Medfield Board of Selectmen Review Parks and Rec. Budget, Town Warrants

The Medfield Board of Selectmen reviewed the Park and Recreation budget, in which $298,000 was requested as opposed to $283,874 last year. The increase was primarily for maintenance of facilities, according to Selectman Osler Peterson.

 The Annual Town Meeting Warrants include articles to authorize borrowing for a town garage; feasibility study for a public safety building accept as public ways Kettle Pond and Cole Drive; amend site plan buffer cards to prohibit use as driveways; amend firearm discharge by law to allow for culling deer to reduce Lyme disease; transfer Hinkley Swim Pond lands to Park and Recreation and allow the lease of the Lowell Mason house site; authorize leases to MAP; appropriate consultant monies for State Hospital reuse; and to qualify for the Green Communities Act by adopting the stretch building code and permitting energy R&D and manufacturing on industrial lands.

•  Selectmen Mark Fisher and Peterson reported on attending the Massachusetts Municipal Association annual meeting. Governor Deval Patrick and his chief budget officials presented on the state budget, and there were a myriad of workshops on municipal issues. It was reported as an "inspirational and informational meeting."
• All Selectmen attended the Lyme disease study committee meeting at which the state wildlife biologist documented the overpopulation of deer in Medfield and that the only financially feasible means of reducing Lyme disease is by culling the deer.
• Selectmen Ann Thompson and Peterson attended the Safety Committee, which focused on high traffic volumes and speeds on Knollwood Road, and a new regional Selectmen effort in Medway. Peterson reported that the Medfield Foundation will be holding a reception to recognize volunteers on March 27 at The Center from 4 to 6 p.m., and that he attended a Riverside Community Care meeting to highlight its emergency crisis response services to assist municipalities with people having psychiatric issues.