TURNER — Selectmen voted Monday night not to pay kennel costs for dogs whose owner is involved in a court case.
According to information at the meeting, Animal Control Officer Wendall Strout was ordered by a judge to impound the dogs until their owner’s case is heard in court in July.
Selectman Dennis Richardson was adamant that taxpayers were not going to foot the bill and Selectman Ralph Caldwell agreed.
Selectmen said owner Michael Bell should pay the kennel.
In other business, the board discussed securing the new bell made to replace the town’s bicentennial commemorative bell that was stolen from in front of the Turner Town House in April 2012.
Selectman Kurt Youland suggested it could be anchored in concrete.
Caldwell said he had a 10,000-volt fence that, if thieves tried to take it again, would “sit them down.”
Richardson replied, “We can’t kill ’em.”
“They won’t actually die, it will just sit them down,” Caldwell said.
A motion-activated light was suggested, but selectmen said they didn’t want to help thieves by giving them light.
The board will continue to pursue ways to protect the bell.
The board also said Moark egg farm continues to receive complaints about flies and the complaints are passed on to the town.
Caldwell said he is sure the company is doing everything possible to fight the problem.
Town Manager Kurt Schaub suggested to Ken Gruber at the farm that they print handouts to show people they were taking steps to be a good neighbor.
“Not every fly in town has an ‘M’ on it,” Richardson said.
Selectman Dick Keene said, “I motion to tell the flies to go away,” which brought laughter from the group.
Schaub reported the town didn’t have enough money to do all the repairs needed at the Boofy Quimby Memorial Center. The immediate problem is odor from the septic system.
The board decided to fix the odor problem, get estimates for the rest of the work needed and ask voters to approve the funds.
Resident Mary Seaman told the board beaver dams have caused flooding on her property. She said normally dry areas have turned into a swamp and her road is under water.
Schaub said in order to adjust the water level of Pleasant Pond, they would need an ordinance approved by voters. The board voted to look at the site May 27.
Schaub informed the board that the town beach will open Memorial Day weekend.
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