Resident Questions:
Q. Hate the cheap looking modern design
A. Thank you for sharing your thoughts! Aesthetics and architectural style are such an important part of how a new building fits into our town's character. We want to hear all perspectives on the design, which is a major reason why tonight’s public forum is happening. Please join us tonight at 7:00 PM at the Thayer Homestead, 2B Oak Street to share your feedback directly with the project team. These forums are specifically designed to help shape and refine these details based on what matters to our residents!
Q. I think what we need and what we want are at odds with this plan. Medway had serious financial issues in early 2000’s this complex seems like a high risk project. We have lots of other important projects such as clean water, accessible sidewalks and feeding our neighbors.
A. Thank you for sharing that perspective, fiscal responsibility and prioritizing essential services like clean water, sidewalks, and community support are top of mind for all of us. You raise very valid concerns about Medway's history and the need to weigh these investments carefully. We are eager to address those exact financial questions tonight (10/29/26); a comprehensive overview of the financial plan will be shared during tonight's public forum (Thayer Homestead, 2 B Oak St. at 7:00 pm), as well as in an upcoming video in our series so everyone has access to the full picture.
Q. Will the public forum be streamed and recorded?
A. The public forum will be recorded by Medway Cable Access and available to stream online following the event. Please note this session will not be live-streamed.
Q. Everything I hear is that the town failed to repair and manage the buildings. What makes me think a new building would be any different? Also, I rarely see anyone besides the town clerk available. Is this going to change or will there just be more empty offices?
A. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and raising such an important point! We completely agree that public facilities should be inclusive, forward-thinking, and built to accommodate the future of our community.
Q. What is the project?
The Medway Municipal Complex project will combine a new Town Hall with a new public safety building for the Police and Fire Departments—bringing all of Medway’s municipal operations together under one roof. This modern complex will provide resources and services the Town currently cannot offer in a single location. From recycling and dog licenses to tax payments and public safety services, residents will benefit from the convenience of a one-stop municipal center. Consolidating services into one central facility will also improve accessibility for the community while helping to streamline operations and reduce costs.
Q. Have the voters already approved this project?
At the November 12, 2024 Town Meeting, voters approved two articles related to the Medway Municipal Complex project: $7.9 million for design and contractor bidding services, and $1.25 million for building abatement, demolition, and soil remediation at the project site. Funding for construction of the new complex will be presented as an article at the March 1, 2027 Special Town Meeting, with a Debt Exclusion Ballot Vote on March 9, 2027.
Q. Where is the project located?
The project site, located at 120 Main Street – the former Medway Block Company property – was purchased by the Town in 2022.
Q. What work happened at the site since the Town procured it?
Asbestos abatement and building demolition were completed during the summer of 2025, and the completion of soil remediation followed after that.
Q. What are the deficiencies in the Town Hall?
This building has far outlived its useful life. Cramped offices and public areas are a health and safety concern. There is only one meeting room that serves the Planning Board, Zoning Board, and Select Board and cannot accommodate larger meetings. Staff offices are overcrowded, and, in some cases, closets are repurposed as offices.
Q. Why not just renovate the current Town Hall?
The intent is not to increase staff, but, from a health and safety perspective, provide adequate office and meeting spaces for staff and visitors. Additionally, the facility does not lend itself to expansion. It is not worth investing tax-payer dollars in the renovation or upgrade of the building if it will not meet the needs now, nor for the future.
Q. Why not just renovate the current Fire Station?
The current Fire Station was not designed to house a full-time fire department. Over the years, fire apparatus has grown in size, but the building cannot adequately accommodate modern equipment. In addition, the facility has significant deficiencies that would require costly repairs—repairs that would not resolve the underlying functionality issues. Long-term, it is not a sound investment of taxpayer dollars to put substantial funds into a building that cannot meet the Fire Department’s needs.
Q. Why not just renovate the current Police Station?
Although the building appears to be in good condition from the outside, the quarters and staff areas are cramped, and it does not meet current standards for modern policing. Long term, it does not make sense to invest tax-payer dollars in significant renovations that will not solve these concerns.
Q. What will happen to the Police Station building?
Proceeds from the sale of the property will be reinvested into the Town budget as tax revenue.
Q. What will happen to the Fire Station building?
Proceeds from the sale of the property will be reinvested into the Town budget as tax revenue.
Q. What will happen to Town Hall?
Proceeds from the sale of the property will be reinvested into the Town budget as tax revenue.
Q. What other sites were considered?
Other sites were considered but due to the central location and size, this property was purchased specifically for municipal services.
Q. What is the project timeline?
The project’s timeline is:
Designer Selection: Complete by end of October 2025
Conceptual Design: Complete by end of January 2026
3-Phase Design Process: Complete by end of November 2026
Contractor Bidding: Complete by end of January 2027
Special Town Meeting: March 2027
Q. What is the projected cost of the project?
The projected cost of the project is unknown at this point. During the design process, cost estimates will be completed to get an understanding of the costs associated with the construction portion (hard costs) of the project, and, ultimately, the contractor bidding process will be completed prior to March 2027 Special Town Meeting. At that point, with the known construction costs (hard costs), the necessary soft costs, i.e. fees, expenses, furniture, technology, contingency, etc., will be added to the hard costs, and that total project budget (hard costs + soft costs) will be what the Medway taxpayers are asked to approve at the March Special 2027 Town Meeting. More information will be provided on this topic as the design process unfolds.