DISTRICT ANIMAL CONTROL
Serving the Towns of Bethany – Orange - Woodbridge
Phone @203) 389-5991
135 Bradley Road
Woodbridge, CT 06525
Unapproved Minutes for DAC Board Meeting July 9, 2009
Present: Fred Dray, Joseph Hellauer, Cheryl Lipson, Joan Blaskey, Brian Laubstein, DVM, Pamela Andreson, Clerk
Absent: James Zeoli
Staff: Mary Culmo, Dottie Bedan
Public: Bridget Albert, Jeanine Russo, Margie Schenk
1) Meeting was called to order by Chairperson Blaskey at 7:31 PM.
2) Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3) Introductions.
4) Public Participation: Bridget Albert (one of the AARFettes) announced that AARF is having it's annual wine tasting/auction fundraiser on 9/24/2009. Lipson thanked Dray for putting Max in the paper. He was adopted as a result.
5) Review and approval of June 11, 2009 meeting. Hellauer/Lipson made a motion to accept minutes. All in favor.
6) Census – Fred Dray: Out take was 24. Ten animals were redeemed, 12 sold as pets, 0 animals DOA, 2 euthanized (problem pits). One hundred and fourteen calls were investigated. No bites, no infractions.
7) Lead ACO report – Paul Neidmann: Neidmann was not present. Laubstein asked if overtime was still high. Also asked if the staggered hours were still in effect. Hellauer explained that the on July 4th there was an animal in Woodbridge that kept escaping. OT is not as low as desired. Staggered hours (7:00AM – 3:00PM and 12:00PM – 8:00PM) are not in effect at this time because the work load demands two ACO's are needed during the morning. Dray also reminded the board that OT is not predictable. Blaskey will get a schedule from Neidmann.
8) Treasurer's Report – Joe Hellauer: Checking account has $32,023.80. Money Market account has $1,747.03. Total $33,770.83. Hellauer explained that the checking account was much larger than usual this month because an insurance payment of $11,700.00 is due. In addition 2 more payroll checks need to be cut. Dray volunteered to look into the possibility of combining the phone bills for better rate. Laubstein/Dray made a motion to accept treasurer's report. Unanimous approval.
9) Chairman's Report – Joan Blaskey:
· Blaskey handed out an employee evaluation form for comments and approval by board. Hellauer will assist Blaskey in evaluation of Lead ACO. Laubstein suggested that evaluations be done every 6 months. All agreed.
· Signs at the facility need to be changed to reflect new hours. Prospect needs to be taken off the sign and vehicles.
· Front screen door and back door need replacing.
· All but 2 feral cats have been inoculated, which was paid for by AARF. AARF also donated 1500 pounds of food to DAC and residents in the communities, a cat perch and a cart to transfer items into the facility.
· Discussion about setting up a fund for donations to DAC that do not have to go into a general fund. Hellauer will check with Town Attorney about where to put donations. AARF feels that DAC should set up account. It should not be set up by AARF for DAC's purposes.
· Educational programs. Department of Agriculture will have a program for public to learn how DAC serves the three towns and their responsibility to the state.
· Calendar of meetings for the next fiscal year were handed out. Next meeting is August 13, 2009 in Woodbridge Town Hall meeting room.
· Survey of licensed dogs in not mandated by the state, but the state needs the information. If ramification of not completing the survey is not serious, then consider not doing it. Blaskey will find out what the ramifications are.
· Blaskey wanted to acknowledge Melanie for the great job she does with the animals as well as the public.
· Policy book needs updating.
· Lipson wanted to know what is the appropriate response time for a resident who leaves a message for a non emergency. Culmo, stated that the phones have a tiny light indicating that there is a message and not easily noticed, so it would be difficult to be specific about a response time on the outgoing message.
10) Hellauer/Lipson made a motion to adjourn at 8:55 PM. All in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Pamela Andreson Unapproved July 9, 2009
