At Monday evening’s Board of Selectmen meeting, I voiced my frustration with the current financial situation of the Winchester Public Schools. The budget referendum is scheduled for a little more than a week from now, and I have yet to see a proper budget detailing proposed expenditures from Superintendent of Schools Anne Watson. The current year’s budget, reflecting the actual appropriation, was submitted to me by the former superintendent on March 14, 2014.The superintendent submitted a budget to me on March 12, $1.4 million higher than the appropriation that I had indicated would be included in my proposed budget. The superintendent subsequently described the budget to the Board of Selectmen on Monday, March 30, at the town charter-mandated Board of Education public hearing. The Board of Selectmen requested clarifications to the superintendent’s proposed budget, and the superintendent provided a revised budget at the Board of Selectmen’s public hearing on April 2.The superintendent’s revised budget indicated expenditures of approximately $23.2 million. The town appropriation ($19.9 million) and anticipated grants ($2 million) left a shortfall of approximately $1.3 million. No revised budget has been presented, to my knowledge, that reduces the superintendent’s proposed budget to reflect the anticipated appropriation. The Board of Selectmen and the electors of the town at the annual budget meeting have sent the $19.9 million to the budget referendum, so no additional money from the town will be forthcoming. How will the superintendent’s and the Board of Education’s proposed budget be adjusted to reflect the appropriated revenue?A key factor for the proposed budget is administrative salaries. The Board of Education budget approved for the current fiscal year indicated salaries for the top six administrators totaling $589,343.57. In the superintendent’s proposed budget document, however, those same administrative salaries are shown as totaling $693,508.26 for the current fiscal year. Has the current-year budget been appropriately amended through Board of Education action to account for that increase of over $104,000? What other lines of the budget were similarly reduced by $104,000 in order to maintain a balanced budget?Other financial issues remain regarding the current fiscal year. The State Department of Education has been apparently investigating excess reimbursements provided to the school district since at least last November. Why hasn’t any information been provided regarding the investigation that has now lasted over six months? What will be the impact of the investigation, when completed, on the school district budget? On the town’s finances? On the officials that condoned the inappropriate reimbursements?An informal analysis of school district expenditures to date for the current fiscal year show that approximately $18.9 million of the $21.2 million budget have been spent, leaving roughly $2.3 million for the balance of the fiscal year, which ends on June 30. Several payrolls and sizable payments to various other entities will have to be made over the course of the next five weeks. Will $2.3 million be sufficient, or will the school district exceed its budget?These are critical questions that should be answered as soon as possible. Two speakers at Monday evening’s Board of Selectmen meeting indicated that they would be voting against the proposed town budget to show their displeasure with the current financial situation of the Board of Education. Despite my frustration, such opposition to the budget is extremely shortsighted and would have a more significant negative impact upon the town’s financial situation.First of all, and perhaps most importantly, the town appropriation to the school district has been set at the Minimum Budget Requirement (MBR) — the town cannot appropriate less. If you think that a revised budget would be designed to give the school district less money, you are wrong. The school district will, due to state statutes, receive $19,958,159 — nothing less, no matter how many times the budget is returned for a referendum.Secondly, the delay in the process of approving the budget will have an impact on town projects. Ordering new equipment included in the budget would have to be delayed, perhaps resulting in the equipment not being received until next spring. The assessment of the roads, proposed to prepare for long-term road maintenance, would likely not be completed until next spring, meaning next summer’s construction season would be negatively impacted. Staff positions included in the budget to address safety, economic development and road operations would not be considered until later in the year. Requiring additional budget votes due to dissatisfaction with the Board of Education affects town expenditures, not school expenditures.The most significant opportunity exists to address frustration (and, to be fair, satisfaction) with officials later this year: the November election. Make your vote meaningful. You might even consider running for office yourself if your dissatisfaction has peaked or if you want to join a successful team.In the meantime, seriously consider the ramifications of rejecting the budget for a non-budgetary reason. The Board of Selectmen, for the first time in a long time, unanimously (that big word means Republicans and Democrats agreed with each other — in Winsted!) presented a budget for consideration. Let’s build on that effort for our community and address other issues in a more appropriate manner.Dale Martin is the town manager of Winsted.
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Marsala is eager to go home with you.
Tiffany Lemelin, shelter manager, brushing Marsala upon arrival.Provided
The Little Guild is an animal shelter at 285 Sharon-Goshen Turnpike in West Cornwall. Founded in 1957, the organization rescues animals from local surrenders and under-resourced shelters. When a rescue animal arrives at The Little Guild, staff begins a careful intake and transition process to ensure the animal is safe, healthy and ready for adoption.
New arrivals are quarantined in-house. Vaccinations are verified as up to date, and staff assesses each animal’s medical, behavioral and placement needs. Rescues receive medical care, daily support and behavioral training to ease shelter stress. Once a dog has finished quarantine and is ready for a home, its profile is published at littleguild.org.
Michael DeBarba, certified dog trainer working with Marsala.Jennifer Almquist
Prospective adopters fill out an online application with information about their household and veterinary and personal references.
