb. Increase public use and awareness ofopen space/recreation areas

Sc. Diversify recreational opportunities available to Medfield residnets

GOAL 6: INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF OPEN SPACE AND CONSERVATION RESOURCES AND ISSUES

Objectives: 6a. Continue to educate public about the value ofopen space and relative costs of providing town services to open land, industrial land and residential land

6b. Revive periodic land use forums

6c. Increase public awareness ofrelationship between demand on water resources and aquifer recharge capabilities

6d. Continue water conservation effort

GOAL 6: IDENTIFY MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE NEEDS OF TOWN OWNED OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION LAND

Objectives: 6a. Inventory all town-owned land to determine jurisdiction, management needs, and responsibility for ongoing oversight

6b. Develop a maintenance plan for all town-owned open space, trails, and recreational land

61 Recreation Goals and Objectivesl

GOAL 1: PROVIDE THE RECREATION PROGRAMS, WIDCH WILL MEET THE DIVERSE NEEDS AND INTERESTS OF ALL CITIZENS OF THE TOWN.

Objectives: 1a. Structure the Park and Recreation Commission to meet the recreation demands ofa growing and changing population

lb. Develop and/or improve preschool recreation programs.

lc. Develop and/or improve children's programs.

ld. Develop and/or improve programs for youth.

1e. Develop and/or improve programs for adults.

If. Develop and/or improve elderly programs.

19. Accommodate needs ofhandicapped/special needs persons in programs as appropriate.

lh. Adjust programs to accommodate the needs ofthe families oftoday: traditional, single parent, working parents, single adults, growing senior population.

GOAL 2: DEVELOP AND/OR IMPROVE RECREATION FACILITIES

Objectives: 2a. Fully develop Hinkley Pond.

2b. Link recreational facilities to each other and to reservations and neighboring communities' facilities.

2c. Upgrade and maintain public fields and parks.

I j 2d. Upgrade Metacomet Park 2e. Improve handicapped access to recreation facilities.

2£ Fully develop "56 Acres" property.

2g. Improve or replace PfaffCenter.

1 Recreation goals and objectives are taken from the Medfield Recreation Plan, January 2000 completed by poe Associates, Inc.

62 2h. Identify, map and distribute information on walking & equestrian trails. 2i. Maintain and enhance links with R9cky Woods Reservation.

2j. Develop walking trails at 56 Acres-former landfill site

2k. Develop incentives for private landowners and developers to contribute to recreation needs ofthe community.

21. Consider recreation possibilities for the landfill site and Medfield State Hospital site.

GOAL 3 IMPROVE COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION BETWEEN PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT, SCHOOL DEPARTMENT, YOUTH SPORTS ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHER TOWNS TO MAXIMIZE SHARING OF RESOURCES.

Objectives: 3a. Ensure maximum and most efficient use ofavailable facilities.

3b. Institute regular forums for communication among groups and organizations.

3c. Continue to expand and increase the number oflinks within the community to facilitate program development.

3d. Develop a directory ofrecreation resources, facilities, amenities, locations, speakers, teachers, etc.

3e. Explore opportunities for the development and utilization ofregional recreation facilities, shared among Medfield and adjacent towns.

GOAL 4 REVIEW AND ADJUST, IF NECESSARY, THE MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE OF THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION TO MAKE CERTAIN IT REFLECTS THE CHANGING COMMUNITY PROFILE.

Objectives: 4a. Review and adjust Mission Statement on an annual basis.

4b. Review and adjust Bylaws every five (5) years.

4c. Appoint a Recreation Advisory Committee, consisting ofrepresentatives of recreation providers and users, to serve as communications forum.

4d. Expand management capacity ofthe Park and Recreation Commission.

63 4e. Develop a visual flow chart identifying Board and Committee strengths and linking C) them to areas ofspecialization. i GOAL 5. REVIEW AND ADJUST COURSE OFFERINGS TO INCORPORATE RECOGNITION OF ECO-EDUCATION, HERITAGE EDUCATION AND LIFE LONG LEARNING WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE RECREATION PROGRAM

Objectives: Sa. Create and offer seminars/workshops on gardening & home farming in conjunction with Garden Club.

Sb. Work with the Historical Society to institute activities at Kingsbury Pond, Dwight­ Derby House & other historic sites.

Sc. Provide access to computers and the World Wide Web and the learning opportunities with which to use the technology with Seniors

Sd. Program participants as teaching staff.

5e. Establish/Organize programs that bring seniors and youths together

)

6~ FIVE YEAR ACTION PLAN

The key to the Medfield Open Space and Recreation Plan is the implementation strategy. A plan should consist of both idealistic goals and recommendations and achievable goals and recommendations. The idealistic goals provide a vision toward which the Town wants to strive,. and by which to judge the series of interim decisions that must be made in order to achieve the desired long-term result. The practical recommendations are necessary to ensure that progress is made, to demonstrate the viability ofthe plan, and to increase the expectation that the long-term result is achievable.

The Open Space Committee has worked hard to present goals and recommendations that are both idealistic and practical. The goals and objectives are restated below followed by a series of recommendations. This section is followed by a discussion of potential implementation mechanisms both regulatory and financial. The Five Year Action Plan Summary is a matrix illustrating how the following recommendations will be carried out,over the next five years, by which agency or agencies, and what implementation mechanism is proposed to carry out-the recommendation.

OPEN SPACE RECOMMENDATIONS

GOAL 1: ACQUlRE ADDITIONAL LANDS FOR CONSERVATION, RECREATION, AND OTHER MUNICIPAL NEEDS

Objectives: Ia. Develop future land use requirements in consultation with other Town Boards and create a system to prepare in advance so that such land needs can be met.

lb. Acquire, through fee simple purchase, easements, conservation restrictions, or purchase Of development rights, donations or other means, lands whose protection advances one or more ofthe above goals and objectives.

Ie. Provide for neighborhood playgrounds, especially in newly developing areas. i .1

Recommendations:

1. Review the Open Space and Recreation Plan on a yearly basis. 2. Update annual inventory ofChapter 61, 6IA and 6IB lands, which should ipso facto be considered for protection. Town of Medfield Action Plan Map

Protected Open Space

o Medfield Parcels

~ Department of Public Works

Diil Conservation Commission \III! Town of Medfield C Dept. of Environmental Management BI Trustees of Reservations

l1li Army Corp of Engineers C Chapter 61 Forestry ItS Chapter 61 A Agriculture

~ Chapter61 B Recreational

Open Space with Little Protection

(:,:;0,;,:,>,,:-,,'.'1 Westwood Gun Club Property o Medfield State Hospital Property o Wardner Farm Trust W+EN s Source: Medfield GIS /~4 I . .~. 4. Continue to seek funds for the Conservation Land Fund through the Capital Budget for future land acquisition 5. Encourage use ofthe Open Space Residential Development Bylaw for new subdivisions with emphasis on maximizing contiguous integrated open space. 6. Workwith Planning Board to encourage developers to set aside land for playgrounds in new subdivisions, where appropriate.

GOAL 2: PRESERVE AND PROTECT THE WATER SUPPLY

Objectives: 2a. Preserve and protect the drinking water supply and aquifer recharge areas

2b. Prioritize acquisition ofunprotected open space lands with in aquifer areas

2c. Promote public awareness of aquifer areas and relationship between demand on water resources and aquifer recharge capabilities.

Recommendiitions:

1. Give high priority to acquisition ofland in aquifer recharge areas when possible. 2. Continue to enforce aquifer protection bylaw. 3. Encourage alternatives to traditional lawn areas to reduce herbicide and pesticide runoffas well as water use. 4. Continue to monitor water quality. 5. Increase public awareness ofrelationship between demand on water resources and aquifer recharge capabilities.

GOAL 3: PRESERVE AND PROTECT SCENIC VIEWS, mSTORIC SITES, WILDLIFE HABITAT, AND AGRICULTURAL USES.

Objectives: 3a. Preserve scenic views throughout town and their aesthetic value.

Recommendiitions:

1. Acquire scenic views. 2. Facilitate acquisition ofdevelopment rights on scenic views. 3. Encourage preservation ofscenic views through conservation restrictions.

'.~. -,';"~W'i Objectives:

3b. Protect historic sites

Recommendations:

I. Continue to support preservation ofhistoric buildings at State Hospital as part ofany reuse plan. 2. Continue to protect historic sites by enforcing Demolition Delay Bylaw and Archaeological Bylaw and historic districts. 3. Facilitate acquisition ofdevelopment rights on historic sites. 4. Encourage preservation ofhistoric sites through donations ofconservation restrictions

Objectives:

3c. Protect wildlife habitat

Recommendations:

I. Acquire habitat areas and corridors 2. Maintain links between major open space areas

Objectives:

3d. Encourage preservation ofagricultural uses

Recommendations: ! I 1. Encourage the use ofChapter 61A 2. Continue efforts to preserve agricultural land at State Hospital through transfer to Department ofFood and Agriculture, Agricultural Preservation Restriction and/or conservation restrictions. 3. Facilitate acquisition ofdevelopment rights on farmland. 4. Lease appropriate public lands for agricultural use. GOAL 4: LINK OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION SITES WITHIN MEDFIELD TO EACH OTHER, TO RESIDENTIAL AREAS, AND TO OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION SITES IN ADJACENT TOWN

Objectives: 4a. Provide opportunities for a variety ofrecreational activities, such as hiking, cross country skiing, horseback riding, bicycling, which require linear trails or paths.

4b. :M:aintain Medfield's link ofthe Bay Circuit Plan

4c. Maintain green space corridors to help provide migratory paths for wildlife

4d. Provide and promote trail linkage between open space and conservation sites, and between such sites and residential areas

4e. Protect and maintain existing trails, easements, etc. and create new ones where feasible and appropriate

Recommendations:

1. Acquire lands, easements, etc. to create and protect linkage between open spaces. 2. Develop plan with Conservation Commission, Friends ofMedfield Forests and Trails i~ and the Trustees ofReservations delineating desirable trails, bikeways, pedestrian easements, etc. that will link open space and recreation areas with each other, with I residential areas, and with the open space and recreational areas in adjoining towns. 3. Develop standards for creation ofnew trails including guidelines for width, surface materials, marking, and permitted usages. 4. Install signs and!or markers on existing trails and provide surface area suitable for 'Ya1king and different from surrounding area. 5. Revise subdivision rules and regulations to require trail easements where existing trails will be eliminated and ensure that such easements include the installation of signs and markers, including bounds, and maintenance ofsurface area different from the surrounding ground. 6. Establish program ofregular communication with property owners whose property includes a trail easement(s).

GOAL 5: IMPROVE FORESTLAND, WATER SITES, AND OPEN LANDS FOR ACTIVE AND PASSIVE RECREATION

Objectives: Sa Improve the quality ofpublic open space areas

5b. Increase public use and awareness ofopen space/recreation areas

.~. 5c. Diversify recreational opportunities available to Medfield residents

Recommendations: ..

1. Update Open Space and Trails map using the GIS system. 2. Make the Open Space and Trails map available in print form and on the town's website. 3. Develop a maintenance plan for all town-owned open space, trails, and recreational land. 4. Establish town funding for trail marking, trail maintenance and upkeep ofopen space areas. 5. Develop policy for permitted and non-permitted usage ofTown-owned open space

GOAL 6: INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF OPEN SPACE AND CONSERVATION RESOURCES AND ISSUES

Objectives: 6a. Continue to educate public about the value ofopen space and relative costs of providing town services to open land, industrial land and residential land

6b. Increase public awareness ofrelationship between demand on water resources and aquifer recharge capabilities

6c. Continue water conservation effort

Recommendations:

1. Conduct "Cost ofCommunity Services" analysis. 2. Update open space and trails map using the GIS system. 3. Make open space and trails map aVal1able in print form and on the town's website. 4. Use cable access, website, and other media to inform the public about water conservation measures and their benefits.

GOAL 7: IDENTIFY MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE NEEDS OF TOWN OWNED OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION LAND

Objectives: 6a. Inventory all town-owned land to determine jurisdiction, management needs, and responsibility for ongoing oversight 6b. Develop maintenance and management plans for all town-owned open space, trails, and recreational land clearly identifYing responsibilities for different groups. .

Recommendations:

1. Develop a maintenance plan for all town-owned open space, trails, and recreational land using GIS. PARK AND RECREATION RECOMMENDATIONS

GOAL 1: PROVIDE THE RECREATION PROGRAMS, WIDCR WILL MEET THE DIVERSE NEEDS AND INTERESTS OF ALL CITIZENS OF THE TOWN.

Objectives: la. Structure the Park and Recreation Commission to meet the recreation demands ofa growing and changing population

lb. Develop and/or improve preschool recreation programs.

lc. Develop and/or improve children's programs.

ld. Develop and/or improve programs for youth.

Ie. Develop and/or improve programs for adults.

1£ Develop and/or improve elderly prognims.

Ig. Accommodate needs ofhandicapped/special needs persons in programs as appropriate.

lh. Adjust programs to accommodate the needs ofthe families oftoday; traditional, single parent, working parents, single adults, growing senior population

GOAL 2: DEVELOP AND/OR IMPROVE RECREATION FACILITIES

Objectives: , 2a. Fully develop Hinkley Pond.

2b. Link recreational facilities to each other and to reservations and neighboring communities' facilities.

2c. Upgrade and maintain public fields and parks.

J 2d. Upgrade Metacomet Park

2e. Improve handicapped access to recreation facilities.

2£ Fully develop "56 Acres" property.

2g. Improve or replace PfaffCenter.

2h. IdentifY, map and distribute information on walking & equestrian trails. 2i. Maintain and enhance links with Rocky Woods Reservation

2j. Develop walking trails at 56 Acres-furmer landfill site

2k. Develop incentives for private landowners and developers to contribute to recreation needs ofthe community.

21. Consider recreation possibilities for the landfill site and Medfield State Hospital site.

GOAL 3 IMPROVE COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION BETWEEN PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT, SCHOOL DEPARTMENT, YOUTH SPORTS ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHER TOWNS TO MAXIMlZE SHARING OF RESOURCES.

Objectives: 3a Ensure maximum and most efficient use ofavailable facilities.

3b. Institute regular forums for communication among groups and organizations.

3c. Continue to expand and increase the number oflinks within the community to facilitate program development. -"J i 3d. Develop a directory ofrecreation resources, facilities, amenities, locations, speakers, teachers, etc.

3e. Explore opportunities for the development and utilization ofregional recreation facilities, shared among Medfield and adjacent towns.

GOAL 4 REVIEW AND ADJUST, IF NECESSARY, 'THE MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE OF THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION TO MAKE CERTAIN IT REFLECTS THE CHANGING COMMUNITY PROFILE.

Objectives: 4a. Review and adjust Mission Statement on an annual basis.

4b. Review and adjust Bylaws every five (5) years.

4c. Appoint a Recreation Advisory Committee, consisting ofrepresentatives of recreation providers and users, to serve as communications forum.

4d. Expand management capacity ofthe Park and Recreation Commission.

4e. Develop a visual flow chart identifying Board and Committee strengths and linking them to areas ofspecialization. :"C y, I GOAL 5. REVIEW AND ADJUST COURSE OFFERINGS TO INCORPORATE j RECOGNITION OF ECO-EDUCATION, HERITAGE EDUCATION AND LIFE LONG LEARNING WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE RECREATION PROGRAM

Objectives: 5a. Create and offer seminars/workshops on gardening & home farming in conjunction with Garden Club.

Sb. Work with the Historical Society to institute activities at Kingsbury Pond, Dwight­ Derby House & other historic sites.

5c. Provide access to computers and the World Wide Web and the learning opportunities with which to use the technology with Seniors

5d. Program participants as teaching staff.

5e. Establish/Organize programs that bring seniors and youths together ("C) Implementation Tools

The key to the Medfield Open Space and Recreation Plan is the implementation strategy. A combination offinancial and regulatory measures is necessary for implementation ofthis plan, These measures are discussed below:

Financial

The acquisition of land is an expensive proposition. It is very difficult for municipalities to raise the funds needed for fee simple purchase. However, to the extent that such purchases avert residential development, they may be cost effective. Various studies have indicated that residentially developed land requires $1.11 to $1.36 worth of services for every $1 of tax revenue it generates. Another study in Boulder, Colorado, found that the average public cost per acre of maintaining public open space was $328, including debt service to finance the purchase, versus $2,524 per acre ofdeveloped and developable land (Thomas 1991).

In 1994, the Medfield Land Protection Group studied the fiscal impacts of land developed for residential uses versus open space. They found that for every $1. 00 of taxes collected from residential land, the Town spends between $1.15 and $1.30 on services. For every $1. 00 collected from open space land, it spends only $.32 on services. These findings are in line with those from other studies. Thus, in the long 'run, municipal purchase of land may actually be less costly than allowing the land to be developed for residential purposes.

The fiscal impact of land purchase is only one consideration. A land acquisition effort must be based on the need to provide for future municipal services or to protect environmentally sensitive land. Such needs should be demonstrated in a master plan and/or long-term capital improvements plan.

Some ofthe financial mechanisms, that can be used to finance land acquisitions include: Bonding Capacity: As bonds for previously-funded capital improvements such as schools, police stations, library, water and sewer projects, are paid 0fI; some or all of that bonding capacity could be dedicated to land acquisition. For example, if $100,000 per year of bonding capacity were to become available, it could finance (at 7% interest) a $700,000 land purchase over ten years or a 1.06 million purchase over twenty years. Of course, land purchase would have to compete against other pressing capital needs. The Town must establish a plan for prioritization ofthese projects.

Debt Exclusion: Similarly, without waiting for other bonds to be paid 0fI; the Town could seek voter approval to create new bonding capacity by excluding a specified amount from the limits ofProposition 2 \1,. For example, ifthe voters approved a debt exclusion of $1,000,000 for the purchase of land, the specific amount needed to finance the purchase, including principal and interest, would be raised by increasing property taxes beyond the limit imposed by Proposition 2 \1,. When the purchase was fully paid for, the authority to increase taxes would automatically I F); expire and the property tax rate would revert to what it would have been had there not been a debt exclusion. i AnnualAppropriation: The Town could adopt a policy ofannually appropriating an amount to a reserve fund dedicated to land purchases. The advantage ofthis option is that it could put the town in a position to move quickly if a parcel, such as a Chapter 61, 61A, or 61B, becomes available and requires fast action. Also, while it would take a few years for such fund to grow large, the fund could be used as a match for a grant or as a downpayment in combination with bonding. However, the Proposition 2 ~ limits and pressing operational and school needs, it is difficult to set aside even small amounts for use at a later time.

Special Tax: A special tax could be enacted whose revenues would be dedicated to land purchases. However, authority for such special taxes is limited. A real estate transfer tax could generate significant revenue but would need legislative approval and would increase housing prices. Such as tax could be structured to exclude lower income and/or first-time buyers. In addition, the legislature has recently approved the Community Preservation Act (CPA). Communities who adopt the CPA locally will be able to assess a specified transfer tax that can be used to fund open space purchases, affordable housing, and recreational needs.

State and Federal Grants: State and federal grants are available for open space purchases and other putposes. Among the programs available are the Self-help Program ofDEM's Division of

\ Conservation Services. It will reimburse communities for up to 90% of the cost of acquiring ) conservation land. The Federal Land and Water Conservation fund, administered by the Division of Conservation Services, will fund up to 50% ofthe cost of acquiring or developing recreational land. The Department of Food and Agriculture administers the Agricultural Preservation Restriction Program, which purchases the development rights of farmland. The Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Enviromnental Law administers the Non-Game tax fund which uses voluntary contributions from a state income tax for check offto purchase the habitat ofendangered species. \

The federal Community Development Block Grant Program, administered by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development is a potential funding source. While this I money is not available to fund open space purchases it can be uses for infrastructure improvements and can facilitate park and recreation development. I

I Regulatory Measures Regulatory measures can complement financial mechanisms to enhance the Town's ability to acquire land and protect the community character. Some regulatory measures with potential to aid implementation ofthis Open Space and Recreation Plan include: Flexible Zoning: This zoning tool is essentially an overlay zoning district which, while ministering the same density as the underlying zoning district, allows variations from the dimensional requirements, lot sizes, setbacks, frontages, in order to design a new development so that it minimizes environmental impact and/or results in protected open or recreational space for the public. When combined with transfer development rights it can be a powerful took for protecting open space.

