Letter to the Editor - MSH Rezoning...

Dear Editor,

Why I oppose the current MSH rezoning article.

Let me say at the outset that I appreciate all of the hours and hard volunteer work of the MSH Master planning Committee. The plan sets forth a variety of uses for the buildings including residential and commercial uses.

While I am not against redevelopment of the MSH property, I am strongly in favor of preservation of the historic buildings and grounds, and keeping control of the redevelopment out of the hands of a new owner developer.

This property was specifically identified in 1892 by the State Board of Lunacy and Charity as the most beautiful property available in the State for the location of a new transfer facility for the care of people afflicted with mental illness. Knowing that in 1892, beautiful surroundings was key to healing the mind in 1892, makes this property especially more attractive, even today.

A vote lies ahead to change the zoning, which would then permit the town to let a bid out for the sale of the property to a developer. The bid would specify constructing redevelopment in accordance with the Master Plan. The concern is that, when loss of control happens after the sale, the developer may build the easiest and most profitable areas, and sell the rest (possibly abandoning them), or if the commercial fraction (29%) isn’t filled asks the town for more residential units? The town effectively has its hands tied at this point – because it is no longer the owner.

The town gets no proceeds from the sale of the property. A better approach would be to sell and develop only the former cottages triangle near the front of the property, and using these funds, stabilize the buildings until future uses and needs for the core campus buildings are realized. I believe that the buildings are not in danger of collapse for many years and can be stabilized for significantly longer with a 5-7 year program costing less than $150,000 per year. In this way the property continues benefiting the people of the Town as a recreational area, and the renovation and reconstruction at the Chapel area for a cultural and arts center can continue.

Meanwhile, revenue will continue to be generated by uses that offset the cost of routine maintenance and care. Motion picture uses will continue to generate revenue and economic benefit to the town. In 2017 the property earned over $200,000, and provided space for many arts and other non-profit events such as running, bicycling, school events, and Boy Scout and Girl Scout events.

Before voting, each of us should ask ourselves if we think the town needs 1) more housing, 2) the larger or new schools that will come along with this, 3) more traffic at the Hospital Road/Harding Street, the Rt. 27/109 intersection and North Street/109 intersection every day, increased water restrictions during summer, and the bigger town government that will be needed to support the 10-year build out of more than 300 units of housing.

Please consider a slower better controlled redevelopment process for the former Medfield State Hospital by voting against rezoning on November 18. This is your property.

Sincerely,

J. Thompson, 406 Main Street