SOUTHWICK – Now that construction of a new animal control facility is underway, Building and Grounds Director John Westcott is hoping to use the old facility.
Westcott made the request via a letter last week.
The current animal control space is really a shed, which Westcott said has electricity and would work for Town Hall storage.
Chairman Russell Fox said it was a good use for the space since the power runs through it and it does not make sense to demolish it.
The Board of Selectmen this week approved using the space as long as the items do not spill out of the shed.
“I think it will work as long as everything stays in that building,” said Selectman Joseph Deedy.
Selectwoman Tracy Cesan, concerned about the need for more storage, asked about an additional shed that was donated several years ago.
“That is at the DPW,” said Fox.
“Could we utilize that?” she asked. “I’d like to utilize that before we look at any new sheds.”
The board agreed to allow Westcott to use both sheds.
Recently, The Planning Board unanimously approved plans to build a 2,400 square-foot animal control facility behind the Southwick police station, where the former DPW carriage house was located.
Resident Robert Polverari is donating the completed facility to the town, along with a donation of a fenced dog playground from the family of Tyler Granfield, a town resident who was killed during an accident last year.
Polverari approached Animal Control Officer Tracy Root with the idea last fall, and said he will donate the facility from the ground up.
An animal lover, Polverari is also a builder and designer. He and Root worked closely to design the facility, which includes both indoor and outdoor kennels for dogs, indoor and outdoor space for cats, a quarantine room, adoption room, lobby, office and service area complete with a dishwasher, washer and dryer and sink.
The facility is a dream come true for Root, who has been working in a shed for years.
“I’m ecstatic,” Root said.
“These are my angels,” she added, pointing to the Polverari family. “And the Granfields, too.”
Town Planner Alan Slessler said Polverari is “an amazing man” who worked diligently with his office to get the plans right for easy approval.
