Pittsfield panel hears dog park proposal

PITTSFIELD – Town councilors expressed interest Tuesday night in establishing a local dog park, but stopped short of throwing their support behind the project by offering a location or town backing.

“I support any group that comes in with fresh new ideas,” Councilor Kevin Taylor said. “We need to look into this.”

But Councilors Michael Gray and Christine Cote said the council needs to take a balanced approach on such requests, not jumping on something new and discarding something that has been waiting.

Cote referred to the proposed skateboard park, which already has a warehouse full of equipment unused for two years while waiting for a volunteer coordinator and a location.

Robert Gervais, one of the founders of the For The Love of Dogs Club, explained the off-leash dog park concept to the councilors and said it should be located on municipal property but fenced and maintained by club members. He called such a park a “win-win situation” to keep dogs and feces out of public parks while providing dogs a place to run and their owners a place to gather.

“These parks often become very important social centers in a community,” he said. Gervais said dog owners would use such a park at their own risk and that there would be separate enclosures for small or infirm dogs for safety purposes. “Aggressive dogs will not be welcome,” he said.

Mayor Tim Nichols said that as the project proceeds, it would be important to get the town’s park and recreation committee involved. “I’m not saying this won’t happen,” Nichols told the members of the club Tuesday night, “but it may take a while.”

Gervais said the club has signed up 19 members in the past 45 days and that it is generating a lot of interest. Six members attended Tuesday night’s council meeting.

Nichols suggested that the club set up an informational table at the community forum April 12.

Town Manager Kathryn Ruth said 28 environmental and healthful-living groups have been invited to the forum, which will be held at the gymnasium of Vickery School. There will be display tables for community groups and short discussions on composting, the town’s tree inventory and gardening.

In other business, the council:

. Renewed the liquor license for The Picnic Basket on Route 100.

. Accepted proposals for a new town office server and postage meter.

. Authorized purchase of a new truck with plow for the Pittsfield Water Department.

. Suggested investigating the possibility of charging operators’ insurance companies when the Fire Department responds to reports of motor vehicle accidents.