MassVoter.com← Ayer Select BoardAyer Select Board · 2025–2026 Board · Regular meeting
July 28, 2025
5 recorded votes, 0 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
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Attendance
Present: Jannice L. Livingston, Christopher E. Tavares, Shaun C. Copeland
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Public Hearing - Nuisance or Dangerous Dog
Admit the Animal Control Officer's report and a copy of the August 26,2019 agreement as evidence in the hearing
Motion: A motion was made by J. Livingston and seconded by C. Tavares to admit the Animal Control Officer's report and a copy of the August 26,2019 agreement as evidence in the hearing. Motion passed 3-0.
From the minutes
“Motion: A motion was made by J. Livingston and seconded by C. Tavares to admit the Animal Control Officer's report and a copy of the August 26,2019 agreement as evidence in the hearing. Motion passed 3-0..” (Motion: Livingston, second: Tavares)
Confirm that Mr. Lahiff violated the August 26, 2019, agreement concerning his dog known as "Tiger" to be at large, unrestrained, and not properly licensed, resulting in attacking and injuring...
Motion: A motion was made by S. Copeland and seconded by C. Tavares to confirm that Mr. Lahiff violated the August 26, 2019, agreement concerning his dog known as "Tiger" to be at large, unrestrained, and not properly licensed, resulting in attacking and injuring another dog and its owner, and that "Tiger" was not properly muzzled or leashed at the time of the incident, and that by operation of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 140, Section 156. In the terms of the agreement, Mr. Lahiff is hereby deemed to have surrendered all rights, title and interest in the dog. He shall immediately surrender to the Ayer Animal Control Officer the dog's license and tags. He is hereby prohibited from licensing a dog within the Commonwealth for five years. Motion passed 3-0
From the minutes
“Motion: A motion was made by S. Copeland and seconded by C. Tavares to confirm that Mr. Lahiff violated the August 26, 2019, agreement concerning his dog known as "Tiger" to be at large, unrestrained, and not properly licensed, resulting in attacking and injuring another dog and its owner, and that "Tiger" was not properly muzzled or leashed at the time of the incident, and that by operation of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 140, Section 156. In the terms of the agreement, Mr. Lahiff is hereby deemed to have surrendered all rights, title and interest in the dog. He shall immediately surrender to the Ayer Animal Control Officer the dog's license and tags. He is hereby prohibited from licensing a dog within the Commonwealth for five years. Motion passed 3-0.” (Motion: Copeland, second: Tavares)
Authorize Ayer's Animal Control Officer, Julie Thomas, to dispose of the dog known as "Tiger" through euthanization or adoption in her sole discretion
Motion: A motion was made by C. Tavares and seconded by S. Copeland to authorize Ayer's Animal Control Officer, Julie Thomas, to dispose of the dog known as "Tiger" through euthanization or adoption in her sole discretion. Motion passed 3-0
From the minutes
“Motion: A motion was made by C. Tavares and seconded by S. Copeland to authorize Ayer's Animal Control Officer, Julie Thomas, to dispose of the dog known as "Tiger" through euthanization or adoption in her sole discretion. Motion passed 3-0.” (Motion: Tavares, second: Copeland)
Request that Ayer's Police Chief, Brian Gill, file a criminal complaint against Mr. Lahiff in Ayer's District Court as a result of his violation of the August 26,2019 agreement and any applicable...
Motion: A motion was made by S. Copeland and seconded by C. Tavares to request that Ayer's Police Chief, Brian Gill, file a criminal complaint against Mr. Lahiff in Ayer's District Court as a result of his violation of the August 26,2019 agreement and any applicable criminal laws related to the false statements and actions by him at the Select Board's July 21, 2025 meeting and that the Chief advise Mr. Lahiff's probation officer if known. Motion passed 3-0.
From the minutes
“Motion: A motion was made by S. Copeland and seconded by C. Tavares to request that Ayer's Police Chief, Brian Gill, file a criminal complaint against Mr. Lahiff in Ayer's District Court as a result of his violation of the August 26,2019 agreement and any applicable criminal laws related to the false statements and actions by him at the Select Board's July 21, 2025 meeting and that the Chief advise Mr. Lahiff's probation officer if known. Motion passed 3-0..” (Motion: Copeland, second: Tavares)
Close the public hearing at 5:32 PM
Motion: A motion was made by S. Copeland and seconded by C. Tavares to close the public hearing at 5:32 PM. Motion passed 3-0.
From the minutes
“Motion: A motion was made by S. Copeland and seconded by C. Tavares to close the public hearing at 5:32 PM. Motion passed 3-0..” (Motion: Copeland, second: Tavares)
From the Ayer Select Board’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Agenda Center (2025 on) and Document Center (Agendas, Minutes and Packets › Minutes › Select Board, 2018–2024). We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos (the town’s website has no Select Board photos): stills from Ayer Public Access Corporation (APAC) videos — Chris Tavares (June 24, 2026 Select Board meeting, behind his nameplate), Jannice Livingston (August 31, 2026 Select Board meeting, behind her nameplate) and Shaun Copeland (APAC’s “Scout Finds Out” episode titled with his name, about 2019–20). Cropped by MassVoter. Former members show initials.
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