Medfield Senior Housing Committee Releases Interim Findings

The Medfield Senior Housing Study Committee formed last October has been busy collecting data, meeting with Town officials and most importantly surveying and listening to Medfield Seniors. On January 17, 2017 the Committee presented their interim finding to the Board of Selectman. See YouTube http://tinyurl.com/h383e73. One of the key findings is that long term Medfield Seniors are without downsizing options to remain in the Town they love. Compounding the situation is the fact that the Senior segment of our Medfield population is growing from 38% in 2016 and projected to grew to 44% in 2030. The Committee’s Survey heard from over 140 Seniors, many of whom have lived in Town for over 30 years, who shared information about their age, income, home assessment and their preferences for Senior housing. High property taxes and the absence of affordable, appropriate senior housing are the most common barriers cited by many Seniors surveyed.

Many Seniors want to down size; the issues of home maintenance and climbing stairs gets harder all the time. The majority of Seniors can’t afford the recent condo developments in Town. Their prices ranging from $600,000 to over $1 million are beyond their reach. Seniors only options are to “age in place” or move out of Town. To remedy this situation the Committee is proposing a “Medfield Solution” whereby Town-owned land would be used for affordable and appropriate one level Senior housing priced between $350,000 and $450,000. The effort will require zoning changes, affordable units, and dealing with Town, State and Federal regulations. One such site (9+acres) suggested by the Committee is Lot 7 “Hinkley Property”.

In addition the Committee enthusiastically and heartily endorses the proposal that Senior housing be included in the options being developed for the State Hospital. In this regard the Committee is asking all concerned Medfield Seniors and their families to show their support for Senior Housing at the upcoming “Open House” sponsored by the Medfield State Hospital Master Plan Committee on Tuesday Feb 7th from 4-8 PM at the MHS cafeteria. Medfield Seniors have waited long enough. For more information about this meeting drop by the Senior Center for your information packet.