KEITH WHITCOMB JR.

Staff Writer

POWNAL -- The Select Board accepted former Animal Control Officer Dominick Yarnal's resignation with regret Thursday, and then appointed a former officer, Steve Zelman, to the position temporarily, pending his acceptance.

The town had advertised for a permanent officer after Yarnal's notification earlier this month that he would leave in two weeks. Board Chairman Stephen Kauppi said it appears that Yarnal no longer is acting as animal control officer.

Yarnal's leaving came after the board said it found no problems with how he was keeping seized dogs on his property. The board had inspected the arrangement after being notified of a complaint made to the state about how the animals are cared for.

"I think he's done a good job, and it's a shame that we go through these people who are working hard simply because there's a constant questioning instead of people being helpful," said board member Nelson Brownell. "We always have to have the state come down, or someone else, and its constant badgering. And they wonder why people don't want to serve."

Kauppi said there are four dogs being held by Yarnal, and something needs to be done with them shortly. He said he contacted Zelman to ask him if he would seek out no-kill shelters for the dogs, and Zelman agreed. Kauppi said he did not mention a temporary animal control officer position to Zelman, but the board agreed that member Ronald Bisson would speak to Zelman about it.

The board approved a motion allowing Zelman to find homes for the dogs on behalf of the town.

Kauppi said he has been looking for a small storage building, one that can be moved, which along with some kennels and fencing could be used to house dogs. He said the town would gladly accept a donation, and the board approved a motion to spend the $1,000 or so it has saved for such a purpose on the maintenance of a structure if and when it's found.