The Marion Select Board at its September 16 meeting voted to euthanize a dog that attacked and injured a pizza-delivery person on July 29.
One-year-old Gordy, who by accounts from family members, is protective of his family but not good with strangers, poses a risk, according to the Select Board. There are playgrounds and children within this Point Street neighborhood, according to board members at the public hearing, which took place at the Marion Police station.
Animal Control Officer Susan Connor says she responded to the incident after dog owner Spencer Mello, of 968 Point Street, wrestled the dog away from the delivery person, according to Mello’s relative Amorin Johnson, who lives in the home.
Connor said she observed that the dog was aggressive and apprehensive. She asked that the dog be put under quarantine for a 10-day period and be ordered to wear a muzzle and that a fence with a solid gate be placed in the front of the home.
Connor said she returned to the property and observed the dog outside on a tethered leash, similar to cable trolleys, and with a loose-fitting collar.
Connor said she observed one “beware of dog warning sign,” but no muzzle.
“I am reluctant to go to that house, and the dog is clearly wary of strangers,” Connor said.
Johnson, who appeared at the hearing in place of Mello, said that on that July day, the delivery worker, Rumeysa Durmus, came on to the porch to deliver the pizza. The door to the home was slightly open and the dog came out.
Johnson said Durmus screamed and that triggered an attack response from Gordy, who injured Durmus’ right arm. Durmus participated in the hearing via Zoom and said she still does not have full use of her right arm. Johnson pleaded with the Select Board to allow the family to take more precautions, including training for the dog.
“He’s great with us, He is so protective of our children,” Johnson said.
Connor told the board that this attack wasn’t the only one.
In other board news, neighbors of the Maritime Center, which houses the Harbormaster Headquarters, complained of lights shining 24 hours from that center, as well as constant boat lights from the harbor. Cindy Fox and Mal Durkee spoke for several residents who have complained of light pollution in the area. “It looks like Las Vegas from our side (of the harbor),” Fox said. “Why are we paying taxpayer money to light this building all night?”
Some solutions were proposed, including removing the lights and replacing them with dimmable ones. Select Board Chair Randy Parker said there should be a phone app to take off the lights when needed. Town Administrator Geoffrey Gorman said he would speak with the town’s electrical inspector about some of these ideas.
In more positive news, the Marion Garden Club received the go-ahead from the Select Board to finance through the general treasury water and sprinkler systems for town gardens. The Marion Garden Club has approximately seven aesthetic gardens around town but needs help with the water bill and sprinklers.
Club members met with Parker and board member Norm Hills and asked for financial assistance for sprinklers for approximately five of these gardens, which need regular water maintenance. Club members said the group mostly relies on fundraising and volunteer efforts but needs approval for use of town water and maintenance of sprinkler systems. They said the annual water costs are approximately $800, and the costs of maintaining sprinkler systems are just over $4,000 annually.
Select Board members, which serve as the town’s Water and Sewer commissioners, took no exception with the request. Parker said these gardens help maintain the town’s appearance and are an asset for its aesthetic appeal.
The next meeting of the Marion Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday, October 7, at 6:00 pm in the Marion Police Department.
Marion Select Board
By Jeffrey D. Wagner