Dogs still an issue
By Bethan L. Jones/ Staff Writer
Thursday, April 13, 2006 - Updated: 11:56 AM EST
The walkers and the dog-owners are still not friends.
At the Conservation Commission’s Tuesday night meeting, those living in the surrounding area of Willards Woods conservation land shared their frustration with the predominate use of the area by those walking their dogs. The first meeting on the topic was held a month ago and was characterized by what committee chairman Joyce Miller categorized as "a lot of venting."
Tuesday’s meeting was intended to look for solutions to the many issues raised in recent weeks about the use of the woods by those with or without dogs.
"The commission is very aware of your feelings and concerns," said Miller, adding the Conservation Commission is looking to create a committee of both abutters and dog owners to find some solutions to the issues raised.
Miller said all residents should remember "Willards Woods is not a dog park" but it is also illegal to limit conservation land access to residents and outsiders. Miller also made clear Lexington does have a leash law, under which dogs must either be on a leash or under voice control, and a "pooper-scooper" law requiring dog owners to clean up after their pets.
Miller asked all walkers using the woods to exercise their dog to keep the animals on a leash until they are will within the conservation area to prevent the dogs from running on to neighbors’ yards. She also said the commission will be petitioning the town to renovate the North Street parking lot, which has "been in bad shape for 40 years."
Masha Traber, a Maple Street resident who walks her two dogs in the woods read a signed petition from a number of dog walkers, which looked to address many of the problems of abutters. Traber said the dog walkers seek to respect the woods and those using the area for many recreational purposes. Traber’s statement emphasized the importance of allowing dogs to run off leash both for exercise and to allow them to socialize with other dogs.
It also said the dog owners will take very seriously the process of self-policing by ensuring dog feces are cleared away, dogs are on leashes in and out of the park and dogs are under control so they do not bother those without a dog.
Traber’s statement also presented several ideas for improvement, including adding a voluntary fee onto dog licenses which would go toward taking care of Lexington’s natural resource areas; creating a "Friends of Willards Woods" group to watch over the cleanliness of the park; and staging Willards Woods clean-up days.
"We can all work together to improve Willards Woods," she said.
Carol Chomsky, a resident of Suzanne Road, said she no longer walks there with her grandchildren as they are accosted by dogs that are not under voice control. She added the dogs regularly come into her yard which abuts the woods. There are also times when the owner is not visible. Chomsky asked if it would be possible to designate certain paths only for pedestrians without dogs.
Resident Susan Hilzenrath, who also lives on Suzanne Road said she too has a problem with unwatched dogs running into her yard and destroying her flower beds. She also said she has been verbally assaulted by dog walkers when she told them about their dog’s misbehavior. Hilzenrath asked the gathered 100 or so residents to work to find an amicable agreement looking to all to "exercise civility" around the issue.
"Some things cannot be fixed," she said. "This is not one of them."
Resident Margery Zandie of Bryant Road, an employee at Waters Technology Corporation, said her company would match charitable donations made by current employees up to $1,000. She urged residents to donate to the cause with the intent to purchase permanent signage for the woods and additional trash barrels.
Nancy Bryant, a resident of Blossomcrest Road, said keeping dogs on leashes all the time "creates more problems than it solves." By being on a leash, dogs are not able to socialize properly and can end up having more significant behavioral problems. She added the dog-walking community is committed to being a good neighbor and being responsible.
Chet Webster of Brent Road made clear he appreciated the feelings of goodwill and community but said when a community "takes over and damages" an area, the community should not be the largest concern.
"Don’t get wrapped up in all the emotional language," he said.
Brent Road is currently a main access area for the woods by dog walkers and others looking to use the area
Resident Steven Fish, also of Brent Road, said he had concerns about the dog feces and urine close to the community pool, stating it could be a public health problem. He asked for "no parking" signs to be placed on around the Adams pool, the community pool located right near the entrance to the woods, to avoid having dogs near where people will be walking. Miller informed him parking restrictions on the public way were the purview of the Board of Selectmen, not the Conservation Commission.
Aaron Clayton of Hancock Street, to address the concern about dog fights or attacks and researched the Lexington police records and found no record of any incidents in the past year and a half, with only one report detailing a dog nipping the shorts of a member of the Diamond track team.
"The perception is not reality," he said, urging the commission not to make "hysteria the basis for policy."
Resident Les Perlman also urged the committee to use "hard data" when making any decisions.
"We, as dog owners, need to police ourselves," he said.
The commission continued the hearing and asking those interested in participating in the advisory committee to contact the Community Development office.
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