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07/28/2023 11:06 AMAfter months of study and discussion, the towns of East Haven and North Branford have reached an agreement on a strategic merger approved by the North Branford Town Council on July 18 to move its animal control and sheltering municipal agreement from the Town of Branford to East Haven.
Mayor Joseph Carfora said of the new partnership, “In welcoming the North Branford Animal Shelter to East Haven, we have achieved a remarkable partnership that not only enhances animal welfare services but also brings economic benefits to our residents. This merger reflects our commitment to innovative solutions for the community’s needs, truly a win-win situation.”
North Branford was previously in a municipal agreement with Branford since 2005 and relied upon the latter town’s Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter for services, whose operations towards which they contributed financially annually at approximately 30% of costs. But as Branford expanded its recently renovated shelter starting in 2020, for which North Branford ultimately contributed $1.8 million in fundraising efforts, the previous arrangement between the two towns was re-reviewed.
Revisory discussions on the arrangement lead up to a presentation to the North Branford Town Council on April 6 on proposed collaboration by Michelle Benivegna, director of East Haven administration and management, with Animal Control head Emily Higgins. In their presentation, Benivegna and Higgins explained to the council how East Haven could provide animal control services for North Branford, the ample space its shelter has to house multiple animals, and how it would be a more financially feasible agreement for North Branford. Ultimately, the council voted to officiate the arrangement three months later.
“We are pleased to begin this new partnership with our neighbors in East Haven,” said North Branford Town Manager Michael Downes. “This move will keep North Branford in the hands of a top-notch, professional animal control operation that highly values animal welfare and care, and the North Branford Town Council’s approval of this agreement will save North Branford taxpayers over $40,000 per year.”
As part of the agreement, North Branford will pay $135,000 to East Haven to support multi-municipal services for the first year, after which their contribution will increase by 4% annually. Included in that cost are the salaries for two additional part-time employees at the shelter, a strategic tactic to lessen the burden of North Branford police officers to handle animal-related issues and focus on their own responsibilities, according to Benivegna.
“Our ACO [animal control officers] taking care of North Branford really alleviates a lot of work for their PD [police department]...anytime there’s a situation where a deer had to be put down or an animal…it might be injured and unable to be taken care of and had been put down; unfortunately, our officers have a gun they can do that,” said Benivegna. “It’s a lot of responsibility for the PD… all PDs are pretty much overstressed. So if we could alleviate some of that, it’s a win.”
The 4% increase will also go to cover anticipated costs for food and veterinarian care for sheltered animals, according to Benivegna.
Following the first year of the arrangement, both municipalities will look at call volumes for animal control and ensure that future payments by North Branford to East Haven reflect the number of calls each town receives.
“We’ll meet to look at the call volume, see if there’s a higher call volume and if we should increase that amount, if we may need to decrease it, or if we realize, ‘Hey, we’re within where we thought we’d be, or we’ll just keep it there,’” said Benivegna.
The initial $135,000 and gradually increasing contributions from North Branford to East Haven mark a major new revenue stream for the latter town without placing greater tax burdens on its residents. Such is a goal for the Carfora administration.
“We have been very mindful of the tax burden and what the economy is doing for our residents…with the cost of everything going up, [including] the cost of living, we really need to try to do something to help offset the tax burden on our residents,” said Benivegna. “Being able to find creative streams of revenue to bring into our town that doesn’t have to come from our taxpayer is essential, and this was the first opportunity that we explored, and we’re happily able to achieve.”
Benefits of the collaboration go beyond cost-saving measures and additional revenue for East Haven, as explained by Higgins.
“This collaboration represents a leap forward in animal welfare and community development for both towns. By centralizing animal care services, we can better allocate resources, enhance adoption programs, expand access to veterinary care, and most importantly, conduct educational outreach to raise awareness about responsible pet ownership.”
Because the arrangement is a service-only contract, North Branford will not be obligated to assume any costs associated with expansions or renovations at the shelter, of which Benivegna said there are no plans.
Aside from the financial benefits, being able to support their neighbors is another essential aspect of this newly formed collaboration. Similarities in culture, with both towns having lots of farmers, can help facilitate an “open dialogue and being able to fairly assess their needs and what we can provide” and further strengthen communities, said Benivegna. Volunteer opportunities are also open to North Branford residents, who will find a familiar face Owen Little, a “true veteran” of the shelter, said Benivegna, a North Branford resident and an ACO with over 30 years of recognized experience.
Benivegna said the town is “looking forward to a long partnership with North Branford, whose animals will find a safe home at the shelter to meet their needs.
“Our shelter…it might be small, but we have a lot to offer, and there’s a lot of hearts there,” said Benivegna. “We are just more of a community-based animal shelter, looking to educate, care for animals, and keep our residents safe.”