Noise complaints from dog barking will end, as Tarawood Kennel owner Jennifer Choate is closing down the facility on August 10, 2017 and relocating to New Hampshire. Choate confirmed the closing of the kennel at 7 Plymouth Street in Halifax at a dog hearing at the Halifax Selectmen’s meeting Tuesday, July 26, 2017.

A dog hearing occurred last year for the kennel’s dogs’ barking and being outside at night and as early as 5 and 6 a.m.  Resident Shawn Clarkson expressed that he doesn’t think the problem has improved since last year.

Clarkson said, “Dogs are still barking and there’s no end to it. They’re still barking early in the morning, 5 or 6 o’clock in the morning.”

With this most recent complaint, both Animal Control Officer Noreen Callahan and Selectmen Vice Chair Kim Roy paid separate visits to the kennel. Callahan came for an annual inspection, while Roy was assessing the noise from complaints.

Callahan said she didn’t hear any barking during this particular visit. Roy said she visited and there was barking. She didn’t think it was as bad as the year before, but there was still barking. Roy did note she’s not living there though.

Jennifer Choate disagreed that the dogs are barking excessively and disagreed with them being a nuisance. Choate said she wishes it wasn’t still coming to this a year later and confirmed that it won’t be an issue after she relocates. Choate said, “The property is sold and closing on August 10, 2017.” She said the plan is to vacate the property with the dogs.

On Thursday, July 20, ACO Callahan completed her inspection of Tarawood Kennels. She confirmed the dog numbers were correct, but not all paperwork was presented until this selectmen’s meeting. The Board believes Choate did not fully cooperate with the nature of a random inspection due to failed attempts by Callahan to inspect the property and Choate’s voice mail box being full.

Choate said she never refused Callahan entry to her property, to which Roy answered, she “respectfully disagreed”.  Selectman Clerk Troy Garron said that whether intentional or not an inspection agreement was broken here.

Choate reiterated her position saying, “She’s (ACO Callahan) welcome anytime, and the times she wasn’t able to enter I wasn’t there or was on her way out back loading multiple things.” Choate said she’s in the middle of relocating a 30 horse facility along with the kennel.

Selectmen chose to let the complaint come to a natural close since Choate is moving in a few weeks. The Board did say it’s ordering the dogs vacate the property by August 11, 2017.

Sealer of Weights and Measures interviews

The Halifax Board of Selectmen scheduled three interviews for the town’s open sealer of weights and measures position. The Board had interviews with Charles Norvish, David Moore, and Robert O’Rourke.

Charles Norvish was the first candidate interviewed by the board. When Chairman Tom Millias asked Norvish to talk about his experience, Norvish joked, “We don’t have that much time tonight.”

Norvish has been the sealer of weights and measures for Middleboro since 1986. According to Norvish, Middleboro has 17 gas pumps and more than 150 scales. Halifax has much less in comparison.

Selectman Garron asked Norvish why he’s interested in the job because he seems very busy. Norvish said, “The good thing is these jobs are part-time; the bad thing is they’re part time.” Charles also cited an “old school attitude” and that he’s done multiple jobs for a while. Norvish said, “I have no regrets.”

The next candidate, David Moore, said he’s been involved with town government for over 40 years starting in Bridgewater and Carver. He owns his own sealing equipment, which, according to Moore, can cost a town $3,000-4,000, so he said there’s a saving benefit here.

The board told Moore they liked that he says he sets his scales according to the fiscal year as well as the calendar year. Moore said this is useful for towns when planning their budget.

Moore said he’ll provide selectmen with a database of the spots (pumps, etc.) he tests. Selectmen plan to make a decision when they meet August 8.

The last candidate, Robert O’Rourke withdrew his application at the interview. He said the board is in good hands with either Norvish or Moore and is welcome to help down the line.

Other News

The Board of Selectmen reappointed the following election workers:

Democrats

• Andrea Delaney  • Paul Delaney  • Carol Keene • Cathleen Miller • Amelia Mosley • Lee Mulready • Judith Wall

Republicans

•Marion Heath • Gayle Peck • Richard Roche

Unenrolled

• Robert Doherty • Kathryn Roche • Kenneth Vinton

As of August 15, Halifax and surrounding towns are listed as a “low risk” community for EEE and WnV.

The Halifax Board of Health has been notified about a mosquito with EEE (Eastern Equine Encephalitis) in Middleborough (July 12) and one in Kingston (August 15). It was found in a Culex mosquito, the Culex restuans. Natural and artificial containers are the preferred larval habitat of this mosquito. It feeds almost primarily on birds but has been known to bite humans on occasion. This species is typically collected from May to October but can be found year round as it readily overwinters in man-made structures.

Cx restuans has been implicated as a vector of WNV. Take this bird biter as a warning. People have control over stagnant water in containers: buckets, tarps, tires, etc. Rinse them out, turn them over.

Rinse bird baths at least twice a week.

Residents should continue to take precautions including removing all containers with standing water such as accumulating junk in the yard, not maintaining swimming pools and allowing them to sit with green stagnant water, along with toys, tarps and tires.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health wrote:

Although there has been less evidence of EEE activity this year than in some recent years, the late heat and humidity this summer are perfect conditions for mosquito activity.

The peak time for transmission of EEE will continue through at least some of September.

The types of mosquitoes most likely to carry EEE are considered to be active dusk to dawn but the timing of that activity can be impacted by temperature, humidity, cloud cover and day length. In addition, active participation in outdoor sports increases our availability to mosquitoes. Physical exertion and sweating may also change individual attractiveness to mosquitoes and may decrease the time that repellents are effective.

DPH is writing to ask you to help us get the word out to residents, schools and athletic groups, that it is important to take steps to avoid mosquito bites. Know the drill – mosquito repellents, clothing and limiting outdoor activity during peak mosquito activity hours.

Also, keep in mind that our residents travel between cities and towns regularly and some of those may travel from areas not familiar with EEE.  They may not be mindful of the importance of preventing mosquito bites.  Please remind them.

To call for ground spraying of your property, call Plymouth County Mosquito Control at 781 585 5450.

Individuals can call the Project, between 8:00am and 3:00pm on Monday through Friday, to request that their property be sprayed. The Project’s phone number is (781) 585-5450, fax (781) 582-1276 or mail us at P.O. Box 72, Kingston, MA 02364. To find out where the spray routes are going to be, call (617) 582-6219 (during spray season). Plymouth County Mosquito Control Project

For more information on EEE and WNv, please see DPH’s site at: http://www.mass.gov.