Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Animal Control Facility topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council discharges animal control facility committee, public commenters urge continuity
Summary
After public comments urging the existing committee be retained, the council voted to discharge and reconstitute the Bristol Animal Control Facility Committee, move non‑elector city employees to liaison roles, and directed the reconstituted group to pursue regional cooperation to try to access a state grant; the mayor said current project estimates are about $6.5 million.
Cheryl Thibault, a resident and longtime participant in the animal control facility committee, told the council she opposed disbanding the panel and warned that reducing city electors to liaison status would “undermine public trust and diminish transparency.”
Other members of the public, including Matthew Biden, said the state mandate to upgrade animal control facilities has put the city in a difficult position and urged the city to keep the experienced committee in place while exploring regional options so the statutory 2029 deadline can be met. “I do kinda sympathize the city is in a tough position,” Biden said, adding that the committee had previously identified a site and placed $5 million in budget estimates.
The council voted to discharge the current committee and reconstitute a new panel with a revised scope; non‑elector city employees who had been committee members will be reassigned as liaisons so staff expertise remains available. The motion passed after council discussion.
Mayor Ellen Zappos Sasseu said the project’s present estimated cost — including acquisition of the Cross Street property — stands at about $6,500,000 and directed the new committee to pursue regional cooperation with neighboring towns to try to qualify for a regional cooperation grant that the mayor said could cover 100% of the project costs excluding the building already acquired. The mayor said she has met with neighboring first selectmen and mayors and that three have signaled willingness to return to the table for talks.
Councilors also approved appointments to the reconstituted Animal Control Facility Building Committee and designated city employees as liaisons; several resident and professional members were named to the panel during the appointments section of the agenda.
Next steps: the reconstituted committee will revisit the project scope and regional options and report back as the council proceeds through budget and appointment steps.
