DOG POLICY CHANGED BACK !!

Hamden ends dead dog dumping

By Ann DeMatteo, Assistant Metro Editor

HAMDEN — Angry Legislative Council members Monday night grilled the police chief and animal control officers over what they believed was inhumane dumping of dead dogs at the dump. The council confronted Police Chief Thomas J. Wydra and animal control officers Christopher Smith and Steve Gimler over why Smith and Gimler dumped the unclaimed, untagged dogs over a cliff at the Wintergreen Avenue landfill and transfer station, why they weren’t buried by transfer station employees and what Smith and Gimler did when they saw the dogs weren’t covered up. Once the news hit that the dead animals were unburied at the landfill, the public became outraged. And Wydra on Monday afternoon said that once again, all domestic animals will be cremated instead of buried at the dump. He said he had hoped to save about $2,000 in cremation costs over the course of a year by dumping unclaimed animals at the already-closed landfill. Councilwoman Betty Wetmore, R-at large, said she was appalled at the situation and said she got more phone calls on the issue than any other in the last eight years she’s been on the council. Advertisement In response to a question from Wetmore, Smith said that the last time he brought dead dogs to the dump was Dec. 12. He said he noticed the dogs had not been buried when he went there last week with a small wild animal that needed to be buried. “You’re a fall guy,” Wetmore said to Smith. “But I’m going to say I’m really disgusted in the administration and your boss. It’s something that didn’t have to happen.” “We were appalled by it as well. We believe it was a miscommunication between departments,” Smith said. Wydra said that he and Mayor Craig B. Henrici changed the policy of cremating all unclaimed dogs to burying unclaimed dogs in the dump in September. Council members were incredulous that the dead animals had to be transported from freezers at the North Haven animal shelter, where they were stored, and were trucked back to Hamden for burial, just to save a few dollars. Hamden does not have an animal shelter and is spending about $4,000 a month to board animals at the North Haven shelter. Later in the meeting Monday night, a council committee told the mayor to apply for state funds for preconstruction surveys and engineering services for a shelter at Shepard Avenue and Rocky Top Road. About 40 residents attended the meeting, upset after learning that the animals had been dumped. They held signs that said “Heartless Hamden.” Later on in the agenda, when a public hearing was held on an ordinance regulating feral cats, speakers said it should be tabled because the public had not seen the ordinance and because the animal control officers shouldn’t have more responsibility when they are having difficulty now. The ordinance was tabled and will be reviewed next week. Wydra said that the policy to bury the animals started with “good intentions...clearly a mistake was made. That’s why we’re moving forward” with cremating the animals again. Councilman Craig Cesare, R-at large, frustrated by the answers he was getting, asked Smith if Public Works was ever notified that the animals needed to be buried. “When I enter the landfill I talk to the (employee) at the gate.” “Who deposited them down the cliff?” Cesare asked, adding how could he expect them to be buried if the area in which they were disposed of was too deep. “Why there and not a holding area? This better start making sense. This is outrageous.” “It’s not a steep cliff. It’s a 15-foot incline, a slope,” Smith said, explaining that he deposited the animals where wild animals such as deer had been brought in the past, and where he was told to dump them by transfer station employees. Wydra denied he rescinded the dumping policy because of the outrage, but rather that the policy that had been established in September was not being followed. Henrici said he received about 10 emails from people upset by the practice. “They’re saying they were horrified by the policy. I said I wasn’t aware they were uncovered and that as mayor, I had to take responsibility,” Henrici said. Henrici said that he wasn’t aware that the dogs weren’t buried until last week. They were buried on Friday. Gimler said that last week, when he asked whether the dogs would be buried, he was told no by transfer station employees. He said he reported to a police captain that the dogs hadn’t been buried, but Wydra said he didn’t know about it at the time. The animal control officers said that in the last year, they only euthanized four dogs. Councilman Curt Leng, D-6, said he thought there should be a policy that outlines a minimum amount of time that a dog can be held before it is euthanized.

