Medford, Massachusetts
Est. 2026 · Free to Read
Medford Mercury
The Smartest Way to Keep Up with Medford
Morning Edition
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Vol. I · No. 2 City Council · Schools · Public Safety · Business · Events medfordmercury.pages.dev
Patriots' Day Preview · Monday April 20

Medford's Biggest Day of the Year Is Five Days Away

The Sarah Bradlee Fulton statue — years in the making — gets its public unveiling at City Hall on Patriots' Day. Paul Revere rides in on horseback. The whole city turns out. Here's your complete guide.

10:15 AM
Sarah Bradlee Fulton Statue Dedication
City Hall
11:00 AM
Patriots' Day Festivities — All Ages
Medford Square
~Noon
Paul Revere Arrives on Horseback
43 High St + 447 High St
Source: City of Medford · Gotta Know Medford · medfordma.org
02
Schools · Testing

Medford High Gets a Smarter Way to Run MCAS Day

The School Committee voted unanimously in March to approve an MCAS Flex Pilot for Medford High — reshaping how the whole school experiences test days starting May 19 and 20.

Under the pilot, non-testing students follow a late-entry schedule on Math MCAS days for Grade 10, freeing up space for a quieter, more focused testing environment. Principal Marta Cabral and Assistant Principal Dave Blauch championed the change, noting that districts across Massachusetts have used similar approaches — but it's new for Medford.

The move comes as MCAS is no longer a graduation requirement after voters passed Ballot Question 2 in 2024. Superintendent Dr. Suzanne Galusi framed it clearly: the exam remains an accountability measure for the district and a scholarship qualifier, even if it no longer determines diplomas.

03
Housing · City Government

Affordable Housing Trust Meets Tonight — And Section 8 Is Paused

The Affordable Housing Trust Fundraising Working Group holds its monthly meeting this evening from 6 to 7 PM, as the city continues its push to fund and expand housing options for lower-income residents.

The meeting comes against a backdrop of real scarcity: the Medford Housing Authority has paused issuance of Section 8 vouchers, though federal Public Housing waitlists for 2-, 3-, and 4-bedroom units remain open.

Housing Snapshot
Section 8 Vouchers
Paused — no new issuance from Medford Housing Authority
Public Housing Waitlist
Open now — 2, 3, and 4-bedroom federal units
Apply
Medford Housing Authority · 781-396-7200 · 121 Riverside Ave
Tonight's Meeting
Affordable Housing Trust Working Group · 6:00–7:00 PM
Also Tonight
Community Development Board Meeting · City Hall
MEDFORD MERCURY // INFRASTRUCTURE WATCH // APRIL 15, 2026
Education · Capital Projects
New High School Building Committee Meets Tonight — Via Zoom

The Medford Comprehensive High School Building Committee holds its April meeting tonight at 5:30 PM — by remote participation only. This is the committee overseeing what would be one of the largest capital investments in Medford's recent history.

The district is also in the final stages of forming a search committee for a new Assistant Superintendent of Special Education and Student Services — a hire that will shape services for some of the school system's most vulnerable students.

Why It Matters

A new comprehensive high school would serve Medford students for decades. The building committee's work — site selection, design, financing — will define what gets built and at what cost to taxpayers. These early meetings set the direction.

Tonight's Meeting
Time 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Format Remote only — Zoom
Body MCHSBC Full Committee
Zoom mps02155-org.zoom.us
Meeting ID: 980 6376 7887
Source Medford Public Schools · mps02155.org
In Brief
Library · Transition
Library Board of Trustees Meets This Morning

The Library Board of Trustees holds its monthly meeting at 10:00 AM today — the first gathering since the announcement that Director Barbara Kerr will retire. The board will likely begin discussing the search and transition process for Medford Public Library's next leader.

Source: City of Medford · medfordma.org
Licensing · Business
Liquor License Commission Sits at 1 PM

The Medford Liquor License Commission meets this afternoon at 1:00 PM. The commission reviews applications for new licenses and renewals — relevant for any business operators or residents tracking changes to the local dining and hospitality landscape.

Source: City of Medford · medfordma.org
Reminder · April 20
No School, No City Hall — But Trash Runs on Schedule

Patriots' Day on Monday April 20 is a school vacation day and City Hall will be closed. However, the Department of Public Works confirmed there is no delay to trash, recycling, or composting collection that week — pickup runs on its normal schedule.

Source: Medford DPW · Patch.com

Today in Medford

Wednesday, April 15, 2026
10:00 AM
Library Board of Trustees
Monthly board meeting — first since Director Barbara Kerr's retirement announcement. Medford Public Library, 111 High Street.
1:00 PM
Liquor License Commission
Reviews new applications and renewals for alcohol licenses citywide. City Hall.
5:30 PM · Zoom
High School Building Committee
Full committee meeting of the MCHSBC via remote participation. Zoom ID: 980 6376 7887.
6:00 PM
Affordable Housing Trust Working Group
Monthly fundraising and strategy session for the city's Affordable Housing Trust. City Hall.