LIVERMORE FALLS — While the town has a dog ordinance on the books, the problem is enforcing it, Interim Town Manager Stephen J. Gould said Tuesday.

“Any time we issue a civil ordinance summons we’re trying to enforce, the (district attorneys) no longer present it in court because it’s not a state law,” he said. “We’re going to have to do that.”

He said in order for the town to do it, it would have to have special training. Gould noted the town was in the process of having its police officers trained along with those of the surrounding towns to present civil summonses in court.

Selectman Tom Barker suggested having residents bring photos of their dogs to the Town Office so the town could have them on file to better address complaints. He pointed out there should be an exception in the ordinance for service or search and rescue dogs.

“They’re so well-trained that we wouldn’t have a problem,” Gould said.

In other business, the town is looking to increase fines for parking tickets. Gould said they run between $5 and $20 and haven’t been raised in years. “I don’t think $20 is enough. I think it ought to be $50,” Barker said.

Moving on to other matters, Gould said he had checked with the Maine Municipal Association and found that the town can charge a nonrefundable deposit for bidders on foreclosed properties. The town can also charge a security deposit, he said.

“We cannot, or shouldn’t, anyway, make it so steep we can’t get any bidders,” Selectman George Cummings said.

Selectmen noted that the town currently has no way to make sure the new owner complies with conditions it sets forth, hence the suggestion of a minimum bid and security deposit.

Gould said he would present the proposed bidding process to MMA for its recommendations before it came before selectmen for a vote.

The fire station roof overhang, which had been deemed unsafe, is being secured by H.E. Callahan, contractor for the fire station renovation project, Gould said.

“They feel comfortable with the changes they’re going to make,” he said. “They’re going to keep it and rewire the lights back in.”

“The complaint has nothing to do with the fastening, and everything to do with the liability,” Barker said.

In the selectmen’s discussion period, Barker noted that the American Red Cross is hosting volunteer training from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Leeds Community Church. Pre-registration is required.

For more information about the training, people can call Brenda Lake at 485-5391.

bmatulaitis@sunmediagroup.net

Tyler Fournier, left, of Livermore Falls, is sworn in as a part-time Livermore Falls police officer at Tuesday’s selectmen meeting by Town Clerk Amanda Allen. (Barry Matulaitis/Livermore Falls Advertiser editor)

Walter Bachelder III, left, of Winthrop, is sworn in as a part-time Livermore Falls police officer at Tuesday’s selectmen meeting by Town Clerk Amanda Allen. (Barry Matulaitis/Livermore Falls Advertiser editor)