WINSTED — Though no cuts were made to the town’s proposed 2012-2013 budget Monday night, Oct. 1, this year’s fourth town budget meeting saw considerable controversy. In the end, 65 residents approved sending the budget to voters to decide at an Oct. 27 referendum.The proposed budget — the fourth created by the Board of Selectmen this year — contains a zero tax increase, after three previous budgets were defeated, starting in May.The latest proposed budget for fiscal 2012-2013 is $30,932,241, an increase of $199,718 from last year. The increase in spending is offset by $199,718 in new revenue, hence the zero tax increase, officials noted.If passed by voters at a referendum on Saturday, Oct. 27, the town’s mill rate will stay the same as last year, with the tax rate at 25.43 mills.Arguments begin meetingThe drama for the night started right before the town meeting as the Board of Selectmen held its regular meeting.The board was reviewing minutes from a special meeting held Monday, Sept. 24, when Selectman Kenneth Fracasso said Town Clerk Sheila Sedlack did not list in the minutes that the board approved a budget.According to a copy of the minutes obtained by The Winsted Journal, while motions that were made to alter the budget are listed, the minutes do not list a final budget number or a motion to approve a proposed budget.“Nowhere does it say that we voted to send the budget to a referendum,” Fracasso said. “There are only votes for amendments and a motion to move the question on the budget. Nowhere in the minutes is a listing of budget numbers. It is my belief that we cannot hold a town meeting tonight because we haven’t adjourned it properly. In all the years that I’ve been here, when we decide on a budget we made a motion that we adjourn a town meeting and a budget at a specified amount.”While Mayor Maryann Welcome asked Fracasso if he wanted to amend the minutes to reflect the vote at the regular meeting, Fracasso said no and insisted that a town meeting could not be held. “I believe that it is an illegal meeting,” Fracasso said.Selectman Candy Perez disagreed with Fracasso.“I think there have been times that we’ve adjourned with only the motions made to adjust the budget in the minutes,” Perez said. “The budget was adopted at the meeting as per the town manager’s recommendations. The dollar amount was stated on the recommendations.”Fracasso then questioned Sedlack’s ability to keep meeting minutes.“Is it at Sheila’s discretion to determine what’s important to put in the meeting minutes and what is not?” Fracasso said. “I don’t see anything in the minutes that say that we voted on a budget with a dollar amount. I think we should play the meeting tape back for Town Attorney Kevin Nelligan and ask him what we should do.”“I did not pick and choose what to put in the meeting minutes,” Sedlack said. “Candy put a motion on the floor. Once it’s a motion I can’t cut things out of it. What is listed in the minutes is the complete motion according to the CD of the meeting.”Welcome then called a recess in order to discuss the situation with Nelligan.Nelligan, who arrived right before the town meeting was scheduled to start, said that despite what was listed in the meeting minutes, the town meeting could still go ahead.“I’m looking at the minutes and they appear to be sufficient enough to go forward,” Nelligan said. “There was a motion, the amendments were all set forth in the minutes. I haven’t listened to the meeting, but based on the minutes I believe that the meeting can go forward.”Despite Nelligan’s legal opinion, Fracasso still disagreed and insisted that he listen to a recording of the meeting.“These minutes are sufficient enough to move forward, that’s my opinion,” Nelligan said. “You should move forward to the town meeting.”Subsequently, the selectmen approved the minutes for the Sept. 24 meeting by a vote of 5 to 2, with Republican Selectmen Fracasso and Glenn Albanesius voting against approving them.Meeting goes forwardDuring the town meeting itself, Fracasso continued his efforts to try to halt the meeting as he called a point of order to moderator Judith Dixon right before Board of Education Chairman Susan Hoffnagle was to give a presentation on the school district’s budget.“The town charter, in section 107, states that a budget will be up for the public to review 14 days before the town meeting,” Fracasso said. “Up until this morning, budget documents were not available to the public. Several residents have told me that they stopped at Town Hall last week and they were all told that no budget documents would be available until after tonight’s meeting.”Fracasso said that the town meeting should be adjourned for a week in order for residents to review the budget.Dixon said she would not entertain Fracasso’s point of order until Hoffnagle spoke.Dixon revisited Fracasso’s point of order after Hoffnagle spoke and Sedlack proposed a date for a budget referendum.Winchester Tax Association member David LaPointe repeated Fracasso’s point of order and said it was in line with the charter.LaPointe asked for an opinion on Fracasso’s point of order from attorney Nelligan.“I myself just received this budget today,” LaPointe said. “Why are we here tonight if we just received the budget this morning? How can we pass a budget onto the people for a vote if people could not look at it before tonight’s meeting?”Dixon then held up the meeting to consult with Nelligan.After two minutes, she came back and said Nelligan’s opinion is that the proposed budget did not have to be available for viewing until the town meeting was held.Fracasso then made a motion to postpone the remainder of the town meeting for a week.The motion was defeated by residents by a vote of 44 to 21.While none of the members of the Board of Selectmen gave a presentation on the budget, Hoffnagle used her presentation time not to speak about numbers, but to urge residents to approve the budget.“It is time for a budget to be passed,” Hoffnagle said. “The Board of Education line item is at the state mandated level. If there is a motion tonight to cut the budget that will be an illegal cut and it will be subject to fines of twice the budget shortfall.”Residents did not make any motions to cut the budget at the meeting.The next step for the proposed budget is a budget referendum for Saturday, Oct. 27, to be held at Pearson Middle School from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Latest News
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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