New Haven Register Covering Dog Incident

Hamden dumping dead dogs at landfill

Police chief sets policy to save town from cremation fees

By Ann DeMatteo , Assistant Metro Editor

HAMDEN — A new town practice of burying dead, unclaimed dogs at the already-capped Wintergreen Avenue dump is drawing outrage from some protesters. Late last year, the Police Department opted to begin the practice of dumping dogs at the landfill in an effort to save money. Previously, all dog remains were sent away for cremation, and the town would pay a fee from $10 to $40, depending on the dog’s weight, Police Chief Thomas J. Wydra said. Burying animals in the landfill is within the law, he said. A state Department of Agriculture spokeswoman agreed there was nothing wrong with burying the dogs at the landfill. “For decades, dead animals such as deer were routinely dumped at the landfill,” Wydra said. Advertisement On Thursday, some dogs were found unburied at the dump. Wydra said that was unacceptable and that transfer station employees should be disciplined. But Councilman Curt Leng, D-6, said he is appalled. “I can’t stress enough how much I oppose this new policy,” Leng said in a memo sent Friday to Mayor Craig B. Henrici, demanding that all animals go back to being cremated. “Regardless of it’s legality, the humane thing to do with a deceased dog or cat found by a resident or town staff is to have it cremated, not dumped in a landfill, buried or not.” Quinnipiack Valley Health Director Leslie Balch on Friday differed with Wydra on the interpretation of the law. “I was not aware there was a change … I should have been made aware of the change or involved in the decision of the change,” Balch said. Wydra said the health director must be notified only if another method other than burial or incineration is used. “We either cremate dogs or bury them at the landfill. We’re complying and don’t need approval,” he said. Some unclaimed dogs are still euthanized and cremated when it’s determined that they are no longer adoptable, he said. The public health code states: “The carcass of any dead animal … shall be removed and disposed of within 24 hours after death by burial, incineration or other method approved by the local director of health.” The practice of dumping dead, unclaimed dogs at the landfill began several months ago, and was a decision Wydra said he made with Henrici. Balch said she would like to establish a policy for “appropriate and acceptable disposal of carcasses. I’m not sure it’s an issue from a health point of view, but it may be an issue from a respect point of view.” Wydra said the practice of disposing of dead, untagged dogs at the landfill was not unusual. Dead dogs or cats found on roads are placed in a freezer at the North Haven Animal Shelter because Hamden doesn’t have a facility for animals, Wydra said. The animals are held in the freezers “a reasonable amount of time” so that they can be claimed, before burial takes place, he said. But Officer Stephani Johnson of New Haven animal control, said most communities, including New Haven, cremate. Two well-known dog lovers in town, retired animal control officer Jean Murray and Dolores Giannini, were not pleased to learn the dogs’ bodies were being taken to the landfill. “You’re kidding. You’re kidding,” said Giannini, who is a driving force behind Hamden getting its own animal shelter. “I’m not a happy camper. Dead or alive, it’s somebody’s animal and they should be treated with respect.” “We’d take them to the vet, have them euthanized and then to the crematory,” Murray said. “It’s news to me. Dogs need to be taken care of like humans.” But Wydra said that people are “moralizing,” and that he’s following the law. “Incinerating a dead creature is disturbing to me. Burial is a much more appropriate means of disposing of a life. That’s how I feel,” Wydra said. “What’s the difference between Bambi and Spike?” Murray questioned whether it was a health hazard to have dog carcasses exposed at the landfill where wild animals such as coyotes can eat them. “We’re not aware of any requirements on the health end,” said Diana Lejardi, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Public Health, referring questions to the waste management bureau of the state Department of Environmental Protection. DEP spokesman Dennis Schain said the department has received “calls and complaints about the disposal of dogs at the landfill transfer station. We will talk to officials next week. We need more information on the means of disposal to make a determination.” Capt. John Karajanis of West Haven animal control said that cats and other small animals that are found dead are placed in trash bins in the back of the animal shelter on Collis Street. If a dog dies while in the city’s care, it is cremated. In Cheshire, a missing or deceased pet is hardly ever unclaimed, according to Animal Control Officer April Leiler. If an animal isn’t claimed after a few days, she makes an effort to find the owner. Otherwise, the animals are cremated and the town pays. But, she said she doesn’t have a problem with a town saving the cremation fee. “Do those people want to pay a $120 cremation fee for a dog not claimed? I get a $1,200 veterinarian budget. I’d much rather pay $125 on a live dog than a dead dog that nobody claims,” Leiler said.

