Select Board keeps State Hospital campus hours restricted while construction continues

The Select Board on Aug. 18 agreed to keep the former Medfield State Hospital campus open on a limited basis — weekdays from 4 p.m. until dusk and open on weekends — while construction work and staging continue.

Town staff told the board that although visible construction activity has diminished in some areas, contractors typically arrive early and demobilize midafternoon, and the campus remains a staging area for intersection and utility work. "The last vote the select board took was to open the property weekdays 4 pm until dusk and then open on the weekends," a town official said, noting vehicles and heavy equipment still use the site and that phase-two utility work is scheduled ahead of more extensive roadway construction in early 2028.

Board members discussed whether to relax restrictions during gaps in activity but concluded that maintaining consistent, safety-driven hours reduces risk and confusion. Staff recommended that residents use the north parking area and avoid the front campus where construction equipment and materials are staged. The board asked staff to publish a reminder of the current hours and to notify the public when conditions change.

An executive-session item at the end of the public meeting indicated the board would discuss negotiation strategy related to parcels at the former State Hospital; that executive session was closed to the public per the board's stated finding that open discussion would harm the town's negotiating position.