Selectmen Reject Request to Amend Dog Ordinance on Town Beach

On June 12, the Board of Selectman received a request from the Park & Recreation Commission asking them to amend the current Dog Ordinance. The commission requested the ordinance to read as follows:

To ensure the health, safety and well-being of everyone who utilizes the beach, all dogs will be prohibited from the Town Beach from the Friday before Memorial through the Tuesday after Labor Day. 

The commission stated that since the town has established a Dog Park for owners that they could alternatively use this facility.
Currently, the ordinance states that dogs are allowed in designated areas on public property, including the Town Beach, provided they are leashed by the owner and the leash is no more than 10 feet in length. 
The Board unanimously voted down the request to amend the ordinance, and instead recommending posting more signs at the beach to let residents know what the rules are for dogs. They also stated that there should be signs directing dog owners where they can and can't walk their dogs. 

Director of Public Works, Peter Neff, who attended the meeting, stated he would order signs and dog stations put up providing bags for owners to pick up after their dogs.