By Patrick Anderson
Staff writer
—
On Monday, selectmen finalized this year's special and annual
Town Meeting warrants and provided their recommendations on whether the
majority of articles facing voters in April should be approved or denied.
But with their chairwoman, Susan Thorne, out of town and several
issues developing, the four remaining selectmen decided to wait to weigh in on
a few of the stickiest issues until Town Meeting, which will be held April 7.
The dog ban article would extend the summer prohibition of
canines on the beach to the remainder of the year.
Proponents say the large number of dogs being brought to
Opponents say if dogs are not allowed to use the beach during
the winter,
Town Administrator Wayne Melville said yesterday selectmen
decided to issue their recommendation on the article the day of Town Meeting
because of lingering questions about whether the article needs to reference the
town's canine bylaw and to give Thorne a chance to have her say.
"There is some sentiment that the article should have
referenced the bylaw," Melville said. "It may not be fatal, but town
counsel and the town moderator are working on it now."
Thorne was one of the residents who signed the petition to place
the dog ban on the warrant.
The wind power bylaw would allow wind turbines in the Limited
Commercial District north of Route 128 while also establishing restrictions on
where and how they can be built and used.
The bylaw, submitted by the Planning Board, was spurred by
Manchester Athletic Club's proposal to build a turbine on its
But since planners submitted the article, the club has become
concerned about some restrictions included in it.
Melville said the Planning Board was considering changes to
language in the article and was scheduled to hold a public hearing on it next
week.
"The Planning Board has not held their meeting and the
(selectmen) want to hear from everybody," Melville said.