REPORT OF THE KENNEL AND DOG NOISE REGULATION COMMITTEE
TO THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
February 24, 2003
Dear Chairman Brownsberger, Mrs. Mahoney, and Dr. Solomon:
Background: The Kennel and Dog Noise Regulation Committee was appointed by the Board of Selectmen in September 2002. The five voting members of the Committee are Judith Ananian Sarno (chair), Donald Becker, Elizabeth Cahill, Robert Gallant and Susan Purcell. In addition, John Maguranis is a non-voting ex officio member of the Health Department. The Committee’s first meeting was held on Wednesday, November 20, 2002, and subsequent meetings have been held on alternating Wednesdays. All meetings have been publicly posted.
It is the responsibility of the Committee to develop draft By-Laws, regulations, and/or legislation for regulating the operation of animal kennels and dog barking noise for Town Meeting consideration and approval in April 2003.
The Board of Selectmen has specifically charged the Committee as follows: To become familiar with the current Massachusetts General Laws related to the regulation of kennels and/or dog noise; to review other Massachusetts communities‘ bylaws, ordinances and regulations related to kennels and/or dog noise; to serve as a conduit to solicit, receive, and incorporate public input; to prepare draft bylaws, regulations and/or legislation for the regulation of animal kennels and dog barking noise; to make a formal presentation of the draft bylaws, regulations and/or legislation to the Board of Selectmen in February 2003; to submit any final draft bylaws to the By-Law Review Committee by March 2003; and to make a formal presentation of any proposed By-Laws, regulations and/or legislation to the Annual Town
Meeting in April 2003.
From November 20, 2003 to the present, the Committee has reviewed the relevant statutes and By-Laws of Belmont and other Massachusetts cities and towns. The Committee has also contacted and received pertinent information from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Office of the Attorney General, Municipal Law Unit, and has solicited and received opinions from Town Counsel. Finally, the Committee has met with the Town’s Animal Control Officer/Animal Inspector, the Board of Health, and the Director of the Health Department.
Attached are the following materials:
Attachment B: A draft of the amendment to the General By-Law: Kennels
Following the receipt of any comments or changes to the above draft materials from the Board of Selectmen, the Committee will incorporate changes as soon as possible.
We intend to follow up with a Public Meeting in March, after which we will incorporate changes recommended by the public, insofar as possible.
We will then submit the changed documents to the Board of Selectmen for forwarding to the Planning Board ( the Zoning By-Law Amendment), the By-Law Review Committee (the General By-Law amendment) and Town Counsel (both).
Thank you for your consideration.
Judith Ananian Sarno, Chairman, Kennel and Dog Noise Regulation Committee
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