GREENPORT–No more dogs, pretty please, at the Greenport Conservation Area.

At a special meeting Thursday, September 15, the Town Board unanimously adopted a resolution that “strongly encourages” the Columbia Land Conservancy to prohibit dogs at the conservation area, which it manages for the Open Space Institute.

Abutting property owners, particularly Joseph Kobilca and his sister, Paula, have long complained that dogs are allowed to run free at the area, and often cross onto their property, depositing waste and threatening children.

Says the resolution, “The Greenport Town Board finds that the presence of dogs at the Greenport Conservation Area poses a threat to the health, safety and welfare of patrons, abutting landowners and neighboring residents alike.”

The resolution carries no enforcement provisions.

The conservancy’s rules require that dogs be leashed, but despite signs to that effect, some patrons allow their pets to run free. The conservancy says it hasn’t enough staff to patrol the whole 714-acre area on the lookout for roving Rovers.

Calls to the Columbia Land Conservancy for comment were not returned before press deadline.

Also at the meeting, the Town Board voted to buy a new John Deere loader for the Highway Department. The cost is $131,958 on state bid; the vendor is Nortrax of Clifton Park.

And event organizer and Town Clerk Sharon Zempko said Monday that this year’s Community Day was “a huge success–there were people all over the place, more things to do and more people than ever.”

She thanked local businesses that donated just under $12,000 to support this year’s Community Day and Concerts in the Park.

Also, Deputy Clerk Beth MacGiffert reminded the community that she is collecting usable boots and shoes for flood victims in Greene County.