Minutes
Board of Selectmen
July 21, 2004
Work Session
2:30 p.m.
Present: Selectmen Linda Burt, Chairman, Kenelm Collins, Russell Sandblom, Joyce Brookshire, Peter Whitlock and Town Administrator Sheila Vanderhoef. Detective Benjamin Novotny and Animal Control Officer Adam Bohanan were present from the Police Department. Lillian Lamperti, Town Clerk and ten others were in the audience. David Bennett and Kara Risk of Bennett & O’Reilly were also present as well as Health Agent Jane Crowley.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Burt at 2:30 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING
2:30 p.m. A public hearing was held to determine whether a Straffordshire Bull Terrier owned by Ms. Angie Russe of 455 Kingsbury Beach Road is a “vicious dog” within the meaning of the statute M.G.L. Chapter 140 Section 157. Testimony, both oral and written, was submitted and considered. Testimony was received from Detective Benjamin Novotny, Animal Control Officer Adam Bohanan, dog owner Angie Russe, and various people from the neighborhood who have had issues with the dog. The dog has chased people, bitten other dogs and at least one person.
Town Clerk Lillian Lamperti reported that the dog in question doesn’t have a license.
It was noted that Ms. Russe had been warned by the Animal Control Officer on numerous occasions and failed to take any steps to train or restrain the dog. She proposed to send the dog to training classes and to erect a six foot chain link fence around her yard. This proposal was deemed insufficient by the Selectmen since the problems have escalated over the past years, not diminished, despite all the incidents reflected in police reports.
Leigh Clayton, a neighbor, commented that they won’t feel comfortable that the dog will be restrained. Saying “How do we know anything will be done? How will the situation be changed?” Harold Goemaat, another neighbor, noted that the owner has been irresponsible. Ray Carlson said that “people are scared. They’re carrying sticks.”
Chairman Burt asked for a recommendation from the officers. Detective Novotny recommended the dog be euthanized.
Minutes -2- July 21, 2004
Selectman Whitlock moved, Joyce Brookshire seconded, that we have this dog euthanized. Approved 5 - 0
Update on Landfill Water Quality (3:12 p.m.) Mr. David Bennett, of Bennett & O’Reilly, was present to provide an update on the Moll’s Pond area water quality investigation. He began by saying a detached plume of contaminants released prior to the capping of the landfill has been identified. They are now in the process of determining how widespread the problem is. A study area approximately one mile long and one-half mile wide has been established. For the properties within the study area we are collecting data on the location and depth of wells and asking for permission to test the water.
A lengthy technical discussion followed. Mr. Bennett displayed color coded maps of the study area showing what is known so far. Primary and secondary study areas have been identified. Two wells had “hits” above drinking water standards. Mr. Bennett is working to “normalize” the data. They are assembling a lot of historical data and working to develop a “snapshot in time.”
There are three ways to bring closure to the problem:
Isolate the contamination
Contain the contamination
Clean up the contamination
Isolating the contamination is what you want to do first. It is preferable to treating. We are also working at containing the contamination by not allowing people to drill where there is an occurrence.
Mr. Bennett recommends that the Town meet with the DEP to discuss compliance and how to minimize exposure and costs. We should look at the idea of a public water supply at the Children’s Place.
Selectman Whitlock moved, Kenelm Collins seconded, that the Board and the Health Department along with Bennett & O’Reilly should go forward with meetings with the DEP. Approved 5 - 0
Selectman Brookshire moved, Kenelm Collins seconded, to support the idea of looking at a public water supply and go forward to get grant money to help us with this study. Approved 5 - 0
It was suggested by Mr. Bennett that the Board might want to have some discussions with Wellfleet about what they have gone through re a public water supply.
Selectman Collins moved, Peter Whitlock seconded, to adjourn at 4:35 p.m. Approved 5 - 0
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