Politics & Government

Animals on the Common Still Undecided

Selectmen do not take action on a proposed bylaw change.

Selectmen declined to take a public stand Tuesday on a proposed bylaw allowing animals on the Common in certain circumstances.

The proposal would require anyone wishing to have animals on the Common to seek permission from selectmen. This would replace the current bylaw that prohibits animals on the Common without exception.

Complaints about alpacas displayed at the Common during last summer’s farmer’s market brought the issue to light. Selectman and town animal inspector John Carlson said he checked out the Common after the alpacas, from Angel Hair Alpacas, were displayed and had some concerns about potential animal waste and damage to the grass.

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Michael Urban, who oversees the farmer’s markets, said the alpacas created an educational component to the farmer’s market and helped attract visitors.

He proposed a bylaw change that would allow organizations and individuals to seek public approval from selectmen if they wanted animals on the Common.

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Selectmen debated whether they should be responsible for approving animal displays and whether that should fall under their jurisdiction.

Urban said he was willing to change the wording to allow permission to be granted from someone the selectmen designated.

After some discussion, selectmen suggested Urban get a citizen’s petition placed on the warrant at the May Town Meeting. These petitions require ten signatures to be valid and are not officially supported by town government.

Town resident Ernest Peters said the farmer’s market should not be held on the Common. He said the Common should be a place of serenity and that other locations in town would be more suitable for the activity of a farmer’s market.

At previous meetings, others have argued that the Common is the common meeting location in town and so is a sensible location for a variety of town events.


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