Meeting called to order at 6:07 P.M. at Town Hall.
Present Elizabeth A. Gorski and William H. Darke, Chairman
Warrants
Moved Gorski, seconded Darke, and it was
VOTED: To approve Warrants #07-16A, #07-17 and #07-18.
Minutes
Moved Gorski, seconded Darke, and it was
VOTED: To approve the Minutes of the meeting of
October 16, 2006, as presented.
6:15 P.M. Nuisance/Vicious Dog Hearing
Present at hearing: Selectmen Gorski and Darke, Administrative Assistant Nancy Lewandowski, Animal Control Officer Kim York, Assistant ACO Jennifer Tassinari, resident Marie Lynn owner of dog that was attacked, Richard and Cheryl Hoff, owners of Malamute Sasha that attacked Lynn’s dog, and electric fence company representative William Cuddy. ACO York administered the swearing in of Lynn, Hoffs and Cuddy.
ACO York informed the Board that the Hoff’s dogs have been running loose on two different occasions, once in 2003 (a different dog) and Sasha in April of 2006. York gave background on Sasha and informed the Board that she is dog aggressive, but not people aggressive; that York has set her up with tests to prove her theories. York reported that Sasha had recently attacked Mrs. Lynn’s dog who was being walked by a pet walker which Lynn was recuperating from a hospital stay; that Lynn’s dog was severely bitten and York showed the Board pictures.
York informed the Board that the Hoff’s have cooperated with her 110%; that they paid the Vet bills incurred by Mrs. Lynn and have installed an electric fence and William Cuddy has trained Sasha; that an extra voltage collar has been designed for the dog and Cuddy testified that his company, Dog Watch of Rowley has over 1700 dogs in its system and feels that Sasha will no longer leave the yard. The Hoffs told the Board that the collar is kept on Sasha from early morning to bedtime; that they love their dog and do not want to put her down, but if she somehow manages another attack they will not hesitate to do so. Mrs. Lynn stated she is satisfied with all that the Hoffs have done but would like to do a walk by on Saturday morning to test Sasha and York agreed to meet with her.
York told the Board that Mrs. Lynn’s dog has been trained as a caregiver for nursing home and other visits. Mrs. Lynn said her dog is healing and doing well. York recommended to the Board that the Hoffs be allowed to keep Sasha provided she is kept in the back yard; that they be given this one chance and should the dog break out of their yard again it will be ordered removed from town.
Selectman Gorski told the parties that her Board worries about people, especially children being hurt when dogs aren’t restrained; that the ACO did a great job working with all the parties to this complaint and bringing it to resolution; that she feels Sasha’s owners understand the consequences of their dog getting loose again, to which the Hoffs stated they do; that as much as they love their dog, they do not want to see it hurting another animal or person. York told the Board she will update them on her Saturday walk by at the nuisance dog hearing scheduled for November 13th.
Veasey Park Management & Friends of Veasey
The Board met with members of the Friends of Veasey Park (Peter Slettehaugh, Marie & Robert Carr, Frank DiGregorio, and Management Committee members Mike Dempsey, Pam Blacquiere and Claire Walsh. Chairman Darke told the groups that the Selectmen invited them to the meeting to get an understanding of what their roles are at Veasey. Darke told those present that the Veasey property is near and dear to him and gave the history of how he and former Selectman Sheehan were involved in purchasing the property from the time it was put on the market for sale; that it hasn’t bankrupted the town like many thought it would and stated that he feels it should be part of the town’s capital plan. Peter Slettehaugh explained how the Friends group came into existence so as to help with the funding of Veasey
repairs; that the Friends are a registered non-profit organization that wants Veasey to keep moving forward. Darke complemented the group and told them it was great they are around, and Selectman Gorski told the group that the Board invited them all in so they can get to know the people who are serving on committees and be of assistance to them when they can. Chairman Darke suggested the group meet with Capital Improvement and tell them your plan for Veasey.
Finance Director Labrecque asked how the Friends funds are held and explained the importance of repairs being paid through the town; that they should put their funds in a special account with the town that way if there was a fire at Veasey and the roof had been reshingled, the cost can be proved; that the account would only be used for Veasey not for town expenses. Chairman Darke told the Friends it is important that everyone is doing things properly and keeping the Selectmen informed.
Letter received from Teamsters
The Board reviewed a letter from Teamsters Union and agreed to discuss same in an Executive Session following the dog hearing on November 13th.
Cemetery Commission Request
Cemetery Commissioner Sciacca informed the Board that the Catholic Church may have 20 acres of its property across from St. Patrick’s Church up for sale and asked if the Board would meet with the Commissioners sometime to discuss the possible purchase of same for use as a second town cemetery; that some of the 20 acres is wet but that area could be used for those with ashes. Board said they will meet with the Commissioners at a later date.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved Gorski, seconded Darke and it was
VOTED: To adjourn.
Adjourned at 7:30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Lewandowski
Administrative Assistant
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