Town Meeting voters this May may debate three updated dog-related bylaws that hike fees for violators and change where and when dogs can go in town.
Last fall, the Recreation and Parks Commission discussed a possible Pooch Pass that would allow residents to run their dogs off-leash at certain times of day in specified areas. Dogs with a Pooch Pass would also be permitted on the sidelines at playing fields while on leash and under control of the owner.
“We’re tabling the Pooch Pass,” said Rec & Parks Commissioner Shelly Bedrosian at a Jan. 8 meeting. She said research showed that the idea wasn’t fiscally doable, as it would have required an investment in dog waste stations.
Instead, Bedrossian — working with Board of Health member Tom McMahon and Animal Control Officer Betsy Cruger — hopes to present three updated bylaws at Town Meeting.
“Most of these bylaws haven’t been updated since 2007,” Bedrosian said, pointing out that one dates back to 1986. “I find them very confusing.”
Off-leash rules
Currently, dogs in Marblehead are only allowed off leash at the dog park on Lime Street and in private yards. Bedrossian suggested increasing the penalties for off-leash pups as follows:
- First offense: Up from $25 to $100
- Second offense: Up from $50 to $300
- Additional offenses: Up from $50 to $500
The update would also stipulate that dogs be on leashes no longer than 12 feet long.
Poop pick-up
The updated bylaws would increase fines for people who don’t pick up after their dogs. Penalties would jump from $50 for the first offense to $250 for the first and every violation.
Where can Rover roam?
Right now, on- or off-leash dogs are not allowed at most town parks, all playing fields and all beaches from May through October.
Bedrossian wants to rethink that schedule to have it better reflect field use. That will be worked out soon, she said.
“We have programming and youth sports on the athletic fields from April 1- mid-November, with tarps down from December-April,” Bedrossian wrote to the Current. “The time frame of May-October makes no sense as it may have in 1992 when the bylaw was created.”
Beach bans
Per state Department of Public Health and Bureau of Environmental Health, dog waste on bathing beaches is a serious public health risk and can bring significant harm to shellfish beds and aquatic life. The updated bylaws would ban dogs from the following bathing beaches year-round: Devereux, Gas House, Stramski, Grace Oliver and Cove Lane (on the Neck).
The updates would also clarify that dogs are never allowed at the following:
- Public cemeteries
- Athletic playing fields and courts, including Reynolds Park, Gatchells Park, Seaside Park, Seaside tennis and pickleball courts, Veterans School fields, Veterans tennis and pickleball courts, Village School track, Hopkins Field, Village lower field, Piper Field, Marblehead High School lower back fields, Orne Field, Hobbs Field and Brown School fields.
Higher fines
People who still bring their dogs to these off-limit areas would face higher fines.
- First offense increases from $25 to $100
- Second offense increases from $50 to $300
- Third and subsequent offenses $500
Leashed dogs are, and would continue to be, allowed at the following: Chandler Hovey Park, Crocker Park, Fort Sewall, Fountain Park, Upper Seaside, the Rail Trail, Lead Mills and Stramski lower grass area.
Off-leash spots
The new bylaws would permit access to unleashed dogs at the dog park, Riverhead Beach (to the left of the boat ramp) and Back Beach (at the Neck end of the Causeway), because those are not considered bathing beaches.
“Rec and Parks is going to put up a snow fence to the left of the boat ramp (at Riverhead), a dog waste station and signage,” Bedrossian explained. “The sign will welcome dogs with MHD Dog licenses to roam off-leash in the cordoned off area. We are trying to create another dog park if you will.”
Under the current bylaws, dogs are only allowed at Riverhead from October to May and need to be on leash.
“This is a significant increase in privileges,” Bedrossian pointed out.
Coffin dog park?
Commissioner Matt Martin said the town really needs a “grassy place for people to run their dogs,” and the board discussed the Coffin School field as a top possibility.
Bedrossian said she researched the cost of fencing in the area, and it is about $8,000. The School Committee voted on Jan. 9 to turn over the former school over to the town.
Bedrossian said she would work with McMahon and Cruger on finalizing details of the proposed bylaw changes before the Board of Health and Rec & Parks vote to place them on the Town Meeting warrant.
