Politics & Government

Medfield Board of Selectmen Supports Lyme Disease Committee's Recommendations

News and notes from Tuesday's Board of Selectmen meeting.

The Medfield Board of Selectmen overwhelmingly supported recommendations presented by Chris Kaldy, Lyme Disease Study Committee Chair at Tuesday's meeting.

Kaldy's recommendations for limiting Lyme disease incidents in Medfield are focused on lowering the town's deer population. Kaldy reported an acceptable number for deer population in towns the size of Medfield is six to eight deer per square mile. Medfield's deer population is currently 20-25 deer per square mile. 

Kaldy said the committee will study the measures of other towns, like Dover, have taken to address the problem and pinpoint what is working versus what is not. The goal is to start working with other towns to begin controlled hunts to bring the deer population down. 

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Selectmen Mark Fisher, Osler Peterson and Ann Thompson showed support of Kaldy's recommendations and suggested that the surrounding towns coordinate with each other and take a regional approach in this effort to reduce the deer population. 

Town Administrator Mike Sullivan said some people in town may be concerned about the discharge of firearms during these organized hunts but pointed out that hunters would be staying in one place when culling deer.

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"It's not like people are going to be walking around neighborhoods and town with guns," Sullivan said. 

Kaldy added that part of the committee's recommendations will be to provide education and tips on how to control ticks on residents' properties. Tuesday's presentation was a follow-up to the

BOS Notes:

  • The Board of Selectmen unanimously voted to increase the cost of Transfer Station stickers to $50 per vehicle and $20 per second vehicle at Tuesday's meeting.
  • The Board of the Selectmen unanimously approved the Medfield High School Theatre Society's request to place signs around town to promote their production of "Once Upon A Mattress," which will take place from March 11 to 13. The MHS Theatre Society announced that the March 11 and 12 shows will start at 7 p.m. and the March 13 show will start at 2 p.m. To purchase tickets e-mail dramatickets@yahoo.com or call (508) 242-8983 for more information.
  • SHERC's next meeting will be held on Thursday, Feb. 24 at Town Hall. The focus of the meeting will be reviewing the bylaws of former State Hospital sites and the Medfield site. 
  • The next PIP meeting will be held on March 24 at 7 p.m. in Town Hall. 
  • Selectmen Osler Peterson issued a reminder that the Medfield Foundation's "Volunteer of the Year" reception will be scheduled for 4 to 6 p.m. on March 27 at the Center at Medfield. 
  • Medfield library director Deborah Kelsey presented the library's FY12 budget proposal, requesting a four percent increase of its current budget to maintain the level of service it provides the community.


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