The meeting’s primary focus was on a public hearing regarding a dog bite incident involving a dog named Whan, owned by Amy Levali. The incident, which involved a woman named Kimberly Roso, required medical intervention after she was bitten while returning a piece of mail. The Animal Control Officer presented evidence and witness statements, highlighting significant discrepancies between the accounts of the victim and the dog owner. A critical piece of evidence, video footage of the incident, was reportedly no longer available, complicating the board’s decision-making process.

During the hearing, Roso testified about the physical and emotional impact of the incident, describing injuries that required stitches and her ongoing pain. Roso requested stricter safety measures, such as ensuring the dog is restrained at all times on the premises.

Levali, the dog owner, provided her account of the incident, emphasizing her dog’s extensive training and the precautions she had taken, including installing no trespassing signs and a driveway alarm. She argued that Whan’s behavior was not typical and was likely influenced by medications administered during a veterinary visit. Levali stated her commitment to additional safety measures, such as installing a fence and muzzling the dog when outside.

The board deliberated on how to classify the dog, ultimately deciding on labeling it as “dangerous,” citing the severity of the injuries and the context of the incident. This decision mandates that the dog must be muzzled and leashed outside of its enclosure, with additional restrictions imposed indefinitely. The board clarified that these measures aim to ensure public safety and provide room for reevaluation if the dog’s behavior improves under professional guidance.

The classification decision sparked debates among board members, with some advocating for a “nuisance dog” designation, which typically involves less severe consequences. However, the board resolved that the incident’s nature warranted a “dangerous” classification, as it involved an unprovoked attack causing injury.

In addition to the dog bite case, the meeting addressed other topics. The board discussed a personnel shortage in the local police department, resulting from recent resignations. The police chief highlighted the need for additional part-time officers to cover shifts and ensure effective law enforcement in the community. The board swiftly approved a motion to initiate the hiring process for at least one more officer.

The board also reviewed a request for a one-day liquor license for an event at Hurley Park. After confirming that all necessary paperwork and insurance documents were in order, the board approved the request without objections.

In operational matters, the board examined a capital improvement project concerning the town’s website. Members discussed the annual service fee for the website management platform, which covers hosting, management, and technical support. A motion to authorize a contract with the web service provider was met with unanimous support.

Financial topics included several departmental transfer requests. Notably, a transfer of $21,646 from the select board salary line to Harper’s Payroll to cover unexpected service fees was approved. The board also authorized the carryover of vacation days for an employee who was unable to utilize them due to overlapping responsibilities with a new hire.

Updates from the meeting included plans for a new highway garage, with discussions ongoing about a scaled-down proposal due to budget constraints. The board planned a follow-up meeting to further discuss the project’s feasibility.

The South County Senior Center director presented potential changes and opportunities, including relocating to a new building in Sunderland. The move could reduce costs compared to previous proposals. The director emphasized the need for due diligence to ensure the building meets operational requirements, with a special town meeting anticipated to address budgetary needs if an agreement is reached.