Town Receives $100,000 Grant For Dog Pound

 By Kendra Bobowick

Add $100,000 more to the growing pot for a new animal control facility.

Newtown will receive the money as part of $20 million in Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) funds allocated to projects throughout the state, Governor M. Jodi Rell’s office announced Friday, September 18.

Spokeswoman Donna Tommelleo said, “It’s a matter of small towns feeling the recession. Taxpayers are squeezed so the governor is pleased to help towns move ahead with things important to them.” In the release, Gov Rell states, “Helping communities with local infrastructure projects is one of the best ways for the state to partner with our municipalities.”

“I’m excited,” said Director of Economic and Community Development Elizabeth Stocker. “This is something we really need and the town supports.” She has been among a team working to finalize ownership of a parcel at the end of Trades Lane behind the Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard as the future pound’s location. As First Selectman Joe Borst noted when he learned about the STEAP funds Monday, “We don’t have the property yet.” The state is deeding the land to Newtown. As Ms Stocker explained, “We have the deed and maps,” but she is working to “accomplish a sign-off from the state” that the site is environmentally clean. She is waiting to record the deed pending proper transfer act documentation, she said.

Adding his thoughts, Democratic State Representative Chris Lyddy said, “I know that there is tough competition for these funds, so I thank Governor Rell for allocating funds to support this cause. The next step is to secure the deed for the proposed site so that the money can be spent wisely and in a timely manner. I will continue to track this issue and will advocate for this at the capitol.”

Gov Rell credits fellow Republicans Senator John McKinney and State Representative DebraLee Hovey for supporting the grant application.

Ms Hovey said, “I am pleased that these funds are slated to be approved … stray and abandoned animals are a public health and safety hazard, and Newtown’s current shelter is woefully outdated and undersized. This new facility will not only keep strays off our streets, it will provide a humane environment for these animals until they are matched with new, loving homes.”

The $100,000 STEAP grant is slated for approval at the September 25 meeting of the State Bond Commission.

The money adds to a growing cache of funds available for the new dog pound. The volunteer Canine Advocates of Newtown (CAN) organization and its president Virginia Jess have been campaigning and fundraising for several years, and most recently is the approval for $750,000 in last year’s Capital Improvement Plan that has been “authorized for bonding, but not yet issued,” said Finance Director Robert Tait.

The current dog pound is located directly behind the transfer station, and is no longer adequate for the animals’ needs. The funds will support a new, larger, modernized facility.