Town in Talks With Nonprofit to Take Over Animal Shelter

Following the recent resignation of head animal control officer Lou Coronesi, town leaders announced on Thursday morning that further changes may be ahead at the town's animal shelter, as the town is currently in talks with a nonprofit organization to take over operations there.

Councilman Jim Wooten, liaison to the animal advisory committee, in recent months has mentioned ongoing talks with the North Fork Animal Welfare League, which operates the Southold Animal Shelter. On Tuesday he said talks are still ongoing, as NFAWL architects are currently evaluating the Youngs Avenue facility and determining what a fair price may be.

"Logistically, they are looking right now, though negotiations would have to be done through executive session," Wooten said. He added that a meeting for next week has been set up between the organization, himself, Supervisor Sean Walter and the town's chief financial administrator, Bill Rothaar.

The NFAWL operated Southold's animal shelter in 2010 for just over $195,000, and is budgeted in the town's 2012 budget to receive $208,588.

In Riverhead's 2011 budget, $171,650 was budgeted to run the shelter, though the budget shows that in 2009 just over $210,000 was spent.

Walter expressed optimism at the thought of getting the facility out of the direct responsibility of the police department. Police Chief David Hegermiller agreed.

"It would be a good thing for the dogs to privatize it," he said.

Wooten mentioned that a private organization's ability to raise funds and actively promote adoption of the dogs would be a private organization's biggest benefit over the town's.

Just over a year ago, Wooten had for private bidders to run the shelter, and one response — from Riverhead Shelter Volunteer Program — was taken in. However town leaders chose not to offer the contract since only one bid was received, and expressed concern at the organization's ability to run the shelter.

Animal activists — several from RSVP — started calling for Coronesi's resignation last winter after records showed that less than a week after he wrote that it was showing great improvement. While some members of the community , no such investigation ever materialized.

A call to the NFAWL was not immediately returned.