Weston Select Board Labels Selvig Dogs Nuisance Animals, Orders New Fencing and Training

WESTON — September 12, 2023 — Weston Select Board unanimously designates two dogs as nuisance animals and shuts down its Rail Trail Advisory Committee. Meeting Tuesday, the three-member board present voted 3-0 to classify the dogs owned by Alex and Diana Selvig as nuisance animals — rather than dangerous — and imposed a detailed order requiring a reinforced fenced enclosure per a submitted site plan, a maximum three-foot leash with at least 300 pounds of tensile strength, one dog walked at a time by a capable adult, liability insurance of no less than $100,000, and at least one year of continued professional training. Town counsel noted that violations could ultimately result in the dogs being surrendered and a five-year prohibition on dog ownership. The board also voted to dissolve the Rail Trail Advisory Committee after seven years and return $65,451 in unspent Community Preservation Committee funds, with Gail Palmer reporting that eight of the original 12 committee charges had been completed and the remainder transferred or resolved outside Weston's control.