Some versions of this concept have been used in Medfield. The Medfield Open Space Residential By-law allows reduced lot sizes in return for open. space. The State's Agricultural Preservation District (APR) Program purchases "development rights" allowing the original owner to continue owning and farming the land and still receive some payment for the land's development value. Development rights may also be purchased from or donated by a landowner and a permanent "Conservation Restriction" be placed on the land.

Medfield's Open Space development By-law is only applicable within one parcel or within contiguous parcels. With the APR program and conservation restrictions, the development rights are purchases and then relinquished, diminishing the total development potential of a connnuuity or area. Furthermore, funding for these programs is extremely limited. Their potency could be enhanced if a market were created for those development rights so that they could be sold and utilized elsewhere in the connnuuity. This would create a private market that would attract private capital to the land preservation effort.

\ Based on the above factors, it is reconnnended that flexible zoning, including transferable I. development rights, continue to be utilized in Medfield. The "connnuuity character" and "country feel" of the town that was cited in the Open Space survey is based on development patterns that are no longer allowed according to current zoning bylaws. The flexible zoning bylaw has the potential to preserve open space and natural resources, provide recreation lands, preserve and enhance connnuuity character, and reduce infrastructure·and service maintenance costs. Furthermore in a time oflimited public resources, it utilizes private resources to achieve a public benefit.,

A flexible zouing by-law would work in a manner similar to the open space development by-law but in an expanded capacity. Just as the open space development by-law allows higher density on one portion of a parcel in order to preserve open space on another portion ofthe parcel (but without changing the overall density allowed for that parcel by the underlying zoning district), a flexible zoning by-law would allow higher density on some parcels in return for the purchase of development rights from another (not necessarily adjacent) parcel.

Criteria could be established to determine whether a particular parcel qualifies to relinquish/receive development rights to/from another parcel. Potential criteria for a "donor" parcel would include current use in agriculture or silviculture, proximity to existing open space, environmental sensitivity, containing or adjacent to important habitat, wetlands, waterways, floodplains, aquifer protection district, etc.) serving as a scenic resource or located on a scenic roadway, lacking sewer service, etc. Criteria for "recipient" parcels would include easy access to water and sewer service, proximity to roadways capable of handling the additional traffic, location outside of an aquifer protection district, location that allows vehicular and pedestrian link between already developed areas, proximity to "village center" or other areas of commercial or institutional use, and a location that allows a development plan with a minimum environmental impact.

Village Center Zoning

Village center zoning is a broad term that has different implications for different people. AB used here it means encouraging development to concentrate around a few commerciallindustrialfmstitutional centers and!or corridors rather than spreading throughout town. It also means requiring all uses in the village center to relate to one another in terms of scale, design, setbacks, height, etc., and to include pedestrian amenities to encourage walking and bicycling to and from as well as within the village center.

This tool addresses community character as well as open space issues. While this tool can stand alone as an effective regulatory measure, its efficacy can be improved ifit is used in combination with a flexible zoning-by-law as proposed above, with proximity to such a center or corridor qualifying a parcel as an eligible "recipient" of development rights. Infrastructure improvements should also be targeted to enhance the village center concept.

In Medfield, the downtown area is vibrant and already conforms to many of the features ofthe village center concept. However, some ofthe newer developments deviate from the concept and do not maintain the building line, scale, or pedestrian orientation that prevails in most ofthe area. Therefore, it would be appropriate to consider zoning changes that would ensure that future development and redevelopment fits into the fabric ofthe downtown area.

The campus-style developed portion ofthe Medfield State Hospital site also exhibits many ofthe characteristics of the village center concept. Similarly, consideration should be given to zoning changes that would help ensure that any futUre reuse of the property retains the physical characteristics that currently exist on the site. MEDFIELD FIVE YEAR ACTION PLAN SUMMARY OPEN SPACE Action Year Recommendation Lead Agency Other Agencies· Mechanism Goall. Acquire Additional Lands for Conservation, Recreation, and other Municipal Needs ~,

1 12 314 51 A. Review the Open Space Plan regularly Open Space Long Raoge Planning I .-._'-'--.------.-T.---..------..----..----- ...... -....-..------..---..----.------.--....--..------....--... --"-"-COJ!1:1:1.1!!t.<:..e__.....__ ~-"-I~!!e--"------..----r------1 12 3 4 5 B. Update annual inventory ofChapter 61, Board ofSelectmen Open Space Committee i 61A, and 61B lands, which should ipso facto Planning Board I I be considered for protection. Long Raoge Planning I ! Conmuttee i .....---:-..-..-- --..--..------....------.--.---...... ------..--.. ----.-....-..-....------.....--...... _.-....---....--..------...... ---...--..---·--1·------..·..--..------..-..- ..----·------..--r-- .. ·--..-·------··-.... --....- 1 \ 2 3 4 5 I C. Review Annual Chapter 61 action protocol Open Space Board of Selectmen ..--~- ---T----;1------wi~_ B{)!':'-

Action Year Recommendation Lead Agency Other Agencies Mechanism Goal 2. Preserve and Protect the water supply (continued) J .:ji; ---,1----.1 I -----·---·----·-··-·-··------·-···------T--··---··-·-··-··----··--·-r-·····-·--··----·····------··--··--1-·-·-·--··--·-----·--·-- '\\9 1 I 2 1314 51' C. Encourage alternatives to traditional lawn I Conservation I· Planning Board ! I,I areas to reduce herbicide and pesticide Commission I ~.<:l!!.~_~.

A. Acquire Scenic Views Board ofSelectmen Open Space Committee LongRa TownM

._----_._--_..._-,._------_.__.__..._._--_.._------_.•.•-_._--_.•._-'.._------'.-""'-----_._._,... cilitate acquisition ofdevelopment rights Planning Board Open Sp on scenic views Long Range Planning ITDR -·;I-;-r-;··--~J·~ '-·-·--·-~-·~~::u-;;;~;~~se~;;;~n-~~~::;~-~~~~·-----·-·-~~;~~:;~~l~~~~---··~~:·;:~~in~~::~~-·--····I·~<:l~'c~!L--··-·---·------

·~-·r;I""------;-;-- ~:::::~::::~::::~~~~~. o~i~~::~-·- ----···~;~;~-~:;·;~l -.---. -~~~~d::::l:~':~·--···-+--·-·-----··------buildings at State Hospital as part ofany I Preservation Committee UOpen Space Committee ! I reuse plan. Historic Commission I ·-~t;-l;- -~--~ ------~~-~ontinue ;:;;~;~~ hi:~~~~;;~:·~;------·-~~tori~-~~::~si;~--· ~:~g~~~~-··-----·--·--T-·----·-·--····,-·----- I I enforcing Demolition Delay Bylaw and Open Space Committee I '_!- -;_ .. Arch~~<:l!o&i~~!.~y}~~_.

Action Year Recommendation Lead Auency Other Auencies Mechanism

Goal 3. P,'eserve and Protect Scenic Views, Historic Sites, Wildlife Habitat, and Agricnltural Uses (continued) ~ -1------"--"- --.- ~ ..--.--.-----..------.--...--.-..-...-..------..---.·---·-·.·-·-·--·.---.--·T-·------··,-·-.---·--·-.-·-.--- ·--·------,,··-....-·-----·---·-·---·---r------·------fJ,9 1 2 3 G. Encourage preservation ofhistoric sites Board ofSelectmen Planning Board L ------'- .-.------.--.-throu~.-.--.---"".------.------.-""--.-.------,,donations ofconservation restrictions..--.---I----.--.------,,----.------·_------_·_-_·_--_·_----·"-1Town Meeting ---.-----.-.----.-""--,,.--. 1 2 3 H. Acquire habitat areas and corridors Board ofSelectmen Planning Board Annual Long Range Planning i Appropriation -..-.+--- ,,-.-----.- ...-'1".------.------"---.------.----.----.-.------,,---.------..9.Ee"'.§pac~.Q<:>~!!~~ ______"".~!!'?':'~!;L- ...--.-.-.--- 1 2 3 \ 4 5 L Maintain links between major open space Planning Board IConservation Commission \ Flexible Zoning I areas Trails Committee 1 2 3 4 5 1. Encourage use ofChapter .61A Assessor's Office Open Space Committee -,----,..,---_.__ ._-----_.,,-"" Board... ofSelectmen.... .,._._""------,"-""- '--T- --T--·------·---"------"---·-----"----·-·-----.--.-".--..- ._--_.__ ._---_ _,---_._._- _,,-,---_._,,------"-- --_._._--,,------_.__ 1 2 K. Continue efforts to preserve agricultural land Hospital Preservation Board ofSelectmen at State Hospital through transfer to Dept. of Committee " Open Space Committee Food and Agriculture, Agricultural Preservation Restriction ancl/or conservation I I ---_._---__._"_...___.. E~stn~tio"'~: __..______.______".______,,._____.1.______.____,,_____"",,______"-..------.------"-----.--.---.---.-r----..-"------.--.------3 L. F,,",,,,, ",,"'moo of""'1".-ri"'" 1 F"""",B"",1 Boon! ofS,-'" F1odh1, Zoomg on farmland. Town Meeting TDR t_._L_ --.__. "---_._- TQE~_~p.a.£e_co~~t.t.~ "--.------.-.,,------.... -.-.------.---.------___..______·___ ·______-1------··--"------·----- 1 12 3 4 5 M. Lease appropriate public lands for \ Board ofSelectmen IOpen Space Committee agricultural use. Town Meeting i Goal4. Link Open Space and Recreation Sites within Medfield to Each Other, to Residential Areas, and to Open Space and Recreation Sites in Adjacent Towns. I 2 A. Develop plan with Conservation Trails Committee Open Space Committee Commission, Friends ofMedfield Forests and Conservation Commission Trails and the Trustees ofReservations Planning Board delineating desirable trails, bikeways, pedestrian easements, etc. that willlillk open ! I space and recreation areas with each other, I I with residential areas, and with the open I space and recreational areas in adjoining I I, towns - I MEDFIELD FIVE YEAR ACTION PLAN SUMMARY

Action Year Recommendation Lead Agency Other Agencies Mechanism Goal 4. Link Open Space and Recreation Sites within Medfield to EachOther, to Residential Areas, and to Open Space and Recreation Sites in ~ Adjacent Towns (continued)

1 12 B. Develop standards for creation ofnew trails Trails Committee IOpen Space Committee I I including guidelines for width, surface Conservation Commission I ___L_ -----1------~!~!i~l~_~'!~!<~g~~ql'~~!!~.

with property owners whose property I' Conservation Commission I includes a trail easement(s). Plmming Board ! Goal 5. Improve Forestland, Water Sites, and Open Lands For Active and Passive Recreation

1 riA. Update Open Space and Trails Map using the Trails Conunittee Open Sp~ce Committee I t-L-----~------~~,"""~ Com"i"i",--.L. ~ _~_LLJ_J_J ::_:~;£:_~~~~~~~ :~~~a~e ~~~': L_~::_A~ist~a~or J~Ii:~~=fs~~~ __ J_... _

"~ MEDFIELD FIVE YEAR ACTION PLAN SUMMARY

Action Year Recommendation Lead Al!encv Other Al!encies Mechanism T 213 C. Develop a maintenance plan for all town­ Trails Committee I Open Space Committee ~ owned open space, trails, and recreational Conservation Commission land Park and Recreation Public Works GoalS. bnprove Forestland, Water Sites, and Open Lands For Active and Passive Recreation (continued) fundin~ 1 2 1 3 4 51 D. Establish for trail marking, trail I Board ofSelectmen TTrails Committee I Annual maintenance and upkeep ofopen space areas IOpen Space Committee I Appropriation I \ conservati.on Commission \,I i Town Meeting \ ~I~" p~rmitted 1 12 Il E.-Develop a policy for and non- .-- Board ofSelectmen--l Trails Committee permitted uses ofTown-owned open space IOpen Space Committee I i I Conservation Commission Goal 6. Increase public awareness of Open Space and Conservation Resources and Issues I I 1 II I A. Conduct "Cost ofCommUnity Services" Open Space jBoard ofSelectmen I \ analysis Committee Long Range Planning , ~ r t-i-;~ IT;_ ;",.;,-;;;;;-;;..,-;;;;;;-.,;, ;';;';';;S --~;,~ I;:;;~~-[------..-\----1-.-- _ ...- .. ~--- ....---..------.------...- ...--.. ------.._...._.._. .J..<2..on~~~~'?!'.~~ll!1!l~S!~~...... -.- 1 I I II C Make Open Space and Trails map available in Town Administrator Trails Committee ,I print form and on the town's website Open Space CommIttee +g~~~~~t!()n C;:~~~~s.~on '---1'------J-- -r------·------·-----..·------..------....------..-...__..._._ .. ---'1------'---"-'" -.-- 1 i 2 314 5\' D. Use cable access, website, and other media to Public Works _I' Conservation Commission I inform the public about water conservation Board ofSelectmen I, measures and their benefits : Goal 7. Identify Management and Maintenance Needs of Town Owned Open Space and Recreation Land I I 2 A. Develop a maintenance plan for all town­ Board ofSelectmen I Open Space Committee II owned open space, trails, and recreational land Conservation Commission using GIS : Public Works 'I' IPlanning Board c MEDFIELD FIVE YEAR ACTION PLAN SUMMARY PARKAND RECREATION Action Year Recommendation Lead Agency Other Al!encies Mechanism

Goall. PROVIDE THE RECREATION PROGRAMS, WIDCR WILL MEET THE DIVERSE NEEDS AND INTERESTS OF ALL CITIZENS q;"it OF THE TOWN. ani;ecre~tion I~oardof SeJ.,ctm~ 1 I I\ A. Structure the Park and Recreation Park -11 I I Commission to meet the recreation demands Commission I -~-- ~ _W-.()~['~!1~-"g~~!!~~tE.~1.~1:!C:>l1 -- ---t 1------9i ------1------1------1 I I B. Develop andlor improve preschool Park and Recreation I ------T------L------~E~e~1:ic:>!1_p.::.()gr~~_ ------~()~~.. i.Cl~ ------~------. ----- 1 \ i I c. Develop andlor improve children's programs Park and Recreation i _..1.._ -1--'-'=1'--- --.------.---..------.<=:onJ!Il!.ssi.l1 .. -- ---l- -..-- -..------. ------_.L. ------..------..------1 ! I Develop andlor improve programs for adults Park and Recreation I I --+'l------.._. ----..-.----..--...... --...-----.--.---.--..--..-- .....-..------.- Sof!l!~liss!()~_. +--...-----.------.----.-..--..-----..,---.-....--....--.--.---.. -- 1 I II Develop andlor improve elderly programs Park and Recreation I I CornnusslOn --_. - ---._---- 1 I '--I r" I Accommodateneeds ofhandicappedlspecial I Park and Recreation -I' I I needs persons ill programs as appropnate. CornnusslOn, -~dateneeds 11 II -I' rI -- ACcornm. ofhandi.·.cappedlspecial '-I-parkand k;,creation T ,, needs persons m programs asappropnate_ . CornnusslOn I 1 12 I 3 14-51 Adjust programs to accommodate the needs I Park and Recreation -I I I I ofthe families oftoday: traditional, single Commission I I I parent, working parents, single adults, II gro~ing se.niorpopulation. I I

--- MEDFIELD FIVE YEAR ACTION PLAN SUMMARY

Action Year Recommendation Lead Al!ency Other Al!encies Mechanism Goal 2. DEVELOP AND/OR IMPROVE RECREATION FACILITIES ~

1 • d 'ghb . C .. vpen ~pace Lomnuttee '1 i .\ I I to reservations an nel onng I omrmsSlOn IT .\ C 'tie I •• I f: iI" fal S onnm e I i commumtles ac ltles. 1 L F-;-l -T-'--, 1 I ! -.-+;.I-.-.I ..-.-.-.------~:-~;rove hanclic~;;;;~~~~~~~~~~~:~;;;~--···-- --·-;~~~~~·;~:~~~:·--l-·····-·--·---·-··--·-----T----- .. --.-----.--.--.--- ._J:~nunisSi.c'~. '-t-- -.-- _. . f1cili.ties . .__._. .__.. j·-...... -.-..-...--....----.-.-..------..__ \.__.....__._._.. _ J . Departinent ofPublic 1 2 3 I F. Fully develop "56 Acres" property Park and RecreatIon Works I ,.--.-- .-1..--..------.------..-.-.---..-..- --.----.--.------.--- --.--.--g~~~~~~~..-.-.---1 ...-.-.--..-.----...... -.....- ..-.-..--..-----...------.-..---- ..--.-----. . • Municipal Planning and i , 3 G. Improve or replace Pfaff Center Park and RecreatIon I B 'ldio C' I 1 C" Ul g omrmttee -;-1~--' Ide~;~~~~; m:~ cli~ri~:~e in~:~~on --.~:;~ :::~::~::-.J..-BT~~I\C():a~:~EctlnttO~ttee--+I-----·--·-- -'f-I 2 ------;,- 0:-'- ..--.-.---- I walkmg· &.equestnan tral'1s ComrmSSlOn.. ra! s omrm ee .. -.+~_....L___ ---..--.--.--....------.-.-----.--..---.--.-.--..-.-...--.--..-... -"--"-"--"-'-.'-"-"-"'---.-'- ..-.--...... -....·------....----.-..,....------..·f.--.-·-..----..·..---..-..--..-.--. ·~t;I'~tj\---:- ~=!~:~J_ :;~: ;~E~--t,·--·--- ..---..-----..·--. I I landfill site Commission or s ,.-----.~--..-..--.-..-]----....-----.-.-...-.--.---...--..--.--.---..-..----.-.--..----..-·-....-..·-..- ....-....-·-·-·-"- ..----·------1...... ·-·..---..--·----..·---·-....-·-·--....--·f·-----.------...... -..-.---...-.--..- ·. I> • 1 d P k d'R . Board ofSelectlnen I 3 KD. eve1op mcentlves ~or pnvate an owners ar an ecreatlOn PI . B d I anddeve1opers to contn'bute to recreatlon. C·onmnsslon'. anomg oar I1 .-f- --1····-·-1'··--· . ._._. __ ....E..':~_~.~_()i:l:l~(l ...'?.c'~}Ul...... ~t}'.- ...... -.--..--...... -.--.-...--....---..------..-.-.--..-.--.----+------..---..- ..--....----.----.....- .. \...... -.---...-...... -.-.-.-.,.-.-..----.., I 2 I L. Consider recreation possibilities for the Park and Recreation 'Board of Selectlnen i I I landfill site and Medfield State Hospital site. Commission 0 S C'tt 1 I I pen pace omrm ee I ,III II • i' ,..._.....L..J_._1.,,'IL.....L....i __.. ._..._._._..__...__._. .__._.._.... .__ .. .__...... _.__. ._._.Planomg__._...__Board._...... _.._..i .... ._ (" ------. '-... MEDFIELD FIVE YEAR ACTION PLAN SUMMARY

