With The New Dog Pound Comes

A New Approach To Staffing

By Kendra Bobowick

A new dog pound for Newtown will mean a new approach to its staffing, First Selectman Pat Llodra explained Wednesday.

Looking at a fall opening date for the new, $1 million pound, she said, “What I want is the very best thing to happen for the new facility.” She wants policy to reflect best practices in animal care, and aims for “appropriate staffing, job descriptions, and supervision.”

In an e-mail this week, Mrs Llodra wrote, “Staffing and other considerations (operational policies, etc…) related to the new animal control facility have not been finalized. We are looking at everything in the hopes of creating a facility and program that is appropriately staffed and supported with the right blend of policies, oversight, and supports.”

She added, “It is a ‘work in progress’ but with the intention to have all of this clarified and agreed-to before we open any new facility.”

Animal Control officer Carolee Mason’s role, among others, could change. Mrs Llodra stated that Ms Mason has “put forth a lot of effort and responded to mentorship very well,” Ms Mason has demonstrated a strong commitment to our animal control program and changes to the roles of the pound staff “are not based on complaints,” but “how to structure roles consistent with individual training and experience is what we’re struggling with.”

Two years ago, Ms Mason was fired by then-First Selectman Joe Borst for alleged failures in the performance of her job. Ms Mason was then rehired after Board of Selectmen members Paul Mangiafico and Herb Rosenthal reinstated her after a lengthy personnel hearing on her dismissal.

In past months, Mrs Llodra has been talking with dog pound staff and Ms Mason with the understanding that changes “can be stressful for those involved.” She said, “It’s about staffing; what are their roles?” Mrs Llodra said that the town will have to work with existing staff, after losing one part-time person.

The pound had two part-time animal control officers, of which one is left. Both Ms Mason and Assistant Animal Control Officer Matt Schaub are full-time employees, along with part-time kennel keepers. Ms Mason could potentially become the full-time program administrator who would be at the facility to ensure that the animals are properly cared for, take care of reports, interact with the public, etc. Changes at the pound would be “changes in the scope of responsibility.”

A program administrator would hold a main responsibility for onsite supervision. She said, “It’s the best way for good service and a presence at the facility.” She also hopes to “ramp up” an adoption program or “maybe do some things that we’re not doing now. That’s something I would ask the program administrator to do.”

Financing for a new pound comes through roughly $250,000 in funds raised by Canine Advocates of Newtown, CAN, and $750,000 in Capital Improvement Plan funds. The new pound will have a host of kennel rooms, recreation rooms, training rooms, an area for cats, quarantined dogs, office space, among other expansions.