Board of Selectmen approve LIP Project at Legion site...

American Legion Beckwith Post 110 Members feeling grateful...

For quite some time, the American Legion Beckwith Post 110 has been in financial trouble. Membership was declining and bills to maintain the Legion building at 50 Peter Kristof Way needed to be paid, but supporting local groups and continuing to fund Boys State and Girls State high school students didn’t waver.

Within this past year, there have been rumblings within the town about what would happen at the Legion. There was a brief period of time the building closed, then reopened for various events, and finally closed their doors for a final time on December 31, 2018.

The Legion members, led by Commander David Conner and life-long resident and Legion Manager of 43 years, Al Manganello, determined that selling the property was their only hope to continue the good works and continue as a Legion Post because they had run out of money.

Over the past two years, the Legion’s quest was to find a developer that would fit their needs. They spoke to a number of developers whom showed some interest, but those fell through for one reason or another. The Legion was hoping to sell their property, but keep their Legion roots safely planted in Medfield.

As they were searching for just the right group, Mayrock Development found them.

On September 26th, Mayrock Development LLC held a meeting for Peter Kristof property owners and abutters to answer questions about the proposed 56 unit Luxury Apartment Building they had in mind for land in which the American Legion now sits.

Since that meeting, Mayrock has taken part in three public Affordable Housing Trust meetings, (Oct 4, 2018, Dec 6, 2018 and Feb 4, 2019) to be considered as a LIP project. As Medfield is in Safe Harbor, consideration for a “Friendly 40B project”, aka, LIP (Local Initiative Project) needs to be given approval from both the Affordable Housing Trust as well as the Board of Selectmen before moving on to apply to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD).

A memorandum on Feb 17, 2019, from Jim Brand, Affordable Housing Trust Board of Trustees states, “The American Legion entered into a purchase agreement with Mayrock Development, LLC in late July of 2018 and Mayrock immediately engaged in the Medfield prescribed “friendly 40b” process. Mayrock proposed a 56 unit four story apartment building comprised of 32 one, 18 two, and 6 three bedroom units, 25% of which will be affordable. Additionally, the proposed development includes a common meeting room that will be used by the Legion for their meetings.” The Affordable Housing Trust voted to approve this project.

The next step was to go before the Board of Selectmen to get their approval. At the meeting last night, February 19, 2019, there was a sigh of relief and a brief moment of celebration as the Board of Selectmen unanimously voted to approve this LIP project.

The meeting began with Mayrock’s attorney, Vinnie O’Brien giving a brief overview of the scope and size of the project, also mentioning the traffic study they conducted as well as the fiscal impact and marking study. He described the project as a high quality construction 1, 2 and 3 bedroom project, offering onsite management (4-5 days week), an open air design and mentioning that the project includes an elevator. He went on to say that the number of 1 bedroom units could be reduced and the number of 2 bedrooms units increased. This idea was based on hearing results of the Medfield Senior Housing survey in which he believed the results indicated a possible need for more 2 bedroom units for potential Medfield renters.

As eloquently stated by Legion Commander, David Conner, “The Legion has been in Medfield since 1919 and we have worked very hard to keep this going. This [project] is a win-win for everybody.” Past Commander, Manganello went on to explain his involvement with the Legion over the past 43 years and that he is a Vietnam Veteran and life-long resident of Medfield. “The Legion was the place to go! It was always full of Medfield people and it was the hotspot back then. It became outdated, lacked the current design for Medfield families now. The building has heating and cooling issues and is in “tear down” status and we are bankrupt.” He went on to say, “The youngest Legion member is 65 years old, and we had a membership of 500, but now approximately 20 members are active, but the Legion has been committed to giving back to the community by donating to MHS seniors, Boys State and Girls State high school students, assisting with the Senior Christmas party, Medfield Day, MEMO, Little League, Care packages to soldiers, FOSI, Medfield Food Cupboard, the Medfield Lions, NEEDS, and putting flags around town on the graves.”

In addition to proposing a 56 unit apartment building, Mayrock has assured the American Legion Post 110 members the use of a 1,500 sq ft function room to call their own, into perpetuity. Legion members would use this room for their meeting space, as well have storage space for their flags and paraphernalia. Manganello went on to say “This would be a place to call home. A place to get together and be remembered. Our only chance is Mayrock!”

Jim McKenzie, attorney for the Legion, wanted it made known that the building is in “dire shape” and that the only way the Legion members would be able to remain “in the black” and operational was to enter into an agreement wherein Mayrock will provide a monthly stipend to the Legion allowing them to pay the bills and keep them alive.

Each member of the Board of Selectmen took the opportunity to make a statement or ask a question. Board of Selectmen, Chairman Mike Marcucci stated that he greatly appreciated the professionalism and work done by Mayrock to provide information necessary in this process. Selectman Gus Murby directed his comments to the Legion members by stating that he was impressed and personally impacted by the fact that the Legion “has never turned down an applicant to Boys State or Girls State.” He went on to say that his sons attended Boys State and the dedication the Legion has to that program “has hit very deeply with me”. Selectman Pete Peterson added, “Mayrock should know that the Memorial Day Parade ends at your property!” and his comments made everyone chuckle .

The next step will be for Mayrock Developers to make an application to the DHCD.

To read more about this project and to view documents, log onto the Town of Medfield website:

https://www.town.medfield.net/...