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Silver Creek supervisors table dog ordinance changes after public opposition; board logs two animal nuisance complaints
Summary
The board postponed changes to the township dog ordinance pending attorney input after seven residents spoke against revisions. The board also recorded two nuisance complaints—one about a property keeping four dogs and another alleging too many horses per acre—and Chair Helman said he would coordinate with the county.
Chair Mike Helman reopened the board meeting at 7:25 p.m. and said the dog ordinance discussion would be tabled until the township received further communication from the attorney.
Helman told residents during open forum that they could comment on the tabled ordinance but the board would not respond until the next meeting; the minutes record seven residents speaking against any changes to the ordinance. The board voted to approve the amended agenda—adding nuisance complaints to new business—by motion of Supervisor Andy Christensen, seconded by Supervisor Sandy Forsman; the motion carried 4-0.
Under new business the board recorded two nuisance complaints. For property ID 216100332201 the minutes say it was reported the parcel is keeping four dogs; Helman read applicable county ordinances and stated that if the owner continues to keep four dogs they would need to apply for an interim use permit or a dog-kennel permit and that he would work with the property owner and the county to ensure compliance. For property ID 216100332202 the minutes record a complaint that there are too many horses per acre; Helman said he would contact the county to confirm how many animals are allowed per acre.
The minutes do not show the board taking enforcement action; they record that Helman will follow up with the county and property owners. The record also contains a chronological inconsistency: the attendance line lists Supervisor Brandon Geyen as absent, but the adjournment line records a motion to adjourn attributed to Brandon Geyen. The minutes do not explain that discrepancy or identify which residents spoke during open forum by name.
