Dog-walking restrictions upheld

With a turnout of 325 people at last Monday’s Special Town Meeting, residents upheld the current restrictions on summer dog walking at public beaches. Residents acted on 19 articles, including voting to increase the local hotel/motel rooms tax from 4 to 6 percent. In response to motions to acquire and demolish the long-vacant Cape Ann Tool Co. building, residents voted to refer the issue to selectmen for further study. The board will report back to Town Meeting in April.