Good morning, Medford, Wednesday, May 20
Medford Police will be giving a presentation on the 2025 surveillance report this evening, and there will be a community meeting at the site of a proposed marijuana manufacture, retail, and delivery operation.
This morning, we have a question that has probably plagued many a Medfordite: Why do so many important city meetings happen in one evening? There are a total of nine tonight, and they kick off at 5 p.m. There is everything from the Election Commission to the Climate Equity Council, and they are all listed in today's happenings.
For example, during the 6 p.m. City Council Public Health and Community Safety Committee meeting, Medford Police will be giving a presentation on the 2025 surveillance report, which is included in the meeting packet. The report looks at body-worn cameras, GPS tracking devices, and video camera systems, how and when police used these technologies, and if any civil rights were violated during their use.
At 5 p.m., a company seeking license to manufacture marijuana, sell it in a retail setting, and operate a delivery service will hold a community meeting at the proposed site, which is 114 Mystic Avenue. There will be a presentation and Q&A.
At 6:30 p.m., the High School Building Committee will figure out its next steps since discovering a deed restriction that will affect what can be built at one of the proposed sites.
And, also at 6:30 p.m., the Community Development Board will host a public hearing regarding Tufts' request to build an aquatics center at 130 College Ave.
Over the nine meetings, there is something for every concerned Medford resident. If you are not able to attend in-person, most of these meetings have a Zoom, TV, or streaming option.
Now, before we get to today's list of all the other happenings, we want to remind everyone that these high temperatures we're experiencing this week mean that the pavement may get too hot for walking dogs. The pads of a dog's paws can burn and blister very quickly. The general rule is that if the pavement is too hot for your hand, it is too hot for your dog's paws.
Happening today in Medford
If you have an event happening in Medford in the coming days, send the information to gottaknowmedford@gmail.com so we can add you to our calendar.
Senior Center activities: MBTA Charlie Card support and tech help at 9 a.m. Call 781-396-6010 for appointment; Zumba Gold at 10 a.m.; iPad refresher class at 10:30 a.m.; bingo at 1 p.m.; movie at 1 p.m.
- COVID vaccine clinic from 1 to 3 p.m. Pre-registration is required. Call 781-396-6010 to register.
Go Mustangs! Home games today for JV boys baseball and varsity girls softball.
Playgroups at the Park from 9 to 11 a.m. at McNally Park. Outdoor fun for families, hosted by Medford Family Network.
Moving and Grooving at 9:30 a.m. at Medford Public Library for children ages 2-5. Sponsored by Medford Family Network. Registration required.
Sisters in Sweat Exercise Group at 9:30 a.m. at West Medford Community Center Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Walking and other self-led, low impact activities.
Drop-in Playtime from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Medford Family Network Family Center.
Baby Wiggle Music Class at 10:30 a.m. at Medford Public Library with Little Groove. For babies 3-16 months and their caregivers. Registration suggested but not required.
Babbling with Books Storytime at 10:30 a.m. at Moon and Back Bookstore with pediatric speech specialists from TalkTime Boston.
Kids' Home School Maker Club at 11 a.m. at Medford Public Library for kids ages 8-12. All materials will be provided. Registration required.
Art and a Story at 11 a.m. at Medford Public Library for kids ages 2-5. Sponsored by Medford Family Network. Registration required.
Medford Family Network Stroller Walk at 1 p.m. for children birth to age 5. Short walk will include a story to be read during the break. Rain or shine. Meet at the Condon Shell parking lot. Registration required.
Tech Help Drop-In Hour at 2 p.m. at the Medford Public Library. Library staff will be available to help with anything tech related.
Family Story Time at 3:30 p.m. at Medford Public Library. For children between the ages of 3 and 7 to explore new concepts with books and songs. Parents and caregivers welcome to join in.
Tween Graphic Novel Book Club at 3:30 p.m. at Medford Public Library for readers in grades 5-8. The month, the group is reading "Noodle & Bao," by Shaina Lu. Registration required.
New England Organics marijuana application community meeting at 5 p.m. at 114 Mystic Ave. Presentation and Q&A about the company's seeking to open a delivery, manufacturing, and retail operation at this location.
