Report from Board of Selectmen Meeting, March 24, 2009
Three members of MayDOG met with the Maynard Board of Selectmen on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 7pm. The selectmen had been given a copy of our full proposal in advance, and we gave a brief summary presentation of the highlights during the first 10 minutes. After that, each of the selectmen had a chance to speak and ask questions. Their questions gave us a lot of insight into their concerns, which mainly consist of budget, town liability/exposure, and lack of town resources. They made it pretty clear that nothing is going to happen on this issue in the short term. They suggested that we continue to fundraise and do research on issues such as liability insurance and operating budgets. The landfill site is still a possibility, but they want to investigate the solar farm first and do not feel it is wise to try to present both the solar farm and the dog park proposals to the Dept. of Environmental Protection at the same time. Therefore, it will be a while before we know anything about the landfill site. They recommended we continue to look at other sites, and suggested the Rockland Ave property as one alternative.
The bottom line is that they seem to feel that this is not a high priority for the town and are not convinced of the need for the park. We tried to convey the potential for the park having a positive impact on the community, but it’s not clear that they were convinced.
Here’s what we hope to do next:
- Continue to research potential sites
- Continue to build our membership
- Begin more intensive fundraising and building awareness
Your comments are welcome, either below or by email.
Read comments from another MayDOG board member here.
Comments
2 Comments on Report from Board of Selectmen Meeting, March 24, 2009
-
betsyk on
Wed, 1st Apr 2009 7:15 pm
-
Lisa on
Wed, 1st Apr 2009 8:00 pm
Hi Maydog — I’ve been part of the weekly Acton Dog Party for about 7 years now. I’ve also frequented smaller dog get-togethers in other communities as well as the only designated “dog park” I’m aware of, Callahan Park in Framingham.
Of all the groups, Acton’s is the only one that really “works” for the dogs. There have been few real “fights” that I’ve been aware of, and I’ve never known a dog to get hurt there except for a golden retriever who split a toenail once. I think there are many reasons for the success of this event, the primary one being that it happens at a designated time on a single designated day each week. This allows for the animals to have this as part of their regular routine and, most importantly, means that at least some people bring their dogs weekly. Sometimes there are newcomers and there is a steady bunch of comers and goers, but the bulk of the group has already established itself as a pack. That means fewer fights, because the individual dogs already know their places and the owners know which dogs their pets have issues with.
At Callahan, a very popular gathering place for dogs and their people, most meetings are haphazard, leaving the more alpha animals to fight about it time after time after time depending on what other dogs are there, who has a toy, or whatever else dogs feel they have to protect. I know of many dogs, my own included, who have been badly bitten there.
The other advantage Acton has is location, location, location. It is a very large unfenced space with a parking lot at one end, a pond at the other, and trails and open woods accessible at the remaining two sides. Not only is it difficult for a dog to find himself cornered there, but there is enough space for people with “special needs” animals (puppies, small dogs, or reactive dogs) to carve out their own little niche of safety, with their owners keeping close watch.
The parking lot can be in issue, but at least it is set back from the street behind a fire station, so the dogs are pretty safe. For the most part on a Sunday morning the only folks coming in or out are dog people who know to watch carefully.
But I think the only reason our group has stayed where it is for as long as it has is because the town is not involved at all. Town officials certainly know about it, but because it is not an “official” gathering they bear no liability. All they ask is that we clean up after our dogs, which most of us do anyway.
Nobody seems to know how or when the Acton Dog Party got started, but it was already well established when I first showed up 7 years ago, with 60 or 70 dogs showing up on the nicest weekends and at least 15 or 20 on the very worst winter days. My suggestion to you all would be to gather a group of 5 or 6 dogs and people who will agree to meet at a suitable location at the same time once a week or so and, once the dogs have established themselves comfortably there, start inviting new people. If all goes well word of mouth will take care of the rest of it. If all does not go well then we’ll continue to see all our Maynard buddies on Sunday morning behind the fire station!
Hi Betsy,
Thanks for your comments! I admire the success of the Acton group. Unfortunately, I know my dog and many others can’t handle an unfenced park. Many sight hounds and other types of hounds–and dogs that are still learning!–need the safety provided by a fenced area. It’s also nice to have a designated, official park. What might happen if folks in Acton started complaining because the Acton Dog Party takes place on kids’ playing fields?
Anyway, thanks again for taking the time to leave your thoughts.
Lisa
