North Union Twp. weighs dog control, decides to stick with new company
Despite a recent announcement that the SPCA is reopening, North Union Township supervisors said Tuesday they plan, for the time being, to stay with Noah’s Ark of Fayette County. Earlier this year, supervisors received a letter from the Fayette County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) stating that they were closing their doors. Simultaneously, supervisors received an offer from Robin Moore of Noah’s Ark to begin serving the township for the same monthly fee that was collected by the SPCA.
Supervisors during a monthly meeting said they opted to sign a contract with Noah’s Ark as there were little options.
“I hate to say there is a monopoly on this service because I don’t see a lot of people wanting to step forward and do this job. But in reality there aren’t a lot of choices for animal control,” said supervisor John Mateosky.
Supervisor Tom Kumor noted that the board did receive notice from the SPCA that they were trying to reopen. “But I just don’t think (the SPCA) will be viable at this point,” he said. He said that it may take years of litigation to reopen the SPCA and the township doesn’t have the luxury of time to wait for an outcome from the courts.
“Robin Moore is professional, knowledgeable and very organized…She went in to the SPCA when they were in total disarray and stayed despite the fact, I am sure, the job didn’t pay a whole bunch. I don’t know that I would have the temperament for that type of job, “Kumor said. “Other townships have said that they had problems and went to (Noah’s Ark), and all said they are very satisfied.”
With Noah’s Ark’s goal of making it a no-kill shelter, it might receive better support and more donations, Kumor said.
Supervisors said the monthly rate remains at $670 each month and that the township isn’t locked in with a multi-year contract. With Noah’s Ark, the service is on a month by month basis, though the township committed to stick with the new animal control service until the end of the year, Mateosky said.
Noah’s Ark of Fayette County is located along New Salem Road adjacent to the Faithful Pets pet cemetery.
In other business, supervisors:
– Announced that they have managed to free up funding for two thermal imaging cameras to be used by North Union and West Leisenring Volunteer Fire Departments. Representatives from North Union VFD assured the board that they have adequate insurance coverage on all equipment to cover the new camera.
They also agreed to provide the township with an invoice for the new cameras.
– Stated that an abandoned house in Lemont Furnace has been burned.
Although there was no cost estimate for clearing the property, supervisors said they expect the bill to be about $5,000.
Mateosky noted that the property has a lien against it, and that while there is hope of recouping the money it was more important to rid the community of the hazard.
– Voted to advertise for bids on a new salt building.
The old storage building has been removed in anticipation of the new structure. The new building will have two block walls with a tarp roof that will carry a 15-year warranty.
Supervisors said they are skeptical about a tarp roof considering the strong winds, but said that the manufacturer rates the material as stronger than plywood in those circumstances.
The building will hold 1,000 tons of material to ensure that the township will not run out of road salt mid winter.