PINE PLAINS — Recreation Director Catherine Prentice appeared before the Town Board at its Thursday, Aug. 18, meeting to discuss her department and its activities. The main issue she addressed was the town’s use of the Pine Plains Central School District’s football field and basketball courts — and what it’s being charged for the privilege.The football field is used for the town’s fall programs, including flag football and Pop Warner football, which typically run from September through November. The basketball program begins in December and runs through February; Prentice is seeking to use both the high school and middle school gymnasiums for the town basketball programs.The town has an agreement with the school district to use its facilities to help supplement what the municipality lacks. For the upcoming academic year the school district will be dealing with an austerity budget, due to the fact that taxpayers voted down the school board’s proposed budget at the polls. Because of that, Prentice said she’s aware every penny will count for the school’s coffers. But, she said, the town has a budget of its own. She did concede the last time the town dealt with an austerity budget at the school district in 2008, the Board of Education set a reasonable fee for the town.“We spent $2,259, which was not an astronomical amount,” Prentice said.However, she said, this time around the district should consider charging less; she wrote a draft letter to school Superintendent Linda Kaumeyer with that request and asked the Town Board to both approve the letter and forward it to the superintendent.“I think you should send it to her and see what comes out of it,” Prentice said. “They’ve been trying to charge us for two basketball games, and we used the field after the austerity budget was passed, and nothing was done to the field by the school. We mowed it and lined it. Nothing was done by the school.”In her letter to Kaumeyer, Prentice wrote, “I am aware the school is running on an austerity budget and you have to charge us for the use of the facilities. I am asking that you consider a minimal amount of $1 per week. The programs are not run for raising funds but for the benefit of our youth and future sports programs.”Although there’s a large discrepancy between the past fee and the current offering, Prentice said she wanted to try her luck.“I’ve been told the can charge only $1, that they don’t have to charge more,” she said, adding she began working for the town at the start of 2011. “I’m thinking it’s probably wishful thinking, but I’m not really sure because this is the first time I’ve had to do this, but I’m going to see if they’ll go for it.” Town Supervisor Gregg Pulver said that in 2008 the Arlington Central School District also worked off an austerity budget; at that time the district charged community groups a flat fee of $1 for the use of its facilities. “They did not go above and beyond to find every penny,” Pulver said. “That being said they have a legal right to do it, but they also have a right to set a low fee. However, Arlington’s budget is over $100 million, while our school district’s is around $25 to $26 million. “That being said, if the school had real costs involved they should get reimbursed, but most of the stuff is just use of the building that’s already there,” he continued. “Taxpayers in the district already paid for that school, and the district is still going to have to mow the lawn and do stuff [so there’s no extra cost for us to be there].”Even so, charging that little might not be so easily done, according to Kaumeyer. That’s because the school district cannot provide public use of its buildings and grounds, except when there’s no cost in doing so.“That’s the purpose of these nominal charges,” the superintendent said, adding the Board of Education set the 2011-12 austerity rates at the same level they were at for the austerity budget in 2008-09. “The board made the decision not to change those rates, which have always been discounted.”Kaumeyer added she can’t comment beyond that as she only received Prentice’s letter on Monday, Aug. 22, and must wait to present it to the school board at its next meeting, which was scheduled to take place on Wednesday, Aug. 24 (after press time, which made it impossible for Kaumeyer to comment on). Additionally, she said, the decision is not hers to make.“I have no authority to act on the request,” Kaumeyer said. “All I can say is that the rates [for the austerity budget] were [originally] approved by the Board of Education ... and they’re the ones who have to consider the request.”
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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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