Alderman: Time to 'Stop Stalling' On New Shelter

With the Board of Aldermen likely to discuss funding for a new animal shelter in Shelton at this month's meeting, city officials and residents are coming forward with their opinions, and , most seem to agree that a new building is needed.

Patch had the opportunity to speak with alderman John "Jack" Finn, who has a dog adopted from a pound and says he is in favor of allocating money to the project.

"How much more can the [Animal Shelter Building] Committee go through? They’ve gone from site to site, they have a location now, they finally got an architect, and I believe they have a proposed site plan, so it’s time to more forward and stop stalling," Finn said.

He explained that the money for a new building would come from either the city's general fund surplus or it could be bonded.

Here's what some of our readers had to say about the and its possible fate:

• Kelly Roberto, Shelton: "Our shelter is literally falling apart and Sheryl Taylor, our Animal Control Officer, does the very best with what she has, but the city does not support her efforts whatsoever. Both issues are simply shameful, especially in a city with a surplus of money each year."

• Michael Lewis, Shelton: "I think there should be a regional dog pound. It doesn't make sense for each town to have it's own facilities. If the regionalize it fir the valley they could have 1 state of the art facility and the manpower to have someone on duty 24/7 for less than it costs to man 1 eight hour shift 5 days a week."

• Kevin Stagg, Stratford: "Animal Control Officer Sheryl Taylor is awesome! She got us a wonderful, beautiful yellow lab 2 years ago, and Lillybelle is the love of our life! Sheryl takes great care in finding the best "right" home for every animal!"

• Lauren DiCenzo, Shelton: "One thing that makes me really upset about the shelter we have now is that it doesn't take in cats. The new shelter would provide the space and resources needed so that Shelton could rescue both dogs and cats and find them good homes."