After returning to some semblance of routine following the October winter storm, it is time to reflect as to what went well and what fell short from my perspective as Town Manager.Perhaps the most glaring shortcoming is the complete unfamiliarity with the town’s Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). This heavy volume was adopted in 2005, and, judging from the dust, I don’t believe it left the shelf very often. So what does the Emergency Operations Plan call for?First, the EOP calls for the implementation of an Emergency Operations Center (EOC; get used to many acronyms with emergency management). The EOC is basically the command center during an emergency. The EOC should be activated and appropriately staffed prior to a pending event. Key personnel at the EOC include political, emergency management, public safety, public works, medical, financial, educational, and even legal personnel. Other personnel are assigned for communications, sheltering and mass care, utility liaisons, and animal care.So when and where was the EOC activated? It never was activated, so all of the functions and responsibilities of the EOC were lost. No common point of contact or information was established, leaving us to coordinate activities and information through informal means. The lack of an EOC activation in this instance is inexcusable. Sadly, even if an EOC were activated, I don’t believe many people would have been familiar enough with their responsibilities to make the EOC functional anyway. This issue will be immediately addressed.With a functional EOC, communications with area residents and the media would have been much more efficient. Information would have flowed out of the EOC to residents, and residents’ issues and concerns would have flowed to the appropriate personnel. Town communications must improve.Several individuals stepped up to meet the call to serve the community in its greatest time of need since 1955. Sadly, many individuals also stepped back. I was encouraged by some and disappointed with others. I offer deep thanks to those who provided assistance to their fellow residents, whether it was on the streets clearing debris, fighting fires, directing traffic, or working in the shelter. Many area businesses were exceptionally supportive. Without their efforts, many in the town would have had even greater difficulty.Perhaps one of the greatest needs that the town must confront is the development of an adequate shelter. At its most crowded time, the Senior Center was filled with nearly fifty residents and related material: personal baggage, cots, food, and other supplies. The center has one bathroom for each gender and no shower facilities. It took a major effort to breakdown the cots each morning in order to then prepare and serve breakfast. The most vivid demonstrated need for additional shelter space occurred on Wednesday evening: Chestnut Grove had to be evacuated for air quality issues. Suddenly, dozens of additional seniors (and some pets) fled into the Senior Center. If we had to house them, it would have been an unmanageable situation. This is another issue that must be immediately addressed.We have survived a few rounds of Russian roulette with the recent disasters — the earthquake, Tropical Storm Irene, and the winter storm — with no deaths or significant injuries (actually, not a single injury in any of the events has been reported to me). This good fortune cannot be expected to continue, nor should we rely on such fate. I consider it, as the leader of the town staff, to be a high privilege and responsibility to be entrusted with the health, safety, and well-being of the town and its residents during times of need. I hope that other town employees feel the same powerful sense of responsibility and duty. I will work diligently to ensure that the safety of our residents is protected.On different note, congratulations to the winners in the Nov. 8 elections. I look forward to working with the new Board of Selectmen. I wish to also thank former Selectmen Karen Beadle and Lisa Smith for giving me the opportunity to serve this community for the past six months, and hopefully much longer. Your service and dedication to the town should be appreciated by all. Dale Martin is the town manager of Winchester.
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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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