Select Board weighs rent hikes of up to 4.97% for Hennery Way units

Medfield’s Select Board was poised to vote on rent increases at the Hennery Way affordable housing development, while the Warrant Committee considered a $55,000 budget shift and the Zoning Board of Appeals opened a public hearing on a 45-unit age-restricted project. Here is a roundup of recent and upcoming town government meetings.

Select Board: Hennery Way rent increases on the table

At its June 30 meeting, the Select Board had an agenda item to vote on revised monthly rents for the affordable apartments at 13-18 Hennery Way. The proposed adjustments would raise a two-bedroom unit from $2,011 to $2,111 (a 4.97 percent increase) and a one-bedroom unit from $2,423.99 to $2,508 (a 3.47 percent increase). Minutes had not yet been published, so the vote’s outcome was unconfirmed.

The board also planned to vote on a $2,050 expenditure from the Municipal Building Stabilization Fund for clock tower repairs and a $7,000 contract with Sharp Cookie Consultant to assist the public health department. A discussion item concerned a letter from residents about ways to celebrate Pride Month, and summer block party permits were on the docket.

Warrant Committee: $55,000 transfer from stormwater to solid waste

The Warrant Committee on June 23 considered a series of department-to-department transfers. The largest would shift $55,000 from the Highway Stormwater account to the Solid Waste Disposal Grounds and Building Maintenance lines. Other notable transfers included $50,000 from Human Resources salaries to Town Counsel consulting and legal fees, $48,000 from Park and Recreation salaries to operating, and $42,364.58 from Fire Operations to Fire Salary. A reserve fund transfer of $30,000 for IT equipment maintenance was also on the table.

Zoning Board begins review of 45-unit 40B housing

The Zoning Board of Appeals held a hearing June 24 on “The Rosebay at Medfield,” a comprehensive permit application for 45 age-restricted rental units at 30 Pound Street. The project, proposed under the state’s Chapter 40B affordable housing law, would be built on the Medfield Housing Authority’s Tilden Village property. The board also took up the Housing Authority’s request to modify an existing permit so that a portion of the site could be excluded from the new development. The public hearing was closed that evening, and a deliberation session is scheduled for July 15.

Other recent meetings

• **School Building Committee:** A virtual community forum on June 24 presented progress on the future school building project and held a Q&A session.
• **Dog Control Bylaw Committee:** The June 23 meeting reviewed a proposed fee-based off-leash dog program, including potential use of Plain Street Conservation Area. Members compared Newton’s off-leash medallion fees ($70–$100) and discussed landscaping contracts for the Medfield Sports Complex and costs for the “Doody Calls” waste removal program.
• **Board of Water & Sewerage:** The June 30 agenda included an update on water restrictions, a review of year-to-date operating expenses for the water and sewer enterprise funds, and prioritization of capital projects.
• **Community Choice Aggregation Committee:** A June 22 meeting voted to enter executive session to discuss proprietary electric aggregation information. A June 23 session was canceled.
• **Charles River Health District Advisory Board:** On June 23, the board planned to review and vote on an FY27 workplan for shared public health services and receive staff reports.
• **School Committee:** An executive session on June 22 discussed an Open Meeting Law complaint and a possible vote to hire Kristyn DeDonato as Director of Finance and Operations.

Coming up

• **July 6 — Transfer Station and Recycling Committee:** Members will plan for a Medfield Day booth, review the Revolving Fund and Recycling Dividends Fund, and coordinate a Repair Café in Norwood on Aug. 1 and a craft exchange Sept. 13.
• **July 6 — Community Choice Aggregation Committee:** The panel plans another roll-call vote to enter executive session for trade secrets related to municipal aggregation.
• **July 8 — Parks and Recreation Commission:** Approval of a Lowell Mason House agreement is on the agenda, along with updates on the Seibolt Summer Classic baseball tournament, Metacomet Park lighting, and town field and pond maintenance.
• **July 15 — Zoning Board of Appeals:** Deliberation on the Rosebay at Medfield 40B comprehensive permit and the Housing Authority’s request to modify an existing permit. The remote meeting via Zoom will include review of prior session minutes.

Generated from official meeting agendas and minutes — every underlying document is linked from the city page. Read the primary source before you rely on a detail.