HomeMy Public PortalAboutAnimal Control 2019-10-08 •
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ORLEANS TOWN CLERK
Animal Control and Regulation Task Force Meeting Minutes: Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Call to order by Jamie Demas
Members in attendance were Jamie Demas, Jennifer Seyboth, Paul Pokaski, Bob Sinclair, Ed
Bagdonas, Jessica Brown, and Karl Oakes. Nate Sears, Orleans Natural Resources Manager, also
attended.
Re-introductions for Jessica, who missed the first meeting.
We agreed to request an assigned clerk to take meeting minutes, we will rotate turns until we get
allocated one, if we do. Jennifer Seyboth took minutes for this meeting.
Our Board of Selectmen (BOS) liaison (Meff Runyon) is away and did not attend tonight's meeting
Review of Ch. 85-ANIMAL CONTROL
Read through 85-2 Restraint
85-7 Violations, Enforcements, Penalties
Paul suggested some possible changes to this and let the record show multiple people opposed
suggesting changes so early on in this process.
Paul suggested we raise the fine to $50 (no first offense, etc.). This would bring us in line with other
surrounding towns such as Chatham and Eastham
Everyone actually agreed the fine should be brought up to $50, we will keep it as a proposed change
for when that time comes.
Questions we have for Police (Casey Eagan)
1. Are tickets or any violations enforced?
2. What is the process?
Karl suggested possibly separate fines for each offense.
Ed suggested that we add the State Law of Restraint wording to this chapter. It is lengthy, however.
A story was told regarding someone's neighbor and their kids were attacked in 2016 on Wildflower. The
person would not exchange information. Could we require (as in if you were in a car accident) that
papers must be exchanged.
Possible solutions or ways to make it easier to obtain dog info;
• Picture on file of a dog (data base) .
• Bigger dog tags
• Educational videos mandatory
• Permit to use certain spots
• Benefit of a season pass, have something to hold over owners
• In Boston, for example, dog on leash unless can pass a voice control test.
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Next Item brought up for discussion by Paul was 85-3 Waste Removal
. *There should be a zero tolerance, no written warning
*How do you enforce poop law?
•*Nate reiterated it harms the environment
*Regulate vs educate owner, with privilege comes responsibility
Jessica mentioned an incident at Kent's point where an owner would not pick up the dogs
waste. Again, no way to enforce.
*Is it possible to get more containers like the ones at Kent Point for waste disposal
*strongly recommend education at the time of licensing
A spreadsheet of different rules at different locations was brought up by Ed and will be distributed for
next meeting
Rocks on Wildflower came up but it is not relevant to this discussion will be tabled
Jamie will follow up on links to our committee on the website and when items will be uploaded. A
request for physical and electronic packages was also made.
Karl created a handout (see handout) identifying columns for Dog Walking ;
Value, detriment and intervention
Nate discussed reasons for beach access closures and did address the rocks brought up earlier at
Wildflower saying they are necessary and have a purpose and that the parking was closed due to
erosion issue not because of dog access. The chain to wildflower is now down or "unlocked"
Refer to handout on Nauset Beach and OSV(Over sand vehicles)
*No one takes issues with dog rules in this handout
*Nate says stickers are issued so the town can track people that way
*Everyone likes the season pass idea
Someone brought up Canine Good Citizen group?
Viewed Orleans Dog Owners Survey results, down the road there may be a role for the ODOG to
provide positive reinforcement. Can also do another survey if and when needed to assist us.
Jessica brought up possibly leaving educational materials for renters as well. She has seen stickers on
rental refrigerators.
Item 7 on agenda Identify constituencies and develop outreach
*Dick Hilmer- shore board specialist for Natural Resources Department, Orleans
*Bob Prescott, MA Audubon Exec Director (retired)
r *Police department (Officer Casey Eagan, Animal Control Officer)
*John Jannell —Conservation Commission, to report on property types throughout Orleans
*Expert on dog laws in MA- Karl was to reach out
*Chamber of commerce - Noelle Pina - renters and other business interests (Karl to reach out)
MA President of Animal Control office - Laurie out of Dennis?
Next Meeting at 5:30 October 21st.
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