Lee Erwin reporting
lerwin@clarksvillenow.com
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Montgomery County Commissioners met in their informal session Tuesday and one of the top items for discussion on the agenda included changing regulations when it comes to shade for pets.
On the issue of shade for pets, the Montgomery County Animal Control and Adoption committee has recommended to the commission that a change be made to the current regulations when it comes to shelter for pets.
The new resolution would add that in temperatures above 75 degrees all domestic dogs must be provided shade to protect them from direct sunlight. Members of the Humane Society of Clarksville-Montgomery County and supporters attended the meeting.
Amy Shaver, Executive Director of the Humane Society talked about the importance of shade for pets. “Typically shade falls under sheltering but we’ve had some issues with the county enforcing that. It gets really hot here and animals really do perish and suffer in the heat so it is really important,” Shaver said.
The commission also heard from Frank Mir, Executive Director of the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization (VSO). The VSO is asking for a budget amendment of just over $12,500 to extend the work of the temporary part-time counselor to help meet the immediate needs of the public.
The workload of the VSO has gone up with the veteran population which grew from 21,924 in fiscal year 2012 to 25,331 in 2013 and those numbers are expected to continue to increase. There are currently 1,693 soldiers currently going through the medical retirement/separation process.
In other business commissioners talked about a resolution requesting the Tennessee State Legislature permit the Clarksville Department of Electricity to operate fiber optic facilities outside the city limits. The commission is looking at adding the services to industrial and commercial developments in the county.
The Montgomery County Commission will meet in its regular voting session on Monday, September 9 at 7:00 p.m. on the third floor of the Montgomery County Courthouse.