Tilden Village Expansion Possible

Members of the Medfield Housing Authority recently met with the Board of Selectmen to discuss the need to expand its complex on Pound Street.

"Tilden Village" consists of 60 units in six two-story brick buildings with ten apartments in each. The units contain approximately 700 square feet of living space. 

MHA Executive Director Jack Hurd told selectmen the town needs more senior housing, if funding could be secured. 

Hurd noted the original Tilden Village plans called for 40 additional units (100 in total) but the project scope was reduced when it was built.  

He said any new development would need to meet updated requirements for handicap accessibility.

"If we were to expand we would want to create an environment where its easily accessible for people who have mobility issues," he said, suggesting additional buildings could contain 20 units and one elevator instead of the current configuration of 10 units and two staircases. 

"To be ADA [American with Disabilities Act] compliant we would certainly need some elevators," Hurd said. 

It was noted that the town owns the vacant land abutting Tilden Village which the town has been maintaining.

Hurd said he would consult with MassHousing to discuss the possible expansion.

"It would be nice if we could have housing so we could keep [seniors] here," Selectman Osler "Pete" Peterson said.