Town moves to fast-track municipal review after contracted animal shelter puts property up for sale

Town Manager Jonathan (first name used in the meeting) and Police Chief Perry told the council that the town’s contracted animal-shelter provider has indicated it intends to put its property on the market, creating an urgent need for a permanent solution. Manager Jonathan said the owner plans to list the property "as soon as possible," and staff therefore recommended beginning the Permanent Municipal Building Committee (PMBC) process so the town can evaluate options quickly.

The manager summarized short- and long-term choices: temporary leasing arrangements with neighboring shelters (Berlin offered limited kennel space), purchasing the existing facility and investing in upgrades (staff estimated about $500,000 of improvements), or planning and building a new municipal facility. "We are potentially in a position without access to an animal shelter in the coming months," the manager said, asking the council to identify the Police Department as the proposing body and to approve a statement of need under the PMBC ordinance.

Council and staff discussed operational models for a permanent facility: a town-owned building operated by a vendor under contract (town as landlord), a mostly volunteer-run model with limited paid staff (as some neighboring towns use), or a hybrid. Chief Perry and Chief Bargo joined the discussion to describe operational needs and the timeline for a PMBC review and referral to planning commission processes.

Council agreed to put the statement of need on the next meeting's old-business agenda (Dec. 9) to complete steps one and two of the PMBC process and to appoint two voting members from the proposing body at the subsequent meeting. The immediate priority is to secure short-term boarding options if the current operator moves quickly while the PMBC studies a permanent path.