North Union contracts Hoffman Kennels
North Union Township supervisors entered into contract Tuesday with a Westmoreland County animal control business.
The township hired Hoffman Kennels of Delmont to provide animal control services, replacing the recently-closed Fayette Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
In the agreement, the township will pay Hoffman Kennels $400 a month through the end of the fiscal year. Supervisor Thomas Kumor told kennel owner Gary Hoffman that the supervisors will later decide whether to extend the contract.
Hoffman said he charges an additional $60 for emergency calls, which he defines as late-night or weekend incidents that require the attention of him or his employees.
According to Hoffman, the kennel, which employs a full-time veterinarian, is capable of performing surgeries and offers a spay and neuter clinic. Hoffman said he works with state-approved, licensed kennels to give dogs the chance to be adopted.
“I’m not a humane society. I’m dog control,” Hoffman said. “My trucks equipped with every piece of equipment you can have to apprehend cats and dogs.”
Hoffman said his kennel can quarantine, euthanize and handle cruelty cases. He also has the authority to issue citations to pet owners.
“I cite people. I’ve filed more dangerous dog charges than anybody in the state,” he said. “I bring it to the courts and let the courts decide.”
Hoffman said he will need to purchase a new truck and hire an additional employee in order to cover the additional area.
In unrelated business, township supervisors entered into a three-year agreement with Southwest Regional Tax Bureau for the collection of Act 511 taxes at 3 percent commission beginning in January.
The new commission rate is an increase over the 2.25 percent the township currently pays the bureau for earned income tax, and the 1.5 percent it pays for all other collected taxes.
“That’s no increase to any of the residents,” said supervisor Curtis Matthews.
“That’s just a fee that we pay for them to collect the taxes.”
In other business, supervisors:
n Approved a minimum municipal obligation (MMO) for union and non-union pension plans, estimated at $79,040 and $34,299, respectively, for the 2015 budget. The township will be eligible for reimbursement by the state.
n Passed two resolutions that amended Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors insurance and retirement service agreements.
n Stated their intention to ask the state to perform a study to determine appropriate speed and weight limits for Edison Street after receiving complaints about vehicles traveling at excessive speeds and using compression release engine — or Jake — brakes.