MassVoter.com← Harwich Select BoardHarwich Select Board · 2024–2025 Board · Regular meeting
June 10, 2024
7 recorded votes, 2 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Julie Kavanagh, Jeffrey Handler, Peter Piekarski, Michael MacAskill, Donald Howell
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Close the Public Hearing
To close the Public Hearing
From the minutes
“Mr. Howell moved to close the Public Hearing. Seconded by Mr. Piekarski. Vote: 5:0 in favor. Motion carried.” (Motion: Howell, second: Piekarski)
The Board find the dogs known as Apollo and Brody be found to be dangerous dogs as said dogs have attacked aggressively with other dogs and humans including attacking and causing bodily injury to...
That the Board find the dogs known as Apollo and Brody be found to be dangerous dogs as said dogs have attacked aggressively with other dogs and humans including attacking and causing bodily injury to both humans and other dogs with its aggressive actions
From the minutes
“Mr. MacAskill moved that the Board find the dogs known as Apollo and Brody be found to be dangerous dogs as said dogs have attacked aggressively with other dogs and humans including attacking and causing bodily injury to both humans and other dogs with its aggressive actions. Seconded by Mr. Piekarski. Mr. Handler confirmed with Officer Harrington that she recommended that Brody be a nuisance dog and Apollo to be a dangerous dog. Officer Harrington confirmed and said the she recommended that Apollo be deemed a dangerous dog as he has a bite history now. Brody, the terrier type dog has never bitten and she recommended that he be deemed a nuisance dog. Mr. MacAskill noted that his thinking is that they acted together, they terrorized together. He respects the Animal Control Officer's recommendation but this didn't happen solo. Every incident except one happened with both dogs. He commented that looking through the Police reports and the time that it has taken, along with the fact that the owners said they would put up a pen but there is no pen at this time, he thinks they're antagonizing the public and should both be deemed dangerous dogs. Ms. Kavanagh commented that she would like Officer Harrington's recommendations for the pen included in the motion. Mr. MacAskill responded that he did not add that because of the way it was presented. The Board is to make a determination first and then go to a motion after. Mr. Handler aggreed that, with the history and with them not being licensed, it shows noncompliance over a number of years. His feeling is that he would support a motion to deem both dogs a nuisance and dangerous. Mr. Piekarski commented that the reason for his second to Mr. MacAskill's motion is because the victim stated that she believes it was Apollo but not 100% certain because both dogs were present. In all likelihood it was Apollo however he agrees that both dogs should be considered dangerous at this time. Vote: 5:0 in favor. Motion carried.” (Motion: MacAskill, second: Piekarski)
The Board make the following Order: The terrier type dog named Brody and the border collie named Apollo shall be securely confined indoors or confined outdoors in a securely enclosed and locked...
That the Board make the following Order: The terrier type dog named Brody and the border collie named Apollo shall be securely confined indoors or confined outdoors in a securely enclosed and locked pen or dog run upon the premises of the owner or keeper within the fenced in yard. Provided further that such pen or dog run shall have a secure roof and if such enclosure has no floor secured to the sides thereof, that the sides or fencing shall be embedded into the ground for not less than two feet. Provided further that within the confines of such pen or dog run, a dog house or proper shelter from the elements shall be provided to protect the dog. That once in place, must be inspected and approved by the Animal Control Officer and that when both dogs are removed from premises of the owner or the premises of the person keeping the dogs, the dogs shall be securely and properly restrained with a leash no longer than six feet in length that shall be inspected and approved by the Animal Control Officer and that only an adult over the age of eighteen years of age shall walk the dogs. A reasonable time frame is requested to complete these requests and to be inspected. Mr. and Mrs. Dings must keep both dogs' rabies vaccinations current, the dogs must be licensed annually in the town where they are kept. Furthermore that the Dings be held responsible for any damage and medical bills for the victim. It is Officer Harrington's personal opinion that the Dings lack responsibility in dog own
The minutes say "he moved"; the mover shown is the member named just before (Michael MacAskill).
