MANCHESTER — Selectmen are holding off on issuing recommendations on potentially contentious articles to ban dogs at Singing Beach and govern wind power projects.
On Monday, selectmen finalized this year's special and annual Town Meeting warrants and provided their recommendations on whether the majority of articles facing voters in April should be approved or denied.
But with their chairwoman, Susan Thorne, out of town and several issues developing, the four remaining selectmen decided to wait to weigh in on a few of the stickiest issues until Town Meeting, which will be held April 7.
The dog ban article would extend the summer prohibition of canines on the beach to the remainder of the year.
Proponents say the large number of dogs being brought to Singing Beach create an unsanitary environment and drive away those who would visit the beach without pets.
Opponents say if dogs are not allowed to use the beach during the winter, Singing Beach will be empty.
Town Administrator Wayne Melville said yesterday selectmen decided to issue their recommendation on the article the day of Town Meeting because of lingering questions about whether the article needs to reference the town's canine bylaw and to give Thorne a chance to have her say.
"There is some sentiment that the article should have referenced the bylaw," Melville said. "It may not be fatal, but town counsel and the town moderator are working on it now."
Thorne was one of the residents who signed the petition to place the dog ban on the warrant.
The wind power bylaw would allow wind turbines in the Limited Commercial District north of Route 128 while also establishing restrictions on where and how they can be built and used.
The bylaw, submitted by the Planning Board, was spurred by Manchester Athletic Club's proposal to build a turbine on its Atwater Avenue property.
But since planners submitted the article, the club has become concerned about some restrictions included in it.
Melville said the Planning Board was considering changes to language in the article and was scheduled to hold a public hearing on it next week.
"The Planning Board has not held their meeting and the (selectmen) want to hear from everybody," Melville said.
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