Action Year Recommendation Lead Agency Other Agencies Mechanism Goal 3. IMPROVE COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION BETWEEN PARKAND RECREATION DEPARTMENT, SCHOOL I \t. DEPARTMENT, YOUTH SPORTS ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHER TOWNS TO MAXIMIZE SHARING OF RESOURCES ---~~----r------.-.---.-----.-----.--.--.-...------·----1------·----·-----·----·----- 12 I 3 I 4 5 A. Ensure maximum and most efficient use of Park and Recreation .. 1J-I-- ---~::;;~-", ~;;..;- -~~~~+------,------.--.--.--.~ -tt---Ic:=-~ == -~;;:;;;~-I--·-·--···---·---··----···-·-r··------·-··-·------_.. _L_ ---- . Jl!:0!l!~ deyel?£.m~l:.:. ------.- .-.----.------. ------l.---.------.-----.. -----~----. ------.-- ..-----.- 2 D. Develop a directory ofrecreation resources, Park and Recreation School Department \ facilities, ameuities, locations, speakers, Commission Opeu Space Committee I teachers, etc. '···-i-·-·+---L..·-1----t~---··--··------·---·------·-----.-- .....---..-...-.--.--.. -.---.-...--.---...-..---..-..-.---.-.,.--.--..-.-..------...... --..--...--..-~----- ...... -...... - ...- ...--..- I I 4 I E. Explore opportunities for the development Park and Recreation and utilization ofregional recreation Commission · facilities, shared between Medfield and I adjacent towns. , LJ ..__" .. .. ._.._.._. .. ..__ .._.._...... L ...... L_._..._._._.__.._...... _._"_L .._..... _._...__.._._.._. Goal4. REVIEW AND ADJUST, IF NECESSARY, THE MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE OF-THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION TO MAKE CERTAIN IT REFLECTS THE CHANGING COMMUNITY PROFILE. -~--Ffl~ 5·----;- R~~~~-and a~~st ~-~~:~~·;~atem~nt on.-. Park and ·;~~ati~--r- .... ---..----·-----··r---·---..·....·----- i~~ -L-~~-~~::~:a:~;u~;;;Jaws ~v;~ve --·;~~kC~~::~tion J-;~;rd-~~-Sel~~:-· '--. C-;;- ..·----l--·------·----.·, ___Ll_L_. ._years._, .. .. Co~ss~~~__ .._ .. .__...._..._. L_.__._. ...__ MEDFIELD FIVE YEARACTION PLAN SUMMARY Action Year Recommendation Lead Agency Other Agencies Mechanism I ;r~4 5i C. Appoint a Recreation Advisory Park and Recreation Board ofSelectmen ,I Committee, consisting ofrepresentatives Comrriission fA' ofrecreation providers and users, to serve as communications forum. I ~ I ----r;--'-----I------r----;;:--~~:~~~:~;~::~nt-~;~:;-~;~:-;:r~------;~~~~~~-;:;~~tion ------r------

-l~H- ~~---;~-~~::::r~~:a~~:c::~;~ent:~;------;~~~:::~:~;::ti~~ ------j------,-_U l :~:~~:e:~~::::::~:=d_I~:~ ~~=ssl~~ ~L I_ GoalS. REVIEW AND ADJUST COURSE OFFERINGS TO INCORPORATE RECOGNITION OF ECO-EDUCATION, HERITAGE EDUCATION AND LIFE LONG LEARNING WITHIN THE FRAMEWORI( OF THE RECREATION PROGRAM '----I-~------~--~:;::~~~;~:~:~~~w~r~~~::~~:-----I--~ar~~:~i~::~onl-~~~~ld~~;den-~~~~-----T------' (__ ,L wi1h.Q~!..den_ClJ!b ,______,, ~------,------~, ,+ , _ 3 B. Work with the Historical Society to Park and Recreation I Historical Society I institute activities at Kingsbury Pond, COmmlSSlOn Historical Commission

II Dwight-Derby House & other historic I -- I '---l------~------'------1------I 1 I 2 I 3 4 51 C. Provide access to computers and the Park and Recreation Council on Aging I I[ World Wide Web and the learning I Commission I I I ~::~~~:ti:;t~e:~~: to use the I ! ~r-l-l-----_--J------;;~---prog~m~~i~;~~~~-~~ te~~~~~;~~~ff~------;~~~~~i:~;~:--l------·------r------' -+.~-----.------~t------·------·------.------1 2 3 I4 15 I E. Establish/Organize programs that bring I Park and Recreation ICouncil on Aging_ i I I seniors and ouths to ether I Commission ! i

, REFERENCES

Levy, Eldredge and Wagner Associates, Inc. (1988) "1988 Open Space Plan, Medfield, Massachusetts," Framingham, MA: Levy, Eldredge, and Wagner Associates, Inc.

Massachusetts Department ofFisheries and Wildlife (1994): Rare Species Element Occurrences," Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, Boston: Massachusetts Department ofFisheries and Wildlife.

Massachusetts Executive Office ofCommunities and Development, Medfield Norfolk County: A Community Profile, Boston: The Commonwealth ofMassachusetts, 1995.

Massachusetts Executive Office ofEnvironmental Affairs, Division ofConservation Services and Department ofEnvironmental Management, "Open Space and Recreation Plan Requirements, Boston: The Commonwealth ofMassachusetts, 1990.

Massachusetts Executive Office ofEnvironmental Affairs, Division ofConservation Services and Department ofEnvironmental Management, "The Open Space Planner's Workbook, Boston: The Commonwealth ofMassachusetts, revised 1993.

PGC Associates (1994) "1994 Open Space andRecreationPlan, Medfield, Massachusetts: Franklin, MA: PGC Associates.

United States Department ofAgriculture Soil Conservation Service (1989): Soil Survey of Norfolk andSuffolk Counties, Massachusetts" PUBLIC COMMENTS TOWN OF MEDFIELD Office of BOARD OF SELECTMEN

TOWN HOUSE, 459 MAIN STREET (508) 359·8505 MEDFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS 02052-2009 MICHAEL J. SULLIVAN Totm AdminulrtJlor

July 23, 2002

Joel Lerner Director ofConservation Services Executive Office ofEnvironmental Mfairs Commonwealth ofMassachusetts 100 Cambridge Street Boston, MA 02202

Dear Mr. Lerner,

The Medfield Board of Selectmen has reviewed the 2002 Open Space Plan which provides an update to the 1994 Open Space Plan. The Board of Selectmen has assisted the Medfield Open ) Space Committee and the Medfield Park and Recreation Commission in their undertaking ofthis update. The Town is very fortunate to have the volunteer work ofmany citizens who undertook this update.

The Board of Selectmen has wholeheartedly endorsed the goals and objectives as outlined in this plan. The current financial situation of the Commonwealth and the town does not lend to financing all of the projects discussed in the plan however, the Town will seek private funding and community volunteers wherever possible. As an example the Open'Space Committee has been fortunate enough to be working with the Medfield Forest and Trails Organization in addition to our town staff in developing a comprehensive trails map that can be published and distributed. The Board of Selectmen are most pleased that the Open Space Committee has demonstrated that the Open Space Plan is not treated as a static document and is constantly looking to revise, update and reference this plan.

The Board of Selectmen and the Town are fortunate to have received the service of the volunteers involved in outlining this program to continue to maintain the proactive approach the Townhas adopted in maintaining our recreational, conservation and open space land.

rlfJ/Jb' lhCfmr; (Yn ~/A Ann B. Thomspon, Clerk Paul B. Rhuda' Medfield Conservation Commission Town Hall· 459 Main Street· Medfield, Massachusetts 02052-2009 (508) 359-8505 Ext. 646 . Fax (508) 359-6182 ·[email protected]

May 6, 2002

Mr. Joel Lerner Executive Office ofEnvironmental Affairs Division ofConservation Services 100 Cambridge Street Boston, MA 02202

Re: Open Space and Recreation Plan - 2002 Town ofMedfield

Dear Mr. Lerner,

The Medfield Conservation Commission participated in the preparation ofthe "Town of Medfield Open Space and Recreation Plan - 2002". With the Open Space Committee, a joint public meeting was conducted for comments ofthe plan from the public. After a final review following the public meeting on the Open Space and Recreation Plan, the Medfield Conservation Commission is pleased to endorse this plan. We believe this plan confirms the goals ofthe Commission and recognizes other recreational interests within the town.

Sincerely, , Medfield Conservation Commission

~ # A c.~~/{}~ ~~armigiane C Chairman ) TownHouse Town of Medfield 459 Main Street Medfield, MA 02052 Office of Phone (508) 359-2715 Medfield Parks and Recreation Fax (508) 359-8638

July 23, 2002

Joel Lerner Director ofConservation Services Executive Office ofEnvironmental Affairs 100 Cambridge Street Boston, MA 02202

Dear Mr. Lerner,

This letter is to inform you that the Medfield Park and Recreation Commission was involved with the development of the Open Space and Recreation Plan. The commission has worked diligently with the Open Space Committee in updating the most recent plan. The Commission approves and supports the final plan.

Sincerely,

James Landry

Chairman TOWN OF MEDFIELD PLANNING BOARD 459 Main Street Medfield, MA 02052

Phone: 508-359-8505 ext 645 Fa"'{: 508-359-6182

July 18,2002

Mr. Joel Lerner Executive office ofEnvironmental Affairs Division ofConservation Services 100 Cambridge Street Boston, MA 02202

Re: Open Space and Recreation Plan - 2002 Town ofMedfield

Dear Mr. Lerner:

The Medfield Planning Board, at its meeting ofNovember 5, 2001, voted to endorse the "Town ofMedfield Open Space and Recreation Plan - 2002".

We believe that tbis plan supports the open space and recreational interests witbin the town. VU-:°~'9t::5_ Wright C. Dickinson, irman Medfield Planning Board ) f) Memorandum

To: Open Space Committee

From: Planning Board ..;t'pS ~ I '(;xl Date: October 24, 2000

Re: Open Space and Recreation Plan

At your request the Planning Board reviewed the Open Space Goals and Objectives at their meeting last evening with the following comments:

I Consider land as it becomes available Confer with other boards on proposed purchases

IV Further develop a trail system and provide a new map Consider developing trails over easements already owned by the town

VII As proposed this would be a good addition

roo·

PLANNING BOARD Town ofMedfield 459 Main Street Medfield, MA 02052 508 - 359 - 8505 ext. 645 TOWN OF MEDFIELD OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE

TOWN HOUSE, 459 MAIN STREET MEDFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS 02052-0315 Phone (508) 359-8505 Fax (508) 359-6182

To: Board of Selectmen Conservation Commission Planning Board School Department Department ofPublic Works Park and Recreation Commission Historical Commission

From: Open Space Committee

Date: October 5, 2000

Re: Open Space and Recreation Plan

The Open Space Committee is currently in the process of updating the 1994 Open Space and Recreation Plan. The Committee is seeking input from the above boards and commissions in updating the Goals and Objectives portion ofthis plan.

Please review the attached 1994 Goals and Objectives and make any suggestions for modifications, additions, deletions, etc.. Please' forward any changes to Kristine Trierweiler by mail or email at [email protected] by November 6th

Ifyou have any questions please call Kristine at 359-8505 x642. Thank you. TOWN OF MEDFIELD Open Space Committee J (-) TOWN HOUSE, 459 MAIN STREET MEDFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS 02052-2009

TO: The Residents of Medfield

FROM: Open Space Committee

DATE: September 13,2001

RE: Preliminary Draft ofthe Open Space and Recreation Plan

\ } This is a preliminary draft of the Open Space and Recreation Plan as completed by the Open Space Committee and the Park and Recreation Commission. Please review the plan and provide the Committee with comments and or suggestions on the following pages.

The Plan is still a working draft so there are no page numbers and not all ofthe maps have been inserted. As updates are completed they will be added to the plan. A copy of the plan will be available for review on Medfield Day at the Dwight Derby House, and after September 17th the plan will be available at the Library and the Town Hall.

The Committee has tentatively scheduled the public hearing on the plan for Thursday, November 8, 2001 at 7:00 PM at the Town Hall. If you have any questions please call Kristine Trierweiler, Assistant Town Administrator, at (508) 359-8505 x642.

Thank you and Enjoy Medfield Day! APPENDIX I PLEASE RETURN COMPLETED SURVEY BY MARCH 17, 2000

OPENSPACE Number ofSurveys Returned I 367/4,391 I 1. Do you feel it is important to preserve and if necessary, purchase, the following resources?

Please check all that apply Preserve Purchase a. Buildings ofhistoric or architectural value 79.6% 29.2% b. Places ofhistorical value 77.1% 27.8% c. Farmlands 64.9% 47.1% . d Open spaces to meet our water and conservation needs 58.3% 75.7% Open space to increase our passive recreational areas (Non-structured, i.e., e. walking, kite flying, sledding, etc.) 64.6% 53.4% Open spaces to increase our active recreational areas (Structured, ie., f organized sports) 49.3% 42.2% g. Aquifer areas 68.7% 55.9% \ ) h. Wetland areas 75.2% 34.6% i. Open space areas for aesthetic value 65.1% 36.8% j. Other: 4.4% 7.1%

2. What do you think are the most important reasons for the town to purchase open space? Please rank the following one (1) through six (6) with one (1) being the most important 1 2 3 4 5 6 a. aesthetic value 7.5% 16.1% 31.0% 25.7% 17.6% .9% b. growth management 40.9% 34.9% 14.3% 23.6% 1.8% 0.6% c. preserve natural resources 44.8% 31.9% 17.3% 6.0% 3.0% 1.2% d. maintain property tax rates 7.5% 8.4% 18.5% 22.7% 36.1% 1.8% e. recreational value 33.1% 8.7% 17.0% 30.4% 35.7% 1.5% f Other: 2.4% 2.1% .6% 0.0% 0.3% 3.6%

3. Would you support the Town's effort to pursue protection of approximately 300 YES 95 4 NO acres of open space, at the Medfield State Hospital? 1 . % I I 4.6% I

4. Do you currently use any of the land at the Medfield State Hospital? YES 35 9 NO 64 1 4b. What activities do you use iffor? 1 . % I 1 . % I

5. Are you aware ofthe trail system in Medfield? YES 68.3% NO 31.7% a. Do you use the trail system? YES 31.9% NO 68.1% PLEASE RETURN COMPLETED SURVEY BY MARCH 17,2000

b. Are you interested in more information about the trails in your area? YES 85.7% NO 14.3% c. Should the existing trail system be expanded? YES 84.1% NO 15.9%

Is your household aware of or use any ofthe following Couservation Land/Open Space in Medfield?

Please check all that apply AWARE USE a. Noon Hill 72.6% 44.4% b. Area behind Wheelock School 63.1% 38.3% c. Holmquist Property (Plain Street) 48.1% 4.0% d. Wallingford Property (OffPlain Street, End ofCole Drive) 23.1% 3.5% e. Rocky Woods (off Hartford Street) 85.0% 71.2% f. Rhododendron (offRoute 27) 70.3% 10.7% g. Hawthorne Village Area (Pine Street) 24.5% 8.9% h. Other 5.8% 6.1%

7. If your household uses any of the above open space areas, what types of activities do you use it for? 78.7% I

8. What do you like the best about the open space areas in Medfield? 1 64.9% 1

\ ! J. What could the Town do to improve the quality ofthe open space areas you frequently use? 156.1% I

PARKSAND RECREATION

Please check one box for each facility. \ 10. In general, how does your household rate the following parks Very V

V

V

12. How satisfied are you with the places available in , Town for recreational use by adults? 2.9% 37.0% 30 6 16.3% 3.8% 9.3% 1 . % I I I(y I Don't Exl::ellent F,;, Poor VeryPoor Please circle one ""0' Know 13. How does your household rate the condition of the 9.1% fields and the equipment at the recreational fields?

Please circle one Important N,_ Less Important Not Important 14. How important is recreation to members of your 5.7% household?

15. If your bousehold uses any ofthe above park and recreation areas, what types of activities do you nse it for? I 68.9% I 16. What do you like best abont the park and recreation areas you freqnently nse? 1 49.9%

17. What could the Park and Recreation Commission do to the parl< and recreation areas yon freqnently use to improve their qnality?

) Please circle one Less than 5 to 10 10 to 20 More than years years 20 years 18. How long bave you been a resident of 19.1% 22.4% 42.3% Medfield? ~ ~ I I

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 19. How many residents in your honsehold?

o 1 2 3 4 5 6 20. How many children in your honsehold are under the age of 44.9 18.0% 23.1% 12.0% 2.0% 0.0% 0.0% 18? APPENDIXll

) OPEN SPACE SURVEY Open Ended Results

") .•eslion #1. Other .. 1. Downtown Parking Lots (2 stories) 2. NONE, we have overspent 3. Senior Citizens open space and new bnilding 4. Historic Districts 5. Horseback riding (trails/fields) 6. Trail system for horseback riding 7. Landthat connects open space lands 8. Increase deer hunting area 9. Open wooded space to. To prevent bnilding additional huge houses 11. Areas for wildlife 12. We need to recharge runoff, need to protect wetland areas. 13. Preserve Woodlands 14. Room for wildlife 15. Open space to minimize development 16. Open space for preservation ofwildlife

Question #2. Other I. Any or all ofthe above 2. Downtown parking and traffic lanes 3. Need to sell land, have too much 4. Water Source 5. Preserve aqnifers 6. Preserve town's rural characteristics 7. Wildlife sanctuary ) 8. Water conservation, aqnifers 9. Preserve aqnifers and watersheds. Also preserve habitats for birds, etc 10. Protect aqnifer replenishment 11. Protect water supply 12. Increase deer hunting area 13. For the children 14. Well water availability 15. Provide large tract natural areas (wooded) for the convergence of animal habitat and human visitation to encourage that the populace value the ecosystem of which hnrnans are only a part of. 16. Future municipal needs ' 17. Maintain wildlife habitat (they keep getting evicted) 18. Let's try to stop the number ofhomes being bnilt-especially the huge homes. 19. Our wildlife needs space too

Question #4b. What activities do you use it for? I. Softball 2. Baseball 3. Sledding 4. Softball 5. Sledding, softball 6. School recreation, unstructured recreation 7. Scout activities 8. Softball 9. Sledding 10. Sledding 11. Little League Fields 12. Sledding 13. Sledding 14. Mountain bike, hike 15. Horseback riding 16. Horseback riding 17. Hiking ,..c') 18. Horseback riding, cross country skiing, running 19. Skiing, softball 20. Horseback riding 21. Walking, biking 22. Sledding and boy scout activities 23. Sledding 24. Birding, walking 25. Sledding, walking 26. Scout activities 27. Walking, snow shoeing 28. Conservation 29. Sledding, Hiking 30. Sitting, sledding, viewing 31. Hiking, biking, boating 32. Walking 33. Walking 34. Sledding 35. Sledding 36. Sledding 37. Hunting 38, Walking 39. Sledding 40. Sledding 41. Walks, hikes, sledding 42. Sledding, walking 43. Sledding 44. Horseback riding, walking ) 45. Mountain Biking, Hiking 46. Softball 47. Sledding 48. Sledding 49. Sledding, kites, model airplanes 50. Sledding 51. Hiking, nature walks, bird watching, cross country skiing, sledding, kites, canoe put in 52. Hiking, riding 53. Softball 54. Little League 55. Sledding and walking 56. Sledding and biking 57. Sledding 58. Sled, hike, bike, enjoy 59. Hiking, biking, skiing 60. Sledding 61. Fox Hunting wlNorfolk Hunt Club

Question #6. Other. 1. Elm St./Phillips, right ofway and land locked tract 2. Kingsbury Pond 3. OldRt. 27 (from new Rt 27 to Charles River, woodsy section leading to river and Sherborn line) 4. Kingsbury Pond, Hinkley Pond, Gazebo 5. Village Gardner Plots 6. Steeplechase course 7. Town overpaid for Wallingford Land 8. Faye Fields 9. Norfolk Hunt Club 10. State Hospital 11. Meeting House Pond, Kingsbury Pond 12. 56 Acres near the Hospital 13. Steeplechase Course 14. Causeway, For factory IS. Increase deer hunting area 16. Hospital, West Mill Street area 17. Shattuck Reservation 18. Shattuck Reservation

Question #7. Ifyour household uses any of the above open space areas, what type of activities do you use it for?

