Town to pay more than anticipated for new dog control facility
July 15, 2021
by MARIA PERICOZZI Editor
At the July 5 meeting, the Lancaster Town Board voted to finance the new dog control facility cost that is not covered by a grant, which is three times higher than the pre-pandemic estimate.
In January 2020 before the pandemic began, the board was given a conservative high preliminary cost estimate of $280,000 to $320,000 to build the new dog control facility. The town applied for a grant to cover the cost, which was 75% funded, with a 25% match.
In March 2020, the town was awarded the grant of $228,759 from the Department of Agriculture under the state’s companion animal capital fund, and the town would be responsible for 25% of the match, around $76,250.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the price of building materials rose, and the recent bids for the project came in much higher.
The dog control facility is now expected to cost $485,000 total, with $228,759 of the total being from the grant.
The resolution approves the town paying for the remaining $256,250 of the project, which is about three times more than the original expected amount of $76,250.
The resolution passed with a 4-1 vote. Supervisor Ronald Ruffino Sr. voted against the resolution.
“I am 100% in favor of building a new dog control facility, however, I feel that the current time is not the best time to build it,” Ruffino said.
The town originally planned for a 1,200-square-foot facility and garage, but it increased to a 1,600-square-foot facility and garage, with the addition of specialty items that increased the cost. Ruffino said for the awarded grant, the town has the ability to request a two-year extension, twice, without jeopardizing the grant.
“I believe at some point, the cost of materials will level back down, so my position is to hold off paying more money and re-bid when the cost of materials starts coming down,” Ruffino said.
The current facility poses issues for the Dog Control officers, and numerous residents have issued complaints regarding the facility. If there is an overflow, dogs are put in crates in the office spaces, which is a state violation. There also are no large-breed dog kennels, no place to walk or exercise the dogs, and visitors can feed the dogs or stick their fingers through the kennels.
Council member Adam Dickman said in April that the facility is “basically a shed that houses four dogs.”
During the May 3 meeting, council member Michael Wozniak said the cost of construction materials was going through the roof, and that he was curious to see how bids come in.
“The dog control facility is starving for room,” Wozniak said May 3. “The existing conditions are deplorable, in my opinion, and we need to do something right. Trying to stay positive here, but for me personally, the focus is to get a new facility in some way, shape or manner. It’ll be challenging.”
The next Lancaster Town Board meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, July 19, at Town Hall, 21 Central Ave., Lancaster. A work session will be held at 6:30 p.m.