Photo courtesy of Chris McCue
Medfield Facilities Project Manager Ben Jachowicz joins Medfield Society Interim Co-President Yumi Jones and former president David Temple (in background) to assess status of improvements at the Society museum on Pleasant Street
While the July rainstorm that hit the Medfield area would have normally created flooding in the basement of the Medfield Historical Society building on Main Street, thanks to recent grant-funded work, including installation of a sump pump, gutters and bulkhead door, the floor remained dry.
The work took place for much of June, and has since provided additional benefits beyond a dry basement: The chance to rediscover hidden items in the Medfield Historical Society collection, and a clearer sense of how to better organize, catalogue and protect Society artifacts going forward. To the delight of volunteers, unique items were uncovered, including a poem book by 20th century author Anita Trueman Pickett, and town bicentennial anniversary memorabilia that could help with 375th anniversary planning.
Best of all, of the $16,667.67 in funds received from the legislative earmark, exactly $16,666.07 was spent on the much-need capital improvements, with basement flooring, electrical, plumbing and carpentry work included.
The Society is grateful to Medfield legislators for securing the $50,000 earmark last year to benefit three town-owned historic properties. But the Society board is especially appreciative of leadership from Medfield Facilities Project Manager Ben Jachowicz who oversaw the project on behalf of the town. Jachowicz spent a significant amount of time assessing the best possible use of the Society’s portion of earmarked funds, handling the procurement process, coordinating contractors, and closing out the work. Dwight-Derby House and Kingsbury Pond Grist Mill were the other earmark beneficiaries, with Jachowicz coordinating those town-owned building projects, as well, during a very short timeframe.
“Ben was a terrific resource for us. We couldn’t have asked for a better partner to coordinate our capital improvement projects within a tight June 30th deadline to use the earmarked funds. We’ll now feel a greater sense of security knowing certain items in our collection can be stored in the basement without extreme worry about water damage,” said Yumi Jones, Interim Co-President, Medfield Historical Society.
