r/medfordma

As title says, we installed mini splits almost 3 years ago, and about mid February they started giving FO error. We didn't seek help right away as we also have an oil tank, but we now require help!

Homeworks came to check on them, and the lowest estimate for checking it for leaks alone is about 2k, if additional fixing is needed is another 3k.

I'm not knowledgeable on the matter, but the cost seems a tad excessive, so I was wondering if anyone has any HVAC maintenance leads to ask for a second opinion.

Hi folks! I've included a bonus update from last week's budget hearing along with the regular meeting recap. If you want to skip right to the MSBA update, you can do so here.

Agenda | Recording

Consent agenda - Budget transfers, two field trips, and meeting minutes all approved. As a side note, one set of minutes was from the public budget hearing last week.

At that meeting, the committee voted 6-0 with one abstention to send the $90,683,398 budget request (down from $94,032,696 at our preliminary budget meeting), a transfer request of $750,000 from the stabilization account, and a free cash allocation of $530,500 for FY2027 capital and technology needs to the Mayor and City Council. We also voted to prioritize the reinstatement of the Inclusion Specialist position (currently unfilled) in the budget if funding allows. But back to last night’s meeting…

Mustang Moment - Career and Technical Education (CTE) achievement featuring four senior students and one teacher from electrical, biotech, and health assisting.

Approval of Medford as a No School Choice District - This allows the district to not accept out-of-district enrollments and focus its programmatic resources (CTE, special education, etc.) on Medford residents.

Approval of the 2026-27 school committee calendar - I had questions about the budget hearing and potential summer meetings, and Member Graham added a third “just in case” meeting in June.

MPS Handbooks - This was the first year that the school committee received a summary of changes, which included updates to the attendance policies, school values language for the Andrews, information about academic honesty panels for the secondary schools, and info about CORI forms (Roberts) and AI Meta glasses (high school). This was tabled until June to give the administration time to clarify the composition of the panels and address concerns raised by the committee about recess, challenge classes, and consistency across schools and handbooks. We also discussed the parent sign-off requirement, agreeing that neither the current system (vouching that the whole handbook has been read) or a minimalist approach (confirming receipt only) achieves the purported goal of said sign off.

Bullying & Restraint policy updates - Director of Student Services Joan Bowen proposed language to bring policies into more explicit compliance with state guidance on supports for vulnerable individuals and regulations around student restraint and seclusion. These were approved, with acknowledgement that the “how” of certain actions are still being developed with relevant staff.

MSBA Update - This mostly fell into two categories: MSBA feedback and the relatively recently discovered 999-year deed restriction on the City-owned land on which the high school and its fields are built. As noted above, you can watch that update starting here.

1. Feedback - MSBA (finally) provided feedback in response to the building committee’s submission of the PDP (preliminary design program, which includes the district’s educational plan, short list of design approaches, and space summary for the project) - Dr. Galusi ran through the nature of the feedback (clarification around the use of certain spaces and the high school schedule, questions about the spaces not being developed specifically for high school learning, and questions about changes to the space summary since the initial submission), her team’s recommendations for space reduction that were approved at the last building committee meeting (mostly offices, and some shared resources across vocational programs, with a particular review of shared), and the approach being taken to cost out non-high-school spaces (e.g., MFN, municipal day care, welcome center), the auditorium (looking at several different capacities between 500 and 1,000), and bathrooms (shared vs. embedded in individual program-specific classrooms). She also spoke about how they are making decisions with long term educational flexibility in mind. The project team confirmed that the feedback received was in line with feedback received on other projects, and that although the educational plan will likely return to the school committee for another vote, there were no changes requested by the MSBA, just clarification on where we are now and where we're going. Several committee members requested a copy of the feedback.
2. Deed restriction - As folks may have heard, the Department of Conservation and Recreation approached the project team with a disclosure of a 999-year deed restriction on the Edgerly Field portion of the land on which the high school is built, a document that never made it to the design team before they began their conceptual design team. Member Graham shared that there is an ongoing review to figure out how and why that did not happen, and also shared more about how the team leaders are adapting and moving forward to ensure that this restriction will not limit the design options. (Two addition renovations and one new build were deemed to be in conflict with the deed given their use of the field as part of the building footprint.) One approach, which is already underway, is to redesign two of the three flagged models (the add/reno designs, aka the C options for those who have been following along) so that they do not encroach on the Edgerly Field property. These redesigns (which preserve the community/building committee’s request to not have modular classrooms as part of the construction process) will be shared with the building committee on Wednesday. The second is to work with Medford’s state legislators and a land use attorney to lift the deed restriction through the Article 97 process (e.g., land swap). The school committee had some questions about both of these—who would manage the latter, how it aligns with the plan to bring on a construction manager this summer, and what the implications are for cost analysis and schedule—but ultimately, the decision about which path(s) to take will fall to the building committee. There is a resolution about the new designs on tomorrow’s agenda (https://www.mps02155.org/about/mps-news/mps-news-post/~board/school-committee-news/post/meeting-of-the-medford-comprehensive-high-school-building-committee-may-20-2026), so tune in or attend if that’s of interest.

