HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember_17,_2010_Special_Meeting[1].pdf
Town of Enfield
Town Board Special Meeting Minutes
Enfield Community Building
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
6:45 p.m.
Present: Deputy Town Supervisor Jean Owens, Town Councilperson Chris Hern, Town Councilperson
Debbie Teeter, Town Clerk Alice Linton, Code Enforcement Officer Alan Teeter
Deputy Supervisor Owens opened the meeting at 6:50 p.m. by leading the assemblage in the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag.
Deputy Supervisor Owens gave a brief report of a meeting held November 16 with herself, Town Justice
Betty Poole, Town Clerk Alice Linton and Deputy Town Clerk Sue Thompson in attendance to discuss a
draft Dog Control Law to be presented at public hearing December 8, 2010. Justice Poole suggested we
keep the local law simple – we can refer to Article 7 of the Ag and Market Law of the State of New York
and not repeat the state law in our local law. The prior law was written with input from town justices and
was updated to include a section referring to multi-family units. Justice Poole had stated that she often
hands out the Local Dog Law when someone has a question, and feels a shorter version is more
understandable to residents.
Information was presented by the town clerk regarding purebred dog licenses as follows:
Currently, once an owner has a purebred license, the only requirement each year is for them to pay the
annual fee, show proof of rabies for any dog in their possession on that day, and pay an additional $3 for
each unaltered dog. Therefore, an owner could obtain 10 dogs the next day and not pay the higher fee,
plus there would be no proof that those dogs had their rabies vaccination. The only time the owner reports
to the town is one day each year. If an owner raises puppies, they do not have to be licensed until 4
months of age. By then they would possibly be sold and the new owner would license them. If not, the
breeder could license any puppies still in their possession.
Deputy Supervisor Owens suggested eliminating the purebred license and if a resident had a legitimate
complaint, they could come to the board and express that. The board wants to make sure that all dogs
have their vaccination and are licensed. Councilperson Teeter suggested having a reduced fee if a breeder
had multiple unaltered dogs, but would have to have proof of vaccination and proof that the dog was a
purebred and was used for breeding. It could be difficult, however, for an owner to present proof that a
dog was currently used for breeding. The consensus of the board was then determined to be no purebred
licenses in the Town of Enfield.
Councilperson Teeter then expressed her concern that Agriculture District Law might be in conflict with
our proposed local law. She felt our law should exempt dogs used for livestock protection on livestock
operations in New York State certified agriculture districts in accordance with Agriculture District Law.
Councilperson Teeter will check with her contacts for proper language and a simple sentence will be
inserted in the appropriate paragraph.
Councilperson Teeter also expressed concern that parts of the law, such as barking, may be used as a
weapon by people who really aren’t interrupted with barking, but have another issue with their neighbor.
Enfield Special Town Board Meeting, November 17, 2010 2
Deputy Supervisor Owens moved to accept the draft of Local Law No. 3 of 2010, as presented at this
special meeting, with the addition of a short description exempting working dogs, as the Dog Control Law
that the board presents at the public hearing at the December 8, 2010 regular board meeting.
Motion seconded by Councilperson Teeter.
Vote: Deputy Supervisor Owens aye, Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Teeter aye. Carried
Deputy Supervisor Owens moved that Roy Barriere be appointed to fill the vacancy as town supervisor,
that he vacated, effective November 19, 2010. Motion seconded by Councilperson Hern.
Vote: Deputy Supervisor Owens aye, Councilperson Hern aye, Councilperson Teeter aye. Carried
Councilperson Hern reported on the furnace problem in the town hall. He is working to get quotes to
replace the furnace that heats the town clerk’s office. Hull and HSC & Associates have met with
Councilperson Hern and will be sending quotes. HALCO did not show up for their appointment. Highway
Superintendent Rollins discovered that the flue pipes were jammed full of bird nests and thus contributed
to the furnace problems. HSC & Associates will be checking the two other furnaces in the hopes that they
will operate adequately for another season.
Councilperson Teeter suggested sending a letter to HALCO, who serviced the furnaces last year, and tell
them what was found and express our dismay over their work. Councilperson Hern will also take pictures.
Councilperson Hern asked if geothermal heating was considered for the new facility. Deputy Supervisor
Owens responded that yes, it was considered, but the cost was prohibitive.
Councilperson Teeter moved, with a second by Deputy Supervisor Owens to adjourn.
The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Alice M. Linton
Enfield Town Clerk