Animal Control Memo - Disgusting Situation

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMO

to: Mayor Craig Henrici

from: Councilman Curt Balzano Leng, 6^th District

subject: new animal policy regarding deceased domestic animals

date: 2/22/2008

I was honestly shocked and sickened by the photographs published in the Hamden Daily News today regarding the deceased dogs located at the Hamden Landfill. The pictures detailed a gruesome scene, very disturbing to any human being, never mind any animal lover and a terrible portrait of the Town of Hamden.

I spoke with Police Chief Wydra regarding the situation and understand that the new policy was established in late 2007 and that the following are the current standards that are supposed to be followed:

1) Located stray domestic animals are kept in the North Haven Animal Shelter for varying lengths of time as owners are attempted to be located. If euthanized, all of these animals are being cremated, even under the new policy.

2) Domestic animals that are found dead are now being dumped at the Hamden Landfill. Previously, only wild animals were brought to the Hamden Landfill, such as deer or possum. These dogs and cats that are now being disposed of at the landfill are supposed to be buried, according to the Police Chief.

I can’t stress enough how much I oppose this new policy. Regardless of it’s legality, the humane thing to do with a deceased dog or cat found by a resident or town staff is to have it cremated, not dumped in a landfill, buried or not.

Regardless of my opinion of the new policy, the policy is even not being followed, as witnessed in the deeply disturbing photos of animals strewn about at the landfill without proper burial. This action is reprehensible and must be stopped immediately.

In addition, the health concerns raised by dead and decaying animals lying openly on town property is something of great concern and should be reviewed by our health department.

I would formally ask you in your position as Chief Executive Officer to immediately return Hamden’s policy on domestic animals back to the cremation policy of a few months ago. This policy is a far more humane way for Hamden to treat deceased domestic pets.

Further, I would like to also formally request an investigation into this situation to determine which Town employees were responsible for these acts and these violations of Town and Police policy. Appropriate action should then be taken by the Personnel Department.

I know that you not would want Hamden to have the reputation that it is willing to do inhumane acts to domestic animals in order to save a few bucks. I know that you treasure Hamden and its reputation and am confident that you will agree to changing this policy immediately and to getting the investigation underway.

Thank you for your kind and prompt attention to this matter. I look forward to hearing about your progress.

Feb. Committee Meeting Agenda

AGENDA

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETINGS

FEBRUARY 25, 2008

7:00 P.M. PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:

1. Appointment to the Community Development Citizens

Advisory Commission (Joyce Blandon) for a term ending

3/31/11

2. Appointment to the Community Development Citizens

Advisory Commission (Peter G. Curtis) to fill a term

ending 3/31/08 and to a full term ending March 31, 2011

3. Transfer of Funds - Economic Development - $150.

(Longevity) INTERNAL TRANSFER

4. Amendment to Agreement for Consulting Services for the

design of the Farmington Canal Greenway Phase III

7:05 P.M. PUBLIC WORKS & ENGINEERING COMMITTEE:

1. Transfer of Funds - Public Works Dept. - $32,500.

($30,000.Heating Fuel)($2,500. Water) FROM E & C ACCOUNT

2. Transfer of Funds - Public Works Dept. - $89,250.

(Landfill Materials & Supplies) ($25,000. FROM FINANCE

BUDGET)($64,250.FROM E & C ACCOUNT)

3. Transfer of Funds - Public Works Dept.- $75,000.

($50,000.Snow Removal)($25,000.Overtime) $50,000.

FROM E & C ACCOUNT - $25,000. FROM L/C OVERTIME ACCOUNT

7:10 P.M. PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE:

