Temporary Privatization Of Stafford Animal Control Sparks Controversy

STAFFORD, NJ — After the resignation of two full-time animal control officers, Stafford's decision to contract an independent company has drawn criticism from residents who say the company cannot handle the work and that the township needs to pay its officers more.

An hour was spent at a recent Stafford Township Council meeting as residents voiced their opinions on the matter.

In the past few months, Stafford's Animal Control Department lost two full-time officers. The department not only serves Stafford Township, but Barnegat Light, Beach Haven, Harvey Cedars and Long Beach Township as well.

As a result, the township said they needed to hire an independent company, and a resolution was on the agenda for that meeting authorizing a contact to A-Academy of South Jersey. A-Academy provides service to towns in Ocean County, including Beachwood, Brick, Lacey, Island Heights, Little Egg Harbor and Tuckerton.

Mayor Greg Myhre emphasized that this was an emergency decision to keep animal control services continuing in the township and that it would be temporary. The contract would go through Dec. 31, 2022.

A-Academy's services would be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and for weekends it would cost $175 a call.

Councilman Paul Krier suggested that the two officers left because of pay issues.

"I was astonished to see how low [their salaries were] when compared to other towns in the area," Krier said.

"I'm not trying to disparage somebody who works in retail, but if you can make more money working in Shop Rite than you can do in this job, there's something wrong," Krier said, which was met with applause from the audience.

Myhre said that the benefits offered by the township are better than retail.

Several residents voiced their opinions on the matter, speaking passionately and saying the two resigned officers had to work in a "toxic environment."

President of the Friends of Southern Ocean County Animal Shelter Linda Cook said that there was "no way" A-Academy could handle covering Stafford on top of their other municipalities.

"They have two full-time employees," Cook said. "I'd like to know how they're going to do that."

Cook, who said she was friends with Stafford's animal control officers, said that the two had asked for another employee to help, but were declined.

"These girls were working 35 to 40 hours of overtime every week," Cook said.

"Nobody wants to pay these people taking care of our animals," another resident said, with emotion in her voice. "This is disgusting. If this is the community we're creating, what an elitist place we have."

Jody Sidote, who up until recently was the Stafford Animal Control per diem officer, said that she had been "abruptly released" from her position. This was denied by the council, who said terminations had be approved which did not happen for her.

Sidotesaid that she and the other officers felt as though they had no support from their supervisor and the township administration.

"I'm not sure anyone really knows what the job of animal control officer entails," unless you work it, Sidote said.

She also said that it was an "abusive" environment, saying that the supervisor was "often absent."

"I have witnessed abusive behavior and watched my coworkers tolerate it," Sidote said.

Residents also questioned the cost of this agreement and shared concerns about the fate of the animals.

"I'm very disturbed about how this council has been doing business lately," long-time Manahawkin resident Patricia Romano said.

"Do you think that they're going to be able to take care of these animals? Do you really think so?" She said. "Two trucks? Really. Five towns."

Romano said she didn't care if she had to pay more in taxes if the animal control officers were able to get extra help.

Myhre stressed that it was an "emergent situation" that the township had to quickly come up with a solution for, and that this was the best option. He also said that the township could not comment on why the officers had left.

After an hour, the contract was awarded unanimously, though some councilmembers said that they voted yes only on the understanding that the contract was temporary and that the township would continue to look for full-time officers.