Good morning, Medford: Feb. 26, 2026
We've got snow photos, the scoop on a couple new city initiatives, a shout out to some talented students, and a rundown of what we're working on. Happy Thursday, Medford!
Medford is still digging out after the blizzard of '26 dumped about 16 inches of snow on the city. It looks like we'll have a respite from more snow at least for a few days, and we could see a little sunshine today.
We put out a call for snow photos after the storm. Matt Wilson sent in photos of scenes from Playstead Road, and Ken Krause got some shots of a railroad crossing gate that came down during the storm. Thank you to Matt and Ken for sharing these:
Matt Wilson submitted these photos that he took on Playstead Road. Latke was having fun exploring the snow banks, patio furniture was nearly buried, and at times the windows were covered with snow. Once the snow stopped flying, a beautiful blue sky contrasted with the white snow. COURTESY PHOTOS/Matt Wilson
Ken Krause took these pictures of the crossing gate in West Medford that was knocked down during the storm. Krause said a member of the Keolis signal crew said it was felled around 6 a.m. on Monday. "It originally came down across the tracks," Krause said, "but the Keolis crew moved it off to the side until it could be repaired and reinstalled, which occurred in the early afternoon on Tuesday." COURTESY PHOTOS/Ken Krause
A couple new city initiatives
Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn announced two new programs. You can read more about both of them and find out how to apply on the city's homepage at https://www.medfordma.org/.
Task Force: The city is looking for neighborhood ambassadors to join a new task force to strengthen communication efforts. Ambassadors will attend monthly meetings to provide suggestions to the mayor’s office about issues affecting residents in their neighborhoods:
- Haines Square
- Hillside
- Lawrence Estates
- North Medford
- South Medford
- West Medford
- Wellington
‘Community Business Builders’: This is a program to help young entrepreneurs start and run a business in Medford. In partnership with Roads Consulting Group, the program will be for up to 10 students who intend to open or have already started a micro-enterprise. Participants must be Medford residents who qualify as low-to-moderate income. The program runs March through May of this year.
Shout out
During a Mustang Moment at a recent School Committee meeting the Middle School Select Band performed. The band, directed by Emma Baptist, who started the band three years ago, played "Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi, "Twist & Shout" by the Beatles, and "Enter Sandman" by Metallica. Students then talked to the School Committee about their participation in the band program and how much they loved it.
What We're working on
Polar Plunge to benefit the Special Olympics: Crystal Yormick was there when brave souls jumped into a pool of frigid water and lived to tell the tale.
Litigation: The City Council has requested the mayor provide a full accounting of all the litigation for the last 4-6 years. Chris will have the story.
MCAS: Nell will report on the numbers, why the data is meaningful to research being done nationwide, and how Medford is using the data in planning strategies.
Non-profits paying more to rent space in the schools: Wendall talked to a local group that saw their fees go up sharply.
In case you missed it
Medford seniors are worried that when Medford Square is rezoned, they will lose the already limited parking they have available when they go to activities at the Senior center. Chris Stevens attended a information session recently at the center.
Chris Stevens | Staff Writer