1. Walking, Hiking, Recreation 2. Fishing at Rocky Woods 3. Walking 4. Soccer, hiking 5. Hiking, Dog Walking 6. Ron, walk take dogs 7. Hiking, shortcut to Wheelock 8. Walking 9. Hiking, dog walking, cross country skiing, biking, running 10. Walking, leisure, fishing, environmental awareness, bicycling II. Hiking, picnicking 12. Great place to take the dog for an outing (old Route 27) 13. Hike 14. Walks 15. Walking, family biking, skating and walking, swimming, summer concerts 16. Walking, hiking, scouting activities, picnicking, school activities 17. Aesthetic appreciation, walla;, bikes, biking, outdoor play; important to preserve land now aod in future for habitat 18. Hiking at Rocky Woods 19. Dog Walking ) 20. Cemetery for walking, feeding geese, skating, some xcountry skiing 21. Ice skating, hiking, nature, aod wildlife walks 22. Walking 23. Hiking, dog walking, exploring with kids 24. Passive rec, walking, hiking 25. Walking 26. Hiking 27. Too oldnow; live at Tilden Village 28. Walking, hiking,. cross country skiing, biking, fishing, cooking out, birthday party site, orienteering. 29. Walking < 30. Hiking and cross country skiing 31. Hiking, enjoying being outdoors 32. Hiking, Mountain Biking 33. Walking at Rocky Woods 34. Mountain biking, hiking, canoeing 35. Walking, hiking 36. Walking, scenic area, dog area, relaxing 37. Hiking, running, playground, soccer, school activities 38. Hiking, bicycling 39. Walking 40. Walking kids and dog 41. Walking, birding, canoeing (river access) 42. Hiking, some mountain biking, occasional picnic 43. Hiking and Walking 44. Walking 45. Hiking 46. Hiking, skiing, Rocky Woods, Hiking at Noon Hill 47. Walking, skating, cross country skiing 48. Biking, walking 49. Hiking 50. Hiking, caooeing Charles and Stop River 51. Walking 52. Walking dog, horseback riding 53. Hiking /} 54. Hiking and Walking OUI dogs 55. Hiking, jogging, and relaxing 56. Hiking, nature walk with kids 57. Hiking, sledding, XC Skiing 58. Quiet walking, observing nature 59. Walking, picnics 60. Dog walking 61. Horseback Riding, dog walking, soccer 62. Walking, cross conntry skiing 63. Biking, walks, sconts activities 64. Mostly hiking 65. Mostly walking 66. Hiking 67. Nature walks, exercise 68. Hiking, bikiog, peace and quiet, jogging, photography 69. Walking 70. Hiking 71. Walking 72. Walking the dog, cross conntry sieling, picnics and Rocky Woods 73. Biking, Hiking, and fishing 74. Dog walking, exercise, general enjoyment ofnature 75. Walking and Hiking 76. Walking 77. Hiking 78. Walking, hiking, enjoying nature and snch beantiful snrroundings 79. Hiking , 80. Hiking, cross conntry skiing ) 81. Hiking and sight seeing 82. Walking, horseback riding, bird watching, painting landscapes, tracking wildlife 83. Don't know how to use trails, where are they? Map? 84. Walking 85. Hiking, walking, picnics, nature visits 86. Walk the dog, would love skating in winter, big loss for the teenagers in Medfield right now 87. Nature walks 88. Nature stody, walking 89. Walk Noon Hill most every day, disappointed with land after South Street construction, don't like metal guardrail blocking view, hopefully cleaned np soon < 90. Walking, cross conntry skiing 91. Hiking 92. Walking dog 93. Hiking, exploring, nature enjoyment 94. Hiking 95. Hildng 96. Walking, child play, picnicking 97. Walking, running, biking, canoeing Charles River 98. Hildng, walking 99. Recreation 100.Walking lO 1.Walking, cross conntry skiing, picnics, archeological digs, sledding, birding l02.Hildng l03.Walking, picnics 104.Walking 105.Walking, enjoying wildlife 106.Walking, observing nature, fishing l07.Walking, hilang, observing nature's beauty l08.logging, hildng l09.School activities, walking nO.Don't walk anywhere that isn't well marked, would be nice to know where to hilce lIl.Use Hunt Club to give dog a good run 112. Sports, 1rUdJlg 113. Walking, cross country skiing, picnics 114. Walking, jogging 1I5.Hiking 116.Walking, bicycling, dog walking, enjoying, watching wildlife 1I7.Hiking 118. Cross country skiing, 1rUdJlglwalking, ice skating 1I9.Walking, cross country skiing 120.Biking, biJdng, and walking 12l.Walking 122.Walking 123.Hiking 124.Hiking, walking dog, fishing, skating, enjoyment 125.Walking, riding electric wheelchair 126.Hiking 127.Hiking 128. Walking the dog 129.Walking 130.Hiking 131. Walking 132.Cross Country Skiing 133.Jogging 134. Walking 13 5. Walking, Hiking, dog exercise 136.Walking, picnics 137.Hiking, Biking 138.Running, Hiking, Walking dog 13 9.Hiking, walking, fishing 140.Recreational use \ ;' 14l.Horseback riding and hiking 142.Hiking, walking. Would love to ice skate/cross country ski/swim in future 143.Hiking, running, biking 144.Horseback (trail riding) 145.Hiking and visual pleasure 146.Horseback riding, cross country skiing, running 147. Walking 148.Rorseback riding, sledding, cycling, hiking 149.AJI ofthe above open space should be sold and used for developing new homes 150. Walking, picnics' 15l.Walking, hiking in Rocky Woods I 52.Farnily Walks 153.Hiking, biking, walking, running, cross country skiing. There are no safe areas to runlong distance (or walk). Sidewalks along Route 27 should have been extended on Walpole side so one can walk to above areas safely. I54.Walking I55.Walking I56.Walking 157.Walking, but fee for Trustees is a deterrent 158.Wallcing 159.Walking and fishing 160.Walking, passive enjoyment 16l.Hiking, running w/dog, mountain biking, cross country skiing 162.Walking, exploring, nature study, peace 163.Fishing and walking 164.Walking, bike riding, picnicking 165~ Walking, exercise 166.Passive recreation, we have so many beautiful areas in town, it would be a shame to lose them to development 167.Hiking 168.Walking 169.Hilcing, biking, bird/nature watching 170.Rocky Woods, nature walks 17LWalking, snow shoeing, exploring, looking at unusual trees, plauts 172.Walking, recreationalfyouth activities 173.Walking 174.Hiking, mtn biking, canoeing 175.Hildng andjogging 176.Walking 177.Hildng, fishing 178.Walking, Cross country skiing 179.Walking 180.Walking 18 LWalking 182. Walking. I would skate at Rocky Woods ifI could 183.Walk, bike offroad 184.Hiking, skiing, scouts, fishing, parties, picnics 185.Hiking, school outings 186.Hildng, walking with my dog and friends 187.Walking, scouts 188.Hildng, dog walking 189.Walking, jogging 190. Walking 19LWalking 192 Hiking 193.Walking 194.Hiking, mountain biking 195.Hildng, fishing 196.Hiking 197.Hiking, biking, boating 198.Hildng, observation 199.Walking, We used to use Rocky Woods for ice skating until they shut it down 200.Walking.alone and with dogs. ) 20 LWalking 202.Hiking, walking 203.Cross country skiing at Rocky Woods, Hiking 204.Hildng, Soccer 205.Hildng, biking, flying kites 206.Strolling 207.Biking 208.Hiking, bird watching, xc skiing, nature walks with children, canoe launch 209.Hildng 2i O.Hildng, biking, fishing 2ILHiking, cross country skiing, riding 212.Hunting, Mountain Bike riding, Hildng 213.Hiking, Playground (Wheelock) 214.Hildng, biking, picnics 21S.Walking, appreciating the quiet beauty. 216.Rocky Woodr-Walking, running, picnics 2l7.Hiking, canoeing 218.Hildng 219.Hildng, XC Skiing 220.Picnics, biking, mountain biking inRocky Woods andHawthorne Village 22LHiking 222.Walking, XC skiing 223.Walking 224.Walking, picnics 225.Hike orplay with grandchildren, too many dogs not leashed that run up to us while walking at Rocky Woods 226.Walking, enjoying open space 227.Hiking, paintball 228.Walking, peace of mind 229. Walking, birding, skating 230.Biking andHildng 23 LWalldng, XC Skiing 232.Family activities, walking, playing, etc. 233.Hiking, XC Skiing 234.Walks, runs, XC Skiing 235.HThing at Rocky Woods, turtle hnnting at Noon Hill 236.HThing, rnnoing, biking 237.HThing, biking, picnicking 238.Mountain Biking, Hiking, Blueberry Picking (can't tell you where) 239.Hiking, Skipping rocks, group events 240.Noon Hill hiking, Rocky Woods fishing 241.Walks, hikes, scout activities, passive use 242.Walking 243.Walking 244.Mountain bike, hike, kayak 245.Walking and nature enjoyment 246.Dog walking, soccer practice 247.Soccer, camping 248.Walking 249.Walking, but would like better access to Rhododendrun area 250.Hiking 251.Walking 252.Walking 253.Hiking 254.Horseback riding, hiking, xc skiing, just plain viewing and enjoying 255.Walking, rnnoing, bicycling, xc skiing 256.Soccer at Wheelock, school events at Rocky Woods 257.Baseball, soccer 258.Walking 259.Walking, bird watching

1uestion #8. What do you b'ke best about the open space areas in Medfield? \ ) 1. They exist. They should remain undeveloped and in a natural state. 2. Rain and snow will sinkinto ground and replenish any aquifers in the area. 3. Aesthetic appeal, growth control 4. Beantiful andManages town's growth 5. Aesthetic Value 6. Open space is a major reason I moved here 9 years agolAbility to travel through town off road is extremely valuable 7. Keeps taxes down, keeps pollution down, increases areas for recreation 8. Enhances quality oflife for all 9. Peaceful, walking trails 10. Land is left in rural, undeveloped condition 11. Just thefact that they are THERE! 12. Pleased in general 13. Keeping the country atmosphere ofMedfield 14. Trails not crowded 15. That they exist for people and animals. That we maintain the natural flora and aquifers 16. NoHomes 17. Recreation 18. Attractive, good for walking. Thejoy ofnature abounds you 19. They snit children under 12 years oldbut teenagers need much more 20. They preserve the integrity ofthe town 21. That they are open 22. Keeps small town atmosphere 23. Move parking near them 24. The feeling ofMedfield as an old colonial town that open space and preserved buildings engender 25. It will preserve what is left ofthe essence ofMedfield; we are turning into overdeveloped community; not what we came for 26. Helps Medfield keep its country setting atmosphere 27. The aesthetic value ofgazing at open spaces is priceless 28. Lightly developed management, natural resource protection, aesthetics 29. The feeling that I am in a rural area 30. Maintain the aesthetic and rural character ofthe town 31. Country setting 32. Beauty and recreational areas 33. That they exist 34. Appreciate efforts to create and make available current open spaces, like commitment to this area 35. Less congestion, beauty 36. Accessibility 37. They increase sense of community, recreation and peace in our lives. 38. Trees-feeling ofbeing in the beautiful country with fewer huge homes 39. Recreation 40. Beauty, tranquility, nature 41. Pretty and usable 42. Actually, the open spaces are very limited in access. 43. Tranquility (rarely see people) 44. Availability 45. Nothing. Let's build on them all with new homes and bring more diverse residential community to Medfield 46. Ability to appreciate the beauty ofspace and natore 47. Growth control in town, looks nice and preserves nature 48. They are protected from the builders 49. Peaceful, goodvistas, areas nearby where one can exercise or relax 50. Freedom of access 51. Enjoying nature 52. Contnbnte positively to quality oflife in Medfield 53. Accessibility, aesthetic value, recreational possibilities 54. They enhance the visnal beauty and rural charm ofthe town, adding to the pleasure ofliving here. They area also vital to .maintaining water resources and wildlife, especially the songbirds. Also open space tends topreserve property equity while development tends to dilute it. 55. That they have trails on them so I can walk through them in forestland. Ifin fields that I can see them from the road. 56. Contrast to frenetic social space; ecodiversity made Possible by large open areas; semblance oftimes past 57. Natural beauty , 58. Woods and quietness, peaceful ;' 59. Accessibility, well maintained 60. Access to wildlife, birdwatching. I walk my dog and horseback ride, I enjoy not fighting the traffic 61. Cleanliness, accessibility, wilderness 62. Aesthetics 63. Easy to get there 64. Aesthetics/Stops more development 65. It preserves the "country" feeling that we like. This is why we settled here in the first place. 66. That they exist so close to Boston. The town is lucky to have such beautiful open space which has not been developed, we should keep it that way 67. Preserve woodlandfron:l development 68. Preserve rural atmosphere and places to go to appreciate natme 69, Clean and well kept 70. The way they protect our natural resources and augment the quality oflife in Medfield 71. Relaxation andfor the kid's activities 72, Aesthetics 73, Natural state 74, Easy access, well maintained 75. It makes for a relaxing, semi-rural community; distract from the pure sprawl ofneighboring Needham, Westwood, and Walpole 76. Natural beanty, passive recreation 77. Keeps the town less congested 78. It's like stepping back in time, they're unspoiled 79. Quiet, green and peaceful 80. Usable and provides more oxygen. Keeps a more spacious feeling to the town overall. 81. They help control growih in town 82. Peaceful, beautiful, well-maintained and close 83. Having them. 84. The wildlife that inhabits our open spaces. Birds, deer, coyotes, etc, 85. Helps maintain small town feel 86. I believe inbuffer zones between inhabited areas-it's healthy for community at large 87. Watching foothall games, baseball games ofgrandchildren 88. Hunting prohibited-makes one feel safer beingthere in all seasons. 89. They allow the town to maintain more of a rnral feel and allow recreation for residents 90. The fact that they are here for all of us. 91. Natural beauty 92. Preserves quality ofMedfield as a small town and not a suburb, checks population density 93. Thebeauty ofnature 94. It defines the nature ofthe Town. It is very special to go a short distance from your house, andbe in woods and fields. It makes aerobic walking andjogging much better 95. Add Charm to Town 96. Preservation ofNatural Resources 97. Reduces growth and protects resources 98. Beauty, close to home 99. Aesthetics, atmosphere , 100.The quiet (mostly); trees; places for children to explore, look at nature close up (bugs, salamanders, etc) I01.Beauty, quite, birds, lack ofpeople-a place for solitude 102. They help to maintain the somewhat "rural" image ofthe town. 103.Preserve Town's character, an antidote to "snburbia", seeing a natorallandscape 104.Natoral, quiet setting. Good for walking, running, beauty, clean. 105.No buildings! 106.Wildlife, quiet 107.We moved here because ofthe rural characteristics, I'd like to keep the feeling 108.Places to bike 109.HikingIBikinglPicnicking 110.Maintain small town charm IIl.Maintain what is left ofa country atmosphere 112.Creates a country setting 113.Makes town feel more rural 114.Clean, quiet, well kept. 115.View them, walkthem, fly kites, preserve nature 116.That they are accessible and preserve some ofthe natural areas ofthe town. i 117.Beautiful areas to walk, maintains rural feel to the area 118. Aesthetics, bucolic setting 119.Can't build on them 120.Aesthetics, open feel to the area 121.Beauty 122.Ensures limited development and reduces pollution and noise 123.Focus more on adult orientation. Too many children's activities. Big imbalance 124.Most people don't use it; but want to support purchase 125.Residents give it high priority, its very diverse 126.Preservation ofnatural resources 127.Interesting hikes, peacefully, quiet, natural enviromnent 128.1 prefer areas preserved in their natural state. 129.Rural character 130.Feeling of country, wildlife attraction, beauty and open space, need to preserve and grateful for voters insight into this issue. 131.Unspoiled, natural state 132.Rural atmosphere 133.Growth management and resource management 134.They are not publicized enough. It's like a secret 13 5.Maintains character oftown 136.They are green, less development, chance to escape and enjoy nature without going too far 137.Recreational value 138.Preserves the beauty of the town 13 9.Thatthere is some semblance ofopen space left, but not much 140. We enjoy the quiet peace, it is important to manage growth and keep property taxes down 141.Keep them open for passive use or designated recreational use, limit motorized vehicles 142.Opportunity, getting away from cars, seeing wildlife 143.Preserves the character ofthe town. Limits bnilding which helps control excessive growth. 144.As lifetime residents, I would like to see Medfield retain its rural ambiauce as much as possible. 145.Character it gives to the tllwn 146.They are left in their natural state (not too "improved") 147.There are areas very close bY in town Question #9. What could the Town do to improve the quality of the open space areas you frequently use?

1. Maintenance 2. Brochure oflocations ofthese areas. Lived here 15 years and ouly know Rocky Woods 3. More trails, Noon Hill is feeling dangerous (see strange people inthere). Feel safe at Rocky Woods. 4. Preserve it 5. Allow skating at Rocky Woods with hot chocolate being served 6. Nice landscaping around and near areas, also increase florals in summer 7. Enforce leash laws in these areas; maybe install emergency phone boxes along trails 8. Increase parking aVailability, mark trails, make trail maps available 9. Keep them from being turned into tennis courts, swimming pools, etc; keep them as pieces ofnature and open for passive '"ree" 10. Map to residents showing open spaces 11. Restrict motorized vehicles 12. Maintaining them 13. Sigoage is lacking (partico1arly for access); updatedbetter map is necessary 14. Trail Maps, boundary maps, where does area begin; Mark Noon Hill 15. Maintain them better, some additional landscaping or addition ofannual flowers and creation and maintenance oftrails 16. OwnMore 17. Stop Building 18. They are uice the way the are, Should reinstate skating at Rocky Woods 19. luvest in tree and shrub aesthetics, prune and forest 20. Nothing...just keep them 21. Leave natural, stop spending on improvements 22. Fine as is 23. Stop Vandalism 24. MaIntain the trails and connect them together 25. More aware ofthem and access 26. I am 81 now. Just see high school once in awhile 27. Skating on Bakers Pond or at Rocky Woods wouldbe great, liability aside 28. Continue to prevent unchecked development 29. Bike trails would be helpful 30. Clear trail markers 31. Free or discounted parking at Rocky Woods for Medfield residents 32. Pooper scooper signs at Rocky Woods 33. Benches 34. Publicize and advertise open space more. Conduct walking tour, birdwatching, activities 35. Maintain natural ambiance 36. Try to maintain them like the wooden parkingfences at Wheelock., helps preserve the grass and parking conditions, and deter vandalism 37. Noon Hill path could be better marked, (easy scout project), same for Rocky Woods, protect Metacomet andHinkley from vandals 38. More riding trails 39. Keep dogs offarea 40. Keep it natural, clean 41. Publish trail maps and make available 42. Make themmore accessible, malee available maps oftrails as Sherborn does 43. Better markings 44. Stop the use ofmotorized vehicles (trail bikes, ATVs). The noise pollution is terrible and they are dangerous 45. Town should sell all open space and develop new homes to reduce taxes and defeat snob zoning. 46. Maintain no building policy 47. Free access to Rocky Woods on weekeods 48. Keep mowing the fields 49. Provide more parking 50. Dog waste is an issue 51. Make access safe for residents on Walpole side ofRoute 109. Walking along Rte 27 is dangerous for kids and adults. 52. In some cases supply a few benches for us "old timers" 53. lucrease boffer zones between private property and town open space, hiking trails and picnic areas should be set up on newly acqnired land 54. Provide phones for emergencies 55. Restrict motor vehicles, bikes and recreational vehicles for safety reasons 56. Try to promote a sense ofcivic responsibility, to reduce littering and outright destruction 57. Continue to have a good relationship with the Trustees ofReservations. Have a current map ofthe trails and parking areas and access. Give more care to highly usedareas so they don't become tired and negatively impacted. 58. Clean shores ofKingsbury Pond 59. Publish apamphlet showing open space areas and how to access them. Increase apprehension andfines ofpeople (walking or driving) who litter 60. Allow skating at Rocky Woods. Would really pull the town together 61. Expand areas 62. Maintain trails, pick-up litter, encourage and seek-out donations and grants to preserve them. 63. Available maps showing where the open spaces are 64. More parking off street for children 65. More public info, re: trails and areas open to public, public facilities at Rocky Woods 66. Keep open fields cleaned and mowed. Pass an ordinance restricting use offields by dirtbikes because they are tearing up the sod. 67. Better maintenance and upkeep. More trash/recycling receptacles at youth/recreation sport areas. 68. Connects to other open spaces 69. Evaluate public on availability 70. Itwould be nice to skate on Meeting House Pond or Hinkley Pund 71. Monitor use more carefully, Le. exempt powered vehicles 72. Keeps them clean 73. Insure the pond at Rocky woods for ice skating very person who grew up inthis town talks about how great the ponds was to skate on. 74. Continue on, you are doing great! Trash sometimes blows up along the road 75. Keep areas clean and safe, underground sprinklers, replace grass, more flowers and shrubs 76. Post signage as to what areas are available for use. 77. Educate young people about their value particularly the young people 78. Maintain trails, pick up fecal matter from geese at HinkleyPond 79. Expand and maintain the trail network. Try to link open space areas through trails, where possible. Provide parking at trailheads ) 80. Sports, swimming 81. So muehl-more signs and maps and trail markers 82. Begin restoring property porchased between West Mill Street and the Transfer Station 83. Keep them acceptable 84. Prevent offroad motor vehicles, i.e. motorcycles from using space behind Wheelock, they are destroying the ground and make noise. 85. Keep them free oftrash (difficult job) 86. Hopefully Noon Hill will not be paved 87. Expand 88. More trash barrels 89. More information, maps 90. Make residents aware ofthem 91. Biking, trails 92. Keep recreation vehicles (motorized) out. Clean up debris/trash; maybe volueteer days w/town vehicles to haul to transfer station. 93. Would like a pavedbike trail 94. Better identification ofwhere open space is in the town; keep motorized vehicles offnatural areas 95. Allow hunting to reduce the deer popUlation 96. We love Drmnmun Farm in Lincoln. Any chance we could do anything similar? 97. I think they are beautifully kept, but our family would volunteer to do any work to maintain the beauty, especially Rocky Woods. 98. Post signage re: Town ofMedfield Conservation Area:' similar to Trustees signs. Sudbury and Sherborn have good signage. 99. In enjoy the ones in which we use 100.Keep trails clear offallen trees, etc. IOI.Leave nature alone! 102.Have ice skating at Rocky Woods 103.Some benches to sit down 104.Purchase the landnecessary to insure the areas remain in their current state, particularly the trail system. 105. Can't improve on Rocky Woods 106.Clear downed trees and trash. Prevent dumping 107.Jlist maintain 108.Enforce dog owners to clean up after dogs . 109.More trash barrels (where appropriate). People should bring out what they take in, bot in some ofthe heavy use recreational areas, a trash barrel or two would help llO. Stricter enforcement oflittering ll1.Re-open Rocky Woods as a family recreation area so families can ski, skate with family and friends in a safe, supervised facility ll2.Rocky Woods is where we go mostly. The recreation house should either be tom down for repaired. Eye sore and dangerous. 113.Deve10p more use ofRocky Woods 114.Improve the trail system; publicize it more; connect the various trails 115.Better Maintenance 116.Buy up more land so they stop building so many houses. Clean up gravel pit by Noon Hill space ll7.Provide map oftrails

Question #10. Other 1. Noon HillIKingsbury 2. Rocky Woods (dissatisfied) 3. Hinkley Playground f'Iery satisfied) 4. GristMill Pond 5. CWldren's playground at Green Street 6. NoonHill .

