Decision on Bow Hunting In Tadmuck Neighborhood Delayed to Nov. 12

7:33 p.m. - We're trying out something new tonight and doing a chronological summary of the Selectmen's meeting tonight like we did at Town Meeting last week. 

Fortunately, as Board of Selectmen chairman Kelly Ross indicated, tonight is the "strategically located between Games 5 and 6 meeting."

We start with a request for bow hunting on Tadmuck Road by Shawn Girard. 

Several neighbors are in attendance against the proposal. 

7:35 p.m. - A resident from Dana Drive says there are many children in the area and it's not worth the risk.

Bob Price offers a question on the range of a bow and arrow, Girard says he'd be up in a tree and he can only reach 20 to 30 yards. 

Girard says he will be hunting during school days and is willing to work with the neighborhood.

7:40 p.m. - Girard says hunting cannot happen on Sundays and the bow hunting season is until the end of December.

Another neighbor comes to the microphone and is concerned about the risk about hunting so close to residential areas.

7:42 p.m. - Kelly Ross understands the neighbors' concerns and that it has become harder to hunt due to development. On some issues, he's gone against neighborhood residents because of a greater town goal, but in this case there's nothing in town policies or the master plan that would benefit from allowing Girard to hunt. 

7:44 p.m. - Selectman Val Wormell says culling the deer population through hunting is a worthwhile endeavor due to the danger of deer hitting vehicles, and supports a permit with restrictions such as allowing hunting only while children are likely not in the area and restricting the time limit to two weeks.

She continues that the property is public property. 

7:46 p.m. - Selectman Scott Hazelton agrees with Wormell, saying he understands the risk, but according to the Massachusetts State Police and New York State Police, no one has been hit by a bow. 

7:48 p.m. - Selectman Andrea Peraner-Sweet says she is conflicted and understands Girard has the right to hunt, and asks for a location within the property that is far enough away from a residential area, possibly closer to 495. 

She also requests signs indicating that someone will be there and informing neighbors that someone will be there hunting as well as limiting to certain times and revisiting the issue in a few weeks as a "trial run." 

7:53 p.m. - A neighbor comes to the microphone asking where the stand will be on the property, saying it would be a mistake to make a decision without that data.

Assistant Town Manager John Mangiaratti says that it is possible to map the location, but not right now. 

7:56 p.m. - A neighbor comes to the microphone saying the board is trying to strike a balance, but a balance is not appropriate.

Wormell says the property is not conservation land, several neighbors try to interupt saying she is incorrect. 

7:59 p.m. - The Selectmen agree to postpone a decision on the permit until Nov. 12 pending maps on where the stand will be in comparison to homes in the area. 

Girard says he doesn't want to cause a ruckus with the neighborhood, but says there aren't a lot of places to hunt in the area, and has lived in town for 40 years and is willing to work with the neighbors.