Animal waste policy under consideration

(2/1) The town council pushed back a decision on the need for a policy on pet waste management that will impact the maintenance of waste station baskets in private residences until a later meeting

Commissioner Michael Bailey proposed that the town establish a policy to divide responsibility between the town and local homeowners’ associations for the planning, installation and overall maintenance of waste station baskets that are located in neighborhoods and on streets not considered to be main thoroughfares. There is no current policy on pet waste management aside from considering it litter.

The issue was raised at the January 12th town hall meeting by Zachary Baldwin, HOA President for Longley Green, who was looking for a solution to dog walkers frequently not picking up after their dogs in his development. Baldwin has tried other ways to resolve the issue, including mailing letters to residents and adding fines to residents’ monthly fees if they were caught not picking up after their dog. In light of the ongoing problem, Baldwin requested that the town assist in curbing the problem by paying for, installing and maintaining one or two waste stations in the development.

The town does maintain waste station baskets around Walkersville, so long as they are within public spaces, such as parks, and on main roads. The proposal for the ordinance is that the town will provide and install waste station baskets for HOAs and developments who request them, including the cost of purchasing and installing the baskets. It is then the responsibility of the HOA or development to maintain the basket, including replacing disposable bags and other parts of the basket. This is in alignment with other current maintenance practices between the town and developments, such as during snow removal where the town is responsible for plowing the streets but residents are responsible for shoveling sidewalks. Information on where to purchase disposable bags and part numbers will be made available to communities by the town.

The town council agreed to install a single waste station in Longley Green, at a cost of $2,500, but stipulated that it was up to the HOA to maintain it. In addition, the council reached a consensuses that any waste stations that are not on town property or town right of ways will be turned over to communities to maintain on July 1st.