Selectmen OK proposed Bethel dog park location

    Bethel selectmen last week gave their blessing to a proposed location for a new dog park.
    An informal committee has been researching options for such a park over the past few months, and recommends using an acre of land behind the Shell Station on Route 2. The site is located on the Pathway’s town land.
    Central Maine Power, which has a right-of-way over the land, would have to provide an easement, according to committee member Steve Wight, who made the presentation to the board.
    The plan calls for a five-foot high chain link fence to be placed around the parcel. It would be divided into two sections, for use by smaller and larger dogs, respectively.
    As for financing, said Wight, “It would be done as a town project, but we would provide the funds necessary to build it.”
    He estimated a cost of $16,000, coming from private donations and grant funds.
    The site would have to be leveled, and some wet areas possibly filled in, with permission from the state Department of Environmental Protection.
    The town Planning Board would also have to approve the overall project.
    If approved, the town would do general maintenance on the park, under an arrangement similar to Davis and the Skate parks.
But dog owners themselves, backed up by a committee, would make sure dog waste is cleaned up.
    A town committee would be appointed to oversee the park, said Wight, in order to make the project “sustainable.”  
    Town Manager Jim Doar said the town’s insurance company is comfortable with the park concept, as long as established rules are followed and adult supervision provided for all dogs.
    Wight said the committee has studied layouts and rules for dog parks in other communities.
    He anticipates the park would remain open in the winter, as long as the snow doesn’t get too deep.
    After asking a number of questions to clarify the town’s role, the selectmen unanimously approved the location, as well as permission to start the Planning Board application process.
    In other business last week, the board approved a bid (the only one submitted by the deadline) of $31,445 by Hahnel Bros. Co. of Lewiston to fix the roof on the Cole Block, where the town office is located.