Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Failure out of the Gate - OR Is it?






Just two days ago I committed to blogging for 30 straight days. And yesterday- day two – already I fell short – But I think for a good reason. I was tied up at a Selectman’s meeting that I needed to attend and it ran quite late. Why did that trump my blog writing? Well, I’m involved with a committee that has been formed to advise the selectmen about what to do with a particular property in Medway – The Thayer Homestead. The Thayer Homestead is a town owned property that has historic significance. The homestead and barn is still on the property and we, the Thayer Homestead Development Committee (THDC) have recommended a use for the property that will benefit the town and its residents. To learn more about that project, check out my Youtube video when I first started on this committee well over a year ago. Youtube video on the Thayer Homestead.What struck me yesterday was how lucky Medway is to have the type of people who dedicate a portion of their lives to the community. I was quite surprised yesterday when I asked if the selectmen are compensated for their time. The answer is no – What about the Conservation Commission – NO – Well what about the planning board or the financial review committee – Still NO - Some of these committees meet on a monthly or even weekly basis – They sit in meetings for hours on end – they give of themselves – for hours on end –

It’s been a little less than 2 years that I’ve volunteered for our town. I have to say I’m amazed at the thousands of hours people in our community donate. It’s a small group of people who tend to volunteer on multiple committees. You hear the same names over and over. What drives these people to give so much? I don’t have the answer. I do have to say it’s rewarding – tremendously rewarding – when you can achieve success for a particular project in town. These people tend to have a history with town – some have multiple generations in town – but not all –Some have only been in town a short while. I sit on a committee with a scientist, a teacher, a landscape designer, an attorney, a retired business executive – all donating their time – Some involved with town government for decades. It just amazes me.

For anyone who is dissatisfied with town government – they have got to get involved – just to get a sense of what is happening in their town. They may be left with a sense of awe as I have been – with the enormous efforts of their neighbors to improve the town they live in. Thank you to all who give, those who have children at home, how they do it I don’t know (I remember those years my kids were little – I couldn’t imagine squeezing in one more thing into our lives) – Those who chose not to retire but to give back to their town – Those who give year in and year out – Thank you - If Medway Ma is a microcosm of our country as a whole, it’s pretty awesome to see such dedication. I feel so lucky to be a small part of it !











MARCIA KRAMARZ
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Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Call to Action - Medway MA








One of the BEST things about Medway is the commitment to Open Space. So many people in town are unaware of the open space parcels the town owns for its citizens to enjoy. I know, because I was one of those citizens that had no idea about the lovely walk from Choate Park to the high school. The goal of the town is to find ways to link these open space areas. Check out the Medway Community Link Trail Here.









One separate Open Space parcel is the "Amphitheatre" site behind Sanford Mills - I'm guilty of not walking that particular parcel but hope to Oct 1 on Clean Up Day (8am to 1pm). This is a property that sits on the Charles and I'm told it was an old "watering hole" for the residents of the town a century ago. It's naturally shaped like an amphitheatre and I hear it's quite a beautiful spot.






Think about putting a few hours aside on Saturday Oct 1 to help prepare that spot for all to enjoy. Take a look at some of the pics posted of our treasured open space areas in town!

Monday, September 5, 2011

When it Comes to Home Prices, There's Something for Everyone in Medway -


A review of 2011 sold statistics in Medway through end of August shows the range of home prices ranged from $72k ( a small condo at Sanford Mills) to $1.3 Million ( a sprawling beautiful home at Applegate - the new development off of Ellis Street by Unique Homes).
The statistics also show that 97 homes have sold since the start of the year and that the average sale price in town in that time frame is $344k. You may find this next piece of data interesting. 2005 is considered the height of the market. Homes were selling like perverbial hot cakes as they say. Guess how many homes sold between January and August 2005 - 97! The exact same number as in 2011! The average sale price has dropped approx $120k in that same time frame - But homes are selling - and in this example (2011 to 2005) we are neck in neck with 2005 for the number of homes sold!
To get a copy of this report, please feel free to go to my website and download it under "OnLine Reports".

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Don't Use that DriveThru!

A funny thing happened last week when we had no power after Hurricane Irene visited us and left us here in New England without power for days – I got a call from a neighbor just 3 doors away I hadn’t seen (outside of those 2 or 3 min moments at the mailbox) in years. She suggested that if we too had some defrosted food that we needed to cook, they were having a neighborhood cook-out to use that food and to spend some time together (since there was little else to do once nightfall came).



With candles burning for light, and the grill on and fresh beans and tomatoes and cukes from neighbors’ yards, a delicious meal was pulled together with little effort. It was a great night reconnecting with people we somehow have missed connecting with because of the speed of life – Life wasn’t moving too quickly after Irene – We had to get used to time without tv’s, pc’s and technology in general. Without those interruptions, suddenly we had time to slow down, enjoy the beautiful quiet evening with people who live a stone’s throw away.



