Community Corner

Visual Plans For New Animal Shelter Released

Digital imaging and blueprints for what could be Shelton's new animal shelter were presented at the Shelter Building Committee's latest meeting.

The construction plans for a new animal shelter were presented to the Shelton Animal Shelter Building Committee at its most recent meeting, held June 20. The building, to be constructed by Milford-based Bismark Construction, is estimated to cost $1.4 million and would replace the city's c

The plans have already been reviewed by Public Works Director Paul DiMauro and will now be sent to the Board of Aldermen for discussion during their July meeting. If approved by the Board, the decision for a new shelter will be added as a referendum on voting ballots in November, and it is then in the hands of Shelton's residents. If the vote swings towards "yes," construction of the shelter could begin as early as January 2013.

The new shelter would have a 1119 square foot kennel area for dogs with stainless steel kennels -- a major upgrade from the current wire fencing, which Animal Control Officer Sheryl Taylor has as "rusted out" and "not safe." The plans also include a fenced in dog run that wraps around one side of the building, a grooming station, laundry room, adequate office space and a housing area with a playroom for cats.

The building would be located on the last of the three lots on Riverdale Avenue. "There's the current shelter, the pink elephant and then there will be the new shelter," Committe chaiman Gerry Craig said. (The "pink elephant" is the term many city workers use to describe the Public Works building). The current shelter has repeatedly failed environmental and agricultural inspections, is over capacity and does not take in cats.

Greg Raucci of Bismark Construction said he feels the aldermen will recognize that the building price is reasonable, especially considering that similar shelters in Stratford and Newtown cost nearly double what the Committee is proposing. As Craig put it, "it's a good bang for your buck."

During previous Committee meetings, a couple of residents who live near the area raised concerns about proximity and noise, and thus the construction plans have been reviewed and reworked to accomodate for those issues. The building will be pushed back away from the road as much as possible and noise buffers will be included.

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"There will be tall shrubs and plastic fencing, and I think that the fact that the kennels will be inside will abate most of the noise," Craig said.

Committee members said they are hopeful residents will see the need for this new shelter, and are intent on campaigning for it in the months leading up to a vote.

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"They need to know how bad it is now and how many citations there are," said Linda Hooper. "I don't think most people have ever even seen the shelter we have now."

"I think with the shape of the shelter now and with the number of animal lovers in town, it will happen," Craig said. "But I don't know -- it's a coin toss. In a better economy, we wouldn't have to worry at all."

 


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