Question #15. Ifyour household uses any ofthe above park and recreation areas, what types of activities do you use it for? 1. Fishing 2. None ofthe above areas. 3. Tennis now andagain, 4. Soccer, baseball, basketball, hiking, dog walking 5. Try to swim atHinkley bot its dirty; playgrounds 6. Soccer fields at Wheelock, softhall atMedfield State, Metacornet playground 7. Playgrounds, team game attendance )i 8. Swimming at Hinkley, Tennis at Metacomet and watching games (women's soccer) 9. Tennis, playgrounds, basketball courts at high school, scheduled programs at Pfaff 10. Walking, meetings, softball, swinnning 11. Playgrounds, swimming 12. Playgrounds, tennis courts, swimming, walking, classes, skating, Medfield day, and concerts 13. Playing, picnicking, socializing, organized sports 14. Soccer, baseball, lacrosse 15. Softball, baseball, playgrounds, walking 16. Sports, swinnning, biking, hiking, classes 17. Pfaff Center for exercise classes. . 18. Take grandcWldren to Hinkley and snow slopes west ofnorth rt. 27 19. Pfaff Center, classes and camp 20. Rmming, biking 21. Tennis, Little League, Soccer 22. Too old now, would like to see better parking andbetter seating for athletic events 23. Youth soccer, park and rec activities, playground, picnics 24. Tennis I 25. Walking I 26. Tennis 27. Soccer fields at Wheelock andhike in Rocky Woods occasionally, use Metacomet for tee ball 28. Soccer, running 29. Playgrounds, soccer 30. Swinnning, hiking 31. Kids go to the park, soccer programs, baseball programs, boy scouts training 32. Pfaff Center for toddler classes, (could update center) 33. To be outdoors as a family 34. Kidconcerts at Hinkley Pond, playground at Hinkley is great, Baxter Parkbot need more benches 35. Soccer, baseball, basketball, biking, and hiking 36. Tennis, soccer, field hockey, running 37. Tennis, playground, Thall, kite flying, biking, Pfaff classes 38. Soccer, kite flying, baseball 39. Riding, hiking, walking dogs 40. Walking, Hiking 41. Walking 'i 42. Senior Center 43. Town classes, play areas, exercise 44. Children benefited from the fields and1 refereed hundred ofsoccer games over the years 45. Horseback riding, hiking, canoeing, running, cross country skiing 46. We would like to use the areas butthey are all bookedand usedby every organization you can tIrlnk of. 47. Tennis, playground for children 48. Hinkley PondPlayground areas forthe kids to play. Pfafffor Park and Rec courses. Medfield State Hospital for hiking, walking, and mountain biking 49. Play with the kids 50. Recreation for kids 51. Soccer, walking, hiking, hiking 52. Tennis, soccer, walking, horsebackriding 53. Soccer, kite flying, playground, walking 54. (Non- residents but local grandchildren) Use for soccer andbaseball 55. Tennis, walking 56. Walking and passive enjoyment because ofphysicallimitations 57. Baseball, soccer, swimming, picnicking, classes atPfaffCenter 58. Used touse Metacomet regularly for tot lot and ball playing; Hinkley occasionally for swimming; MeetingHouse Pondfur picnics, Pfaff Center for karate classes 59. Baseball and tennis 60. Tennis, swimming, picnics, playgroonds 61. PfaffCenter for classes 62. Sports, walking, passive recreation 63. Children to play, walking, hiking, biking, feeding docks . 64. Hinkley Pond swimming in summer, kids play at playgrounds: Hinkley and Metacomet, some classes atPfaffCenter 65. Youth sports, walk andfamily bike rides 66. For afternoon and weekend sports \; /i 67. Walking, soccer, running, tennis 68. Walking, concerts 69. Easeofaccess and parking 70. Sports, soccer, etc. 71. Hinkley Pond, swimming andplayground 72. Playgrounds, andPark andRec activities 73. Swimming atHinkley, walking, skiing 74. Playgrounds 75. Swimming lessons andswimming. 76. Swimming, after school activities, soccer 77. Youth sports, adult aerobics 78. Hiking 79. Baseball, lacrosse, soccer, exercise class 80. Little league, dog walking 81. Baseball, tennis, soccer 82. Swinging on swings, reading, walking 83. Playground, hiking 84. Playgrounds, sports activities, scheduled programs (Pfaft) 85. Playground area, ball games, rollerblading 86. Walking, baseball 87. For walking and for my grandchildrento play 88. Tennis, baseball 89. Walking 90. Hiking andwalking 91. Skate park, basketball hoops at middle school 92. Sports, Walking 93. Tennis, baseball, playground activities, walking 94. Children's playground 95. Adolt education classes 96. Swimming atHinkley, sports, walking, Pfaff Center workout exercises 97. Play areas for our grandchildren 98. PfaffCenter for adult education 99. Swimming, walking 100.Kids at play 101.Baseball, skateboarding 102.Grandchildren use whenthey visit 103.Playground activities for visiting grandchildren 104.Soccer, hiking, swimming, play 105.Hinkley and swing set, Pfaffcenter crafts, birthday parties 106.Youth sports, soccer and baseball 107.Playing and walking with small kids 108.Soccer 109.Play andpicnic with grandclu1dren, tennis, PfaffCenter: bridge, exercise 110.Playground, nature walking 111.Sports, hiking, walking 112.Exercise and children's classes atPfaff Center 113.Tennis at Metacomet, Aerobics at Pfaff 114.Hiking, soccer, biking, picnics 115.Green Street Playground with kids; various fields for soccer, t-ball, baseball, tennis, Metacomet playground for kids 116.When my childi:en were young, we usedHinkley pondon a dailybasis inthe summer. Nowthat they are all teenagers there is "nothing in this town" for them to do. Youth Center used to run programs for teens, Rocky Woods used to be available for winter sports. 117.McCarthy Park, softball, skiing, Metacomet Park (tennis) 118.Baseball, soccer, playgrounds, tennis, swinnning, and swim team 119.Tennis, baseball 120.Walking, fishing 121.Hiking and horseback riding 122.Hinkley playground not pond 123.Team sports, summer camp 124.Baseball, tennis, swimming, biking 125.Hinkley Swinnning ) Question #16. What do you like best about the park and recreation areas in Medfield? 1. Clean and caredfor 2. Brings together the town 3. Kept relatively clean except for goose droppings at Hinkley 4. Good staffing, good maintenance, available times 5. Accessibility 6. Generally not very crowded 7. Except the PfaffCenter, they are fairly well kept andclean and not too crowded 8. Adult ouly aerobics . 9. That there is a fair amount ofopen space to walk and play in 10. Lodge at Rocky Woods wlhot cocoa, hiking paths ofrocky woods, ice skating back 11. Tend to use open space areas more 12. Upkeep ofproperty 13. Well kept, easy to use. 14. That they exist IS. Clean andparkingsatisfuctory 16. Serenity, few people and dogs, vegetation, scenery 17. Smalltown feeling 18. Usoally clean and in goodrepair 19. Kept nice and clean 20. Safe 21. Hinkley Playground is great others are okay, number ofsoccer fields is amazing 22. Clean for the most part 23. Hinkley pond area is a great family spot, playground is A+ 24. Like meeting others in town, getting to know the town with kids 25. Thatthere is an effort to keep them clean and usable, ie: trash pick-up; lit tennis courts 26. Playground at Hinkley is great, Pfaff classes excellent 27. Kept in good condition 28. I use open spaces 29. Not too crowded 30. Availability, cleanliness, peacefulness 31. Pfaff center is well organized, Hinkley is pretty safe andfun 32. Stop the effective closing ofthe tennis courts to the average resident by your scheduling ofdawn to duskby every school and semi-commnnity group. Fix broken playground objects. Replace basketball goals and nets. Water the grass. 33. Playground (Hinkley pond), enjoyed for grandchildren 34. Children's playground at Hinkley Playground is nice. Money well spent on the eqnipment 35. Safe, relatively well-maintained 36. The opportnnity to get close to nature and enjoy a variety ofsongbirds and wildflowers, also trees. 37. Parking, proximity to home, social time with other parents 38. The quiet (sometimes); the sense ofcommunity during game time at Metacomet 39. Tennis courts are great 40. Walking 41. Cleanliness 42. Convenience 43. Different activities, usage 44. Large areas and community involvement with the events 45. Convenience 46. Generally kept clean 47. Easy access, upkeep good, clean 48. Not too crowded, civil people 49. Close to home 50. Hinkley playground is very enjoyable for children. Please, please, please upgrade Metacomet Park 51. The swimming instructors are very good 52. Close by andvaried 53. Clean, well-groomed 54. Nothing 55. The condition ofthe parks we frequent are in good shape with much users. 56. Hinkley Pond playground could have older children's playground equipment as well as Metacomet Park 57. Their availability 58. The PfaffCenter has great activities \ ) 59. Convenience' 60. Peaceful 61. Natoralness 62. Accessible and parking 63. Lots ofthings for children 64. Convenient location 65. Good parking, convenient 66. Clean, well maintained 67. We do like the new playground lit Hinkley, but.feel Metacomet needs same updating on the equipment. . 68. I like Hinkley Playground because the equipment is in good condition. The plastic riding toys could be updated however. 69. Accessible, not too crowded 70. The trails in Rocky Woods are well maintained and easily ac.cessible 71. Lots ofspace 72. The playground at Hinkley is good 73. Well Maintained 74. Natoral beauty ofit all 75. Clean, hospitable, well kept. 76. Cleanliness 77. The open spaces 78. Meeting other families, Metacomet tennis is good facility 79. There seems to be a lot ofprograms for the younger children through Park and Rec, the lihrary, but the teens get into trouble looking for a place to hang out with their friends 80. I appreciate that the town has thefacilities we use and that the facilities are kept in generally good condition 81. Open Space 82. Convenience 83. Nature 84. They foster as sense ofcommunity 85. Natural beauty 86. Good playground eqnipment 87. With limited resources the Park and Rec Dept. offers a variety ofclasses for children an some classes for adults 88. Meeting other town residents and becoming a community 89. Convenient

Question #17. What conld the Town do to improve the qnality ofthe park and recreation areas yon freqnently use? f-." 1. Mini GoU; movie theatre, YMCA . ;. 2. Patrol Noon Hill more freqnently 3. Pfaff Center and Meeting House Pond are unpleasant 4. Build a swimming pool! 5. Reopen Rocky Woods for skating in winter; Provide maps for trails 6. Important safety and maintenance ofplayground at Metacomet, increase lighting atMetacomettennis courts, enclose Hinkley playground completely (kids slip out to pond) 7. The Pfaffis a disgrace, needs a use assessment and major face lift 8. Fix fence at Metacomet, fence Medfield Playground, Renovate/clean Pfaff Center 9. Lack ofenforcement ofrules at Skate Park makes it un-enjoyable to use, a few kids dominate the park intimidating the youoger kids. Maybe special hours for beginners, and youoger children would be helpful. Pfaff Center doesn't offer much for teens. Would like to see teen's only art class or other classes. 10. Many things: upgrade and additional services such as toilets, next they need to be maintained better, should be publicized. Need a future rec center 11. Improved food options at rocky woods; enhance picnics 12. Update the playgrouods; build a town pool; bnild more tennis courts, get work finished at Hospital fields 13. Close the pond andput in a pool 14. Toilets at Metacomet 15. Upgrade sports fields 16. Develop a master plan and bond the work the work that needs to be done 17. A safe bike trail in town would be nice 18. More fences to cut down on the vandalism and bicycle paths 19. Personally, I'dprefer a pool over a goose-infested pond. (I'm not one ofthe vocal pool people though) Face facts on the PfaffCenter, which is a great resource, and spend money to improve it, it's a pit. 20. Put out flyer that these are to be usedfree ofcharge; Some times very empty 21. More attention to the grass at Wheelock andcertainly look into some control ofthe geese atHinkley Pond. 22. Bnild shade areas to allow for cooling down and prevent heat exposure. Bicycle lanes on roadway to allow safer biking in town. 23. Toilets at Wheelock 24. Keep cleaner, pick up trash plant trees at Hinkley, allow evening swinnning at Hinkley 25. Fix up the grass, take care oftrash, peoper scooper bags 26. PfaffCeuter needs work, Metacomet always has broken glass, dog owners should clean upmore aroundMeetingHouse Pond 27. Quality ofplaying fields is poor, town money needs to supplement private organizations 28. Bathrooms at Pfaffneed updating, Pfaffhardwoods need cleaning 29. Preserve natural resources, Maintain certain areas for sports and teams, Keep some areas open, natural and free from too many people 30. Better trail sigoage 31. Extend fence at Hinkley Playground, Water fountain andbathrooms would be nice . 32. Toilets and lights 33. Expand the tennis courts 34. Renovate the PfaffCenter 35. Need bathrooms in the kid's parks 36. How about benches for soccer teams and spectators. On wet days players have no place to put themselves or their equipment wlo getting wet. 37. Take care oftrash at Wheelock, water plants 38. Relax 39. I am a satisfied citizen 40. Restrict or prolubit where possible use by off-road and all terrain vehicles, perhaps even by motorcycles and mountain hikes in some cases (some of this might already be done) 41. ExpandlUpdate PfaffCenter. Add more interest to Baxter Park because so close to main roads that no one would sit there. Pergola, shade trees? 42. Add more playground apparatos for kids in some instances. 43. Upgrade Metacomet play yard with good maintenance not fancy equipment 44. Strictly enforce no dogs allowed at Metacomet 45. Clean them up 46. Better maintenance and clean-up. Fields could be better landscaped~too many rough. and bumpy spots 47. Keep cleau 48. Take a long view and put together current master plan; seek community input and support. 49. Better maintenance 50. Improve quality ofLawn's; get rid ofgeese 5I. Keep working on keeping Hinkley Pond clean and free ofgoose poop. Part of the staff's job's descriptions should he a clean-up each morning. 52. Improve Metacomet Playground as there seems to he younger children there and equipment is dangerous. 53. Clean 54. Better playing fields, compared to other ~owns playing fields area disgrace 55. Install hetter irrigation 56. HinkleyPond playground needs to get rid ofbroken toys (i.e. cozy coops) and replace; Metacomet needs updated and safe ¢~equiprnem . 57. Metacomet could he cleaner and better maintained 58. Hard to say-it would be expensive, what about a fitness trail for runners, I saw a nice one at Wheaton College inNorton. 59. Build a swimming pool 60. Keep clean 61. Update, renovate Pfaff 62. Convenience, close by 63. Restriction on dogs, No charge for Rocky Woods Use 64. Install water bubblers 65. Stop Vandalism 66. We have lived here 6 months and I have not heard ofmost the recreational areas mentioned here or the trail system? Perhaps more resident awareness? 67. How about more organized activities? We love the lapsit program at the library onFridays where a group ofsame aged kids get together. 68. Need more sidewalks and improved pathways for walking and cycling 69. The recreation in Medfield appears to he for a limitedfew who are just passiog throngh, till they porchase their next large home. The ouly improvement since we have lived in Medfield has been the library. The sewers are 15 years to late, thanks to early over building in the 1970s and lax building permits. 70. The most important natoral resource running through Medfield is the Charles River, particularly the Causeway Area. Promote its conservation and responsible use. We can also hetter promote the Mass B~ Circnit Trail. 71. Improve soccerfields torr )\ 72. Portable toilets were a great asset 73. Focus more on adult activities and less on children 74. Please renovate Pfaff Center. It's a little worn ont. 75. Fix Metacomet playground equipment-this is dangerous. Organize neighborhood watchers to prevent vandals atthe parks 76. Maintain school fields better, Continue to improve the quality ofwater at Swim Pond, perhaps build a bike rack for the bikers. 77. McCarthy Park should he watered toprotect the fields 78. Skate park is crowded and should have phone for emergencies 79. Upgrade their look, the equipment, overall condition, bathroom facilities and H2O fountains @soccerfields, concession stands for light snacks, sprinkler systems. . 80. Improve andexpand the traiI system 81. Better Maintenance 82. Improve conditions ofthe field 83. Build and indoor pool facility 84. Maintain natoral beauty, signs for proper use, keep motorized vehicles out 85. Please open restrooms at Hinkley Pond during open honrs for playground, not just when pond is open. 86. Upgrade quality ofgrounds and equipment 87. Drain andclean Meeting Honse pond; major upgrade Pfaff Center and second story maybe with pitched roof) 88. Swim area is completely unacceptable

