Every dog has his day - in Perrysburg it’s Sept. 21

by Terri M. Bahne

...And Tuesday, Aug. 17 was that day.

     The Village of Perrysburg held a public hearing to address the issue of the animal ordinance that will be put into effect within a month. Residents from the village were allowed to voice their opinion - and voice it they did - regarding the local law that shall be known and cited as the “Animal Control Law of the Village of Perrysburg.”

     Mayor Anthony Kota commenced the hearing by stating, “We will not pass this law tonight.”

     What everyone received a copy of, to read and comment on, was only a draft, he stressed. From that point on, the stress level increased.

     Pet owners pitted themselves against non-pet owners on issues such as the number of dogs that should be allowed. Mayor Kota stated that the ordinance in question does not regard the limit of dogs due to the possibility of one dog being a nuisance with improper tending to, and a group of three dogs being harbored by one owner not being a problem with the proper control being applied.

     “I don’t think anyone needs more than one dog,” stated one resident, to which another resident vehemently opposed. “A lot depends on the pet owners,” the individual rebutted. The general consensus was agreement and if the dogs were under control at all times (including such items as length of consistent barking, leashing and the harassing of other animals), that there would be no issue.

     An issue that was in question, though, was the incorporation of cats into the new ordinance. “There’s nothing that will be enacted [in this law] in regard to cats,” Mayor Kota stated.

     As cats can be just as large a nuisance as dogs, several residents intonated, the feeling was that something should be done about the way they are allowed to roam the neighborhood and harass other animals (among other issues).

     Dog Warden Kathy Hagner offered to set traps to capture the roaming felines ... opposed to one resident’s off-the-cuff remark about his desire to shoot them.

     Any additional questions or comments may be directed to the village clerk during regular business hours, or may be brought to the final public hearing that will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 21 at the town hall. At that time, the “Animal Control Law of the Village of Perrysburg” will be voted on and put into practice.

     Prior to the public hearing, the monthly village meeting was held, which commenced with an audit report that was performed by CPAs Kathy and Jack Berry.

     To summarize this past year’s finances, Ms. Berry advised the board that there was approximately $62,000 in the general fund (justifiably high because nothing large has been purchased this past year). She continued with a suggestion to close out the cable and water fund projects, as they have been completed, and to roll over the extra funds into the sewer project.

     The board will review and approve said audit at a later date.

     Other noteworthy items include:

   •  A position on the board is still open for an additional trustee.
   •  Dog Warden Kathy Hagner reported that she handed out three tickets for barking dogs this past month, as well as two for no licenses, three warning letters being sent in regard to the barking ordinance, and three stray dogs being seen in the village, but were unable to be caught. She also reported 30 individuals attending the most recent cat clinic, which she deemed a success.
   •  Village Clerk Laurie Kazimer reported that the water meters will be read at the beginning of September. The village office will be closed on Saturday, Aug. 28. If anyone would like to pay their water/sewer bill or taxes, payment can be mailed to P.O. Box 307, Perrysburg, NY 14129 or it may be placed in the drop box located at the town hall (a receipt will be mailed out on Aug. 31, when Kazimer will return to the office).
   •  Code Enforcement Office James Pacanowski reported addressing such items as junk cars within the village, as well as speaking with a few residents in regard to the cleaning up of their properties. There have been no updates on the Habitat house.
   •  Trustee Michael Cooper stated that grass and weeds have been cut around the pump house, and rings have been raised on the manholes on California Road.
   •  DPW Supervisor Luther Albrecht advised the board that work was being done on a new culvert pipe, various tree limbs needed to be cut, and guard rails were being worked on. Main meters need to be replaced, he added, and some storm sewers may be hard to get up because of the new blacktop with epoxy that was laid recently.

     The next regular village meeting will be held at the town hall on Tuesday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m.