Tuesday night’s meeting of the Halifax Board of Selectmen went to the dogs once again, even though chief dog bark investigator Kim Roy was at a conflicting event.
Town Administrator Charlie Seelig told the board that he had received another barking dog complaint from a neighbor of Tarawood Kennel on Plymouth Street. Selectmen chairman Troy Garron said the statute is clear and they would have to investigate and would have Kim Roy put on her investigative hat once again to check into the complaint.
Seelig also told the board that he had received notice that a lawsuit is pending: Scott Clawson v Town of Halifax and Jennifer Choate, owner of Tarawood Kennel. Details of the filing were not available at press time, but should be innext week’s Express edition.
Continuing in the doghouse, selectmen held a hearing for a dog attack on another dog. The attacking dog’s owners, Lisa and Chris Watson, and Halifax Animal Control Officer Noreen Callahan were present. The injured dog was being walked past the Watsons’ Summit Street home while leashed and the Watson’s dog, outside in its own yard with its owners, ran through the electric “invisible” fence because the battery had evidently failed. The Watsons were able to get their dog back under control. The injured dog was bleeding from a wound on its tongue; it had evidently bitten its own tongue, according to ACO Callahan. No other injuries were evident on either dog.
This is the first incident with this dog, Chris Watson told selectmen.
ACO Callahan told the board that her concern was making sure that the 65 pound dog was kept under control at all times when outside so that a situation such as this could not happen again. The Watsons assured the board that they would see to it. Selectmen Chairman Troy Garron told the owners that the board would send them an official letter putting them on notice that the Town of Halifax does have a leash law and enforces it.
“Another failure is a concern,” ACO Callahan said. She also noted that she quarantined both dogs as a precaution, even though all shots were up to date.
Resignations
From COA
Seelig told the board he had received two resignations: Sharon Hartz and Joy Marble, chairman and vice-chairman of the Council on Aging. Garron instructed the secretary to the board, Pam McSherry, to send a letter from the Board of Selectmen thanking them for their service to the town.
Seelig also noted he had received a talent bank form from Corrie Merritt which he will pass along to the appropriate parties.
Daniel Borsari came before selectmen to be sworn in as an Associate Member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. Borsari told the board that he now has the time to invest in the position and is looking forward to it. Borsari said he holds a real estate license. Garron joked that Borsari is a detail–oriented guy and has probably read the bylaws from cover to cover already. Borsari nodded and affirmed that he had.
New Town Hall
fragrance policy
Seelig told the board that he is ready to implement the new “Fragrance Policy” for the Town Hall, asking those coming into the Town Hall to refrain from wearing strong fragrances as some people working there are sensitive to them.
Seelig assured the board that there would be no “fragrance police;” it is a voluntary program and those working in Town Hall would like to make the public aware.
In other business, selectmen
• approved 16 additional recycling abatements, although Selectman Thomas Milias told the board that he would like a little more information about these private haulers and to be sure that they are doing what is required. Susan Johnson, Recycling Coordinator, is looking to get stronger regulations for private haulers to be sure they are doing what they should by way of recycling.
• signed an addendum for Howland Disposal Service which would see a 1 1/2% increase. Millias told the board he understood that there should be a net decrease in the total. Seelig told him that while there was probably a decrease in tipping fees, there was likely an increase in other areas such as labor.
• noted that the Fire Department has opened an EZPass account which would be useful in cases where FD personnel were attending seminars outside of Boston. Seelig told the board that there is no charge for the transponders and that the Town of Halifax should have transponders for several of the town’s vehicles that would go into one account for the Town.
• noted that the next meetings of the Board of Selectmen will be Oct. 25 and Nov. 1.
• adjourned at 8:10 p.m.