Good morning, Medford, Tuesday, July 14
It may be summer, but there is still a lot of important city business being conducted. We've got a heads-up for you on a couple of things to keep an eye on. Plus, there's a full calendar of activities and events, including a family concert and a family movie.
The city has changed gears on its plan for the former site of the Hegner Center at 15 Maple Park Ave., which has been vacant for over 12 years. Instead of renovating the building, the city now seeks to demolish it.
With the help of Congresswoman Katherine Clark, the city in 2024 secured $850,000 in federal funding to transform the property into a "municipal vulnerability preparedness site."
On July 8, the city announced on its website that it would send a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of funds to demolish the existing building and construct a "multipurpose community center" with an estimated price tag of $5 million, which would include the $850,000 in the form of a Community Project Funding grant. The city plans to send that request on or around July 23.
During last night's Historical Commission meeting, Chair Jennifer Keenan said the commission has yet to receive a demolition application from the city. A Medford resident who attended the meeting said she lives near the site and she said it is an eye sore.
A quick note about a city meeting happening tonight, and then we'll get to the full calendar of events for today. The City Council is meeting at 7 p.m. and on the agenda is the Main Street Corridor project, specifically an order to acquire easements, an order of taking, and an order of alteration of layout. Click here to see a list of the affected properties.
Happening today in Medford
If you have an event you would like to have included in our calendar, send the information to us at gottaknowmedford@gmail.com.
Senior Center events and activities: Chairfit Rhythyms at 9:30 a.m.; knit and crochet at 10 a.m.; core and balance at 10:30 a.m.; international culture at 1 p.m.
Playgroups at the Park from 9 to 11 a.m. at Carr Park. Hosted by Medford Family Network, the event features art, music, and movement activities, parachute play, bubbles, balls, and storytelling.
Baby Lapsit at 9:30 a.m. at Medford Public Library. Drop-in storytime with songs, rhymes, and gentle movement activities for babies up to 24 months old and parents and caregivers.
School Building Committee Construction Manager at Risk Prequalification Subcommittee meeting at 11 a.m. by Zoom only. Agenda includes: Review of CMR request for qualification process, including timeline, firms that requested RFQ, and questions received; Request for proposal process, including timeline and key sections.
Paddle Boston – Medford from 12 to 8 p.m. at the Condon Shell. Walk-up anytime to rent a boat. Limited advanced reservations also available. Last boat goes out at 7 p.m. All boats must be returned by 8 p.m.
Skill Issues at 3:30 p.m. at Medford Public Library for teens in middle school and high school to learn new skills, from sewing a button to managing finances. Each session will focus on a different skill. Registration required.
Play Dough Club at 3:30 p.m. at Medford Public Library for children ages 2-5 to have an hour of free-play with play dough. Tools and dough will be provided.
MFN children's concert and activities from 5 to 7 p.m. at Wright's Pond. Activities run 5-6 p.m. Lindsay Munroe concert begins at 6 p.m. Bring a blanket and pack a picnic.
Fiber Craft Night from 6 to 8 p.m. at Medford Public Library for adults and teens 16+ to work on their own personal projects. An in-house expert will be available to answer questions.
City Council Committee of the Whole meeting at 6 p.m. in City Hall, via Zoom, on TV, and via streaming channels. On the agenda: Public Tree Ordinance.
Community Preservation Committee meeting at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall and via Zoom. Agenda includes: small grant application from Unitarian Universalist Church for Osgood House gutter restoration; off-cycle application for additional contingency for Playstead digital scoreboard; administrative updates; August social outing.
Teach Yourself a New Language at 7 p.m. at Medford Public Library. Learn about free library digital resources Mango Languages, LOTE 4 Kids, and Hoopla and how they can improve your language skills
Veteran and First Responder Recovery Group meets at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Medford. All veterans and first responders are welcome on a drop-in basis.
City Council meeting at 7 p.m. in City Hall, via Zoom, on TV, and via streaming channels. Agenda includes order to elect Laurel Siegel as the new city clerk, effective Aug. 10, 2026; reports of committees; resolution to look into an auto-pay option for residents to pay city bills; possible updates to the ordinance establishing the Medford Commission for Persons with Disabilities; Main Street Corridor – order to acquire easements, order of taking, and order of alteration of layout; board and commission appointments, FY2026 year-end transfers; three litigation settlements totaling $10,649.26; a number of items on the unfinished-business list.
Trivia Night from 7 to 9 p.m. at Medford Brewing. Teams of 2 to 6 players will compete in a traditional 6-round trivia quiz.
Oak Grove Cemetery Commission meeting at 7 p.m. via Zoom. Agenda includes WWI Monument, garage/service building, new business, superintendent's report.
Mikaela Davis / Nic Panken perform beginning at 7 p.m. at Deep Cuts.
Mah Jongg from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at Temple Shalom. Current and prospective members welcome to join for a friendly game, or two, of mah jongg. Send an email to mahjongg@templeshalommedford.org to be added to the email list.
Outdoor family movie night at the Park at River's Edge, Great Lawn, adjacent to 200 River's Edge Drive, Medford. The movie, "Hoppers," a comedy/sci-fi rated PG, begins at 8:15 p.m. Free snacks. Food also available for purchase from The Establishment and Nazar Market. Bring blankets and lawn chairs. Free parking at the River's Edge Garage. Sponsored by Malden Public Library.
In case you missed it
On Thursday, there will be a forum featuring all five candidates for the 2nd Middlesex Senate seat:
Special to Gotta Know Medford
