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Moreau Town Board Meeting
Tuesday, December 11, 2007

DOG PARK INITIATIVE ON THE MEETING AGENDA
GENERAL UPDATE

Thank you to all who attended tonight’s Town of Moreau Town Board Meeting . You support in just being there was greatly appreciated!  We wish that more people were able to attend to show their support, but I am hoping it is just the holidays that are keeping supporters from attending. It’s our hope that we will see more people at the next Board Meeting and the upcoming Volunteer Meeting in January.  

Tonight’s meeting was tremendously productive. On the agenda was a discussion regarding dog owner’s winter use of the fenced in ball fields at the Moreau Town Park .  

For quite sometime, a group of dog owner’s have been using the ball fields in the park as an “ad hoc” location to exercise their dogs.  Unfortunately, recently Parks & Rec employee’s have locked the fenced in ball parks and have verbally discouraged dog owners from using this area to exercise their dogs.  

The Dog Park Committee has asked the Town Board to grant to dog owner’s permission to use the fenced in ball fields during the winter months. Overall, the idea was well received, however, Harry Guthiel would like to check with the Town’s insurance company regarding potential liability issues as well as health issues, neither of which are perceived as obstacles to using these areas. Also, Todd K usnierz suggested that a memo be sent to the Director of Parks and Rec requesting a written response regarding their position and concerns regarding the use of these areas. The Board should have a response for us by the next Board Meeting in January. These items are all valid concerns and it is acknowledged that we need to work in partnership with Parks and Rec in the proper useage and maintenance of these areas, especially as we work to establish an off-leash dog park within the Town Park .  

Harry G and Niki Baker were both in support of the previous proposal of using the backyard of the new Town Court for an interim dog park as we work toward the implementation of a permanent dog park within the Town Park . (Niki is against having a dog park within the Town Park but in support of one at a separate location). However, previously, the committee agreed with Todd K usnierz suggestions to work with diligence and focus on creating a permanent area within the Town Park . I personally believe that this is the best approach, however, he emphasized that we NEED to have community support for this effort.  

So the good news is that we a close to having a fenced in area to use to exercise our dogs during the winter….ASSUMING THAT ALL USERS WILL MAINTAIN AND POLICE THE AREA TO KEEP IT CLEAN AND USED APPROPRIATELY.  

The bad news is we STILL do not have enough survey responses to demonstrate community need for the creation of a dog park. WE NEED EVERYONE TO HELP FIND DOG OWNER SUPPORTERS AND HAVE THEM COMPLETE THE SURVEY! WITHOUT MORE SURVEYS AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT, WE WILL NEVER GET A DOG PARK .  

WEBSITE: We are still working out the kinks to publishing a website to www.moreaudogpark.com. I have created a draft website, but am having some difficulties publishing it. (I’m not webmaster, but I’m doing my best!) If we do not have the kinks resolved shortly, I will be seeking other volunteer support. We do have another supporter who has volunteered their website services, so I may engage them shortly.  

THANK YOU: To Phyllis Miyauchi for sharing her story about her frustration with the locked ball fields! To Todd K usnierz for your continued leadership and support.  

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!