HARRISON — Anyone who would like to help revise the town’s dog ordinance is welcome to step forward and be part of the committee that will present a new one at the June town meeting.

Carolyn Edwards came to Thursday night’s selectmen’s meeting to hear what selectmen plan to do on the issue, following a recent story in the Sun Journal on whether the town is “dog friendly.”

Her attendance earned her a spot on the committee the selectmen are creating.

Town Manager Bud Finch said the town doesn’t need to make formal appointments, and anyone would be welcome.

“Let’s see if we can get some people involved,” he said.

Edwards said she is interested in the issue, especially providing protection for animals that may be abused. She said she was also surprised that some residents mentioned in the Sun Journal article did not know if the town had an animal control officer.

She also said she looks at this as an opportunity to educate the public.

“I’m a retired teacher,” she said. “It would be helpful for everyone to know why the animal control officer is here.”

In addition to dealing with stray dogs, nuisance dogs and owners who don’t clean up after their dogs, Finch suggested the group could look into the feasibility of a dog park at the RADR recreation field.

Although Harrison is a rural town, Finch said dog parks are increasing in popularity for those who don’t have a place for their dogs to run free. The idea of developing one at the RADR field was suggested recently by Recreation Director Paula Holt, who is also looking into developing some trails at the 120-acre site, Finch said.

If the dog park is created, Finch said he’s not looking to the town for money.

“I’m not going to go to the taxpayers and say I need $10,000 for a dog park,” he said.

Residents interested in serving on the committee should contact the Town Office at 583-2241.

In other business, Finch said the efforts over the past year of the waste transfer station committee, chaired by Selectman Kathy Laplante, were very valuable in giving selectmen guidance on how to improve the transfer station.

In light of the fact that the state changed the law on the sale of fireworks, selectmen also decided to work on a fireworks ordinance that will be presented at the June town meeting. Selectmen and Finch expressed doubts about the wisdom of the Legislature’s decision, but decided to let townspeople vote on an ordinance in June.

Several contracts beginning Jan. 1 will be put out to bid with advertising in local newspapers expected to begin this month.

The selectmen decided to reduce the number of contracts from five to three by combining the transfer station mowing with roadside mowing, and combining the cemetery mowing with the RADR field mowing.

The parks and beaches contract will remain the same. This includes maintenance and upkeep of Crystal Lake Park, beach, and boat ramp; Mill Pond Park; Long Lake Park; the Town Common parking lots and library; Zakelo Beach; Mill Street Park; and the fire station. The contract requires the successful bidder to use his own tools and equipment. The contract has been awarded to Arlin Bigelow for a number of years; his bid for the current year was for $18,000.

One change under consideration for the new contract will be that the successful bidder provide part-time labor. The current contract provides part-time labor at town expense.

The successful bidder last year on the RADR recreation fields (non-playing areas and interior roadways) contract was Kyle Chute of Finishing Touch Landscaping, who provided nine cuttings at $250 each.

The contract to mow 16 cemeteries last summer was won by Chute for $2,800.

Daniel Scribner was the successful bidder for mowing/bush hogging the old landfill area at $550, and roadside mowing at $2,250.

Finch distributed a tally of votes residents cast in the Nov. 8 election. Improvements to the Cumberland County Civic Center were voted down, 527-284, but the measure carried, countywide, by approximately 48,000 to 36,000 votes.

Selectman Lisa Villa won 596 of the 803 votes Harrison residents cast for county commissioner, but was defeated countywide. Neil Jamieson Jr. of Scarborough was the winner with 6,846 votes, followed by Annalee Rosenblatt of Scarborough with 5,006 votes, and Villa with 3,355 votes.

Residents supported same-day voter registration (Question 1), which also won statewide approval. They opposed questions 2 and 3, the casinos in Biddeford and Lewiston, which were also defeated statewide.