The final item on the school committee's agenda was a resolution for the district to provide a report on Project Transition by the end of the year. Project Transition is a program at the high school that supports students ages 18-22 with disabilities in developing career-readiness skills and matching them to job opportunities. A parent spoke about caregivers’ dissatisfaction with the program and recent hiring decisions by the City of Medford, and the resolution sponsors (Members Graham and Olapade) explained how the resolution (and subsequent report) will help address those concerns. Dr. Galusi spoke about the timing of the request, namely that it aligns with the program review already slated for fall.

No condolences, yes adjournment. That’s it for us in May, but tune in tomorrow (Wednesday, May 20) for the next high school building committee meeting, and another one on May 27.

Traffic along an entire 2 mile radius around it has slowed to all but a stop. Saw some ambulances rush by. Anyone got eyes on what happened?

If anyone happened to find a light blue Stanley water bottle with lots of stickers in that park, I would be happy to give you $20 for it’s return. It’s several years old so not really worth more than that, but my son does like the stickers on it. It was lost near the bleachers of one of the rear softball fields.

Who determines if a private way is a one way street or a two way street. Is it the City or the residents of the private way?

Folks!

The Summer Concert Series and Beer Garden, hosted by Arlington Brewing Company kicks off today, May 16th, at the Jason Russell House from 2-7pm!

Bring a chair, a blanket, and your dancing shoes and settle in for an afternoon of local beer, great food, and live entertainment on one of Arlington’s best lawns. Each event features a rotating lineup of food trucks and some of the area’s best live music, all conveniently located on Mass Ave in the heart of Arlington.

A portion of the proceeds from this series supports the Arlington Historical Society and its mission to preserve, interpret, and share Arlington’s history.

Arrive early if you want a prime spot. Lawn seating fills up quickly!

Music Lineup:
Heather Mumford Project - 2:30-4pm
The Beantown Buckaroos - 4:30-6:30pm
Food Truck: Chicken & Rice Guys

More details here: https://www.drinkarlingtonbeer.com/upcoming-events/jason-russell-house-beer-garden-1

Hey everyone, I have been trying to better understand what kind of rent information is actually useful when people are searching for housing around Boston.

A few weeks ago, I started collecting anonymous rent reports from local renters as a small community data project. It has grown from around 7 reports to 74 so far, and the feedback has been really helpful.

So far, the most useful things seem to be:

• Average rent by bedroom count
• Neighborhood-level rent ranges
• Map-based rent comparisons
• Better mobile map experience
• Broader neighborhood coverage, now around 70 neighborhoods
• Absolutely no login needed

I am also thinking about whether neighborhood context should be included, like nearby grocery stores, transit, or other daily-life factors. I am not sure if that would genuinely help renters or just clutter the experience.

For people who have searched for housing in Boston:

What information do you wish you had before signing a lease?

Would rent-by-bedroom and neighborhood comparisons actually help?

Would nearby grocery stores be useful on a rent map, or is that unnecessary?

I can share what I have been working on in the comments if that is allowed, but mainly looking for feedback.

Anybody have a good recommendation to do a full interior detail on a car in the Medford/Somerville area? I drive a Grand Cherokee and was wondering what this would run me for cost as well.

Someone mentioned the price tag for the proposed new high school and I couldn't believe how high it was ... far more than any other HS in the state, apparently? I looked online but didn't find a simple listing of expected project costs. Also, how will those costs be met?

I feel bad for not knowing but if anyone has a handle on this could you fill me in?