PUBLIC HEARING: ORDINANCE TO IMPLEMENT THE STATUTORY

PROVISIONS CONCERNING THE REGULATION OF CERTAIN CATS

1. Transfer of Funds -Police Dept.-$500.(Vehicle Maintenance)

INTERNAL TRANSFER

2. Transfer of Funds - Police Dept. - $500. (Traffic-Radar

Equipment) INTERNAL TRANSFER

3. Transfer of Funds - Police Dept. - $750. (Advertising)

INTERNAL TRANSFER

4. Transfer of Funds -Police Dept. -$25,000.(Overtime/

Administration) INTERNAL TRANSFER

5. Transfer of Funds - Fire Dept. - $200,000. (Sub/Straight

Time) FROM E & C ACCOUNT

6. Transfer of Funds - Fire Dept. - $1,520. (Food Products)

INTERNAL TRANSFER

7. Transfer of Funds - Fire Dept.$5,000. (Overtime) INTERNAL

TRANSFER

8. Ordinance to implement the Statutory provisions concerning

the regulation of certain cats

9. Resolution authorizing the Mayor to apply for, accept &

expend Funding up to $55,000. in State of CT LOCIP funds

for Phase II Preconstruction Surveys and Engineering Services

for the Proposed Animal Control Facility

7:15 P.M. ENVIRONMENT & CONSERVATION:

1. Appointments to the Clean & Green Commission (Scott Howland)

(Martha Nabstedt)(Jack O'Donnell) for terms ending 11/1/10

2. Re-Appointment to the Clean & Green Commission (Diane Hoffman)

for a term ending November 1, 2010

3. Re-Appointment to the Inland Wetlands Commission (Michael

Milazzo) for a term ending April 30, 2010

4. Appointment to the Natural Resources & Open Space Commission

(Richard Bell) for a term ending Feb. 1, 2010

7:20 P.M. FINANCE COMMITTEE:

1. Refund of Property Taxes collected prior to July 1, 2007

(2) totaling $4,239.74

2. Refund of Property Taxes collected after July 1, 2007

(10) totaling $13,990.36

3. Refund of Property Taxes for Certificates of Correction

issued after 7/1/07 (22) totaling $4,643.40

4. Resolution waiving a percentage of the payment in lieu of

taxes (PILOT) owed by the Hamden Housing Authority

5. Abatement of $171,154.75 for Taxes for the Davenport/Dunbar

Residences at 125 Putnam Ave.

7:25 P.M. ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE:

PUBLIC HEARING: Ordinance Amending and Restating the

Employees Retirement Plan of the Town of Hamden

1. Appointment to the Ethics Board (Ann M. Pari) for a term

ending January 31, 2012

2. Transfer of Funds - Registrar's Office - $150. (Overtime)

INTERNAL TRANSFER

3. Transfer of Funds - Town Clerk - $2,000. (Advertising)

INTERNAL TRANSFER

4. Ordinance amending and restating the Employees Retirement

Plan of the Town of Hamden

7:30 P.M. RECREATION COMMITTEE:

1. Appointment to the Parks & Recreation Commission

(Ron Treanor) for a term ending January 31, 2013

2. Appointment to the Human Rights & Relations Commission

(Marcia Smith Glasper) to fill a term ending April 30, 2008

and for a full term ending April 30, 2011

3. Appointment to the Library Board(Pamela Mangini)for a term

ending January 31, 2013

4. Transfer of Funds - Parks/Recreation- $l,125.(Recreation/

Spring/Summer) INTERNAL TRANSFER

7:35 P.M. HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE:

1. Appointment to the Human Services Commission (Lucille J.

Ranciato) for a term ending March 1, 2010

2. Appointment to the Commission on Disability Rights &

Opportunities (Roberta Bonocchi) for a term ending

October 31, 2008

3. Transfer of Funds - Community Services - $500. (Overtime)

INTERNAL TRANSFER

4. Resolution authorizing the Mayor, through Sleeping

Giant Day Care, Inc. to apply for, accept & expend a

Grant in the amount of $240,750. from the State of CT.

Dept. of Social Services and to enter into an Agreement

for a Child Day Care Program for the period January 1,

2008 to December 31, 2008

5. Resolution authorizing the Finance Director to borrow up

to $44,148. from the General Fund for the Advancement of

Operational Expenses to Sleeping Giant Day Care, pending

receipt of State Funding for Calendar Year 2008

Memo - Dadio Farm Sub-Division = Town Revenue

Memo

To: Leslie Creane, Town Planner

From: Curt Leng, Councilman, 6^th District

CC: Al Gorman, Council President

Carol Noble, President Pro Tem

Matt Fitch, Majority Leader

Dale Kroop, Director, Economic Development

Al Savarese, Town Engineer

Scott Jackson, CAO

Date: 2/11/2008
Re: Dadio Farm Sub-Division

Can you please give us a brief status report, in writing, regarding the progress of the Dadio Farm Sub-Division project.

