Ogunquit News
Selectmen hear opposition to animal control changes
By Melissa Wood
OGUNQUIT - Between 25 and 30 residents attended the Board of Selectmen's public hearing on the proposed warrant articles for the 2007 annual town meeting, and most of the talk was about proposed changes to the rules governing when dogs are allowed in and around the beach parking lots.Acting Town Manager Loring DeAgazio said about half a dozen residents spoke up in opposition to Article 17, which would revise the animal control ordinance by not allowing dogs in most beach parking lots or the land next those lots between April 1 and Sept. 30. Dogs would still be allowed at the Beach Street lot.
The hearing on the articles lasted a while, explained DeAgazio, because of the time it took to read through the 64 articles that will be voted on by residents on April 7.
"It was quite lengthy," he said.
After the public hearing, the Board of Selectmen decided not to discuss or vote on the Dunaway Community Center improvements or plans for the Ogunquit Village School, which were also on the agenda.
DeAgazio said the future of both the school building and Dunaway Center are related as the town looks for the best way to use its buildings to meet the needs for municipal space.
"It's a fairly complex issue," said DeAgazio.
He said the selectmen would probably hold a workshop to take a closer look at what to do with both buildings.
The issue of the town's buildings had been addressed by a Building Needs Committee a few years ago. The committee had spent several years looking at space for the police station, municipal offices and community center.
However, the town turned down the committee's suggested plan as well as a subsequent proposal to study the idea further.
As of press time, the workshop had not been scheduled.
Selectmen are due to meet again on Tuesday, March 20.