The next step is for the prospective adopter and family members to meet the dog. If there is already a dog in the household, a meet-and-greet is scheduled so the dogs can get acquainted.
The animal care staff offers guidance based on its knowledge of each animal’s personality, needs and quirks to help families find the best fit.
Marsala wins a heart.Jennifer Almquist
Once a match is made, the adoption contract outlines aftercare. Adopters agree to return the animal to The Little Guild if the adoption doesn’t work out. The organization’s commitment continues after adoption, with six months of free training and follow-up from staff to answer questions or address concerns.
“Please don’t pass Marsala by,” Lemelin said. “He loves people and other dogs. He’s a lap dog who lives for snuggles, cuddles and face kisses. Marsala deserves a family, a soft bed and a lifetime of being chosen.”
To find out about Marsala and other rescue dogs and cats, visit littleguild.org
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Sampson, a playful and independent blind hound mix, explores the rescue’s large yard.
Though she takes in dogs of all ages, including some with disabilities — and one resident cat — the rescue’s motto is “Giving old dogs new lives.”
Sadie, center, a Carolina dog, plays with her friend Negra, a terrier mix. Bella Linda, the small poodle, has since been adopted.L. Tomaino
Sadie, a sweet Carolina dog, was the first to greet visitors.
“She could really use a home,” Meade said.
Then came Bonnie and Clyde, rat terriers; Negra, a small terrier mix; Sampson, a blind hound mix; and Jay Z, a terrier mix who was emaciated when Meade took him in and has since filled out, with fur regrowing over previously bald patches. Wesley, a young, shaggy mix whom Meade calls “a very good boy,” is also in need of a home.
Wesley, a young, exuberant mix, is looking for an active home.L. Tomaino
Meade began rescuing dogs after going to Waterbury to adopt one and learning that, by the end of the three-day weekend, the dogs she was looking at would be euthanized to make room for others.
She went home and started her rescue in New Preston, Connecticut. After five years there, she moved to California, where she rescued dogs from overcrowded pounds for 13 years.
Meade, a busload of dogs and her cat moved back to the Northeast a little more than a year ago.
Ninety-nine percent of the dogs at the rescue come from pounds, both locally and in California and New York City.
“We are more than happy to place dogs with older people, and we are also willing to give support after the adoption,” Meade said, noting that some rescues will not adopt to people over 60.
Bonnie and Clyde, an affectionate terrier pair.L. Tomaino
For those who cannot adopt, the rescue needs donations of old blankets, dog and cat food, cleaning supplies, puppy pads and dog treats. Monetary donations are also welcome and can be made through the rescue’s website. Meade also welcomes volunteers to help with the dogs.
Contact Meade at 805-239-4004, 860-866-7986 or 4dots@att.net to arrange a visit or drop off donations. For available dogs and more information, visit meadecaninerescue.org.
Newtown Veterinary Specialists
For Berkshire County residents, VCA All Caring Animal Hospital, 440 Stockbridge Road in Great Barrington, can be a nearby first call. The full-service hospital offers diagnostics and hospitalization and asks clients with an emergency or a pet requiring immediate attention to call rather than use its online contact form. It is not a 24-hour emergency hospital, however. Current hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. It is closed Sunday. Call 413-528-8020.
Poughkeepsie also has several options for urgent care. Creature Comforts Animal Hospital, 64 Pine St., is a full-service veterinary hospital offering emergency and critical care during regular business hours. The hospital treats dogs and cats as well as birds, reptiles and other exotic pets. Hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. It is closed Sunday. For after-hours emergencies involving dogs and cats, the hospital refers patients to regional emergency facilities. Call 845-625-2474.
Community Animal Care, 269 Titusville Road, offers urgent and emergency care during operating hours and asks pet owners to call ahead. Regular hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Urgent care is available daily by calling ahead, with extended hours until 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. The practice also offers after-hours veterinary triage by video to help owners determine whether a pet can safely wait or should be taken to a 24-hour facility. Call 845-471-7459.
When an animal needs care in the middle of the night, on a holiday or for a potentially life-threatening condition, the options become more limited.
Guardian Veterinary Specialists, 4 Hardscrabble Heights in Brewster, is a 24-hour emergency and specialty hospital, open seven days a week, 365 days a year. Its emergency department is staffed around the clock, with on-site imaging and laboratory services. No appointment is necessary for an emergency, although calling ahead is encouraged when possible. Call 914-704-3400.
Provided
Newtown Veterinary Specialists, 52 Church Hill Road in Newtown, Connecticut, also provides emergency care 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays. No appointment is required for emergency care, although the hospital recommends calling ahead when possible. Call 203-270-8387.
Pet owners should remember that emergency veterinary hospitals operate much like human emergency rooms in that patients are triaged according to the severity of their condition, so animals with less critical problems may have to wait.
The best preparation is simple. Keep the number of your regular veterinarian and at least one 24-hour emergency hospital in your phone, and know roughly how long it will take to get there. If circumstances allow, call before leaving home to confirm where your pet should be seen.
When something goes wrong at 10 p.m. on a Sunday, knowing where you’re headed can make a frightening situation a little less overwhelming.
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