In two brief sessions November 17, representatives of Newtown’s Municipal Building Strategic Plan Committee, and the Animal Control Advisory Board made interim reports to the Board of Selectmen.

First, the Animal Control Board’s Chair Adria Henderson presented her panel’s annual report.

She indicated that issues that plagued the newly opened animal control facility a year before had “substantially improved.”

Besides new programs for the animals under the town’s temporary care, Ms Henderson said “many items were fixed that were outstanding” when she made her first report to selectmen 12 months prior. She also reported on some of the board’s then-new policies, that were refined in the ensuing period.

Among the items corrected or improved were:

*Guillotine doors between outdoor runs and indoor stalls were retrofitted with insulating sweepers to minimize energy loss during colder months.

*Three new outdoor pens were finished, and exterior fencing was repaired or completed.

*Roofing was installed on outdoor pens to help prevent capable animals from vaulting over and escaping.

*Indoor kennel walls were sealed.

Ms Henderson told selectmen that projects not yet completed include installing hurricane clips to secure outdoor run roofing; installing paving stones between outdoor runs; and replacing a large entry gate, with a smaller configuration that would help prevent animals from escaping.

The board, which last year complained about ongoing ventilation issues in the cattery and training rooms, said a contractor had come in to test the system after repairs and adjustments were performed earlier this year.

While she hadn’t heard back through Public Works Director Fred Hurley, First Selectman Pat Llodra said she learned that the latest ventilation assessment showed a 48 percent improvement.

Ms Henderson said a new fostering program was launched at the town facility to provide a transition point between sheltered animals and potential “forever homes,” particularly those animals that were residents for a significant amount of time without being adopted.

Formal training sessions for certain animals also commenced. Ms Henderson explained that dogs requiring training were much harder to adopt because they jumped up on prospective owners or displayed other antisocial behaviors.

“One dog in the program that we had for a long time (beforehand) has already been adopted,” she reported.

The board is also consulting on a Community Cat Program to address stray and feral cat populations that are expanding in town. The board is currently compiling information and researching grant opportunities to underwrite a response program, Ms Henderson said.

The board has revised volunteer dog walking rules to clarify where sheltered pets could be walked, both on or off leash. And they requested approval for additional signage to help prospective adopting families to locate the animal control operation on the west side of the Fairfield Hills campus.

The board also plans to increase its presence on social media, and to feature monthly or bi-monthly open house activities to increase both general public traffic, as well as opportunities to help get new additions adopted.

There is also hope of introducing a school based outreach curriculum on the care and responsibilities of pet ownership, and an upgraded nutrition program for the shelter cats and dogs.

Facilities Committee Report

Geralyn Hoerauf, a consultant to the Municipal Facilities review panel, told selectmen the first meeting of the group occurred in late September and a follow-up meeting was held October 30.

She said there are plans to have the committee meet at least once monthly and the next session would likely include a full discussion of the inventory of town-owned buildings.

Ms Hoerauf said the group is currently looking at only occupied facilities, with a laser focus on three facilities targeted for more imminent attention: Town Hall South, the multi-purpose building that houses the Senior Center, and the current Hook & Ladder headquarters.

The consultant said she has compiled for the committee a spreadsheet of all occupied facilities including age, size, types of utilities used, and any improvements that had already been made.

The upcoming November 25 meeting of the group will also include a visit by Mr Hurley to answer any questions, and to review the inventory list. By February, she is hoping the panel will define the scope and issues so a consultant can begin perform a detailed analyses of town facilities.

On the school side of the equation, Ms Hoerauf said district officials must decide how to proceed with their use of facilities. School officials are always welcome to tap or visit the committee if they require input or advice on any repurposing.

This prompted Mrs Llodra to assert that Hawley School is currently “not a target” for repurposing by the town or the commission. Town Attorney David Grogins joined the conversation outlining the implications of funding for the buildings care and upkeep through an established trust.

He reported that the trust, established with $100,000 in 1925, has grown. Finance Director Robert Tait confirmed the trust was now valued at $411,000 and it generated $18,000 annually – which is restricted for use at the Hawley School exclusively for maintenance and upkeep.

Mr Grogins said if the town changes its use of the building from educational pursuits, it could face  forfeiting the trust with all capital and future dividends going to Yale University.

Ms Hoerauf concluded by asking if selectmen would consider appointing a member of the Fairfield Hills Authority to the facilities panel, and officials said they would take it under advisement.