One of the most important nights each April is the Medfield Annual Town Meeting. The last Monday in April is when the citizens of Medfield help determine the short and long term direction of the Town. As former Selectman and Medfield Town Historian Richard DeSorgher always says, "Democracy is not a spectator sport".
This year's Annual Town Meeting on April 25th at 7:30 PM at Medfield High School is especially important as we will seek funding for a new synthetic turf field and track at Medfield High School, as well as our operating budget for Fiscal Year 2017.
Also, please watch for an email in the next couple of weeks that will announce our plan for restructuring the elementary school day for 2016-2017.
Synthetic Turf Field and Track Project FAQ
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| Our current turf field after rain. |
Why is a new turf
field and track needed?
The
current field has become a serious safety concern for our kids. The turf field is
currently 12 years old. The life expectancy of the turf at installation was 10
years. The fibers have deteriorated which doesn’t allow
the field to hold the infill. This infill provides the safety net against concussions
and other injuries. There are numerous depressions on the field and also significant drainage issues. This isn’t about aesthetics; it is about
safety.
What type of synthetic
turf field will it be?
There have been incredible advances in turf
technology over the past 10 years. These advances have improved safety and durability. The
proposed field would incorporate a shock pad design to enhance safety and also
use an acrylic coated sand infill instead of the traditional “black crumb rubber”. The shock pad is guaranteed to keep the field
at a lower risk for concussions than traditional synthetic turf fields.
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| A cross section of the proposed field project shows the white shock pad and green infill |
Isn’t it already a “done
deal” that we are getting a new turf field and track?
No. In order for us to get
a new field and track, it must be passed by a 2/3 vote at the Annual Town Meeting on Monday, April 25th .
( The Monday after school vacation)
Is this another project that requires an
override ?
override ?
No, the field will be bonded for ten years. There is no override needed for this project.
The school department has pledged $300,000 in revenue to offset the costs and our DPW will assist in the project to further reduce costs. The School Committee has requested $1.4 million for this project.
When will this
project take place if it is approved at Town Meeting on April 25th?
The project will begin the day after graduation
in June and will be completed in September. It will be completed in time for the 2016 football, soccer, field hockey, and marching band seasons.
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| A drawing of the proposed track and field. |
Why not a natural
grass field?
The current turf
field is used by 18 HS teams, youth sports, adult leagues, our marching band and MS/HS Physical Education classes. A
grass field could never stand up to that use.
Are there recommendations from the field study that are not a part of this project?
Yes, the field study recommended the replacement of the field lights, scoreboard, perimeter fence and snack building. None of these items are a part of the project and the district has begun to fund-raise in order to complete the study's recommendations.
Our budget accomplishes the following:
Are there recommendations from the field study that are not a part of this project?
Yes, the field study recommended the replacement of the field lights, scoreboard, perimeter fence and snack building. None of these items are a part of the project and the district has begun to fund-raise in order to complete the study's recommendations.
Fiscal Year 2017 Budget
We are pleased to present a budget of $31,577,149 or an increase of 4% . This budget was constructed by the School Committee, administrators and teachers over the past 7 months. After numerous meetings with the Warrant Committee and Town Officials, we were able to come to an agreement for the funding of our FY17 Budget. I want to thank the Warrant Committee, the Board of Selectmen, and Town Administrator, Mike Sullivan for once again making education a budget priority.
Our budget accomplishes the following:
- Maintains most staff and programs
- Fulfills responsibilities of all four collective bargaining agreements
- Level funds technology district wide
- Level funds professional development initiatives/reduces research and development
- Eliminates 1 section of Grade 4 (Eliminated 1 section of Grade 3 in FY16 and Grade 2 in FY15)
- Adds guidance support at each elementary school
- Creates a transition program with a full time social worker at the HS
- Creates robotics/engineering, civics and computer science at HS
- Increases English Language Learner support district wide
- Increases reading support and civics at the MS
- Increases the teaching assistant work year by 4 days
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