Unruly animals were the big topic of discussion at the Boothbay Harbor selectmen’s meeting Feb. 26.

Animal Control Officer David Pratt answered questions from the board and the public; and dog owners Susan and George Craig and Sean and Denise Garrity of Commercial Street shared their experiences with unleashed dogs downtown.

Susan Craig said that on three different occasions in December, while she was walking her dogs, two dogs were running loose and approached her and her dogs.

“The man said that they were under his voice command,” said Craig. She said the third time, the the two loose dogs took her and her dogs by surprise and attacked despite voice commands from their owner to back off.

“I took our dog to the vet and I’ve now had to employ a dog trainer because that had a profound effect on both of our dogs,” said Craig. “After the experience of learning the hard way, after the bite, it’s not very helpful to try to call the cavalry. So, I’m not proposing that there be a leash law for the entirety of Boothbay Harbor, but certainly for the downtown area where it’s congested with people and dogs … By the time we find out that a dog doesn’t obey to voice control, it’s too late.”

Sean Garrity said that two years ago, he and his wife were attempting to enter their home after walking their dog when a neighbor’s dog approached and tripped Denise Garrity causing her to break her ankle. Garrity said in his experience there are always loose dogs running around and not just those of transient workers, but those of local and seasonal people as well.

“I don’t know if it’s just something you do here, but back in Connecticut, they enforce leash laws even if your yard is fully fenced in. I would never walk my dog without him being on a leash.”

The Garritys said, as a precaution, they now drive out to Spruce Point Inn to walk their dogs because dogs there are always leashed and the couple finds it more comfortable than downtown Boothbay Harbor for that reason.

“Any animals are controllable on a leash,” said Denise Garrity. “Anytime an animal is off a lead, and I don’t care how well-trained they are, they’re still animals that react to the environment, something that stimulates them, another animal.”

Board member Russ Hoffman asked Pratt how many calls he gets pertaining to incidents like this.

“It’s not common at all,” said Pratt. “I’ve probably had more calls for dogs being left in cars … In-town Boothbay Harbor, I would have to say that I have little trouble with dogs running at large. Generally if I do, a dog has escaped somebody.”

Pratt explained this is not to discount issues like the Craigs’ and Garritys’, but that there have been limited cases. Entertaining the idea of some sort of leash law, Pratt said in the immediate surrounding regions, some municipalities have leash laws, the vast majority of which are not heavily enforced. On the other hand, many towns in southern Maine have leash laws, which are well-enforced. All in all, Pratt said, if incidents are not reported to him, he has no way of knowing the extent of the problem.

Said George Craig, “When our dog was bitten, fortunately we were able to track down the owner and make sure the dog was up to date with its inoculations. Next time, we might not be so lucky.”

Board chair Wendy Wolf said the board will work with Pratt to research some of the rules and laws in other municipalities and come back to discuss the possibility of an ordinance, pending more public opinion. For now, Pratt said that the best way to report a loose animal or an incident would be to call the Boothbay Harbor Police Department.

Wharves and Weirs saw two applications before the board – one from the town of Boothbay Harbor for the Fish Pier at 69-75 Atlantic Avenue and the other for Peter and Beverly Edwards at 43 Linekin Road. Attending site visits of both properties were Code Enforcement Officer Geoff Smith, harbor master Nick Upham, Wolf, Selectman Mike Tomko and Lauren Stockwell of Stockwell Environmental Consulting who represented both parties separately.

The Fish Pier proposed to relocate two floats, 10-foot by 80-foot and 30-foot by 10-foot, as well as a dolphin piling and a runway. The Edwards proposed constructing a seasonal 25-foot by 4-foot accessway, 6-foot by 85-foot pier, 3-foot by 50-foot runway, and a 10-foot by 30-foot float. With no objections and permits in order for both applicants, both applications were approved, the Edwards' unanimously and the Fish Pier's with a single abstention – board member Denise Griffin abstained due to her husband’s involvement with Fishermen’s Memorial Park, an abutter to the Fish Pier.

Wolf announced nominations for vacant town positions are due Tuesday, March 20 and will be voted on on Friday, May 4: Boothbay Harbor Sewer District Trustee, two-year term; selectman, three-year term; Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor CSD School Committee, three-year term; Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor CSD Board of Trustees, three-year term; Boothbay Harbor Sewer District Trustee, three-year term; Boothbay Region Water District Trustee, three-year term;Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor Cemetary District Trustee, three-year term.

Town Manager Tom Woodin said his goal is to have all financial warrants and most code change ordinances submitted by the Monday, March 12 board meeting. Woodin said this would enable the board to have two public hearings, if need be, by Sunday, April 1 when everything must go to the printer.

Woodin announced Gary Stone from First Advisors will be attending the Monday, March 12 select board meeting to discuss town investments.

Special amusement licenses classes B and C were approved unanimously for Linekin Bay Resort. Liquor license renewals for Spruce Point Inn and Linekin Bay Resort were grouped and approved unanimously.

Financial officer Julia Latter shared the town’s financial information. The total revenue and expenses, year to date, are $5,798,748 and $5,634,025, respectively. The total accounts payable are $37,834.02 and the bank balance is $2,306,229.04. Latter said the town is about 80 percent through the winter operations budget.

Selectmen meet next at 7 p.m. Monday, March 12 in the town office.

The Feb. 26 meeting will be available online courtesy of Boothbay Region Television (BRTV). Tune in on Channel 1301.