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Board of Selectmen Considers Changes to Town’s Dog Ordinance at Beaches

By Richard Kaufman

Last week, the Board of Selectmen discussed possibly changing the local ordinance regarding the admittance of dogs at town beaches, especially at Tod’s Point. No action was taken, but the Board got the ball rolling on what will be a continuing dialogue in the weeks and months to come.

Currently, the beach season for dogs is four months from Dec. 1 to March 31. Most towns along the shoreline, including in nearby Westchester County, N.Y., have six-month beach seasons for dogs.

First Selectman Fred Camillo, an avid dog-lover, said he was open to extending Greenwich’s policy, possibly from Nov. 1 to April 30, or even Nov. 15 to April 15, to align with the boating off-season.

Camillo said he went to Tod’s Point at the end of March and noticed not only dog walkers, but other residents who came to see the dogs out and about.

“I would love to see dog owners take advantage of a beautiful park there and align it with other towns and give them a little more time at the beach. It’s not like people are laying out at the beach on April 1. They’re not,” Camillo said. “I think people have been asking for this for a long time, and I made a promise I would give it a good effort.”

Camillo said he understands there will likely be pushback from those who are against expanding the season, noting that there was objection when dogs were first allowed at Tod’s Point years ago. But he said the town can make extra efforts to ensure that people clean up after their dogs and adhere to leash laws.

“I go down there almost every day. Most people and their dogs are behaved. Once in a while, you see someone who doesn’t clean up….That’s always going to be an issue,” Camillo said. “[Tod’s Point] is a beautiful treasure, and we want to make sure it’s always kept clean. We also want to make sure it’s available to all.”

Selectpersons Jill Oberlander and Lauren Rabin indicated that they supported having further discussions about the ordinance.

Oberlander, a dog owner herself, said there should be public input from the community before any decisions are made. She expressed concerns that any changes could impact the natural wildlife at Tod’s Point, especially nesting patterns of birds.

“Some of the things I’ve heard in the past is having the dogs there interferes with some of the nesting patterns of birds, and it’s sort of a bird sanctuary. We also have a population that are birders and naturalists,” Oberlander said. “Dogs on leashes get in the way of bikes as well. I think there are a number of competing interests, so I want to make sure we move forward on this thoughtfully with the opportunity that everyone has to participate in sharing their concerns or support.”

Camillo said he understood, and that whatever decision the Board comes to, it must address and represent all parties involved, from dog owners and those afraid of dogs, to bicyclists, walkers and the natural habitat.

“Tod’s Point is 147 acres. There is a way to make this happen,” Camillo added. “[Everyone has] co-existed for those four months, but we want to make sure any extension incorporates that co-existence.”

Camillo said he’d like to present a plan to the Board in the future, and he will follow up several times in the coming weeks and months.

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