Animal Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
February 2, 2010
In Attendance: Eric Stone, Presiding, Martin Haspel, Bill O'Shea, Joanne Baldauf, Kerry Ann Reid
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 by Dr. Eric Stone- Chairman
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Old Business
None, this was the first meeting of the committee.
New Business
The committee reviewed the Animal Advisory Committee Charge and discussed the two instances when the committee would be called upon:
1) When the Animal Control Officer (ACO) issues a warning to a pet owner and informs the owner of the existence of the committee and suggests the owner, voluntarily, seek assistance from the committee to avoid future violations.
2) When a public hearing is scheduled with the Board of Selectman regarding enforcement of the animal control by-laws. The committee will meet with the owner and based on the facts of the case, make recommendations to the Board of Selectman for a possible course of action.
The committee discussed the possibility of having the first instance, the voluntary meeting, held in private so the owners would be less intimidated and more inclined to reach out to the committee for advice. Marty Haspel will discuss the legality of having this voluntary meeting in private with the Town Administrator and report back at the next meeting.
The Animal Control Officer will be invited to the next meeting to discuss the mechanics of warnings and citations issued and to help the Animal Advisory Committee better understand when they will be called on.
A discussion ensued regarding recommendations the committee could offer animal owners for training alternatives for problem situations. Marty Haspel volunteered to compile information that could be offered to pet owners to assist them in obtaining adequate training resources.
Marty Haspel suggested that we elect a Vice Chairman and Clerk and nominations and elections were held with the following results:
Marty Haspel elected as Vice Chairman
Bill O'Shea elected as Clerk
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 P. M.
Date of Next Meeting: To be determined
Action Items:
What
Discuss feasibility of having voluntary meeting with pet owners conducted in private, with Town Administrator:
Who Marty Haspel
When: Next Meeting
Invite Animal Control Officer to next meeting
Who: Bill O’Shea
When: Next meeting
Compile and distribute dog training information to the committee members
Who: Marty Haspel
When: Next meeting
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