Comments 1. Open space is extremely important. Protect our land resources 2. Movie theatre, bowling alley, miui golf, YMCA with indoor swimming 3. New recreational services should require fees. People paying 400,000 to 1,000,000 for homes should not rely on increased taxes from citizens without young children living on fixed incomes. 4. Buy, buy, buy land; preserve historic buildings. 5. Excellent survey, good questions. Thank yon. 6. Would like to see sidewalks connecting Shaw's Plaza to center ofTown ofMedfield; Could show/include maps and description of open spaces in the All About Medfield Book 7. Open Space with better signage especially at access points, better map, don't know iftrespassing; Good Luck! 8. Recreation activities are very important to ns, but we moved in only a few months ago and are not aware ofmany facilities yet. 9. Medfield cares for its town and devotes a lot to town services. Need to focns on accessing more funds that are consistently available. These funds should be used to upgrade facilities and perhaps work towards developing a rec center for families and teens in particnlar 10. I thinkMedfield offers a lot in the way ofbeantifu1 open space to enjoy and ''play'' in. It could be expandedbut our taxes have gone up a lot recently and I would not approve ofany significant increase just for recreation. II. Create sledding snow slopes on state hospital property; encourage migrating geese to rocky woods ponds and rhododendron swamp; relocate NorfuIk hunt club to Medfield state hospital property; politically lobby incentivesto transform. hunt club property to a town park and residential housing and housing for aged; swamp needs elevated boardwalks like Yellowstone National Park 12. Not only should the town acquire open space, preserve water and conservation needs and protect theaqnifer areas it should also manage growth ofconstruction so that land is still a part ofeach neighborhood. It should not be necessary to get into a car to find an open area for walking, once it was possib1e to go out the backyard and thru the woods fur miles ofwalking pleasure. 13. Medfield has acquired too much land, does not pay taxes and requires Costs to maintain. Town should prioritize its properties and sell the lesser to pay down debt and reinstate ontax rolls. 14. Why are there no master plans for open space andpark andrecreation? Seems to be a reacti:ve mode in the town not a proactive mode. Little leadership from Board ofSelectmen. IS. Town could use a nicebike trail; a sidewalk thdength ofl09 to walking to places available for everyone 16. Helps enhance life inMedfield; water isvery important weall have animpact on aquifer 17. Town ofMedfield should look into poSSIbility ofputting a golfcourse in town (Medfield state or rocky woods area). A golf course would preserve open space as well as bring in revenues. Ex. Holliston's Pine Crest GolfCourse has a private company manage it and it's able to add several million dollars a year to the town treasury. 18. We are all grateful for all the work the Open Space Committee has.put into these issues and continues to do, so. We fully support paying more taxes· for the good ofthetown to preserve as much open space as possible, to preserve the semi-rural· quality ofMedfield 19. Continue to look for and purchase lands to limit development and to expand the trails systems in town. 20. Meeting House pondbe cleaned in late SIUllffier, programs at Pfaffcenter are great, botthe building is barely functional; would support a major renovation ofthebuI1ding so that in appearance it reflects the high standards ofthe Medfield / community. 2I. YMCA would be nice, currently travel to Wellesley for those services, need for teen activities in town, maybe open school gym on weekends for basketball, etc 22. Itis important to have certain open areas available for farullies and sports-i.e. soccer, baseball, tennis etc. But, one of Medfield's most important duties is to keep much laud in its natora1 store, for people to use and quietly enjoy. Much ofthe type ofthis landis slipping away andpeople will be the losers. 23. Need to maintain the hospital for the mentally ill, Never fuvored the 56 acres. Helped start the soccer program inMedfield in 1971. Would like to see the exchange program restored 24. We mnst keep maximmn open space for the next genCf'ltion to enjoy andfor the animal greenbelt. , 25. The town should not purchase any open space. Your survey unfairly asSllllles any open space should remain that way and that all residents are snobs and don'twant anyone else to buIld a home and move to Medfield once they are homeowners. Get rid ofthose three nit wit Selectmen, especia11y the mean old bastard chairman. He's beenthere too long. Elect some younger people. 26. Considering the high properly taxes, we believe that senior citizens deservebeUer recreationalfacilities intown. 27. A published newsletter or booklet on all Medfield open space andPaiks andRec areas would be helpful. Include psrking information, trails info, history, etc. 28. Good survey 29. Meeting House Pond could be much cleaner andfree ofdebris 30. Unfortunately, nry physical limitations limit my use ofthe recreation areas; but I feel that open spaces are vital to preserving the character ofthe town. A suggestion on commuter rail service, using the Medfield branch through Dover is politically difficnlt, but a train using the switch at Walpole andthefreight line could get to C3nnelli's restaurant with only one grade crossing at South Street. 31. Expand and maintain town's conservation areas without increasing already expensive properly taxes. 32. Preserve open space at all costs. Maintain and improve where possible. I don't support a separate grounds andbullding department unless they guarantee to do a betterjob than the current departments--more bureaucracy in and ofitselfwon't help 33. It is important to acquire more open space because it is an important part ofthe character andbeauty andlivability of Medfield. Once open space is gone, it is gone forever, and much is lost. . 34. Soliciting the input ofthe town is important and I applaudthis effort. Keep people informed; seek their inpnt and support. Even though everyone is busy, they will help on their free time. Maybe set up a web site descnbing each site, activities available and special events. Get the information ont! 35. I am interested in deer and pheasant hunting and the area is not as large as in years passed, there are no posted signs visible from street andhunting maps aren't always available. Heading north on Rt 27 across from conservation landthere aren't any signs that stress no use ofshot gun hunting-it should be made clear the areas inwhichtype ofhunting is allowed and where! 36. Metacomet Park needs a lot ofimprovement, the play slides and swings need to be upgraded. I feel the cement walkway was an expense that could have been pottowards the slides and swings instead ofmwe cement. 37. Thank you to the Committee members fur their valuable time Spent to help preserve the character ofthe town. 38. My chiefconcern is the town's capability to provide sufficient sources ofwell water and waste disposal. I would vote for limitations on any new home development, which would reduce the town's capabilities in these two areas. 39. It is very important to our family to preserve open space andkeep development illcheck 40. We would be interested in the Park and Rec to provide natural science programs and or have a natural science center in Medfield. A great addition would be to have a local YMCA or Boys andGirls Club. Outdoor Discovery Programs such as learning how to canoe, kayak, fi,sh, use a compass, wilderness survival questing fur children and adults would be ofinterest. The South Shore Natural Science Center has a wonderful facility andprograms (www.ssnsc.org) 41. I have lived illthis town over 60 years and I'm ona fixed income. Please don't ra~se my taxes with unnecessary spending. 42. It doesn't compare at all to Washington State where we moved from, but it's not too bad. It doesn't seem to be a high priority out here at all. I grew up illMedfield and I really miss the public skating at Rocky Woods. 43. Good work for the Open Space Committee. We appreciate your effort. 44. A better swinuning facility would be great! Night lights at Metacomet Tennis are inadequate, bulbs need replacing at least, nets need replacing. 45. Looking to YMCA plan for anincreased opportunity for adult and family ree. Really wantto know more about the trails fum Medfield, such a picturesque area. 46. Though there are no children in my household, I have based my responses on comments from relatives inMedfield and comparisons to offerings in other towns. 47. Concerned about overuse and erosion at Meeting House Pond, West Mill Street area, Hinkl!'Y. Concernedabout futore hospital fields/woods, great space butmotorized vehicles, paint ball players are ruining environment there. Also, people dumping construction debris, etc. 48. We would like an indoor Adult and Children's pool. We support the YMCA planned for Medfield. 49. We are very lucky to have Noon Hill, Rocky Woods, and the Shattuck Reservation for hiking, and the Charles River for canoeing. 50. I encourage open space. Yet I am concerned with the growing tax rate over the past years. I feel the Town needs additional businesses (retail and industrial) to help alleviate the tax burden or the residential homes. We should encourage businesses to come to Medfield and tryto define certain areas to accommodate these businesses. 51. Use Medfield State Hospital land for golfcourse and mnnicipal swimming pool 52. We are 2 senior adults andtherefore do not use aoy ofthepark and rec facilities illtown--but do walk andsometimes ski on the trails in the Noon Hill areawhere we live. 53. Atownpool is a must. Hinkley Pond is not acceptable. Families go to other towns to get swim. lessons fur their kids. PlaYground at Metacomet is ont ofdate. Also the "badge" or pass sYstem for tennis counts should be used again. Parents who need to get babysitter to play-needto know they can get a court. 54. As towns go, we are fortunate to have the large tracts ofprotected land that we do have. Obviously itwould be nice to pick up more open land, however we do 'not have much ofa conunercial tax base to draw'from and schoolcosts are due to rise in the years immediately ahead. Some fiscal realism is indicated. 55. Do not like toddler/child class instructor. No structore, not child focused 56. When grandchildren visit 57. Rctom the issue ofHunting and Fishing Licenscs to Town Hall. Without having to travel to another town or Wal-Marl-not that big a chore for Clerks. 58. Metacomet playground is a wonderful spot for younger children-toddiers, especially. It's sniaJI and sclf-contained, However, the equipment is very neglected, especiallythe suspension bridge, which has been broken for about I Y, years now. This is very dangerous, 59. I think Park and Rec does a great job. However, I really feel that the teens in this town miss out because they are always looking for a place to go. DufIy's seems to be a meeting place too badthey don't have a sopervised dance/rec/video game hall that they could congregate legally on a weekend basis. Weekend dances would be fun. Bowling, movies, skating, swimming, gym would begreat.' 60. We also frequently use the tennis courts and the basketball court atthe Middle School and the ball fields at the middle and highschool 61. I will support any efforts to preserve open spacefhistorical areas. I am not interested in pools, ree facilities, or more sports areas, I do believe teenagers need something to do and would probably support their ideas too. Better service for the elderly too. 62. Congratulations to this Committee for overseeing our natural resources andbeing concerned about recreational facilities 63. Be greedy. Get all the land you can. 64. A descriptive booklet (to sell) ofall town recreational areas and trails, natoral and formal recreation including Charles river 65. Overall impression is the commitment to maintaining and keeping "current" w/parks, open space, equipment is not apparent. Most facilities need upgrading to maintain cooperative advantage over neighboring towns. Generalconditions ofschools and

r "downtown" need to be updated Library and Town Hall are strong indicators ofprogress, however, zoning should require North Street Marketto look better and meet higher curbside standards. n 66. I think that the continued acquisition ofopen space should be an important objective ofthe town government. I think that there has been strong evidence that these acquisitions are supported bythe town. I would like to see an aggressive open space policy and practice 67. We are sad that the land by the Noon Hill trail area was not protected by the town, and purchased when it was available. We hope the town slows down the rate ofbuiIding and expansion and preserves the country feeling ofMedfield 68. I feel one ofthe most important things is to keep a green trail through out Parks that abut other trails so as to keep ail trails connected 69. Accurate map showing feature ofpubIic open space land should be readily available to all residents. Location oftraiIs, and parking, etc. Trails should be clearly marked, so the public does not trespass on privately owned open space. Some open land should be reserved as wildlife sanctuary (i.e. no people allowed) 70. We have children, all out ofthe nest. We raised ail ofourchildren in Medfield. When our children were smaIl, we would frequently ice-skate and ski at Rocky Woods. We would love to see these activities re-activated. 71. Don't purchase any more open space. Town is, and is going to be up to its ass in debt because of school overcrowding.

--I i TOWN OF MEDFIELD Open Space Committee

TOWN HOUSE, 459 MAIN S1REET MEDFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS 02052-2009

To: Medfield Press

From: Kristine Trierweiler Assistant Town Administrator

Date: October 26, 2001

Re: PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

I .!

PUBLIC HEARING / The Town of Medfieid Open Space Committee in conjunction with the Medfield Parks and Recreation Commission and the Medfield Conservation Commission will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, November 7, 2001 at 7:30 PM in Chenery Hall at the Medfield Town House. The purpose of the public hearing is to solicit public comments for the 200I Open Space and Recreation Plan. All public comments will be included in the plan prior to it's finalization and submittal to the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs. Draft copies of the plan are available for review at the Public Library and the Town House. '

PLEASE PUBLISH

Thursday, November 1, 2001

Please forward bill to the Medfield Board of Selectmen. If you have any questions please call me at (508) 359-8505 x642. '7:mew!Jrn ; ~. :1 ~etic Dept•. We've added mQrezones to your auto buy.allewing you to reach' even morepiltentilll buYers! AND,iour ad will also be placed Jopking for a online at carfind.com at noadd,iHonal cost! i .'eballI ....Coach. )f(")Spring ~rl /.. ieason. pay only . .' . .. :n 19'baseball coaching· ;,J::xij"erienced candidates.. .for 3.lines for la~rstand the game 50 ei 'IIr, "teach those skills ti'. ~e players to work $32. '4>weelln E~ssmore~ '. Carfind.com . .communrtyc:lassifleds uetit DH"ector, . . '8 '/730,, Ext. 636. advant~ge.of I' Call 1-S'OO-'624-'SELL todayand learn how YOU can take this special' offer!

',.;' :. ,". : -.

~G AGA LANE'" one huntked' siW:threeand' 50/100 EGAL NOTICE. ROBERT F. SYLVIA. CHAIRMAN (163.50) feet; and . .•. .. TERMs OF SALE: Five Thousand' BOARD OF APPEALS .ON 1lIl.dN.. 0... 00 Dollars. ($5,000;00) is to iarinK will be held ZONING 'SOUTIfERLYbyLot 31 on said planbe:~illd)n0 cash, certifiea cheCk andlor ;.Ijf, NUVEMBER 14,. AD#709670 two hundred ninetY-seven and.931100.bacik cas)Jier5 check to be p'aid bv the 15y.JTI. :at the MEDF1ELD Medfield Press 10/25, 1111101 (297.93) feet. . ".', PlitChaser at the time and place of sale. lUUSE, 459 MainT~\"~<;!, . . • 'The balance of the purchase price c'"on. of .. RlC= For title, see Book 6041;.PitgeS26.!stV ~epaid by the Purchaser. b)' 3 '1NDAGA LANE MCELROY MORTGAGEE SALE ..'. . certified check andlor bank cashiers 'n In finder M.G.L: LEGAL NOTICE which has the address of' 9 Poridview .check Within thirty, (30) daJ1!l thereafter .section 6 andlor Medfield MORTGAGEE'S SALE OF REAL Avenne, Medfield,Massachnsetts at the offices of RiChard T. Mtillil(3!l ylaw, section 9 that the ESTATE 02052.' Esq., Michienzie & Sawin LLC 101 ,0. ~ddition to the rear of 9Pondview Avenne Merrimac Street, Boston, MA 02l'14. e will not be more Medfield, MA 02052 .. The Mortgagee reserves the right to Othertenns .to be 'announced at the m .~ or in the altem~- pos\1lone the "Ie to a·later·date by, ."le.. ,. , . "ce ITom section 6.2 of the Br virtne and in exeClltion ofthe Power 'p,nblic announcement at·the time ana oj .! aw. Theproperty is located 0 Sale contained ina certain mortgage aate appointed. fut. the sale and to ...•• WELLS FARGO BANK Z ing:,District, Assessors" given"by- D.· Edward McElroy ana further postpone at any' aq- MJl\JNESOTA, NA. as. Tlllstee. '. I All town ooards and' PhyllisM. McElroy to NewCeIitl)1'y Journed sale. date. by llubhc . preSemhoIderofsaidmoJ!gage e5,,!l parties wishing to be Mortg~geCofPoratI.on d*d October announcement at the tIme and date bY its attomeJlffichard T. Milll!!'.'!n I,dat.',p.peat at the time 1lIld 13, 20UD, and 'recQ1:ded Wlth Norfulk appointed forthe adjourned saledate, MICHIENZlE & SAWIN, LeC rd. RegisttyofDeeqsinBookl4471,Page . . . . 101 MenimacStteet .. 252, of which hlortgage tfie The pr,emiseswiU be.sgldsohj,ct to.., .... Boston,MA02114 , ~:ILVIA. CHA!RMANundersigned is the pr~ep.t'h61der, 0t and.W)th thebenefit,ofar,.ng~ts,:::- (9j7) 22M660 . . • . lIr" APPEALS .. ".ON hreacb' of the conditIons' of saId resmcttons; easements,'IInprovemenlS, ..AD#116586' ... · ..' • ' •.•.••, '_.' . ..m,ortgage m,d for the purpose.Qf .000 tinding.tax titl~s,)l1l,1i:ti~ipator .. Ahq.§l:)9)'.r... ~..s"llll, 11J8,11I15101 [ furecfos111gthe saine' will be 'sold at otherrs publIc. taxes," a1sess\llents, :-:':" .c,,, ;':0 ': ".', , ' .. " .. n 110125, 11!110l Pnblic Auction at 12:00 p.m. on bettennentsc liens or clatmSlIi the '. ,,' " .' , November 28, 2001, at or npon the nature .or· liens and existing20.0(9P.·. LEENGALS.PACENOTIETCC'E '. mortgaged p,remises· more partiCl~aro/ 'enconibnmces of record created prior '" IWMILL 1ANE . descl'ibedbe.Iow, being all and singnfir to the mortgage, or entitled to . PUBLIGHEARING 'II \L NOTICE tlle premise1 descri\Jed in said precedence ovet the' mort- v 'I . mOItgage gage, ifml insof.n: as the same are still '.The. 'TI.·.,·Pwn o.f Med.fi.eld. Open. Space '. i'vat!nK will be held to wit ' , mIorce ~dapplicable to the. premises, Committee m COnjuncnon Wlth tlle DAY, NuVEMBER 14, . '.'.' •... ·Medficild '. Parks and Recreation On Ill: at theMEDFJELD The land with the buildinR'j thereon, If the success1,Ul bi~der ~t t)1e Commission and the Medfield :~ !SE~ 459 Main S",e~t, sitnated in Med.fieid, Nortolk County, foreclosor" sale defu)l1ts rnporcljasrng conservation Commission. will hold .n >. of LARRY AND Massachusetts bemg shown as Lot 30 thHrop,erty accordrng:to tile termsol a .pl\blic hearing on .Wednesday, LANNAN .63 SAW on ap'lan by Pilling, Engi!]eering <;0, this nonce of sale or the terms qfthe November 7 2001 at 7:30 PM'm' 'IE, for a determination Inc,··aated January 23 1918 reVlsed'· Jy.[emorandlilll of· Sale .exe- . CheneiY. Hall at the Medfield Town :,r ,~hpt 40A;.section 6 November 13, 1978 'recorded with totedatthe.timeofthefqreclOSni'e/;th.e House.,.. ·· . 11 leld Zonmg .By- Norfolk Re,gjstt:v of Deeds PIan Book Mortgagee reserves the nght to sell the .Th"e'pniJiose of the public hearinKis to· ! hat the p,ronosed new 272 Plan 1100: bounded and described .proper:tY. by, foreclosore deed to ,'ths(ilicit.jjnblic commen\B fur the"'2001 .. ' the ',--- of the bouse will "S fullows: ' second high,est bid~er provid,d tl)at Op,en Space and Recreation Plan. All ,n ;enning C)I: in the.. . theseconctpighestbIdderq~lts.Wlth p,ublic comments Will beinclnded in ..__.," from seetlon 6.2 WESTERLY by Pondview Avenue, Mor:tga~es att'i!:'eys, Mi '. en~Iel .the plan prior to itk firialization and. '! :ylaw. ':: :. one hundred seventy-five (175) feet SaWlp, LC,. e amOl11lt '0,. e 'submittal to the ExeClltive Office of :tJs located in an RT' ...., n,'lnp:ed depoSIt as !et.:furth below ·EnVirorimentllIAffairs. Draft copies of rlq; Asses- '. NORTIlERLY by Lot 29 on said Wl(hin thr~e (3) bnsmess days iJfter the p'lan~are availablefor review at the 2, lot 86: All, town boards plan; two. hnhdred .sixty-three and.v.:nlte\1 nonc~ ofdefuult ofthe preVlous .Fnblic Llbrary and the Town House. . 11 sredpartieswishiugt033/100(263.33)feet:·. . bldder and \lde sba~ be cqn~eyeq to AD#71782f. 'a',.J'.appeat at,....th.etime an..d . , the second hij(hest bIddet Wlthiri thirty Medfie1l7-j/df, ()(){) I :1 111I11.JI1II"1l1111"l1111111~mllllllllllll!lJiilllll'llrlllllrIIII1ll11IrlIIIIIlIlllIllllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII""""IIIIIIIIIIIIII/o1I"',,,,,,.,"I •• " .. H , DonaldGilmore a Ii ordkg@unitedch: Town committe I ~" \ 'Altlwugh we'veprotected land, a lot hCl$ gonefrom ' I ' , theMunicipal Bm (' 'I undeveloped tofully developed kmd, which is rrj'lected in mons St.: Plannin! , p.m. Oct. 29. 1i the increased schoolpopulation. " " WIC on Wheels.] 'I \ MUFFY SMICK, OpenSpace Committee member women, infants, B.I II with nutrition edu, " I healthyfood, vitan -' I i of'he~ring health services thai I Medfield sets date muuiZations, pregr i andlead testing.AI , SecondWedriesday, , I MarketPlaza; fourt ,I :1 on open-space plan,for Nov. 7 days at theStop & S, 641-4829. /' - I ByJanetCasey and Recreation Commission and which is reflected in,the increased GLOBECQRRESPONDENCE othertown comniittees to prepare schoorpopulation and other in­ MEDFIELD 'MEDFIELD - The most theplan. ·creases on the town infrastruc­ 'I , memorable land acquisition in The plan gives residents a Council on A{/in{/l ,,' turei' said Smick. "Ibpianbestfor ' "'I, Medfield in recent tiJiles was the chance to evaluate the town's of. thetown, all things should be tak­ the Senior Center. 0, : I June 1999 purchase ofthe Holm- forts inopen space and recreation, en to~erand notviewed in iso- a'.m. studentsfrom tI I I ,quist property on PlaIn Street. management, and to set goals fcir latiQ.n." \ School willpresentp j More than 1,000 residents the next five, years, said Smick. A ties, aIldskits; ca.1lto I The changing demographics spotfor lunch. Oct. I , squeezed into the high school public hearing is scheduled for 3 , also affect the recreational pro­ auditorium for a Special Town 7:30'p.m. Nov. 7 at Town Hall'to Halloweenperty, 12:· grams ofthe l;'ark and Recreation l I Meeting, whlle 1,000'more lined solicit residents' reaetlon to the magicshowfor$1 do , Department, who,se goals are also Ii ,up outside, to unindmouslypass a draft before it is finaiized. The person; callto reservt included In the plan. Serving a, 508·359·7804. ProposJJ:i,on ;n!. override to buy public is encouraged to view'a popuJationofalmost 13,000,Med'­ J I the 100aci:es.' copy ofthedet8.iJ.¢ report atTown Joint.II1~~tin!lofth, J, l ~ngly field recreational programs are Committ~~and the i While many residents Hall or the Medfield Public Li­ struggling to keep up, with 0ulY ; I • . support preservini land, mauydo brarybefore theh,,.rlng. n~nt ,,,hool,PlanIii. i one full-time' director and two! BUlldii1gi:om",ltt~1 nottake advantage ofthe I\Pproxi- ' Most ofMedfield's open space part·tim.e workers. ', mate 3,600 acres of open space is located along the Charles and 7 p.m.to;thelecturest and recreational facilities, which' stop rivers and at'Noon Hill. The 'To offer more things at differ­ highschool. compose 40 per<:ent ofMedfield. Trustees ofReserVations, a pri· , ent tiJiles of-day, we'd have, to look 'T,own committ~e m, While updating the toWIts Open vate, nonprofit group, has juris­ atmore staffing,» s8.id JiniSnyder, AttheTown House, 45 I', Space and 'Recreation Plan, the dictionover1,365acres, ineludiIJg director of the Park and Recrea­ St.: Board ofSeleetmer ,f:I ' Open Space Committee survey€­ sors that bothers Yellen; it's the. hairdressers are keptupto dateon lYPEABODY ARLINGTON J@;lts thatYellen wanted to high. gy board, which oversees the Ii· possibllitythat the same imple•. hygiene requirements,by salon 229 ~~~~f SL fJ9S MassachllllBlts Ava 855 Hi, lii1;it. I'~ censmgandtDspection ofhairand . ments are used again and .,gain, managers and.semlnars held by 978-531-8500 781-648cl489 781- ~~rdingto records from the nail salons, cosme~ologists'are even if a custo.mer has b:een manufacturers ofsaIonprodu.cts.. ~"h; Division of Professional U· trainedtobevigilantforpotential­ -.nipped hard '-enough to draw "~ometimes,whatthwleamin c:nsure, which.oversees hair and ,ly transmittable. problems, blood. . school andaft;ertheyget outlslost nan:salons, fotir inspectors moni~ "They're trained to use a ,n.ew . . But'Peveri said customers can when they stiutcutting coiners;'" tecause itwill drive custom· censes. No reports were 'filed for cases are easily detectable. So it hygiene regulations. Onelow-bOst ers away. . V;CSful SW~'1 cftt.i:t, ~ft;l:kr.)..t( ito, ..' , .... . Medfield readies open-space planforstateaid HOLIDAY "- , J ' .~';J:;' 1."- " NOVEMBER1-: f:.' ';·MEDFIELD ..,. The;· most. 3,600 acres ofopen space and re-, ,.space and Recreation plan;said' mOIiths,'" saidMuffy Smick, a ;;'memorable land acquisition in creational facilities that compose ail Open Space and Trail map member of the Open Space Com· 20% -40% ( >fthe '. for state aid in acquiring open and to set goals for the next five ·~..\tP.6utside, to unanimouslypass a Bay Circuit:frail, because they do space, the town must'submit the " years, said Smick. A public hear· SELLERS & COLLECTORS OF REA ii,Proposition 2% override to buy notknowwhereitis. . planbytIie endoftheyear. Millis, lugis scheduledfor 7:30 p.lll. Nov. , 232 Boylston Street, Chestnut ,itli\HOO acres. Assistant ·toW]). administrator Norfolk;. Dover, and Walpole also 7 at Town Hall !;o solicit reaction J},~iJ ~lthough many residen~s Kristine :frierweiler,wliois re-' have siInilar.plans;.sherborn does to the draft, Which can'be ·re· 617·969-6262(TeI)800cDAVIDCC ,,-st;i:Ongly support preserving land, sponsiblefwupdatin,gthepresent not. . '; .. i'.. '· •. . vieWellatlbwb.:Haifor.theMed·." '., .." . wWw:daVidandcomp, '.'1fuWY do nottake advantage ofthe draft of the previous 1994 Open . "We've been at thiS,for14.. jjeldPoblicLibrary; ~ ..., :.~. . ,"',.' . lI:~ot '-I.J~,,"~' .~! - applicable 6n custom 0r:der:s, or in',coinl

