Animal Advisory Committee-Meeting Minutes- March 18, 2010
In Attendance: Eric Stone, Presiding, Martin Haspel, Bill O'Shea, Joanne Baldauf Kerry Ann Reid, Diana Back- Animal Control Officer
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 by Dr. Eric Stone - Chairman
Old Business
1. Minutes from the February 10, 2010 meeting were read and accepted.
2. Marty Haspel reported that based on his meeting with the Town Administrator all meetings of the committee must be public meetings.
3. The committee reviewed the informational material that Marty Haspel provided and agreed that it would be a good starting point as a packet to be handed out to pet owners for a guide in obtaining training for problem dogs.
4. It was suggested that a list of books on animal training and behavior modification be compiled to include in the information packet. Committee members can submit suggested book titles to the Clerk and a list will be compiled.
5. There was discussion on making copies of the packet and it was suggested that the
Town copier could be used for this purpose.
6. It was suggested that a list of dog trainers be compiled and included in the information packet provided to pet owners who meet with the committee. Committee members can submit names of dog trainers in the area to the Clerk and a list will be compiled.
New Business
1. The committee discussed the procedures to be followed for handling dog complaints with the Animal Control Officer. It was determined that there are two paths for complaints; one when the pet owner voluntarily seeks advice from the committee based on a suggestion from the Animal Control Officer, and the second, when a complaint is scheduled to go before the Board of Selectmen. The procedure for the second instance is not clear and Bill O'Shea will contact the Town Administrator to determine who to speak with to clarify the procedure. A Process Flow of the procedure will be developed and presented to the Committee by Bill O'Shea.
2. It was agreed with the Animal Control Officer that only Warnings where a recommendation was made to meet with the committee would be forwarded to the Committee. The Clerk will be the point of contact with the Animal Control Officer and interface with pet owners seeking a meeting with the Committee.
Administrative Matters
1. A motion was made, seconded and approved unanimously to set the quorum for a meeting at three out of five members.
Date of Next Meeting
1. A Motion was made, seconded and approved unanimously to establish a set meeting on the first Thursday of the last month of each quarter with the Animal Control Officer and to conduct other business of the committee.
2. Other meetings will be convened as necessary
Action Items:
What: Submit suggested book titles on animal training and behavior modification to the Clerk so a list can be compiled to include in the Committees Hand Out Packet.
Who: Committee members
When: Next meeting
What: Submit names of dog trainers in the area to the Clerk to compile a list.
Who: Committee members
When: Next meeting
What: Contact the Town Administrator to clarify the procedure to be followed by the committee when a complaint has been escalated to the Board of Selectmen.
Who: Committee members
When: Next meeting
What: Develop Process Flow of procedure to be followed by the committee to handle dog behavior complaints.
Who: Bill O’Shea
When: Next meeting
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