Sep 10, 2014 By Toni Cekada for The 3 min read

GERMAN TWP. — In light of the closing of the Fayette County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals earlier this month, supervisors contracted with a Westmoreland County agency to provide animal control

Under the motion of Supervisor Dan Shimshock and second by Vice Chairman Robert Belch, supervisors approved an agreement with Hoffman Kennels, of Delmont.

The agreement calls for the agency to perform animal control services for $400 a month until December. At that time, supervisors will re-evaluate the contract for 2015.

Kennel owner Gary Hoffman, who attended the meeting, said his facility will soon be able to house between 70 and 80 dogs.

“I’ve always had open doors for dog wardens,” he said. “My job is to take the burden off of the supervisors. Residents can call me. The dogs come to my facility where they are adopted by shelters who find them homes.”

The kennel is equipped with a surgery room, a veterinarian, chip service, low-cost spay and neutering, air conditioning and heated floors.

Hoffman said about 5 percent of the dogs he takes in are euthanized but said that only occurs when a dog is severely sick, injured or aggressive.

Residents can call 724-468-5505 for any complaints, and are asked to 911 for emergencies only including a serious dog bite.

In other matters, supervisors announced that the hard-to-recycle drop-off event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 13 at the Wharton Township Municipal Building in Farmington.

The following items will be collected for a small fee: passenger and light truck tires, $1.50 each; large steel appliances, $2.00 each; complete computer systems, televisions and microwave ovens, $5.00 each and radios and any small item with a cord, $1 to $2 each.

Used motor oil will be collected, but must be delivered directly to the Goodwill Recycle Center at 5 Romeo Lane in Uniontown.

Paint cans and household hazardous waste will not be accepted. For more information, call the Fayette County recycling hotline at 724-430-4884.

Meanwhile, Shimshock noted that recycling will be the week of Sept. 22 on the regular garbage day, and asked any residents to contact him at 724-737-5130, ext. 3, if their recycling is not picked up.

Recycling throughout the township gets picked up by Advanced Disposal, and the company recently hired a new driver who is still becoming familiar with the route. Shimshock said he had a meeting with the company on Wednesday morning to go over maps and to resolve the matter.

In other business, Chairman Floyd “Buster” Gladman, who is also the commander of the Masontown VFW Post 4584, announced that the post will be donating $250 to each fire department in German Township and Masontown. The funds are to be used to purchase emergency equipment.

The next regular meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 14 in the municipal building.