The has sent circulated a copy of the proposed agreement to officials in Agawam, Westfield and West Springfield.
Edward J. GibsonWEST SPRINGFIELD – Now that West Springfield Mayor Edward J. Gibson has sent a copy of a proposed intermunicipal compact dealing with stray dogs to the Town Council, it should come before the council at its next meeting, according to officials.
The proposed agreement is among West Springfield, Agawam and Westfield to use Westfield’s dog pound.
Gibson has been criticized in recent months because the city has had no place to send its stray dogs since the Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center of Springfield ended its contract with the city July 1.
The mayor has proposed joining a tri-city compact to deal with the dog problem rather that go back to using the O’Connor facility, which offered to take stray dogs at its old rate of $2.50 per city resident. Gibson said Tuesday joining with the two other communities could save the city as much as $10,000 to $20,000 a year over using the O’Connor pound, depending on how many stray dogs the city takes in. Last year, the city paid the Springfield dog pound about $73,000.
Gibson said another advantage of the tri-city solution is that the city will have more control over the program.
The mayor said one of the reasons it has taken so long to get a proposal for the Town Council together has been the difficulty of finding a veterinarian willing to examine the dogs before they are taken in in accordance with state regulations. VCA Montgomery Road Animal Hospital in Westfield has agreed to examine stray dogs and charge $75 if they have to be given a rabies shot. Westfield uses that hospital to treat its stray dogs.
Gibson said he is optimistic the Town Council will adopt his proposal.
“I’ll be happy to have a week go by without someone asking me how animals control is coming. I’ll be happy to move on to something else,” Gibson said.
The mayor outlined the situation in a letter received by the Town Council at its meeting Monday. The issue is expected to come up at the Town Council’s April 19 session.