Revised regulations deal with disposal of pet waste and limitations on length of time animals may be restrained outdoors
The Huntington Town Board, at its June meeting, set a July 12 public hearing on proposed revisions to the section of Town Code dealing with animals, including setting requirements on the proper disposal of pet waste, limiting the length of time animals may be restrained outdoors and establishing guidelines to aid in the prevention of animals being abandoned.
Under the proposed revisions, dog owners will be required for the first time to “pooper scoop” after their dogs, placing pet waste in a sealed plastic bag and depositing the bag in a covered garbage receptacle.
The proposed revisions also prohibit tethering, leashing, fastening, securing, restraining, chaining or tying a dog to a stationary object outdoors for more than two continuous hours in any 12-hour period. For animals who are restrained, the proposal, among other requirements, bans the use of a choke collar; and requires that the restraint be at least 10 feet for a running able trolley and 15 feet for a tether to a stationary object and long enough to give the dog continuous access to food, water and shelter
The resolution proposing the changes was sponsored by Councilman Mark Cuthbertson. The changes about treatment of animals were promulgated after the Town Attorney’s office conferred with the New York State director of the Humane Society of the United States, who advised as to humane methods of tethering animals as well as proper practice on how animals are to be attended.
The pet waste restrictions are part of a joint effort by the Town and the Villages of Northport and Asharoken to protect local waters from the contaminating effects of pet waste and to protect the health, safety and general welfare of those using local waters from exposure to this particular source of pathogenic bacteria. These changes stem from the Inter-Municipal Council the three governments formed in September 2014 to cooperate on management plans and in seeking grants for measures that affect water quality in Northport Harbor, Centerport Harbor, Northport Bay, Duck Island Harbor and Price’s Bend/Eaton Harbor .
In other action, the Town Board:
-- authorized entering into a contract with the New York Power Authority to conduct a targeted energy audit of the Dix Hills Ice Rink to determine whether projects NYPA offers under its Energy Services Program (ESP) can increase the Ice Rink’s efficiency and reduce energy usage. If the audit identifies savings, and the Town implements some ESP programs, the cost of the audit will be incorporated into the cost of installing the measures.
-- approved additional amendments to the Town’s rental permit law. One exempts from the law units in large multiple residence developments and communities having a homeowner’s association or similar management organization with on-site management. Another adds certified consultants to architects and engineers as persons who can be held liable for issuing false or misleading information in certifying a rental property as meeting Town codes
-- reappointed Leslie Cernava to the Planning Board, appointed John Posillico to the Zoning Board of Appeals and reappointed Robert Fonti and Barry Lites to the Huntington Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.
-- scheduled a July 12 public hearing on a proposal to ban smoking at athletic playing fields (it is currently banned at beaches and playgrounds) and to expand the list of prohibitions to include smoking of marijuana; vapors and other legal marijuana derivatives.
-- scheduled a July 12 public hearing on a proposal to designate as an historic landmark the building at 235 Main Street, Huntington, which is known as the Old Huntington Firehouse. Built in 1912, it housed the first motorized equipment bought by the department. The building, which retains many of its original interior and exterior features, has been used as a furniture store for many years. The historic designation would allow the Town to deny a demolition permit for the building, as well as control the exterior architecture of any additions or renovations.
-- scheduled a July 12 public hearing on an application to change the zoning on a parcel on Deer Park Avenue north of Talisman Drive in Dix Hills from R-40 residence district to R-HS residential health services district to allow for construction of a Brightside Senior Living facility. The proposal calls for the construction of a 166-unit assisted living facility on a 10-acre parcel.
-- scheduled a July 12 public hearing on a proposal to acquire up to 2.5 acres of property adjacent to William Byrne Park on Clay Pitts Road in East Northport.