From the minutes
“he moved that the Board make the following Order: The terrier type dog named Brody and the border collie named Apollo shall be securely confined indoors or confined outdoors in a securely enclosed and locked pen or dog run upon the premises of the owner or keeper within the fenced in yard. Provided further that such pen or dog run shall have a secure roof and if such enclosure has no floor secured to the sides thereof, that the sides or fencing shall be embedded into the ground for not less than two feet. Provided further that within the confines of such pen or dog run, a dog house or proper shelter from the elements shall be provided to protect the dog. That once in place, must be inspected and approved by the Animal Control Officer and that when both dogs are removed from premises of the owner or the premises of the person keeping the dogs, the dogs shall be securely and properly restrained with a leash no longer than six feet in length that shall be inspected and approved by the Animal Control Officer and that only an adult over the age of eighteen years of age shall walk the dogs. A reasonable time frame is requested to complete these requests and to be inspected. Mr. and Mrs. Dings must keep both dogs' rabies vaccinations current, the dogs must be licensed annually in the town where they are kept. Furthermore that the Dings be held responsible for any damage and medical bills for the victim. It is Officer Harrington's personal opinion that the Dings lack responsibility in dog ownership going back to their history of dog ownership with previous animals with the prevention with the previous Animal Control Officer, Jack Burns. The lack of correction in this matter has resulted in the escalation in behavior even after many verbal warnings and citations being issued. She respectfully requested that if the incidents continue with the border collie type dog Apollo and the terrier type dog Brody, that the Board set forth sanctions that the dogs be surrendered to a shelter or rescue within ten days of any future incident. Also that the owner or keeper provide documented proof of no less than $100,000 in insurance for claims resulting from an intentional or unintentional acts of the dog or of reasonable efforts to obtain such insurance if a policy has not been issued. Seconded by Mr. Handler. Mr. Howell addressed the Dings, commenting that he is deeply concerned that their neighbors are actually terrified to walk around with any dog at this point because they are scared that something might happen to them. He his deeply concerned that the Town of Harwich, for as long as he can remember, has generally construed being under the control of their owners as being sufficient so that every dog doesn't wind up being leashed everywhere throughout town. He stated that they are taking that away from the whole town eventually and he hopes they will ponder that becauses it's an act of responsibility that transcends just their neighborhood. Vote: 5:0 in favor. Motion carried.” (Motion: MacAskill, second: Handler)
Affirm the appointment and Employment Agreement for Kevin M. Considine, Police Chief effective July 1, 2024
To affirm the appointment and Employment Agreement for Kevin M. Considine, Police Chief effective July 1, 2024
From the minutes
“Mr. Howell moved to affirm the appointment and Employment Agreement for Kevin M. Considine, Police Chief effective July 1, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Handler. Vote: 5:0 in favor. Motion carried.” (Motion: Howell, second: Handler)
Accept the resignation of Debora Miller from the Brooks Academy Museum Commission, effective immediately
To accept the resignation of Debora Miller from the Brooks Academy Museum Commission, effective immediately
Yes: Handler, Kavanagh, MacAskill, PiekarskiAbstained: Howell
From the minutes
“Mr. Piekarski moved to accept the resignation of Debora Miller from the Brooks Academy Museum Commission, effective immediately. Seconded by Mr. Handler. Vote: 4:0:1 in favor with Mr. Howell abstained. Motion carried.” (Motion: Piekarski, second: Handler)
Approve contract with Tighe & Bond, Inc. for engineering services for the Herring River Fish Passage at Route 124, fully grant funded, in the amount of $246,150.00 to be signed by all Board members
To approve contract with Tighe & Bond, Inc. for engineering services for the Herring River Fish Passage at Route 124, fully grant funded, in the amount of $246,150.00 to be signed by all Board members
From the minutes
“Mr. Piekarski moved to approve contract with Tighe & Bond, Inc. for engineering services for the Herring River Fish Passage at Route 124, fully grant funded, in the amount of $246,150.00 to be signed by all Board members. Seconded by Mr. MacAskill. Vote: 5:0 in favor. Motion carried.” (Motion: Piekarski, second: MacAskill)
Adjourn
To adjourn
From the minutes
“Mr. MacAskill moved to adjourn. Seconded by Mr. Handler. Vote: 5:0 in favor. Motion carried.” (Motion: MacAskill, second: Handler)
From the Harwich Select Board’s official minutes, posted on the town’s agendas and minutes portal (2025 on) and its archived Agendas & Minutes page (2012–2024). We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos: The Cape Cod Chronicle (William F. Galvin and file photos) and the Handler For Harwich campaign website.
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