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j \1 jl I( , +II II]' 'll] ).. ·tt .. 'I III: . jj 11 I.I k, Open Space Committee Public Hearing Chenery Hall, Medfield Town House November 7,2001 7:30 PM

Open Space Committee: Muffy Smick, Marie Zack Nolan, Chris Hajjar, Lorah Igo Park and Recreation Commission: Jim Landry, Tom Caragliano, Jim Snyder

Ms. CB Doub was concerned that there was a written protocol regarding "chapter" land such as Chapter 61, 61A, and 6IB. There is only a 120 day window in which the Selectmen have to act on a property that is being withdrawn from the program. Ms. Doub encouraged the Committee to continue to request money from the Capital Budget Committee.

Mr. Haskell directed his question to the Park and Recreation Commission regarding the plan's mention ofexpanded management. Mr. Haskell thought there was a need for increased communication between the town and school. Mr. Landry explained that the Building and Grounds Committee was formed about two years ago to try and address the issue ofmaintenance and communication. This resulted in the privatization ofthe maintenance on certain parcels of town owned property. The increase in land acquisition and possible future land acquisition has created the need for expanded management.

Mr. Leo Surrette from the Hospital Preservation Committee wanted to discuss the possible closing/re-use ofthe state hospital property. Mr. Surrette supported the inclusion ofthe property on the Committee's list ofunprotected open space that should be acquired by the town ifit ever becomes available.

Muffy Smick explained that one ofthe other items identified in the survey has already started to be addressed. The Conservation Committee has formed a subcommittee ofmembers interested in the trail system in town. The Open Space Committee is working with the Forest and Trails Committee, and the Trustees ofReservations to produce an informational booklet identifying all the open space areas and trails in town. The pamphlet would include such information as how do you use a property, what can you use in town, where is it, etc.

MI. Steve Brown ofthe Planning Board asked for clarification regarding the flexible zoning reference in the plan. Ms. Smick explained that it was a tool identified as one which could contribute to preserving open space. The Open Space Committee recognizes that this falls under -I the jurisdiction ofthe Planning Board and would be happy to assist the Planning Board with i research ifthe Board decides it would like to investigate this tool.

MI. Osler Peterson ofthe Board ofSelectmen asked ifestablishing connector trails both hiking and biking had bee looked at as part ofthe plan. Ms. Smick explained)hat that had been a goal ofthe plan since 1988. Some ofthe connectors have been formed including Hinkley Pond to Rocky Woods, the Medfield portion ofthe Bay Circuit Trail, and a SE connector to Walpole. MI. Peterson emphasized the importance ofbeing able to bike downtown without having to travel on busy streets. Ms. Smick also mentioned that the Planning Board has been instrumental in making sure that new subdivisions connect in with the existing trail system ifpossible.

MI. George Lester ofthe Planning Board asked that the Open Space Map that is included in the plan show the school department land as well as the other municipal open space areas in town. Ms. Brown suggested that there are several parcels ofprivately owned land which did not appear in the inventory ofunprotected land.

The Committee commended those that had placed conservation restrictions on their land and encouraged any other residents who were interested to contact either the Committee or the Board ofSelectmen's office. The residents ofthe Town have been extremely generous in placing their land under restriction or offering it to the town to purchase. In the last year there has been approximately 60 acres placed under restriction. A resident asked that Town Counsel examine all conservation restrictions before acceptance by the town. MI. Burgess Standley stated that Town Counsel always reviews the restrictions which must then also be reviewed by the State. < Ms. Debbie Bero asked the Committee to look into some ofthe problems in acquiring open space areas including any potential "21E" sites. The Committee explained they are aware ofthe situation and do take that into consideration. Ms. Bero was concerned with any future purchases ofhospital land. She suggested the Board ofHealth be involved in reviewing potential open space property to avoid any health problems. The Town should not accept any liability issues.

Ms. Smick suggested that the Chapter 61 Protocol be included as an appendix in the plan.

The Committee thanked those in attendance for participating in the public hearing and providing the Committee with excellent feedback that will be included in the final draft ofthe plan. Established to provide an. intimate portrait ofthe community and its people

THURSDAY, NOVEMBEIt 15, 2001

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STAFf:PHOTO BY JOHN THORNTmf: The state hospital fields in Medfield make up a large portion of 'he town's opeu space' pl~n. Openspace comtni~eepy~pIap.s,~

,Ely,i\aien McBride peis;;ec~e from the i~:"~~~pid'- Pu[j;iJ~dhh~tioi~ri(~~~f¥~t@~!~~fJ~~trbl!'~i~d~c~,fg~~~;.; ~;~,~Y~' uS!.AFF WRITER on how hl.l1d ill town" wneed~ .. acCo~i)ir'thet(nhihictee;with the feedback from residents on ' iroproyed. Around' 8 perCent of ' by puftbasingn1oreop¢nland.:,' ,'he1i'ofASsiS(al,>p:'oVi)iAdmlnis- ' 'their Open Space and Recreatioorbose who received these'surveys .Residents alsoeiipressed tljey , Jrator'I(rlsttne'Tri,rWeile,; ,drew, Plan to be submitted to the state' responded;'and",ith these re- find the nT,talatmosphe,:e ofMed- up'ah:action pIanwioj seigoals it by the end of Ole year, sponses the comntittee was able to field to be:the most iIilportant as- hopes to accomplisb in the, near fu- ,Committee member Muffy: get thdnformaiioil' alld sugges- pettOfOle'town, ',' "', , " " ture. " , :,:' , ' 1- Smick" told the gatbered crowd tions they needed. ' .People w,re also generally sat, ',Goal One, is to ':acqwre'addition­ Ole town must snbmit such a plan, Four major opinjonswere ex- 'isfied with the recreational fadli" , ' .1 Jands, for conservation, I:ecre- every five years,in orderto remaiI1 pressed: ties'intoWll;budeel'there should' admi and'ooler'l11unicipal needs." ", , ,eligibleforstatenmding, .Many residents indicated, the, be more,aciivities' geared towards ,: 'T'bis'would include seeking funds ,A survey was sent out to resi- traiI,systC)TI in toWl\ isvery iinpor- teenagers 'md adUlts,. ',' , for add,itilinalland acquisitions and , dents in Janumy of 2000 to &,In tant, but tb,r~ should ,be more "TilisBiirye~'fas needed [in :, ( , OPEN SPACE. page 15 'tl d- T akin~ sides over :"," \....ounc.TI on f\gJng. swoo,un Derare .L lUUK a[ my Ulft:t: lllllW't~ll,allU.l: :SUU.:UUH et:lJlIumy, t::sl'l::U Id -l :li the • ...:tee aJ:m ·v",hool ...... -..tld ...... SpeL-..__b-a sc -lmil~ .cldusLj .. ~,_ober.~~"ThL.~ __jectr~._~re th~";.Jt II'""""""'"~=- Plannin( BiJilding Committee at dollars ayear on them," said Lyons at Babson, an' .1 Hill Road resi- for. the school," said 'committee ,~).,"-', member James, Cain~, '(~it's for the co~Unity:'; . .. ., . Sellyou'r cartoday it Karen Mc13ridecdnbe r;ached at . ": Classifi. (181)433-8354 or 1cm.c.1n-ide@i:nc.CQ/1!" History brings boards together ,Call 1-800-6 ~ . , '.

HISTORICAL, from page 1 torical Conunission jn cltat the soci­ blll'fsPond Grist" .MillCottiinittee " ....Grand Opening . fot his position by the Board of Se­ ety is privately run,. There are about who desct"ibed how his group lectmen and he said he "tries to take 250 members with eight meetings a cleaned outand rebui)t the qld grist . :, it serious." He sentes as an .associate year. Clark said they "have plenty of mill inhope~ ofhaving, it up and rtin­ '~~,~e4 member of both d,e Historic Com­ money" and 'a tremendous alnoWlt'of ning in. thenearfutrire:, .' .' mission'and the Historical Society, as ioformation abou~the people and All members p~nt tried til come ...... 508-473~3700 . well as being involved with -researCh. places of Medfield,bdth past and' up with a way" to keep in touCh with projects for the, school children. present .. ea<;hyiher,a,nd they decided o,n per­ "Kids get a feeling of belonging to Other members who spoke at the haps creating linkS at the Medfield the town," said DeSorgher on wit'­ ineoting fucluded, Muffy Sinick of 'Web site far each' committee and ann~~1 nessing the delight srodents have in : the Open Space Planning Commit­ also making this meeting an ,Linda Larrabbe realizing they own a piece'of the tee, Board or-Selectmen Chainnan event to catr:h up on what is going on Aesthetic;an town just by living there. Paul Rhuda, Marshall Chick ofthe ofhistorical. significance in the,town. " AI CI~rk of the Medfield Histori"'" Committee to Study Memqrials, Society explained how his group is Town Administrator MiChael Sulli­ Karim McBride c~ll be reached at completely'.c!ifferent from the His- van and Mike Crotili,i of the Kihgs- (181)4P-8351 fr km£In7d~Cnc.cUnt ., ./., '; .

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Spac~'plarrana1yr#i ••• Open Fri., sar8i Ml;n~10~~-Sun; 12-5 Open /: N";"~' ··t" ,:...~ .. :;->.. ';' .• largest~iSPJa~~(. "'liIiKjlJi,""uU IJ ., , .:.'.: .. ~' '.', " ,.,.' Natuzzi·furnit~r.e 'AJ.J.I'I'll5"~f1\lm·'Nn'f,:F"~"i'r " .. ,...... ' . ." ",a U~11n all New~ngla~d 'D!,Il~~'!i!;!lliili'I'1I1l JiJ\i:I'i!iil OPEN SPACE;.from page 1 'and. protect ·the.water supply, in town' whiCh would include adopt"· I '. ,,',,' . '. .. ."perhaps ,even wor) /.•':" .. ' ~.' .• ';_:~':1'~""'., ',Iruttee ltaS ill cl,e plan are to preserve cia! ways to mamtam the open space (181)433-8354orkmcbride@cnaom,,: ',. ..' ., .' , .., •...... :.~ .,; .\ ":I. .' ... ""ZlRoW.-.iiRicitlERS . '." ' .., " !I I !

APPENDlXlV

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I I ACTIVE SUBDIVISION LIST

SOUTHERN ACRES 45 lots

Located: offSouth Street Extension (west of27)

Development: sewer to area and South street lots released; many homes built streets are private at this time

Owner: Carruth Capital Corporation 40 Washington Street, Suite 2000 Westborough, MA 01581 508-898-3800 (Christopher Egan)

DELA PARK ACRES 28 lots

Located: Rt. 109 at the Walpole/Medfield line

Development: all lots released and most built on streets are private at this time

Owner: Anthony Delapa 511 Washington St. ~orwood,MA 02062 617-769-3384

HIGHLAND KNOLL 17 lots

Located: Between Philip Street and Eastmount Road

Development: definitive plan approved construction beginning spring street is private at this time

Owner: Brook Run Development Corporation 66 ~orth Street Medfield, MA 02052 508-359-6227 (David MacCready) WOODCLIFF HILLS 42 lots

Located: between Boyden Road and Flint Locke Lane

Development: definitive plan approved Construction has begun

Owner: Hoover Realty Trust 434 Canton Street Westwood,~ 02090 508-359-8111 (Scott or Cal Colwell)

NORTH MEADOWS ESTATES 18 lots

Located: between Brastow and Richard Roads west of27

Development: definitive plan approved Richard Road/Brastow Road lots released Variance granted from ZBA Baker Road lots to be released

Owner: Ellen Realty Trust 2 Milliston Road Millis,~ 02054 508-376-8800 (Huna Rosenfeld)

ERIK ROAD EXTENSION 9 Lots

Located: Extension ofErik Road

Development: Definitive plan denied appealed by developer; currently in court

Owner: Edward Musto 175 Phillips Brook Road Westwood,~ 02090 617-461-2690 I ELIZABETH ESTATES AT SOUTHERN ACRES 410ts

Located: OffLoefller Lane (Southern Acres) - extension ofMonks Way

Development: definitive plan approved no lots released at this time

Owner: Carruth Capital Corporation 40 Washington Street, Suite 2000 Westboro, Massachusetts 01581 508-898-3800 I SUMMERMEADOWS 3 lots

Located: 20 Summer Street

Development: presently under definitive review

Owner: Margaret S. Comeau Developer: Paul F. Riccardi 61 High Street 470 Adams Street Walpole, MA 02081 Quincy,MA

BRIDLEFlELD CLUSTER SUBDMSION 17 lots

Located: OffGranite Street

Development: Planning Board approval December 18, 2000

Owner: Wright & Company Developer: WGB Construction Co., Inc. Richard Ruggiero Stephen R. Burrill 10 Cedar Street 67 Cape Road WoburnMA 01801 Mendon, MA 01756

BVNKERESTATES AT SOUTHERN ACRES

Located: OffLoeffler Lane (Southern Acres) - extension ofBunker Road I I Development: Approved September 10, 2001

Owner: John E. Hakansson 6 Brousseau Drive Upton MA 01568

(updated November 6, 2001)

Note: Most ofthese subdivisions are near completion or the "owner" is also the developer. These developers generally do their own building. APPENDIX V

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I TOWN OF MEDFIELD 504 REPORT

'ART I: ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREl.'t1:ENTS ..

. 1chaelJ. Sullivan, Town Administrator is the official designee ofthe TO~ ofMedfield. tcopy ofthe appointment is attached. _ :. A copy ofthe grievance policy for employees·and for the general public is attached.

i~ copy ofthe Public notification requirements are attached. Copies ofthe large print notices is attached. Auditory notices will be provided when job openings are available. . k. ['he Town ofMedfield has appointed an Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance Review Committee to evaluate compliance with the ADA. Mr. Frederick Rogers, a member of this Committee and a rysically challenged individual toured the Town's recreational facilities and participated in the Impletion ofthe Self-Evaluation. .

i :1 'I j I . ! I I 11'ART II: PROGRAM ACCESSmILITY () Transition Plan I PfaffCenter: 1. The ramp accessing the bl,!iIding is too wide and is not composed ofa continuous surface, making for an uneven transition and preventing use ofthe railings. The men's and women's bathrooms lack adequate stalls; doors and grab bars. Access to a public pay telephone was blocked by a coat rack.

