Washington Township Animal Control Officer Selected

The Washington Township Committee has confirmed the appointment of a new Animal Control Officer.

Kim Bennett, whose has worked in similar positions in Hackettstown and Independence Townships, is the individual that has been appointed to the post, according to Township Clerk, Nina DiGregorio.

The confirmation came at a July 15 regular Committee meeting, five days after discussions of the search were relayed at a workshop meeting.

“She has worked for other towns,” said DiGregorio. “She’s a certified animal control officer and will start on August 1.”

Her term extends until the end of 2013, when the township will have to go complete the same search to appoint an officer again, or renegotiate Bennett's contract. 

At the moment, the individual who will be in charge of boarding the animals has not been chosen.

Township Administrator Andrew Coppola reviewed Bennett’s contract proposal, which was the only one the township received, according to DiGregorio.

Washington also anticipated receiving another contract proposal, but that never came into fruition.

During the July 10 meeting, committeemen discussed the search for someone to fill the post, but the application period was still underway.

By the next meeting five days later, the Township decided to go with the proposal it received from Bennett.

Clauses of the newly agreed upon contract include: Service hours and fee charge for responses from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., $75, response from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., $125. Also, it will be $25 per hour after one hour on call, $25 per transport, $25 per hour for second person assistance, and a monthly minimum of $500. Additional charges for call outs (including removing deceased dogs) will be $50, courtroom time after the first hour, $50, and finally, handling and care of livestock will be $25.