Thank you in advance for your kind cooperation.

Engineering - Sidewalk Update

Memo

To: Al Savarese, Town Engineer

From: Curt Leng, Councilman, 6^th District

CC: Jack Kennelly, Chair, Public Works & Engineering Committee

Scott Jackson, CAO

Date: 2/11/2008

Re: General Sidewalk Repair List

Can you please give me an updated progress report, in writing, of the current general Town wide sidewalk repair list.

In addition, if you could add some narrative on how much funding is currently in place for the next round of repairs, when this work is scheduled to begin and how much of the back list it should complete.

As always, thank you for your kind assistance with this request.

Memo - State Street Streetscape

Memo

To: Dale Kroop, Economic Development Director

From: Curt Leng, Councilman, 6^th District

CC: Al Gorman, Council President

Matt Fitch, Majority Leader

Jack Kennelly, Councilman at Large

Scott Jackson, CAO

Date: 2/11/2008
Re: State Street Streetscape Project

Could you please give me a progress report on the plans for completion of the State Street Streetscape Project, in writing, with the latest cost estimates.

Thank you in advance for your kind cooperation.

Feb Memos - Econ Development

Memo

To: Dale Kroop, Economic Development Director

From: Curt Leng, Councilman, 6^th District; Chair, Finance Committee

CC: Al Gorman, Council President

Carol Noble, President Pro Tem

Matt Fitch, Majority Leader

Mike Betz, Finance Director

Scott Jackson, CAO

Date: 2/11/2008

Re: Grant Reimbursement

Due to the tightness of the current Fiscal Year's budget, I wanted to inquire about your potential ability to draft some additional grant dollars for your department's staff.

Any additional grant funds would obviously ease the burden on the general operating budget and would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your consideration.

Council Memo and Related Work Update

Memo

To: Mike Betz, Finance Director

From: Curt Leng, Councilman, 6^th District; Chair, Finance Committee

CC: Mayor Craig Henrici

Al Gorman, Council President

Carol Noble, President Pro Tem

Matt Fitch, Majority Leader

Betty Wetmore, Minority Leader

Scott Jackson, CAO

Finance Committee Members

Date: 2/11/2008

Re: 2007-2008 Budget Report

In an effort to keep the Finance Committee more informed of the status of the 2007-2008 Fiscal Year budget, I'd like to respectfully request a status report to be presented at the February 25^th Council Committee meeting. The status update should include your professional opinion on the overall status of the expenditures and revenues, general projections and information on any position or negative trends that we should be aware of.

Thank you in advance for your assistance with this report. It is certain to help keep us as informed as possible as we prepare to make our decisions on the Town's financial decisions each month.

Obama Has a Weekend SWEEP !!

Maine Puts Topper On Obama Weekend Sweep

Obama Takes Delegate Lead With Wins In 4 States; Clinton Manager Steps Down

(AP/CBS) Illinois senator Barack Obama finished a series of weekend primary and caucus contests undefeated as he bested Hillary Clinton in Maine today, according to CBS News estimates.

Obama’s victory in the Maine caucuses follow on the heels of his Saturday sweep in which he won Louisiana’s primary contest as well as caucuses in the states of Washington and Nebraska.

His winning margins ranged from substantial to crushing. In Maine, he led 59 percent to 41 percent with 91 percent of the precints reporting. In Louisiana, Obama defeated Clinton, 57 percent to 36 percent. He won in Nebraska by a 68 percent to 32 percent margin and in Washington 68 percent to 31 percent.

Obama's victory in Maine -- and the ease with which it came -- actually exceeded expectations, even though he swept the caucuses held on Super Tuesday. Clinton had the backing of the state's governor, John Baldacci, and its proximity to New Hamsphire and Massachusetts, both of which Clinton has already won this year, led some analysts to expect a close race.

Even Obama's own campaign said they didn't expect to win Maine, according to a document the campaign said was accidentally leaked earlier in the week.

In the delegate chase, Obama has pulled ahead of Clinton, even when the support of uncommitted super delegates is figured in. According to CBS News estimates, Obama holds a razor-thin lead with 1,134 delegates overall to 1,131 for Clinton.