Dog park referendum set for June 26

BROOKFIELD -- A group of about 65 local residents opposed to a dog park at Happy Landings Farm on Route 25 appeared at a special town meeting Monday night where a nearly unanimous vote was cast to schedule a referendum for June 26.

The opponents of the dog park collected more than the state requisite 200 signatures -- 249 in total -- to force a referendum. The referendum hours will be 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the town's two polling places -- Huckleberry Hill Elementary School and Brookfield High School.

The special town meeting Monday previously scheduled to make a decision on the dog park proposal was then usurped, and that left the referendum date as the only decision.

But the moderator also allowed people the chance to speak on the park, and the resounding sentiment was that Happy Landings Farm was to be protected open space and the dog park proposal would not fit with that description.