STRONG — Selectmen on Tuesday declined to take action on a proposal to transfer animal control services to the Franklin County Sheriff”s Office.

Selectmen received a letter from Sheriff Scott Nichols Sr. suggesting some Franklin County towns do not have readily available “responsible, trained people willing to do the job.”

In his memo Nichols suggested the problem stems from the fact that animal control officers usually have other jobs and might not be able to deal with the paperwork and accountability to their municipalities.

“Because of these issues, I am exploring the possibility of providing ACO coverage from the Sheriff’s Office,” he wrote. A deputy would be available all day, every day, and would be supported by the county, Nichols said.

“This person not only would be able to respond to animal complaints, but also (help) towns track down folks who are not paying their annual license fees,” Nichols wrote.

Franklin County towns would appropriate the same sum to the Sheriff’s Office they currently allocate each year for animal control services.

“I see this as a wonderful way for communities to collaborate with the county and solve a common problem,” Nichols wrote.

Selectmen discussed the proposal but agreed that a deputy covering the county could not provide the same services they have: a well-trained animal control officer who lives in town and has new equipment paid for by the town.

“What happens when the deputy is answering a call in Coburn Gore?” Selectman Rodney Cook asked.

Selectmen agreed that unless they determined the town would benefit from such a collaboration, they would continue the contract with Anne Logan-Dunne.

Also at the meeting, Board of Selectmen Chairman Jim Burrill told selectmen that property owner Wendall Voter contacted him that afternoon to cancel his presentation regarding access from Church Hill to his property on the discontinued Dickey and Hunter roads.

Although he was scheduled to present his concerns at the last meeting, Voter also did not attend, citing health issues.

At issue is Voter’s lack of access over Hunter Road. He bought land about 40 years ago on Hunter Road, but Rob Elliott, who owns both sides of the road between a town road and Voter’s property, erected a gate that keeps Voter from traveling across Elliott’s property. According to Burrill, Voter considers this a town responsibility.

“What’s his reason for not being here?” Elliott asked Burrill.

Burrill said Voter told him the case is a civil matter.

“So you’re not going to have to deal with this anymore then?” Elliott asked Burrill.

Burrill said Voter only said it was a civil matter and that he did not share his future plans.