Bainbridge does the humane thing
BAINBRIDGE -- With the Humane Society closed for the moment, the Bainbridge Town Council has listened to Bob Barker's advice -- keep your pets spayed or neutered.
The town had a year-and-a-half contract with the Putnam County Humane Society where any stray animals caught by the town would be brought to the shelter to be spayed or neutered and then released where they were found. The contract expires at the end of 2011.
Since the shelter has closed, the town is trying to determine what to do regarding the final three months of the contract, as well as figure out if it should resign with the Humane Society should it reopen. The town has a policy in place where it is required to spay or neuter stray animals it catches regardless of their decision, but it may take the animals to the shelter in Cloverdale instead.
This happened recently when the town caught two cats, a male and female, and seven kittens, which were left at an abandoned property. The town spayed and neutered the cats and gave the kittens to another family before returning the adult cats to the home.
Board member Bonnie Osborn was very happy this had been done, and she and fellow board member Chuck McElwee congratulated the town utility members for their work.
The town must also decide if they are willing to pursue action if they cannot receive reimbursement for the breach of contract.
Town treasurer Jason Hartman also informed the board of the new software that will soon be used to send utility bills to Bainbridge citizens. The software will organize the billing data better and allow the town to do several things that would make the process easier, such as send one bill for both utilities instead of two separate bills and allow for online payment.
The new process will begin on Nov. 10, though it is uncertain if all of the features will be ready by that time. Hartman said he is trying to plan for any sort of problems the system may create, but he is willing to delay the new system if problems arise.
"We're taking it slow, but there might be some bumps," Hartman said. "There's going to be a lot of rough spots."
The board is still attempting to determine where, if at all, it should move the dumpster currently located in the parking lot of the town's walking trail. The town received a quote on the price of a new flat sheet of concrete that could be used to support the dumpsters should the town decide to create an entirely new space for them, but the cost is $2,500.
Troy Elless said the park board has suggested the dumpsters simply be moved behind the town hall building somewhere, but an exact location has not been determined. The park board will decide what to do at a later date.
The board also agreed on its trick-or-treat hours. The designated hours are scheduled for 6-8 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 31.