Council adopts animal-control penalty changes and approves additional liquor-license authorization; private family-burial ordinance introduced

At its meeting the Town Council approved several ordinance and resolution actions. On second reading the council adopted ordinance 26-01, which amends sections of the code of ordinances to change animal-control violation penalties and add a fee schedule intended to recover administrative costs for shelter animals, following recommendations from the animal-control director and police chief. The motion passed unanimously.

The council also carried second reading on ordinance 26-02 to increase the available beverage/liquor license count as requested in applications mentioning Michael DeFazio (DeFazio Farm and Winery). Council members emphasized that the ordinance creates an additional licensing slot but does not award a license to any specific applicant; the motion passed unanimously.

Separately, the council passed Resolution 26-01, which provides legal authorization to add a third Class A liquor license; that resolution passed unanimously after a motion and second.

On a separate item, the council introduced ordinance 26-03 to establish Chapter 18 governing private family burial plots on private property. The Land Trust and a public commenter, Richard Finnegan, spoke in favor of scheduling the matter; the ordinance was moved at its first reading and passed without recorded opposition at that stage. A motion to close the public hearing on related items was also carried.

No amendments to the ordinances were recorded on the floor and all votes on the listed items were unanimous. The council did not take further immediate action to grant any liquor license to particular applicants; license awards would follow required application, zoning, and licensing processes.