Montrose residents ask for ‘dog park’

BY STACI WILSON

Dog owners in Montrose borough are looking for a safe place for their furry companions to socialize.

Several residents brought their request for the creation of a “dog park” to council on Monday night.

Mary Ann Dewitt told council that it is difficult to find a place to walk dogs or for them to play.

“I would like to walk at the park but we’re not welcome there,” Dewitt said, asking if the borough owned any other plots of land that could be made available.

Dogs are not allowed at Montrose’s only municipal park, Memorial Park, located on the southern end of the borough.

Craig Reimel suggested those interested approach the local Lions’ Club about the possible use of the fairgrounds as a dog park.

Councilman Randy Schuster questioned the borough’s liability if a dog is hurt and the maintenance of a dog park.

“Who’s going to clean the area?” Schuster asked.

Councilman Sean Granahan said a park could be posted that it was available to use at a person’s “own risk.”

Council president Tom LaMont questioned those in attendance about what they were looking for in a “dog park.”

“Most dog parks are fenced,” he noted.

After some discussion, council said they would look into whether or not there was an available piece of land in the borough where a dog park could be located.

They also said they would take another look at Memorial Park to see if there was a piece of the park that could be used specifically as a dog park.

The interested residents were also asked to circulate a petition so council could gauge the interest of residents.

Council also discussed a municipal services contract proposal from JHA Companies.

The officials discussed the benefits of moving both zoning and codes enforcement under the roof of one organization; as well as having an “engineer of record.”

Council agreed that they needed more information about charges and the borough’s current permit fee schedule before moving forward and will revisit the discussion at the April 7 meeting.

The borough will join with the Susquehanna County Housing and Redevelopment Authority and the Montrose Restoration Committee to pursue grant opportunities for tree planting that would coincide with the Rt. 706 project.

The grant, along with available money in the borough tree fund, would be used for new plantings along Church Street.

In addition to seeking funds for trees, the borough will also join SCHRA for grant opportunities available for South Main Street.

The winter’s snowfalls have created a parking problem in the borough and sidewalks left impassable.

Mayor John Wilson noted sidewalk complaints in his report to council.
And sidewalk maintenance was also an agenda item.

Police Chief Dale Smith said parking in the Livery Lot located behind the west side of Public Avenue has been an issue.

He said vehicles, unable to read pavement markers, have been blocking the fire lane in the lower level of the municipal lot.

In other business, council approved the request from the Ayres-Stone VFW Post for the annual Memorial Day parade through town on May 26.

Parade line-up will be at 9:30 a.m.; stepping off at 10 a.m. A service will follow on the Green.

Council also approved a five-year contract renewal with Frontier Centrex, with no raise in the current rates.

Schuster said he had been receiving many phone calls from borough residents who wanted more information about natural gas service, slated to start coming through the borough this year.

He suggested council arrange for Leatherstocking to hold a public forum in order to let people know what is happening.