Maxam's status as Dog Control Officer mulled in closed-door session

Emerging from behind closed doors Tuesday Jan. 11, the Chester Town Board made several appointments to local offices, while leaving another personnel issue undecided — that of the status of June Maxam as new town Dog Control Officer. The Board voted to appoint Dave Cavanaugh as Town Court Officer and Jeremy Little as Deputy Court Clerk. The board, however, did not announce any decisions regarding the employment status and performance of their new Dog Control Officer June Maxam — a topic they identified as under discussion out of public earshot. Maxam for three decades has criticized public officials and local citizens through her website and newspaper, North Country Gazette, and the town board's appointment in November of Maxam as town Dog Control Officer has sparked controversy — the town board has received letters and phone calls objecting to the appointment. Some citizens have said they wonder how she can effectively enforce the town and state's dog control laws, as so many citizens could contend they wouldn't have a fair court hearing because they could contend they've been subjects of her criticism through her writings. Questions have arisen about what court would be hearing cases that involved Maxam presenting complaints, as Chester Town Justice James McDermott has recused himself from cases in which she is involved. He has been a target of a number of Maxam's articles questioning his performance. The board also had in their possession Tuesday a demand from Maxam that a local citizen who had been circulating a letter calling for her removal to "cease and desist" in his actions of "defaming" her, or face a lawsuit. Chestertown Fire Chief Jack Crossman appeared at the meeting, objecting to Maxam's conduct. He said Maxam had sent letters to various pet, fire and parenting magazines claiming she had contacted him and the fire company, offering them a donation of oxygen masks for pets, but he and the fire company had rejected the offer. "She never contacted me," Crossman said, calling the claim untrue. "She makes our community look bad — this is very embarrassing for our community." Town Supervisor Fred Monroe and the board heard out his complaints. "At this time the town is considering various issues concerning the Animal Control Officer," Monroe said, declining to offer further comment. "She is doing her job," town board member Mike Packer added. Monroe has defended the board's choice of Maxam for the post, and praised her work. He said she had a long history of getting animals adopted, and she had developed a good plan for a town animal shelter, and was willing to take care of the animals housed there — while a person competing for the position, although well qualified, lived too far away. The position pays $6,600 per year, and features a three-month probationary period, which concludes in February. "The board had determined unanimously that she'd do the best job of anyone that applied," he said. In other business, the board: • Passed a motion to increase existing bonuses to employees for opting out of family health care coverage when they have other plans in place. Monroe said that the boosted incentive to employees for eliminating double coverage was likely to save the taxpayers thousands of dollars. • Approved an idea to have the solar panels scheduled to be installed on Rte. 8 set on raised posts, which board members thought was more attractive than ground installation. The solar array is to power the Dynamite Hill ski hut and pump station. • Passed a measure approving the sale of a small parcel of Schroon Lake Park District land to Joe Bravata, who owns the adjacent Riverside Campground. • Voted to support the Warren County Youth Court with a contribution of $1,000. • Endorsed a plan for Lycott Inc. to conduct an aquatic survey of infestation of milfoil and determine the potential efficiency of using the herbicide Renovate to abate the spread of milfoil in the shallow areas of the Warren County side of Schroon Lake. • Authorized the engineering firm C.T. Male to prepare an asbestos abatement plan for the demolition and removal of the former Eichler Ford garage building — later owned by a bankrupt subsidiary of the former incarnation of Lincoln Logs. The building, on Pine St., has posed a potential problem for the town, as underground fuel tanks may be on site, requiring environmental cleanup. James McDermott, who owns a funeral home across the street, suggested that the land be retained as a public parking lot. • Pledged to meet with state officials to determine the prospects of establishing a small-scale municipal sewer system in downtown Chestertown. Panther Mountain Inn proprietor Don Butler, representing the Tri-Lakes Business Alliance, voiced a request at the meeting that the town explore the feasibility of a sewer system downtown because it would spur growth. He presented an informal petition to the board showing interest in such infrastructure. Town Board member Stephen Durkish commented that having a sewer system in place would stimulate business in town. Angie Mead of Gallo Realty also expressed support. "You need a sewer system in town to have businesses here," she said. "Everyone's moving out of Chestertown because there are no jobs here — if we don't do anything, in 10 years there will be tumbleweeds rolling down Rte. 9."

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Maxam's status as Dog Control Officer mulled in closed-door session

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