2. The ramp need to be rebuilt eliminating the plywood section and providing a level surface in front ofthe doors. The railing" need to be installed at the correct width. The bathroom stalls need to be rebuilt and grab bars must be installed. The coat rack has to be relocated.

3. The changes above will be requested in the Town's £96 capital budget and ifapproved will be done during the fall of 1995.

4. Sandra Keyes, Park and Recreation Administrator, will be the responsible individual.

Hinkley Pond: 1. The bathroom facilities are not accessible to the handicapped. The parking lot is not wheelchair accessible to the sidewalk. The pond is not wheelchair accessible.

2. A paved pathway must be installed to the bathroom facilities and the bathrooms themselves must be equipped with accessible stalls and grab bars. A portion ofthe parking area must be paved including ramping ofa transition area from the lot to the sidewalk. A paved pathway to the pond must be installed.

3. The changes above will be requested in the Town's £97 capital budged and ifapproved will be done during the summer of 1996.

4. Sandra Keyes, Park and Recreation Administrator, will be the responsible individual.

Metacomet Park: 1. There is no curb cut from the parking area to the playground and the water fountain is too high for wheelchair accessibility. I ~ J 2. A curb cut must be installed in the parking area and a new accessible water fountain must be installed.

3. The funds will be included in the £96 Public Works budget and the work will be done during the summer of 1996.

4. Kenneth Feeney, Director ofPublic Works, will be the responsible individual. ,

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l OFFICE OF BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEDFIELD, MA 02052

October 4, 1994

Hichael J. Sullivan

You are hereby appointed A.D.A. Coordinator for the term ending April 30, 1995.

You must see Town Clerk for oath of office. Yours respectfully,

Town Clerk Date : _ 7

'I PART ill: EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES

1. RECRUITMENT A Job Announcements: Job announcements are posted in the PfaffCenter, which is accessible. Job announcements are also available on tape when job openings are available.

B. Interviews: Interviews only address ajob applicant' qualifications. No attempt is made to inquire about an applicant's disability and/or its severity.

2. PERSONNEL ACTIONS There is only one employee in the park and recreation department. To the best ofmy knowledge she is not disabled. The Conservation Commission also has only one employee, who is not disabled.

3. LEAVE ADMlNISTRATION A copy ofthe Town's Personnel Administration Plan, which governs absence, sick and leave policy is attached. These do not adversely impact qualified employees with disabilities.

4. TRAINING At the present time, given the small size ofthe departmental operations, there are no internships, apprenticeships, or on-the-job training programs offered. Ifat some point such programs are offered they will be offered on a nondiscriminatory basis.

5. TESTS There are no tests administered for employees ofthis department.

6. MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS/QUESTIONNAmES The Town does not give pre-employment medical examinations for employees ofeither the Park and Recreation department or the Conservation Commission.

7. SOCIALIRECREATIONAL PROGRAMS Town sponsored events are held at accessible facilities.

8. FRINGE BENEFITS All employees are given the same level ofbenefits.

9. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS No employees ofeither the Park and Recreation department or the Conservation Commission are covered by collective bargaining agreements.

10. WAGE AND SALARY ADMINISTRATION All employees are compensated in accordance with the provisions ofthe Town's Personnel Administration Plan, a copy ofwhich is attached which established uniform procedures for establishing salary levels and/or wage rates. This would preclude different rates ofcompensation on the basis ofdisability. TOWN OF MEDFIELD

504 GRIEVANCE POLICY

1. Purpose: To set out the requirements, standards and criteria for a grievance handling procedure for handicapped persons.

2. Applicability: Any employee or resident ofthe Town who feels that their rights under Chapter 504 or the Americans with Disabilities Act may have been violated.

3. Procedure: Any citizen and/or employee who feels aggrieved by any Action or failure to act by the Town ofMedfield in accordance with Section 504 is entitled to a hearing before the Board ofSelectmen.

The Town no Medfield shall take no administrative or court action against any citizen/employee until a decision on the grievance has been reached.

The citizen/employee must file a complaint and request a hearing, in writing, within ten (10) days of the alleged violation, or else his/her rights will lapse. Said complaint shall specify the particular facts that form the basis ofthe complaint.

Example: Name, Address, Phone number Nature ofgrievance Policy violated Date ofalleged incident Name, address, telephone numbers ofwitnesses or other parties involved.

After receipt ofthe complaint, the Selectmen shall meet on the issue at their next regularly scheduled meeting and must issue a decision within thirty (30) days. The complainant and/or the Board ofSelectmen have the right to bll represented by CounseL Minutes ofthe hearing shall boe kept by the Town, as shall copies ofall exhibits and decisions, for a period ofthree years from the date ofthe decision.

Ifa complainant does not appear, she/he will be considered to have waived his/her rights to a hearing.

A decision ofthe Board of Selectmen may be appealed to a Hearing Appeals Panel (two town officials, two members ofthe ADA Compliance Committee and one citizen at large) in writing within five (5) working days ofthe decision ofthe Selectmen and the Panel must meet and render a decision within fifteen working days ofthe receipt ofthe appeal petition. The Appeals Panel shall make its decision based solely on the record .and the complainant shall not have a de novo hearing. The decision ofthe Board of Selectmen shall not be overturned ifsupported by substantial evidence.

The decision ofthe Selectmen and/or the Appeals Panel shall in no way limit the rights ofthe citizen/employee to remedies available through the courts. .() APPENDIX VI USGS TOPOGRAPIDC MAP SYMBOLS

Reading Topographic Maps

Interpreting the colored lines, areas, and other symbols is the first step in using topographic maps. Features are shown as points, lines, or areas, depending on their size and extent. For example, individual houses may be shown as small black squares. For larger buildings, the actual shapes are mapped. In densely built-up areas, most individual buildings are omitted and an area tint is shown. On some maps, post offices, churches, city halls and other landmark buildings are shown within the tinted area.

The first features usually noticed on a topographic map are the area features such as vegetation (green), water (blue), some information added during update (purple), and densely built-up areas (gray or red).

Many features are shown by lines that may be straight, curved, solid, dashed, dotted, or in any combination. The colors of the lines usually indicate similar kinds or classes of information: brown for topographic contours; blue for lakes, streams, irrigation ditches, etc.; red for land grids and important roads; black for other roads and trails, railroads, boundaries, etc.; and purple for features that have been updated using aerial photography, but not field verified.

Various point symbols are used to depict features such as buildings, campgrounds, springs, water tanks, mines, survey control points, and wens.

Names of places and features also are shown in a color corresponding to the type of feature. Many features are identified by labels, such as "Substation" or "GolfCourse."

Ground Configuration shown by contours

Topographic contours are shown in brown by lines of different widths. Each contour is a line of equal elevation; therefore, contours never cross. They show the general shape of the terrain. To help the user determine elevations, index contours (usually every fourth or fifth contour) are wider. The narrower intermediate and supplementary contours found between the index contours help to show more details of the land surface shape. Contours that are very close together represent steep slopes. Widely spaced contours, or an absence ofcontours, means that the ground slope is relatively level. The elevation difference between adjacent contour lines, called the contour interval, is selected to best show the general shape ofthe terrain. A map of a relatively flat area may hiwe a contour interval of 10 feet or less. Maps in mountainous areas may have contour intervals of 100 feet or more. Elevation values are shown at frequent intervals on the index contour lines to facilitate their identification, as well as to enable the user to interpolate the values ofadjacent contours.

Bathymetric contours are generally offshore since they show the shape and slope of the ocean bottom. They are shown in blue or black. Bathymetric contours are shown in meters at intervals appropriate to map scale and coastal profile, and should not be confused with depth curves.

Depth curves are shown along coastlines and on inland bodies of water where the data are available from hydrographic charts or other reliable sources. Depth figures, shown in. blue along the curves, are in feet on older USGS maps and in meters on newer maps. Soundings, individual depth values, may also be shown.

Elevation

CllNmOl DATA AND 1lIl1lNUMeHTS Aerial photograph roU aM frame numbe" ~ -20

HOliZllll1.1 ~l1IIIrol Tbird order Or betler, permanent mark Wil1lll1lrd order or better elavation Checked spotolov.tion Coincident with s'ection ct;Jmer Unmonumanlad' +

Third order Dr bettar, wil1l tablot aM" la3

Third order or bettDr~ recoverable mark f20;jJ jll>4~ Beacb mark at found saction comer ;18.6-_•. Spilt elevallon > ...

Boundsry mtltJUl1Hmt WMtablel· Without tabiet

With number and elevation 6?'t".3PIA u.s. mineral or looation monument • CONTOUftS

Intenneliiate Inde. SUpplementary Depression CUl;1il1

IlOIemledlate Index l'limal'! Index PrimeI'! SUpplementary

*Provisional Edition maps only

Boundaries

1I0UNDMlIES Netional

Ststeor territorial -'"'" ... - County or equivalent

CiU'i1 township !If equivalent - -0:-- Incurpurll18dc ity ur equivelent _.-ii!iIIIllIIliil Smell park

lANO SURVEY SYSlEMS /l9.M/it LendSiJrvq Sy#e/1f Township-Dr range- nne Lucmndoubtful Secfionllne Lut:llliun duubtful

WMes's comer; meander comsr

Townsrnp or rang~ line Section line land gram or mining c1almi monument Land Surface Features

SUIlFAllE fEATUIl£S lovoo

Gravel beach Of gtaciat mDraine

MINES AIlD CAVES

Quarrv or open pit mine ";{

Gravel, "5800. clnY,!tr OOrraw pit ,l'.,

Mine tunnel or cave entrance --<

Minodump

.....,::.!: "I Wonds ;;.::;:; ,i;: ~:-; Scrub Orchard ".:: . Vineyard :.:'. Mangrove

BlAtlEllS ANII PalMANENTSliOWI'lEl.llS

f'DrmliM$

Water Features

MARlIIE SHlIllQ1NE

ApproJIirnate mean blgh water

MeanhlghwatIJr App8f9nt(edge of vegetatlonl COASrAl. FEATURES

Roek bllrBDT lIwiJ$h GroujJ(lf roeb bare or awash &posed wreck. Deptb .cufW;SfJundilJ9 _:_:_:"_._._._r•.;.p_;or_•.;.I.,...·ll\<.;.._._rw_h_._rl__~C· _

.8AlHYMETBIC fEATURES Awe exposed at maan low tids; soundiJllJ datum .(;hannel

RIVEIIS.lAKfS. ANUCAHALS Jntetmlltent stream rnhlrmiltentriver

hrannial stream Penmrnaf rivar Small falls; mtlllra'pids Mas.onry dam -[~jl -u-.m-w-i-lh-i<>-C-k-----..;---~-:~-,'Oi!;lc------

Dam carrying road "~1]lil ~&1~~;

f'erenni'ld lako; Intermittent lake or pond 1 "!!i~

Wide.WdSI't

B~..,aled aqueduct.. flume, or conduit Aqueduct tunmtf Wcll or .Iiprinu: sPl'lng or soap SUBMEIlGEDABW AND BOGS Marsh or swamp .~~< ."'!'"•.: Submerged manit! or swamp" . ;1H1!.1l~~tlt. Waoded marsh Of 'sw~mp f;\jt~!:~~}~: Submerged wooded maBh or swamp ~;~Jfl~~~

Buildings and Related Features

DUILDINGS AND REtAT!J) F!ATUll£S Buildioll I•

, Racetrack Alrpa" Landing strip .Well. {QIDf!rtban water): wllldmill , , Tall.ks· Covered resBrvmr • G8Qing sta!:istl

181J.dmark obfect (-feature as labeled) o &groUmI; P\CflIC BrOB I • Cemet!l~ ,groat!: laT{le

Roads, Railroads,, and Other Features

ROADS AND RQATED F!ATUll£S Roeds on P~$lcmi3:1 'Odmon IlllIJllfam not clanlfled a; primary, sBcllndary, Of lightdttty. lbey are all symboliZed as!lglltdutv raadL

Primary highway SeCOJithll'Y Ilrghwev

Unimprovod·!(Ia(l Trail Dual hiyhWl:lV

Dual,highway with me-di8ll strip Raull under ClJlv.aruclioo UOO9.f1)aSSl overpass

Drawbridge Tunnel RAII.lI\lAllS AND ilWllEO !tATOllES Standard gauge single track;. statien Standard gaug..mulliple tnlck Aban60ned

NifrtDW gl'ulle multiple track - Railroad In atreet ...... Roundhouse and turntable

TRANSMlSSIONUNliS AND PIPELINES Power transmlssionfin&: pgle: tower

----~

Abovegrolltld'On or IIIl1S pipeline Underyrwnd 011 ar gas pipB~nB ----,I'~ )

APPENDIXVll

I i

1

-I ..•

. ('I • j r W: Board of Selectmen FROM: Open Space Committee

SUBJECT: Chapter 61 Procedures Checklist with Accompanying Notes

The Open Space Committee is pleased to present a draft ofa checklist ofprocedures and notes on the Town's right of first refusal for lands classified under Chapter 61. We welcome your comments and questions.

The Chapter 61 laws were enacted by the state legislature in 1973 and provide for a voluntary form ofconservation. The owner commits a property to either agriculture, forest, or recreation for a period of time. In exchange, the town reduces taxes and is granted the right to purchase the property if and when it is removed from Chapter 61 classification for conversion to residential, commercial, or industrial use.

We intend these documents to provide the essential elements and steps which the Town should take and we have additional materials which describe them more fully.

We are indebted to Town Counsel and C. B. Daub for their assistance in reviewing these documents and to the Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust ofWarwick, MA, from whom we have "borrowed" liberally!

I

I In Colonial times, towns held a right offirst refusal on lands granted to new settlers. This'practice prevented land speculation andpromoted long term stability in the community. . What To Do When Chapter 61 Lands Are For Sale or "120 Days, Now What?"

The Town has only 120 days to exercise its right of first refusal. Communication and timing are crucial, especially if/whenTown Meeting action is required! As soon as the Town receives notification of intent to sell the land:

WHEN WHO & WHAT Within the Board of Selectmen first 10 days 1.1. Receives notice ofsale and immediately instructs Town Counsel to review the owner's'btly/sell agreement. (see Note 1) 1.2, Circulates a notice to aJl Town departments (see Note 2) 1.3. Appoints an Evaluation & Action (E & A) Committee to carry out a coordinated evaluation. (see Note 3) 1.4. Contacts non-profit conservation organizations (such as The Trustees of Reservations, The Trust for Public Lands, Upper Charles Conservation) to request their assistance. 1.5. Prepares tentative plan to call a Special Town Meeting. 1.6. Sets up account assigned to hold money in anticipation of a possible purchase.

Within the Evaluation & Action .Committee first 20 days 2.1. Gathers information about the land from town officials, abutters, conservation organization. (see Note 4) 2.2. Acquires current management plan. 2.3. Checks Town's Open Space and Recreation Plan's targets for acquisition, 2.4. Reviews zoning & subdivison control regulations with Planning Board & Town Counsel to determine maximum permitted level ofdevelopment. (see Note 5); drafts evaluation ofimpAct on town services.

Days 20-35 Selectmen and E & A Committee 3.1. Meet with developer & buyer to discuss their plan, town interests. (see Note 6 3.2. Hold preliminary public hearing to disseminate information received to date, gather public feedback. (see Note 7) 3.3. Revises anticipated development potential and impact on town services. 3.4. Prepare conceptual plan, appraisal (if needed), & have licensed professional I conduct a Ch. 21E site assessment (to find out if the property might be .1 contaminated).

Days 40-60 E & A Committee and Selectmen 4.1. E & A Commmittee makes a recommendation for action to Selectmen which could include the following: • acquire none of the property • acquire all of the property • acquire some ofthe property; limited development on the remainder • assign the Town's option to a non-profit organization (see Note 8) 4.2. Negotiate Terms and Conditions with buyer, developer, non-profit organ ization.

Days 60­ Selectmen. Town Counsel. Warrant Committee Close 5.1. Calls Special Town Meeting 5.2. With Warrant Committee, arrange financing. (see Note 9) 5.3. With Town Counsel, finalize purchase agreements/option assignment. 5.4. With Town Counsel and E & A Committee, finalize planning documents and financial documents. Days 90-105 Selectmen and E & A Committee. Town Counsel 6.1. Hold Special Town Meeting. 6.2. With Town Counsel, accept option. 6.3. With Town Counsel, finalize assignment, waiver, or agreement with developer. 6.4. With Town Counsel, record waiver or assignment. .-

Notes to Accompany Chapter 61 Procedures Check List NOTE 1 Legal review of the buy/sell agreement is a critical first step in evaluating and responding to an offer. Proper notice to the Town must include a description of the property, the names of the owners, and a copy of the signed bona fide offer. It is important that a signed and preferably notarized copy of the offer be included. The Town should demand all details of the purchase and sale agreement of the bona fide offer because the 120 day period does not start until it receives a copy of all this material.

Without listing all the terms and conditions of the offer in addition to the price, it is not possible for the Town to determine exactly what offer it has to meet and, more importantly, when the 120 clock should start.The notice may not state the true value and content ofa firm offer. There may be contingencies, progress payments, gradual conversion, joint venture partnership sales, developer preliminary study expenses, etc. to confuse the issue. The offer may include a portion of the property not in Chapter 61 (typically a dwelling unit and attendant buildings).

If, after a thorough review, Town Counsel deems the agreement is not a bona fide offer, the Selectmen should immediately inform the buyer and seller, detailing the deficiencies and stating that the 120 day clock has not started.

---I NOTE 2 ! A municipality is Ill-advised to waive the right to an option without notifying town boards and initiating the evaluation process. Town officials must not be rushed into a waiver by proponents of the sale and should use as much ofthe 120 day period as necessary to properly evaluate the sale and its impact on the town.

NOTE 3 A "project cordinator" must be designated from the outset as Chairman ofthe E & A Committee to delegate tasks and responsibilities to individual or committees and coordinate these activities in light of the very tight schedule. Mike Sullivan is the obvious choice. In addition, membership should include at a minimum a representative from: a) Open Space Committee, b) Warrant Committee, c) Conservation Commission, d) Planning Board, e) Board ofAssessors.

NOTE 4 During the information gathering phase, it is most critical to coordinate activities of each board/committee involved in the decision. They need to be consulted at various phases of the project and kept up to date on new developments. A Chapter 61 option needs to be discussed initially at each Board's regular meeting. Once a protection proposal starts to come together, joint meetings can be scheduled when necessary.

NOTES It is important during this process to utilize a checklist of growth constraints for the Town that can beused to assess the impact of proposed developments. (In fact, such a list should already have been developed and be "at the ready" for use in other cases where a landowner who is not enrolled in Chapter 61 approaches the Town!) Growth constraints will include, but not necessarily be limited to, such factors as school capacity, adequacy ofthe roads to support new traffic, water supply, capacity ofwastewater treatment plant, impact on the transfer station, etc.

NOTE 6 The Town should make it clear to the owner and buyer early on that it intends to exercise its full 120 days if it has any interest in the property. If it is uninterested, then it should waive its right quickly to avoid tying up a legitimate sale. /'-\ - J NOTE? I The exchange of information with the public can be greatly facillitated by providing regular updates to the local paper.

NOTE 8 Assigning a town's option to a non-profit conservation organization increases the opportunities for protection. Nonprofits may have the resources to assemble a collection of groups to assist in funding the purchase ofthe properties. Furthermore, a nonprofit can often borrow money on shorter notice than a town -- a significant advantage when the 120 day clock is running -- and can borrow from a greater variety ofsources. (It should also be noted that assigning a town's option requires a public hearing for which 48 hours notice must be given.)

NOTE 9 If the buy-sell agreement calls for a closing more than 120 days in the future, the Town should have this time also. Similarly, if the buy/sell agreement contains a balloon payment feature, the Town should have that same option.