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October 19, 2002 Members of the Beverly Animal Resource Coalition (BARC) steering committee, other BARC members, dog owners and citizens, and members of the Parks and Recreation Department (PRD) met with the Public Service and Aid Committee (PS&A) on Tuesday, October 15.
The PS&A again addressed the issue of the proposal to ban dogs from Lynch Park. A small number of residents were allowed to speak at some length in favor of banning dogs from the park, and proposed creating a leash-free area elsewhere in the city. Sally Milligan Park was suggested. Community Services Director Thomas Scully expressed the opinion that Sally Milligan may not be a viable option because part of the area is conservation land. Animal Services Officer James Lindley also felt there were serious concerns about Sally Milligan because of the lack of fencing, and liability if cars strike animals. Chairman of the PS&A Ronald Costa acknowledged concerns that the Sally Milligan area is not sufficiently secure and safe, especially after dark.
BARC representative Wayne Miller gave a review of BARC’s accomplishments since it’s inception. It was noted that BARC “does not purport to act on behalf of all dog owners, and maintains that the PRD similarly has no authority to negotiate on behalf of the city’s elected officials.”
The BARC representative said, “We sincerely hope that the issue of restricting access to Lynch Park will be decided forthwith, so that BARC and the city’s services departments can proceed with more productive enterprises.”
Mr. Costa announced the formation of an advisory group to work together to find a resolution to the dog access question at Lynch Park. He said that the advisory group would suggest to the PS&A how the issue should be resolved. The PS&A will then vote on the matter and report to the At Large City Council.
Mr. Costa directed that the advisory group would be comprised of an unspecified number of representatives from the PRD, a number from BARC, and others from the community. Mr. Costa recruited from the speakers at the meeting two people who spoke in favor of banning dogs from Lynch Park to serve on the advisory group.
This advisory group is charged with the task of reaching a consensus on how to resolve the issue. Whether or not the advisory group reaches a consensus, Mr. Costa said that the issue would come back to the PS&A for a vote.
Mr. Costa will direct the composition of this advisory group. He said he is looking for a balance of opinions. The BARC members of the advisory group can be assumed to have a stance strictly opposed to banning dogs from Lynch Park. The members of the PRD serving on the advisory group can be assumed to be in favor of a ban, because the PRD voted unanimously to request a change in ordinance banning dogs from the park. Mr. Costa selected two of the members of the advisory group at the public meeting on Tuesday night because of their pro-ban position.
Mr. Costa asked the PRD to select a time and location for convening a meeting of the advisory group. This meeting has been scheduled for October 22.
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