STONEHAM — Voters at Saturday’s town meeting rejected a proposal to raise $18,000 for playground equipment that would have given the town’s 60 children a playground.

“It was a disappointment to a lot of people,” Selectman John Collins said. “A resident has agreed to lease a field that she owns so we could have a playground, ballfield, and a walking path. Through her generosity, we hope to build on that to give kids a place where they can go.”

About 45 of the town’s 250 residents approved the estimated $160,000 municipal budget.

Voters agreed to raise $25,000 for a revaluation and $15,000 for attorney fees. Collins said the town has never had a professional revaluation. He said every year, the board tries to visit 25 percent of the properties in town.

“It is the first year any money has been appropriated,” Collins said. “The selectpersons have been aggressive in following the transfer of titles and have kept up with the assessed to market values of properties.”

Residents voted to raise $35,000 for repairing highways and bridges; $10,000 for the fire department; and $35,000 for snow removal.

In elections, residents elected Neal Littlefield to serve another three–year term on the Board of Selectmen.

Fire Chief Albert Fox retired after 35 years of service, and his son Greg Fox will take over the post. A resident nominated the older Fox to serve as assistant fire chief.

“Everyone in town is absolutely delighted with this arrangement,” Collins said.

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