MONROE, CT — The Monroe Animal Control facility’s renovation and addition includes dark blue siding and white framing for the new windows on the facade of the building at 447 Purdy Hill Road. On Tuesday morning, a welcome sign was displayed on one side of the front door, where a wreath was hung.
Inside, fresh coats of white paint covered of the small lobby, throw pillows adorned a wooden bench and the area had potted plants and other decor.
Public officials and police officers gathered on the campus to celebrate the recent completion of the building project with a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house.
The upgraded facility has an office, a work area, a full bathroom with a shower, a small locker room, a washer and dryer, a dog wash station, a cat room with scratch pads, clean cages, and new dog runs on both sides of a hallway leading to a fenced-in play area outside. A stuffed animal on each bed awaits its new tenant.
First Selectman Terry Rooney and Animal Control Officer Gina Gambino wielded a giant pair of scissors to cut the yellow ribbon Tuesday.
“This is a great day for Monroe Animal Control and for our four legged friends,” Rooney said. “This is a long time coming. This was started under the administration of Mr. Kellogg and we advanced it and got it completed.”
“It’s so nice and bright,” Gambino said of the building. “It helps me get my work done. It’s nice for the public. It’s really a facility we can be proud of.”
During construction, the animal control shelter in neighboring Newtown had been taking in Monroe’s stray dogs and cats. Gambino expects to move into Monroe’s upgraded facility with her staff within the next two weeks.
During the ribbon cutting ceremony, she said she always dreamed of having “a nice, brand new facility” of her own and thanked everyone involved with the project.
Police Chief Keith White, Deputy Chief Greg Smith and Lt. Kevin McKellick attended the ceremony.
“We’re very excited to have the new facility, which should serve Monroe well,” White said. “Now it’s a more inviting, family-friendly space.”
The first selectman recognized State Rep. Tony Scott, R-Monroe, who was also in attendance, crediting him with his role in securing a $500,000 Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grant from the state of Connecticut to fund a renovation and expansion of the existing facility, which was built in 1992.
Scott and former senators, Marilyn Moore, D-Bridgeport and Kevin Kelly, R-Stratford, assisted the town in getting an approval for the grant.
Of the completed project, Scott said, “it shows a lot of dedication from Town Hall and the Police Department to get this done so fast. Compared to what we used to have, this is night and day. The animals will be more secure here.”
Rooney said police had used some of their funds to pay for a portion of the project. “This is at no cost to the citizens of this town and it’s a big benefit for animal control,” he said, adding the town saved about $200,000 by doing the project in-house.
He credits Deputy Public Works Director Bill Phillips for making the project happen by handling the RFP process and meeting with contractors, and McKellick for his supervision of the project.
“This has been a group effort by the town, police department, animal control and construction,” Rooney said. “As you can see, it’s a very nice outcome. It’s not the Taj Mahal, but this will satisfy our needs.”
The first selectman said the contractor, Zeiss Construction Inc., was a great partner with the town, being attentive to its needs and keeping change orders to a minimum.
He also thanked Benedict’s Home and Garden for donating flowers and other plants on Monroe Animal Control’s grounds.
Monroe Chamber of Commerce President Ray Giovanni could not make the event, so Lee Hossler, the organization’s ambassador, spoke on behalf of the chamber, expressing members’ gratitude for what Gambino and her staff do for the town.
Among those at the ceremony were Monroe Community and Economic Development Director William Holsworth, Phillips, Town Clerk Vida Stone, Assistant Town Clerk Sue DeGeorge, Town Councilman Jason Maur, Town Councilwoman Cathy Kohut and Monroe Chamber member Lawren Hubal.
“It’s great to finally have a new facility in town. It’s a long time coming,” Maur said, adding that covering it with state money and existing budget funds added no net cost for the project. “For the taxpayers, this is a big benefit, because we have to find ways to provide services to the citizens of Monroe without raising taxes.”
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Wow, beautiful facility, great job by all involved. A case study example of the various departments, both local and state, Legislative involvement, past and present 1st Selectman working to achieving a common goal! Fantastic result
Sean O’Rourke