POLL: Should Animals Be Allowed on Common?

The issue of surfaced earlier this week and has created quite a buzz.

Concerns raised about displaying alpacas during the town's farmer's markets each summer sparked the discussion. A sign at the Common prohibits animals there, as does a bylaw enacted in 1974. But dogs are routinely walked in the Common.

Some have argued that animals could pose a health hazard with their droppings and cause damage to the grass. Others, including the Grafton Agricultural Commission, countered that the Common was originally used for livestock and that animals used for educational purposes enrich the community's agricultural nature.

This issue may come up at Town Meeting and is slated to be discussed further Tuesday at 7 p.m. at a meeting of the Agricultural Commission.

So what do you think?