A proposed new ordinance may allow dogs to be off-leash during certain hours in Wilton.
On Monday, the Wilton Select Board and community members discussed a proposed ordinance to grant dog-owners the freedom to not leash their pets from dawn to 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. to dusk on town property, including the Sand Hill Reservoir. Currently, the town ordinance requires dogs to be leashed at all times on town property.
“I’m concerned about the law of unintended consequences,” Select Board Chair Kermit Williams said Tuesday, referring to the potential of dogs running out in front of cars or attacking children.
The 10-acre Sand Hill Reservoir is a popular spot for community members and their dogs to play during the hot summer months. However, community members expressed concerns about the reservoir’s water purity if dogs are unleashed.
“If dogs are welcome to swim and potentially poop in our town reservoir, when and how will there be testing of the water for E. coli?” said town resident Felice Fullam.
Fullam also said residents may be afraid of swimming alongside dogs, especially of dogs scratching them with their paws. However, Selectman Matt Fish said, “I’m [at the reservoir] all the time and I see nothing of what you just said.”
Other community members expressed a desire to not allow dogs on town beaches at all, regardless of whether or not the dog is on a leash.
“In my experience, most of the people don’t want dogs swimming where people swim,” said resident Ralph Bushman.
Board members requested changes in the proposal before voting, including making the ordinance to have dogs unleashed specific to the Sand Hill Reservoir. They plan to discuss and vote on the proposal no later than July 11.
On Tuesday, Williams said community members were clear about their stance.
“The feedback seems like a universal agreement against the new ordinance,” he said.
In another matter, Select Board members voted to allocate up to $5,000 to help assess and repair the Old County Farm Road Bridge located in the north end of town. The bridge, which dates back to the middle of the 17th century, is closed after being damaged by the Mother’s Day Flood in 2006. The board voted in favor of the maximum $5,000 donation toward the reconstruction process.