House Approves Medfield State Hospital Water Tower Legislation

Legislation to transfer Medfield State Hospital property to the town so that officials can use it for a new water tower passed in the Massachusetts House of Representatives on Wednesday, according to a blog post by Medfield Selectman Osler "Pete" Peterson. 

The legislation, which passed 144-0 in the House, goes to the State Senate for approval, according to the update on Thursday. 

Editor's Note: The above paragraph has been updated to clarify that the vote was 144-0, not 1,440-0 as originally reported.

The purpose of the legislation is meant to improve the town's current and future water supply system, and would involve the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance transferring about five acres surrounding a present water tower, along with access to Hospital Road and nearly 20 acres of land comprising well fields accessed off Colonial Road. 

The plan calls for the town to acquire the lands at no cost as part of concessions negotiated regarding a mediated cleanup of the hospital site.

The legislation has undergone previous delays; last month, officials expected that it would finally be passed by the end of February.