Gorham canine homeowners who don’t clear up after their pets now face a minimal superb of $150 for the primary violation and double that for every further violation in the identical yr underneath new ordinance adjustments.
Owners should additionally leash their dogs on town-owned property or be equally fined, and dogs are actually banned from taking part in surfaces at city athletic fields. Dogs that always bark or howl can wind up costing their homeowners between $150 and $1,000 relying on the frequency and period.
Gorham Town Clerk Laurie Nordfors, proper, administers the oath of workplace Tuesday to Councilors Charles “Lou” Simms and Suzanne Phillips. Robert Lowell / American Journal
The council voted 6-1, with Councilor Rob Lavoie opposed, to go the ordinance adjustments at a gathering Tuesday. Also on the assembly, councilors chosen newly reelected Councilor Suzanne Phillips as their chairperson and Councilor Lee Pratt as vice chairperson. Phillips and Lou Simms, elected final week to switch Councilor Ronald Shepard who retired Tuesdayhad been sworn into workplace.
Dog waste has been a problem in recent years on walking trails on the town and on sports activities fields with coaches and fogeys objecting to youngsters having to play on littered fields. While dogs are nonetheless allowed on city trails, they’re banned from a “playing surface of any municipal-owned recreation facility” however Phillips mentioned pets can nonetheless accompany homeowners watching video games from the sidelines.
People walking their dogs should even have of their possession a plastic bag or related container for “collecting and removing feces,” in line with the ordinance.
“Everybody, everywhere, pick up after your pets,” Phillips mentioned Wednesday.
Dogs now should be leashed on town-owned or town-leased property and leashes may be as much as 30 toes in size. Phillips mentioned dogs are additionally required to be on leash at Shaw Cherry Hill Farm.
Town Councilor Phil Gagnon mentioned that along with the brand new guidelines, the city ought to present “dog waste dispensers and refuse bins to help alleviate some of the waste issues we are seeing.”
Phillips urged that info handouts must be given to individuals once they license their dogs. She mentioned canine grooming businesses and different volunteers may also assist get the phrase out.
Lavoie’s objection to the ordinance adjustments centered on Narragansett School fields, which he mentioned are insufficiently delineated and will end in undue fines for some canine homeowners.
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Shepard retires after 9 years on Gorham Town Council
