City Facts :D

1.24% of mail in ballots were rejected in MA in 2022. Make sure yours isn't one of them on 2024 by checking that it was received and accepted here: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/WhereDoIVoteMA/TrackMyBallot

Rules vary by state, but in MA, your ballot can be postmarked up until Nov 5. If it is delivered by Nov 8, it can still be counted. However, you have no recourse if it arrives after that, or if it is rejected after the polls close on Nov 5.

If you have not mailed your ballot yet, hand deliver it. It took 13 days for me to receive my ballot. You can drop it off in person -- there is a drop box by city hall, just off George P Hassat Dr, or you can go to room 102 inside city hall (if you want a sticker).

If your ballot has not been accepted by Nov 5, you can still vote in person.

From https://www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/elections/voting-information/vote-by-mail.htm:

You can still vote in person if:

• You applied to vote by mail, but never returned your ballot
• You mailed your ballot back, but it hasn’t reached your local election office
• Your ballot was received by your local election office, but it was rejected

If any of the above is true, you can vote at an early voting location or at your polling place on Election Day. If your mail-in ballot reaches your local election office after you vote, the mail-in ballot will be rejected.

You can’t vote in person if your ballot has reached your local election office and was accepted. Once your ballot is accepted, you have voted. You can’t take your ballot back or vote again.

https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/gunman-sought-after-opening-fire-outside-medford-pizza-shop-near-tufts-university/3539048/#m30crjkg3ce2686v2rj

When we elect people associated to "groups" of a single mindset, we elect the agenda of a 3rd party who is probably sitting in his high rise scarfing down caviar and harassing his maid. The reason political bodies exist is so that a lively debate and the agenda of the People (many different people), is served. It creates delay and it creates friction but everyone's individual circumstances are taken into consideration by somebody at some point. The reason we have a city solicitor is to act as the legal consultant to the elected and to ensure that city business is properly conducted. What we have now is a clown show, with one dissenting voice that echo's into the wind. A progressive person, a conservative, a liberal and a moderate are all necessary in an elected body. The People have reduced themselves to little children that want one big daddy to solve all of their problems - incorrectly at that. This current situation is the product of laziness in the voting community. You all got what you voted for. So what's next? Get involved! You can run for local office, you can volunteer, you can be charitable. DO SOMETHING, DO ANYTHING, but please - if you join a group, let it be for a hobby.

I'm hearing some of the people voting against the override don't trust the mayor. They're worried that she will not put the money toward the schools. Is this possible? Couldn't the city council block her from doing this by refusing to approve the budget if the money is put elsewhere? Given that the majority of the city council supports the override, am I naive to think they'd hold her accountable? This seems like an unfortunate reason to vote no.

I'll start by saying that I have no affiliation with "All Medford". Any post that questions these overrides seems to be labeled as such. I do plan to vote no on all override questions and future questions until there is more involvement from the community. I'm just a careful observer concerned about the lasting impact of hasty political and fiscal decisions.

I have the following questions:

1. Why would one vote yes to fund a new fire station that does not support the needs of our fire fighters? what is the mayor's motivation with this move? A checkbox for re-election?
2. What are we actually funding for our schools? I hear competitive salaries and after school programs. Yea , can anyone elaborate on that? I understand teachers don't get paid enough but that's more than a town problem and from what I can gather we are competitive with other towns.
3. Shouldn't some of our public works issues be fixed with new leadership? I only hear that they need more money to lower costs which makes zero sense. As a Medford resident for over 5 years now I question if some of the issues could've been solved by better planning.
4. Why was this decision to create these overrides made by a small group of city councilors with zero fiscal or accounting experience and the Mayor?
5. Why is it that if I go back through the news available online from about a year ago that many of the city councilors are against these overrides and actually on the other side of these issues? What's changed?
6. Why haven't we reviewed the town charter since the 1980's? It's been 40+ years things have changed!
7. Who audits our budget? have we considered brining in some help in this area?
8. Why can't we use the free cash available to buy us a little time to put together a better plan of action and involve the community. I'm sorry but one meeting at the library isn't enough. I personally wasn't even aware it happened until after the fact

I want to encourage people in this town to ask more questions and think critically of what's been presented to them thus far. I see too many people making blind decisions and citing "It's for the kids, why wouldn't you vote yes". The city will continue to have needs and require investment in education but shouldn't we take more responsibility in planning for things like a new high school? I predict that if these ballot questions pass we'll be in the same situation or worse next election cycle where inevitably we will see more ballot questions asking for more money.

Why are we settling for less?

Hello, this is George scarpelli your Medford city councilor. This is a reminder to please vote no one question six seven and eight on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5th. The 37.5 million dollar tax increase will raise property taxes increase rents and put unnecessary Financial pressure on families seniors and homeowners. Let's stand together for transparency and responsible financial management and vote No on question 6 7 and 8 on Tuesday, November 5th. Thank you, press two. To opt out of future pre-recorded calls from us to opt out please dial 844-428-0880 extension. 116724

Why didn't he identify as All Medford? Is this just him personally calling?