Funny how so many things we do today simply don’t allow extemporaneous opportunities like our cook-out last week. And that’s sad - And for a realtor it actually is non-productive. The business of Real Estate is the business of being in touch with people. Each day we find a way to avoid that contact. It could be thru using online transactions instead of going to the Town Hall. It could using the drive thru at your bank or always choosing the drive thru for lunch or coffee breaks – Those are all missed opportunities to make that contact. And somehow so many opportunities to meet people are quickly disappearing, like going to a book store – Who doesn’t use Amazon these days?





Just try it once each day – Make an effort to avoid the automated approach and take the time to stop in the bank and really chat with the teller – Or walk down the local mall or plaza instead of moving the car from one side of the mall to the other – Build in ways to have chats with people you meet or old acquaintances that might be out and about – It may not pay off in immediate transactions, but I can guarantee you that over time, you will be receiving calls and generating business simply from those easy one to one conversations that happen when you touch people daily. And in the interim, you’re going to love reconnecting with your community! Try it, you’ll like it !

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Summer Memories in Medway


Memories of Summer and Ice Cream seem to go hand in hand. And just in case you've missed it, Medway has its first down town Ice Cream Parlor - just opened about a month ago. TC Scoops is in a great location - at "the Plaza". Last night it was packed when I stopped in for my favorite capuccino flavor.
Don't Miss TC Scoops - Make a memory with your family that they'll remember just like you remember the treats of summer when you were a kid! While you're there take a look at their activity board, they do parties or off-site office meetings - Now that's a meeting I'd LOVE to attend! TC Scoops - I'm thrilled to have them in town!

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Great News for Medway - and its school system


FROM -
Boston Magazine

Best Schools 2011: The Rankings

Our exclusive ranking of the region's school districts
.



Boston Magazine has published its 2011 exclusive ranking of the region's school districts. The ranking included 135 cities and towns that comprise the inner city and suburbs of Boston. It doesn't take a Realtor to observe that the top ranked towns are often the most expensive towns, those towns with a significant tax base that can support an exemplary school system. The top 5 ranked towns in the Boston region include: Dover/Sherborn,Concord/Carlisle,Weston,Lincoln/Sudbury, and Lexington. Congrats to the top 5. The average home price in all 8 towns is $845k - That's the average in the past 12 months. The most expensive home sold in this mix of towns was one that sold at over $15 million.


Going down the list a bit, you will see quite a few MetroWest towns listed. Holliston whose average home price in the past 12 months is approximately $434k, ranked # 19. And we know Hopkinton's school system has had many accolades and was ranked at #30. Hopkinton's average home price for the past 12 months is close to $474k. And I'm pleased to note Medway came in at #33,beating out two other abutting communities of Millis and Franklin. Medway's average home price in the past 12 months is $348k!


So when you factor in affordability, Medway is an awesome town to consider when you're looking for a town that has a focus on and has shown success with their school system. Medway's ranking is in the top 25% of the Boston region and yet its average home price as of Sept 2011 is $348k! And speaking of affordable homes, don't miss my new listing in Medway that happens to be priced just a bit under the average at $339,900. A beautiful 3-4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home. Check out 13 Pond St Medway. It's worth the look!


To read the entire report and see how other towns ranked, click here.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

What's not to like about Medway, MA


Every once in a while it's nice to reflect on some of the more positive things happening in our town. I did that not long ago when thinking about the pros of living in Medway, MA. Here's my list - Maybe you can add to it...

WHY MOVE TO MEDWAY
?

• Medway High School has received Newsweek Magazine’s placement on the top academic ranking list. The list included just over 1600 designees across the country or 6 percent of high schools nationally.

• Medway has a commitment to Open Space. Residents can enjoy a variety of trails in town. Trail maps are posted at the town website.

• Yes Medway has a community farm! This is one of the town’s Open Space projects. The farm provides locally grown food, volunteer experiences, and educational programs.

• Medway will celebrate its 300th birthday in 2013. The Medway300 Committee plans to mark this major milestone in true New England fashion. Events and activities will begin in 2012 and continue through 2013, celebrating our hometown and paying tribute to Medway’s history.

• Medway High School on Summer St, the newest educational facility in Medway, was opened in 2004. The award winning design of the facility has benefitted the school and the town as a whole. Many functions are held there.

• Medway Middle School is getting a facelift! Remodel will improve accessibility, as well as utilization of the facility. Medway is committed to Education Excellence.

• Make your commute to Boston stress free. Medway is serviced by GATRA which provides public transportation to the Commuter Line to Boston.

• Choate Park is a destination in Medway. Many town activities happen there. The Christmas Parade, Easter Egg Hunt, Pumpkin Walk, and a Summer Camp Program are a few of the events.

• Medway continues to expand its park facilities. In 2004 the town purchased the Thayer Homestead abutting Choate Park. The town has begun a rehabilitation plan for that property to provide Medway with a new Village Green. The new facility will provide an area in town where both private and public functions can be held. The view of Choate Pond from that locale is extraordinary. The first phase of the project will be completed for Medway’s 300th celebration in 2013.

• Medway made Boston.com’s RECENT (June 2011) list as one of the TOP SPOTS TO LIVE in Massachusetts!

Feel free to add your thoughts to the list!