MEDORA– Medora Town Council meeting on May 12 saw a larger-than-usual turnout as several community members gathered to express their concerns regarding a newly proposed ordinance on recreational vehicles, the issue of unkempt yards, and the problem of loose animals within town limits.
Following the completion of the majority of their agenda, Council President Brad McCammon opened the floor for public comment, leading to a discussion on several key issues including parking campers, RVs, and travel trailers on private property, particularly when used for living or storage purposes. While the council retains the ability to grant exceptions, state law generally prohibits residing in non-permanent structures outside designated areas like trailer parks.
One such exception was granted during the meeting to Brian East and his wife, who have been living in a camper while they remodel their home on property they have owned since 2019. The council agreed to allow the Easts to continue living in their camper for an additional 12 months as their remodeling project progresses, at which point the situation will be re-evaluated.
Another resident raised concerns about the prevalence of messy yards throughout Medora, noting that some homeowners appear unwilling to clean their properties or accept offers of assistance. Council member Rhonda Freeman acknowledged that while the town offers free trash pick-up days, it doesn’t fully resolve the issue of ongoing yard maintenance.
The issue of loose chickens wandering loose was also an issue. Town Marshal Josh Lepage indicated that while Medora has no specific ordinance regarding chickens, the county limit is quite high. Council member Leslie Chastain suggested the council should investigate the situation to ensure chickens within town are properly contained.
The persistent problem of loose dogs and potential dangers was addressed. The council has been discussing the issue of loose dogs for the past two months and assured that “we have some plans in the works.” Marshal Lepage explained the limitations of his role in handling loose dogs, as police officers lack the training and resources for capture and containment unless an animal is aggressive. He also noted that the town currently lacks animal control services and a dog pound.
Chastain mentioned potential solutions the council is considering, including hiring a dog catcher and renovating the old dog pound. She stated that discussions with local animal rescues have taken place, but budgetary constraints may delay hiring dedicated animal control personnel until the new year.
A recurring sentiment among the residents who spoke was that while many follow town rules, others consistently disregard them, whether concerning yard maintenance or controlling their animals.
Council President McCammon assured the concerned residents that their issues were being taken seriously and that the council is working on addressing them systematically.
