Residents and volunteers raise litter, dog-waste and playground-vandalism concerns to Selectmen

Several residents used the public-comment period at the July 15 Board of Selectmen meeting to report littering, dog-waste on the town common and vandalism at the playground. One speaker described finding a pair of black trash bags containing used diapers and an empty diaper box at a rail crossing on Elm Street and asked the town to remove the material. "Figure out how to clean that up. A bit disappointing," the speaker said. Parks and Recreation volunteers and other speakers said volunteers and the youth soccer program have repeatedly encountered dog feces on the common and on the soccer fields. A board member noted fines for leaving dog waste on public property were adopted in 2009 and said officials have a dog description that may help identify an owner. Volunteers also described vandalism at the playground: sand buckets were tossed onto a shade canopy, tearing it and dumping sand, and children were photographed playing on top of the damaged canopy. Board members reminded parents that damage to town property can result in fines and that parents could be held responsible for replacing damaged equipment if children are identified; volunteers said they have photos documenting the incidents. Speakers urged residents to pick up after dogs, supervise children at the playground and respect volunteer efforts to maintain public spaces. The board did not take formal action during public comment but indicated staff would follow up on cleanup and enforcement options.