SOUTHWICK – The Board of Selectmen tabled a mutual aid animal control agreement with the town of Granville last night after Animal Control Officer Tracy Root said she had no knowledge of it.
Root said Police Chief David Ricardi told her he was discussing a possible agreement and asked her what Southwick charges for daily boarding and picking up animals, but she did not know what the agreement entailed.
Chief Administrative Officer Karl Stinehart said Ricardi submitted a one-year agreement for animal control services as needed for Granville.
“This is just to have a mechanism in place should you go up there,” Stinehart said. “My understanding is we’re talking about several calls a year.”
Root said she received about a dozen calls from Granville for animal control assistance last year but she directed them to Westfield. Now, Westfield is no longer responding to Granville and the town is seeking Southwick’s help.
According to the Westfield Police, the city has not responded to Granville for some time and never had a contract with the town, it just helped out when an animal control officer was available.
Selectman Joseph Deedy was hesitant to sign-off on the agreement until he and Root reviewed it.
“The last thing I need to do is over burden them with things that aren’t from Southwick,” Deedy said of the animal control division. He also noted that just a few months ago Root came to the board to discuss being short-staffed.
Stinehart stressed that it would be “an occasional thing” and would not likely interfere with the needs of Southwick.
Root was also concerned that the agreement included inspection of farm animals. Stinehart said it was only for picking up and boarding animals if necessary.
“Why don’t you review this with the chief,” suggested Chairman Russell Fox. “We can table it until the next meeting.”
Deedy and Fox agreed to table the matter. Selectwoman Tracy Cesan was absent last night.