After planting numerous fruit trees and berries in the backyard my wife mentions shes concerned of the possibility of heavy metals. I’ll prolbabky send in few soil samples mainly to make her feel better but should be worried?? From everything I can tell the area was residential till at least the 1830s the backyard has the remains of a giant tree and other big trees it also abuts 4 other neighbors who abut others. Any thoughts would be appreciated

Hey all! It’s a gorgeous day and I’m just kinda lonely and kinda depressed and I’m sick of it lol.

I’m looking to meet more friends or friend groups in the area. I’m a 30yr Male who is born and raised in Boston and recently moved to Medford last year with my amazing girlfriend! We love it over here but I kind of realize that I just work go home and repeat and it really put me in a bad place mentally for a while which brings me here!! To you wonderful folks of Reddit :)

Don’t get me wrong, I still have my friends from before I moved but I’ve definitely realized that I don’t wanna keep up all of the relationships I have with them. I would love to meet some new people and welcome in new energy in my life!! I work two jobs so I really do value my free time. One at the airport and the other at a restaurant in the city so I still commute there but I don’t experience it as much as I used to

I posted here before trying to reach out to meet people, but everyone just tells me to join the gym or join a run club. That’s really not what I’m looking for no offense if that’s what you do haha

Is it closing or is it staying?

Went there the other night. Small portions. And why is the crust of the pizza so hard to cut?

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5/11/26

Dear Neighbor,

A few months ago, Vector Residential purchased the condominium above mine and undertook a gut renovation that created a tremendous amount of dust and debris — almost certainly including asbestos and lead particles, given the age of our building.

Though legally obligated to contain and safely remediate hazardous debris and excessive construction impact, the company and its contractor failed to do so. Dust and debris were repeatedly swept into the basement adjacent to my office and circulated through the house because the contractor repeatedly refused to keep doors to the common areas closed.

The city’s Building Department has not adequately enforced the regulations required to maintain environmentally safe living conditions. The basement has still not been properly sealed or cleaned, and the city has not required Vector Residential to conduct appropriate residential remediation or ensure the safety of those living nearby.

Because I both live and work from home, the impact has been constant. My office and personal belongings have been repeatedly exposed to construction dust and debris, yet no professional residential cleanup or remediation has been offered or required. Parts of my home are unusable.

This is especially concerning given how I’ve been feeling in recent weeks: shortness of breath, nausea, congestion, and an unusually elevated heart rate.

My concern is not only for myself, but for our neighborhood. For weeks, the dumpster in the driveway was filled with open bags of construction debris exposed to wind and weather. No neighborhood — especially one with children and older residents — should be subjected to this.

I am encouraging neighbors to contact Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn at mayor@medford-ma.gov and express concern about the city’s failure to ensure safe containment and cleanup practices during residential construction projects.

Before entering private practice, I worked for many years as a clinical social worker in oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. I have seen firsthand the consequences of environmental exposure and the importance of municipalities taking public health seriously and proactively.

No neighborhood should have to wonder whether hazardous construction debris is being allowed to circulate through homes, yards, and shared spaces because a company failed to follow basic safety precautions and the city failed to enforce them.

Sincerely,

Sarah Murphy, LICSW

I haven’t seen any news stories about this, but I just went to Medford Square Smoke Shop to get a vape and the guy at the counter said they no longer carry them because of a city council resolution that took effect on 5/1. He also said that in 2027 vape sales will be banned from all stores in Massachusetts statewide. Does anyone have more info about this? I’ve tried googling it but I can’t find anything about it beyond the flavored vape ban of 2020 and the proposed resolution to ban nicotine sales for people born after a certain year. Say it ain’t so!

FYI, if you are planning to come to Junk in the Trunk tomorrow, 5/9, the time has been moved up by 1/2 hour to hopefully avoid rain. Doors will be open at 9:30 AM, wrapping up at 11 AM. If you wonder what is Junk in the Trunk, it’s a citywide FREE yard sale that will take place in the parking lot behind Medford City Hall. Everything is free!

If you are looking for sewing fabric, trim, and patterns (especially costumes and 19th century styles) please come find me there. I can set you up!

Is there any place for teens to go or do activities for the summer. Something that doesn't cost outrageous price or maybe even drop in activities. Ages 13 and 16. I don't see much in Medford for kids