Working together to find new animal shelter site

Community summit on animal control site

by John Kovach

August 29, 2008 | Stratford Star | Stratford, Connecticut

Residents will come together in an effort to reach agreement on a location for a new animal control facility.

On Saturday, Sept. 13, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Stratford High School, “Voice Your Choice” study groups will discuss possible sites, then give input.

Those who wish to participate in the summit are asked to register before Sept. 5 by contacting Linda Goodman in the mayor’s office, 385-4001, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Refreshments will be served.

“I have a list of available property the town owns,” said Marjean O’Malley, who is organizing the meeting. “I can show people what’s been eliminated, what remains a possibility, and they can get all the information about what the requirements of a location would be — size-wise, access to the public-wise.”

Once briefed, participants will be put into study groups.

“The goal is to bring together a cross section of the entire Town of Stratford,” Mayor James R. Miron said. “For this to be effective we need somebody from every neighborhood, every council district, then a sampling from all over town to talk about where this animal control facility will go.”

While Miron said he believes there is agreement that a new facility is needed, and that the Town Council has voted to fund its construction, debate on a site has delayed the start.

O’Malley said Miron proposed municipal property on Access Avenue, but residents of District 2 objected because it was not discussed with them first.

Miron said many have suggested the water treatment facility, but there’s not enough room.

“We’ve looked at dozens of locations,” he said. “Unfortunately, some have been excluded from consideration for various reasons, mostly space.”

The Sept. 13 discussion will use the study circles method, run by Everyday Democracy, which facilitated the mayor’s forum on race issues.

“Rather than a couple of months, we’ll do this in one day,” Miron said. “The subject of an animal control facility, while people can have different opinions and it can be divisive, is not as complex [as race].”

Those who attend need not stay the entire day, and may just observe proceedings.

“The more people that get involved, the better the consensus will be on whatever they recommend,” Miron said.

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