Dog Officer Paul Willard addresses Town Meeting during the discussion of Article 38.
(Photo by Lisa Aciukewicz)
When Annual Town Meeting temporarily adjourned at the end of its first evening session, several of the thorniest issues still lay ahead. Among those was Article 38, which set forth several proposed changes to the local bylaw on dogs. That article was the first to be taken up at Town Meeting’s second session on Wednesday, April 2.
“We’re a community that likes our dogs,” Selectwoman Lucy Wallace said as she introduced Article 38. Nearly 40 minutes of debate on the article clearly indicated how true that statement was.
Wallace emphasized that Article 38 was definitely not a leash law. She said that the measure “brings the town into conformity with the state law” on defining when a dog is either a nuisance or a danger. The measure also set a much steeper schedule of fines for dogs that fall into those two categories.
Lucy Mcquilken of Bolton Road proposed amending the article, saying that the definition of a nuisance dog was too vague. Wallace responded that it was “simplest and cleanest” to stick with the state definitions. After further discussion, the amendment was voted down.
Meg Bagdonas of South Shaker Road asked how the local law related to state law. Wallace said that the bylaw allowed more flexibility. It would give residents the option of either reporting a problem to the dog officer or filing a formal written complaint with the Board of Selectmen. State law specifies only the latter.
Selectman Leo Blair spoke against the article, saying Harvard should rely on the state law and the processes it sets forth.
A turning point in the discussion seemed to come when Paul Willard, Harvard’s dog officer, said the bylaw might not be perfect but was “a step in the right direction.” He said he supported the measure for two reasons. First, he called the increased fines an important financial incentive for responsible dog ownership. And second, he said, “I hope that this will prevent the need of ever, ever, ever talking about a leash law in the town of Harvard.”
Shortly afterward, Article 38 passed by a majority.
