Litchfield residents petition town to hold vote on animal shelter contract

Cliff Daigle, the animal management officer in Litchfield, opens the door March 16 to an 8-by-12-foot, retrofitted box trailer human body at the C&J Animal Shelter on Stevenstown Road. The former trailer serves as a temporary, state-accredited animal shelter. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal file

LITCHFIELD — Residents are envisioned to have a say upcoming thirty day period on whether the town contracts with the Kennebec Valley Humane Modern society or carries on to use the C&J Animal Shelter on Stevenstown Highway, which is an 8-by-12-foot, retrofitted box trailer entire body made use of to quickly dwelling animals.

A resident-led petition has collected sufficient signatures to place the issue on the warrant for the annual Town Conference, which is established for 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 18, at the Carrie Ricker University gymnasium, 573 Richmond Street.

The matter has been debated throughout Find Board conferences because at minimum March, when Stevanie Scott, the humane society’s director of functions, tackled town officials about the organization’s shelter.

Scott said if the city experienced a contract with the humane modern society, the group would pay out for any wounded animals introduced to its unexpected emergency clinic.

She also stated the humane society’s workers is properly trained to assessment animals on consumption and modify therapy based on animals’ requires, adding that workers members are educated to execute insignificant medical treatments and choose animals to veterinarians, if needed.

Scott claimed in March the town’s determination to stay with a regional shelter that does not acknowledge surrenders — animals that are turned about to a shelter or rescue group — is a stage in the erroneous route.

“I think it is genuinely shifting backwards in culture by not permitting these animals to get the treatment they definitely need, (and) sort of depart house owners responsible for their animals,” she reported in March, introducing there are situations exactly where even the most caring and accountable pet owners have to surrender their pets, this kind of as right after getting rid of a work.

Resident Paul Fraser mentioned in March the price distinction of about $2,000 to contract with the humane modern society is perfectly really worth the dollars, and that placing an animal into a box trailer with other animals could be a terrifying or devastating expertise for the animal.

Inhabitants once more brought the make any difference up during a late April board assembly, asking officers if they would make it possible for inhabitants to vote on contracting with the humane society.

Officials defended the C&J Animal Shelter last month following some citizens stated it ought to not even be thought of an animal shelter.

Cliff Daigle, the animal handle officer in Litchfield, stated the point out has inspected and issued a license to C&J Animal Shelter.

Selectman Gary Parker mentioned no animal has stayed at the shelter for more than a single evening, and no animal there has been euthanized, adding the facility will enhance as upgrades are designed.

Selectman Rayna Leibowitz explained she has acknowledged C&J owner John Alexander for extra than 30 several years. She spoke of his love for animals, which includes how he has taken a dog household with him so it did not have to spend a evening at the shelter.

Inhabitants at the April meeting criticized city officers for not enabling members of the local community to select involving the Kennebec Valley Humane Modern society and C&J Animal Shelter. Due to the fact then, inhabitants have circulated a petition to include things like the issue on the annual City Meeting warrant.

Town Manager Kelly Weissenfels mentioned Tuesday that while only 173 signatures ended up demanded, people collected 224.

The query, to which voters can answer with a indeed or no, is to examine: “To see if the city will vote to direct the board of selectmen to negotiate a acceptable deal with the Kennebec Valley Humane Culture for the objective of satisfying the obligations of the city as required Title 7 of Maine Revised Statutes to present for an animal shelter to take stray animals.”

Weissenfels stated Wednesday it was great to see citizens having concerned with regional federal government.

“A city govt operates on behalf of the residents to choose treatment of the requires of the town and provide common products and services,” he said. “It’s appropriate that if citizens aren’t pleased with a distinct determination or motion, that they have a way to convey their considerations to Town Meeting for a vote.

“We had been content to assist in the petition course of action, and I’m glad the system is doing the job as supposed.”

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