November is when clocks are turned back and daylight gets ever more scarce, but don’t be left in the dark when it comes to Medford’s bright arts and cultural scene. Among the month’s events on the Arts Across Medford Calendar:

+ Traditional fall festivals returning are the 4GoodVibes Autumn Craft Fair on Nov. 17 at the American Legion Hall; the Missituk Elementary School Makers Market on Nov. 23 at Arts Collaborative Medford; the West Medford Community Center’s Black Entrepreneurs Holiday Fair on Nov. 23 at the center; and the Medford Farmers Market’s Holiday Harvest Market on Nov. 24 inside City Hall.

+ Tufts University’s Department of Music presents 16 free concerts, with a diverse lineup featuring jazz, gospel, classical, chamber and other music.

+ The Great American Beer Hall on Mystic Avenue adds bi-weekly Monday night karaoke with a live band (Nov. 4), as well as comedy shows (Nov. 6), to its growing live entertainment lineup.

+ Arts Collaborative Medford hosts an Open Studios event (Nov. 17) where guests can meet ACM studio artists and enjoy live music, plus offers workshops and a poetry event.

+ The Medford Recreation Department begins its winter schedule, which includes children’s programs Little Painters and Let’s Create, both starting on Nov. 30.

For details on all November events, visit the Arts Across Medford Calendar on the website for CACHE: the Coalition for Arts, Culture, and a Healthy Economy in Medford. CACHE also offers a weekly calendar update via email on Monday mornings; sign up through the Subscribe page on the CACHE website.

-Ken Krause, Calendar Coordinator

CORRECTION: SOUTH MEDFORD I just moved here from the West so I typed West Medford

Literally what is your problem? You can chose to just walk past and say or do nothing instead of laughing at someone who just got injured and say “That’s what you get Fatso!”

Your acting like I don’t see you every day walking past my house and throw your trash onto my lawn, like I don’t see you looking into parked cars on the left side of the street

Your parents raised you wrong, but that isn’t your fault it’s their responsibility to teach you empathy and respect for people

I received an alert from Tufts around 1:30 AM about shots fired outside Pizza Days on Boston Ave last night. Then, I got an "all clear" message around 4 AM. Does anyone know what happened?

Some of you may have known Betsy Schreuer, who passed away far too young last year. She was a librarian at the high school, mom to three young adults who went through the public schools, and a mom-ish library friend to many young people in our city.

Her family created a fund in her memory.

The Betsy Schreuer Fund is established to:

Foster collaboration between the Medford Public Library and the Medford school libraries, to create more pathways to the Library’s resources for underserved youth, to make the Library more inviting and accessible to communities of color, and to make the Library’s collections more diverse and inclusive so that every child in Medford can find books to read in the language spoken in their home.

In honor of her Halloween birthday, I donated. If this cause moves you, please consider giving too:

https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E348916&id=38

I just got a text "reminding" me to vote no on 6,7 & 8. I already voted yes, of course, but I'm hoping IIM will do a GOTV texting or calling campaign too!

I have recently moved to Medford from Quincy (City of Presidents) and haven’t heard what Medford’s nickname is, if we even have one. If not, I would like to propose one! I think The Clippership City sounds pretty nice. Thoughts?

I know this is a long shot, but here goes. I own a business in Ohio and accidentally sent a package to Medford that should have gone to Medway. It was delivered to an apartment house on Main Street near Pinkie's Pizza. It was addressed to a business. I would really like to find the package and get it back. I will PayPal $25 if you find it and show proof that you returned it to UPS.

The Brooks Estate is looking for 1-2 individuals to research & develop a list of contacts for potential partners - we are interested in finding local and regional businesses, schools and other organizations who we can partner with for volunteering or fundraising purposes.

If you have time and knowledge of this arena and can commit to helping us, we'd love to talk to you! Click here to fill out our volunteer form and explore this or other volunteer opportunities.

In addition, if you are interested in receiving updates from the Brooks Estate, please join our email list here

It's petty and small, but important to me. Is there a way to get one?

https://www.traderjoes.com/home/contact-us/request-a-store

If you think Medford square needs a grocery store like I do, you can potentially request one! There is a link attached that allows you to fill it out to request a Trader Joe’s.

This may be a waste of time but I feel if enough people request one for Medford square we could get one.

As someone who's relatively new to Medford, apologies if this is already well known here, but in my quest to find the best way to discard old, worn-out clothes, it turns out the best option is right at my front door! I just wanted to share this here and spread the word...

https://www.medfordma.org/for-residents/recycling/t

Between this and composting, I am thrilled with waste disposal here. I only wish recycling was picked up once week rather than every other... but I'll live :)

Looks like most work is done, any insight as to when it will open?

I would like to vote early. When do the polls open so I can plan my walk to there accordingly?

Thanks in advance.

Anyone know what this horrible burning plastic / chemical smell and haze in Medford sq is? It's so thick in the air it's making my eyes water. Second time in a week this has happened.

Edit: /r/Boston thread suggests it's brush fires up on the Northshore but man this is some of the most chemical-y wood smoke I've ever smelt if so! Smells more like a tire fire than wood.