Town of New Haven
Present: Amos Roleau, Larry Buck, Burt Allen arrived 7:10, Barb Torian
Others: Dean Gilmore, Norm Armstrong, Annette Armstrong, Tony Conant (arrived 6:30), Wendy Conant (arrived 6:30), Phil Busier, Jim Dumont, Sansea Sparling, Michael Manley, Suzy Roorda
Larry Buck will chair until Burt Allen arrives.
AGENDA: Results
Read and approve minutes make corrections if needed.
Dean Gilmore: Provided some history of some related complaints about barking dogs belonging to the Armstrong’s. He received a verbal complaint of barking dogs from Wendy Conant in May of 2002. He said he would not take action unless he received a written complaint. Wendy Conant then told him that she would work it out. He received a written complaint in June of 2002. He went to the Armstrong residence and gave a verbal warning. He did not hear anything else until September of 2002. He came to a selectboard meeting to discuss the complaint which appeared to be a complaint about him rather then a dog complaint. Discussion about the Conant’s never having heard back from the dog warden. Dean Gilmore stated that he was not obligated to report what action he has taken to the person with the complaint. Larry Buck suggested it would be a good idea to let the people know what action had been taken. There was some discussion as to whether there were personal issues involved besides the dogs. He did not receive any other complaints until April of 2004; when Mr. Conant called his house and gave his wife a hard time because he did not believe that Dean was not home. Dean Gilmore spoke with Burt Allen who said it was all taken care of. He just received the other complaints. Dana Trudell has never complained before and her complaint is word for word the same as the Conant complaint. It is unfortunate that the Conant’s are not here to discuss this. Complaints are handled on a case by case basis. Now he has received a new complaint and will take action on it. Discussion of Burt Allen potentially having called the sheriffs dept. Armstrong’s were given a verbal warning town can now begin the ticketing system.
Norm Armstrong: The Conant’s have tried to block everything he has ever done. He believes this may be racially motivated. He does not think this is about the dogs. He does not want to fight. The Conant’s also have dogs and they run around. How can you shut up beagles? He is open to suggestions. He thinks this is a feud. He wants to work on the situation. Amos Roleau can here the dogs bark at his house. Norm Armstrong does not bother his neighbors and does not want them to bother him. Believes he is being teamed up on. He has offered to buy an air conditioner for the neighbors so they won’t hear the noise.
Discussion of noise in the nighttime under disturbing the peace. Discussion of no problems for 2 years. Potentially a deeper issue involved.
Annette Armstrong: Wondered why all of the sudden there is a new flurry of complaints. The complaint on May 5th mentions large droppings on the neighbor’s yard. Their large dog does not leave their property.
Discuss potential solutions for noise and dogs on other people’s yards. Armstrong is currently putting up a fence. Discussion of using a dirt burm with some type of planting to help noise go up instead of toward neighbors. Armstrong will do whatever it takes to get along with the neighbors.
Conant’s arrived at about 6:30: The Conant’s brought in a tape recorder to record the meeting and others did not want the meeting taped so she did not tape the meeting.
Conant’s have taken pictures of the Armstrong dogs on their property but, they have not been developed yet.
Larry Buck provided an overview of what had been discussed up to this point for the Conant’s.
Wendy Conant would like proof of what action has been taken by the town. Dean Gilmore has never responded to their complaints. She feels threatened by these big dogs. The dogs apparently attacked some other dogs when they were on Town Hill Road. Not relevant to this issue.
Larry Buck requested that people remain civil and direct questions through him.
Dean Gilmore stated that the complaint on Sept. 4, 2002 seemed more like a complaint about him then the dogs. Wendy Conant stated she never received any response. Larry Buck asked about what has been happening in between 2002 and 2004. Wendy Conant called at 12:30 am when the dogs were barking and was sworn at and hung up on. Who should she call? Dean Gilmore stated he has not received phone calls on barking at night.
Norm Armstrong: Would like to attempt to resolve the dog issues. This is not about whether Gilmore is doing his job or not. Armstrong is willing to work on trying to get along. He would sell his dogs to the town and get rid of the animals in order to get along. Amos Roleau inquired about how much it would cost to purchase the dogs. Armstrong stated he would write up a price and bring it in tomorrow. Discussion not all dogs being registered Armstrong mentioned that he had 14 dogs and only 5 are registered with the town. His veterinarian is on vacation he will get dogs vaccinated and register them.
Wendy Conant works at home and is not willing to keep her windows closed so she doesn’t hear the barking. Discussion of State Ordinance noise in the night time 11 pm – 6 am. Sheriff has been to their house to get an affidavit from them and others in the area. Dean Gilmore spoke of complaints being handled and that he had not receive one of the complaints until just the other day. Wendy Conant suggested that the clerk is not delivering the paperwork. Discussion of Mr. Allen stating he would take care of the last complaint. Discussion of ticketing process and how poorly it works. Wendy Conant went to the sheriffs dept. looking for help dealing with these problems. She stated that paper work is not being provided to officials in a timely manner. They have given several complaints and the select board is not taking action. Tony Conant spoke of being a tax payer and not being able to get what he needed from the town. There are 15 – 20 dogs next door and no one goes to enforce the ordinance. They have filed 6 complaints why hasn’t anything been done? Wendy Conant spoke of the dog ordinance being there to protect the people. Discussion of the dog ordinance not being a strong enough tool to enforce some problems. People in town did not want to have a stronger ordinance. People did not want to be charged with a felony if their dog got loose. More discussion of it being a poor process. Discussion of shooting dogs and not being the Hatfield’s and the McCoy’s. Discussion of the only way to settle problems with the dog ordinance would be to go to court. Wendy Conant does not feel safe on her property. They can not sell Butch Conant’s property because of the barking dogs. She will not shoot any dogs. And it is pointless to sue the Armstrong’s. Discussion about bringing suit against the town. Expects the town will be found negligent. Suggest that town look into the process on how documents are being filed. The town needs to enforce the dog ordinance. She has spoken with Amos Roleau and Burt Allen. Dean Gilmore does not return her calls. She is trying to follow the law.
Burt Allen Arrived.
Larry Buck made a motion to have the dog warden return peoples calls and let them know what action has been taken. Second by Burt Allen. All agree.
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Approved:
________________ ___________________ _________________
Amos Roleau III Burt Allen Larry Buck