Delaware passes dog barking law

Farmers’ market schedule set

By TOM KANE

HORTONVILLE, NY - After applying pressure on the Town of Delaware Board for six months, Fulton Hill Road resident Linda Bastian got her way.

The board unanimously passed a town-wide dog control ordinance that sets restrictions on owners of continuously barking dogs. Fines will be set, as well as procedures to bring uncooperative dog owners to trial.

“I wanted equal protection under the law,” Bastian said at the meeting of the board on February 20. “There are ordinances that apply in villages but none out in the country. Now, we have a universal law.”

“It has to be proven that the dog or dogs are barking consistently, not just on occasions,” said town attorney Ken Klein.

The dog control officer will enforce the law.

In other business, Janice Van Nostrand of the Sullivan County Area Farmers’ Markets informed the board that the market in Callicoon will begin on Mother’s Day weekend, May 11, and run through November 30. An additional market day will be held on December 7.

“We have gotten wide support from the other Callicoon business owners,” Van Nostrand said.

In addition, the board tabled the approval of a law that will give veterans of the Cold War a partial tax exemption. The board decided on the delay because two of its members?Kara McElroy and Kevin Connor?were absent.

Planning board member Gerry Euker addressed the board about the natural gas company representatives who are asking homeowners to sign leases that allow for the exploration of gas.

“While these companies are exempt from any town law, the town can still set weight limits on local roads and even demand a bond from these companies to ensure that any problems will be resolved,” Euker said.