COMMUNITY SNAPSHOT
Marshfield

March 20, 2005

MORE The town's beaches, such as Rexhame (above), draw tens of thousands of sunbathers each summer. 1227 South River St., a five-bedroom, 3.5 bath home, is listed at $1.75 million. 1103 Ocean St., a two-bedroom, one-bath home, is listed at $265,995. (Globe photos) More: Miles from Boston: 29 Population: 24,324 Median house price: $434,780 (January 2005) Tax rate: $8.65 Transportation: Routes 3, 139; Plymouth & Brockton Street Railway Co.; Marshfield Municipal Airport (general aviation) MCAS: Marshfield's public school system ranked 70th out of 373 systems statewide, sharing that rank with three other systems, including Rochester, according to a Boston Globe analysis of 2004 MCAS results. Census facts: Median family income is $76,541, compared to national rate of $50,046, and 36 percent held a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national rate of 24 percent. Website: www.townofmarshfield.org More community snapshots More community information RESOURCES For Sale: Homes | Condos | Open Houses For Rent: Apartments | Houses | Roommates Vacation rentals Place an ad: On Boston.com | In the Globe Commercial: Search listings for sale or rent

MARSHFIELD -- The bookends of life have been getting some serious attention around here.

Last fall, the Uncle Bud Skate Park opened, giving youngsters -- and brave adults -- a place to happily bruise themselves.

And the year before, a $3.7 million senior citizen's center opened for the amusement of the town's elders.

Also, the town has built seven irrigated athletic fields for school and youth programs, and a privately financed athletic facility offering ice skating, swimming pools, and indoor soccer and lacrosse is underway across the street from Marshfield High School, said town administrator John Clifford.

''There are so many things going on in town, I think it is not an overstatement to say there is really something good happening for anyone who would like to move here," said Clifford.

Clifford said town leaders want to reinvigorate downtown and will, in this upcoming Town Meeting, ask voters to adopt a state law known as 40Q, which will create a new way to finance infrastructure spending in a special tax district. Higher tax revenues from increased property values would be dedicated to pay for the upgrades, he said.

Clifford also said Marshfield must prepare for residential and commercial development as the MBTA builds out the Greenbush commuter rail line, terminating in neighboring Scituate, which will help residents to avoid traffic-choked Route 3 during rush hours.

''There is still a lot of undeveloped land in Marshfield," he said.

All of these projects complement the town's natural attractions, such as Rexhame Beach and other sandy shorelines, which draw tens of thousands of sunbathers each summer.

On a recent week, Realtor.com listed 111 single-family homes, ranging from $265,995 for a two-bedroom, one-bath, 672-square-foot home to $1.75 million for a five-bedroom, 3½-bath, 2,775-square-foot home. Also listed is a 17-acre estate with a 5,600-square-foot home for $4.2 million.

JOHN ELLEMENT

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Sales sampler

155 Bay Ave. One-family, built in 1890, 1,346 square feet, 8 rooms, 5 bedrooms, 1 bath, on 7,500-square-foot lot. $575,000

11 Bradford St. One-family, built in 1926, 1,167 square feet, 8 rooms, 4 bedrooms, 1 bath, on 7,000-square-foot lot. $330,000

37 Eames Way One-family Colonial, built in 1973, 1,649 square feet, 8 rooms, 4 bedrooms, 2½ baths, on 56,628-square-foot lot. $479,000

23 Pheasant Lane One-family split-level, built in 1980, 1,088 square feet, 6 rooms, 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, on 16,587-square-foot lot. $325,000

20 Rayfield Road One-family Cape, built in 1962, 1,373 square feet, 6 rooms, 3 bedrooms, 1½ baths, on 20,200-square-foot lot. $360,000