Vinyl Night from 5 to 8 p.m. at Tamper Cafe. The cafe will be spinning classic country and alt country records.
Wednesday Wax vinyl listening party from 5 to 9:30 p.m. at Medford Brewing. Bring your records, put your name on the sign-up sheet, and spin two tracks when it’s your turn.
Medford Police 2025 surveillance report presentation at 6 p.m. during City Council Public Health and Community Safety Committee meeting in City Hall, via Zoom, on TV, and via streaming channels.
Special meeting of City Council at 6 p.m. As of 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, no details had been posted.
Election Commission meeting at 6 p.m. in City Hall. Chair Henry Milorin will introduce new and reappointed commissioners, who will then give brief remarks. Agenda also includes: report on commission activities since the last meeting; review of UOCAVA (Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act) applications; ongoing projects and initiatives; brainstorming session for new ideas and priorities; open forum for public comments; review of action items and next steps.
Found and Flowered Junk Journal Workshop from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Arts Collaborative Medford. Make a one-of-a-kind junk journal from upcycled book pages using a simple one-stitch bookbinding technique. Purchase tickets in advance.
Boston Frisbee hosts friendly ultimate Frisbee pickup game at 6 p.m. at Tufts Park. Open to everyone, and nobody keeps score. RSVP.
Peg Doll Book Reviews from 6 to 8 p.m. at Medford Public Library. For kids ages 4+ to decorate a peg doll avatar and help create video book reviews.
Rocket Week: Build a Rocket! from 6 to 8 p.m. at Medford Public Library for adults and youths ages 8+ to build model rockets for a launch that will happen on May 22. Youth under the ages of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration required.
Medford Community Chorale rehearsals are at First Baptist Church in Medford Square at 6 p.m. for youth/young adults and at 7 p.m. for the full chorus. Auditions are not required. All welcome.
Climate Equity Council meeting at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall and via Zoom. On the agenda: bicycle and public transit infrastructure; events and activities; updates on city actions; summer preparedness materials; future meeting topics.
Medford Public Schools Concert Series at 6:30 p.m. in the Medford High School gym. The Grades 6-12 Band will perform.
Community Development Board meeting at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. On the agenda:
- public hearing on application for site plan review for 130 College Avenue for Dover Amendment uses submitted by Trustees of Tufts College to construct a
45,800-square-foot aquatics center, a tennis team room, and restroom structure; - public hearing on proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance section on inclusionary housing to allow for fractional payments to the Affordable Housing Trust;
- temporary and permanent easements for the Main Street corridor MassDOT improvements;
- request for release of covenants, Mary Kenney Way;
- modification of site plan approval for alterations at 99 Revere Beach Parkway.
High School Study Session from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Medford Public Library for teens in grades 9-12 to relax (or try to) and study while listening to music in a calm environment.
Conservation Commission meeting at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom and live-stream. On the agenda: MassDOT notice of intent for intersection improvements along Main Street that will be within the 200-foot riverfront area (Mystic River) and within the buffer zone to bank, bordering vegetated wetland, and bordering land subject to flooding; public hearings; discussions of ongoing and future projects and proposed regulations.
High School Building Committee meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the high school, via Zoom, on TV, and via streaming channels. On the agenda: the deed restriction and next steps; feedback from MSBA on the preliminary design program; and cost estimate review.
Dance Caliente: Salsa Partner-Dancing from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Medford Public Library. Registration required.
City Council Resident Services and Public Engagement Committee meeting at 7 p.m. in City Hall, via Zoom, on TV, and via streaming channels. On the agenda: resolution to publish City Council newsletter; resolution to schedule neighborhood ward meetings hosted by City Council.
Trivia Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Ford Tavern. Fast-paced trivia with Kevin Richman.
Line dancing from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at Great American Beer Hall.
In case you missed it
- Richard Orlando wrote an OpEd on the importance of planning and financial transparency on the part of city officials when discussing the high school building project.
- Medford Public Schools held some events to honor students before the official commencements, including a special ceremony for a graduate who will be in boot camp for the U.S. Marine Corps during graduation.
Wendall Waters | Staff Writer
