BELFAST – The shaded lanes of Grove Cemetery have long invited visitors looking for peaceful place to walk, but according to cemetery superintendent Steve Boguen, an increasing number have brought their dogs along, which has led to complaints from citizens with loved ones buried there.

Speaking to the City Council on Tuesday night, Boguen mostly left the details of the “issue with dogs” to his audience's imagination, but said increasingly dog owners have been letting their dogs run freely and generally treating the cemetery like a park.

Which, technically it is. Grove Cemetery has the same official designation as multipurpose recreational spaces like City Park, Steamboat Landing, Belfast Common and Heritage Park — but Boguen said it shouldn’t be open to the same activities.

“There are people who come to visit their loved ones and find some peace and quiet and we want to give them that,” he said.

Boguen asked the Council add a line to the city’s code of ordinances prohibiting dogs in any city cemetery.

The ordinance relating to dogs currently includes provisions for strays and requires pet dogs to be on a leash in the picnic and playground areas of specific parks. There is no mention of cemeteries.

Councilor Eric Sanders questioned the wisdom of  “going from no rules to no dogs,” saying that he believes 90-percent of dog owners are using the cemetery respectfully.

Instead of banning dogs, he suggested adding the cemetery to the list of areas where a leash is required.

Boguen agreed that the problem involved a small percentage of dog owners, but disputed the idea that a leash law would make a difference. If only a minor change were made to the ordinance, Boguen anticipated he would be back in front of the Council with the same request in a few months.

“The cemetery isn’t just another city park. It’s a special place,” he said, and the people who have complained to him about dogs in the cemetery have taken a similar view.

Councilor Nancy Hamilton agreed. “There are no dogs here tonight,” she said. “There are no dogs in churches. There are certain places where we don’t have companion animals.”

Councilor Mary Mortier sided with Hamilton in support of the ban, while Sanders and Councilor Mike Hurley opposed it. Councilor Roger Lee was absent, leaving Mayor Walter Ash to cast a rare tie-breaking vote.

Ash said the decision was difficult, but he shared Boguen’s view that a half-measure wouldn’t work in the long term.

“I think the cleanest way is to do away with having dogs in the cemeteries.” he said, casting his vote in favor of the ban.

“I don’t want to see no dog walking across my mother or father’s grave,” he said.

The ordinance change is subject to a second reading — likely at the next regular Council meeting, June 18 — before it becomes official.

In other business, the Council:

• Approved spending an additional $16,741 toward pedestrian improvements at the intersection of Routes 1 and 141. The intersection is slated for a number of modifications including the removal of part of a rock outcropping on the northeast corner, the addition of pavement markings intended to encourage slower turns, the relocation of a crosswalk on Route 141 (Swan Lake Avenue) to north of Robbins Road, various sidewalk improvements and a new flashing beacon. Funding for the additions comes primarily from a $100,000 grant from the Maine Department of Transportation. The city’s total contribution, including previously approved matching funds is $26,441.

• Authorized Economic Development Director Thomas Kittredge to accept a $150,000 Community Development Block Micro-Enterprise Assistance Grant. The award will allow the city to provide grants and/or loans to for-profit businesses, to be used for working capital, interior improvements or exterior improvements.

• Approved spending $12,000 from the Parks and Recreation reserve account for improvements to the Skate Park and City Park Pool building. Parks Director Norm Poirier recommended removing half-pipe from the Skate Park based on structural issues and lack of use — the idea was well received by skaters he talked to, he said. Poirier asked to restore funding in the city budget for Skate Park attendant. At the pool house, he recommended handicap accessibility improvements and the reconstruction of the changing rooms.

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Ethan Andrews can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com