Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Animal Control topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sandown officials to post signs at Center Cemetery after resident complains about off-leash dogs
Summary
Following a resident complaint that unleashed dogs disrupted a mourning visit at Center Cemetery, the Port of Slickman agreed April 6 to post signs limiting dogs (recommended leashed/no off-leash) and to explore a Selectmen's ordinance to enable enforcement.
The Port of Slickman on April 6 discussed a resident complaint asking that dogs be banned from Sandown's Center Cemetery and agreed to begin by posting signage while considering an ordinance for enforcement.
Town Administrator Lynn Blaisdell read an email from Heather Holmes in which Holmes said she was "writing to see what has to happen to get in writing to have dogs not allowed at the Sandown Cemetery" after an incident where "a couple living in the area brought their dogs over, let them off leash, peed on the grass" and otherwise disrupted a family visiting a grave.
Several selectmen and residents said the cemetery is not an appropriate place for unleashed dogs. Vice Chair Meghan Daley said there is "plenty of green space around town" and that people visiting graves should not have to contend with loose animals. Selectman Eddie Mintz and others suggested posting signage as a deterrent and that the police could be asked to check the area occasionally.
Blaisdell said the cemetery trustees manage the site and that she had given Carol Bassett's contact information to the correspondent; trustees told Blaisdell they did not recall a permanent "no dogs" sign at the location. Board members discussed short-term steps (posting "please do not bring dogs off leash" or similar language) and longer-term options: drafting a Selectmen's ordinance for town property that would define leash requirements, cleanup obligations and penalties.
Selectman Ben Schopp said he would "get together with Linda" to draft suggested ordinance language and that the board should first put up signs and then revisit enforcement if problems persist. The board did not adopt an ordinance at the meeting but agreed to post signs on cemetery property and follow up at a future meeting if necessary.
The board also noted existing recreation-area rules that already restrict dogs on playing fields and acknowledged statutory exceptions for service animals; members said enforcement questions would be clarified in any ordinance draft.
