Rockland's Animal Shelter Expansion Plan Screeches To A Halt

Editor's Note: This article has been updated to include comments from town supervisors Howard Phillips, George Hoehmann, Jim Monaghan and Michael Specht.

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — After what had looked like a done deal has apparently unraveled, Rockland is back to talking about what to do with the decrepit, overcrowded animal shelter that has served the county for 50 years.

A statement released Wednesday by Rockland County Executive Ed Day revealed issues on several fronts.

First, the county's Board of Legislators did not vote to OK an additional $10 million for the Hi Tor Animal Care Center. The administration had requested the money when bids came back far above the $8 million allotted to the expansion project in state, county and private funds. The item was pulled from Tuesday night's agenda. SEE: Cost Of New Animal Shelter In Rockland Skyrockets

Second, Rockland's five town supervisors met with Day Tuesday and according to Day they brought up a new objection — to the location of the expanded shelter, which had been planned to be next to the current location on county property in Pomona.

The town supervisors assumed the task of coming up with alternatives, Day said.

Patch reached out to the five town supervisors.

"Every elected official was concerned about the cost," Haverstraw Supervisor Howard Phillips replied. "The original estimate for the new Animal Shelter was about $8 Million and the Budget has now soared to About $15 Mil. I think it is prudent for everyone to take a step back and review the numbers to see if there is any way to reduce the cost for the taxpayers of Rockland.

Phillips said his biggest takeaway from the Tuesday meeting was that every elected official is committed to building a safe and affordable shelter for the animals in Rockland County. The scope and size of the project cry out for professional oversight, he told Patch.

"All of the elected officials would like to thank and urge the volunteers to continue to assist the existing shelter," he said.

" The main concern I have, which was shared by all the elected officials at the meeting, is the greatly increased cost for the project," replied Ramapo Supervisor Michael Specht. "In terms of the biggest takeaway, the five Supervisors, as well as the legislators and the County Executive, are all committed to finding a way to move forward that will result in a safe, properly operated animal shelter that will protect the animals and serve the best interest of the taxpayers. The Supervisors are working collaboratively to find alternatives to accomplish these goals."

Clarkstown Town Supervisor George Hoehmann replied, "As Supervisor of the Town of Clarkstown I am concerned with the conditions at Hi Tor and am aware of the need for a new facility. I believe as indicated that the cost of the shelter is significant and has given the legislators pause. In addition after speaking with a number of residents I have expressed concerns about the location given the fireworks used at the Boulders. The issue is being looked at and I believe all elected officials are committed to finding a long-term solution that protects both the taxpayers and the animals."

"My biggest takeaway from the meeting was that all of the elected officials are committed to building a new shelter and time is of the essence," said Jim Monaghan. "However, the skyrocketing cost from projected at $8 million to approximately $15 million was a major concern. I am open to having Rockland Green, the County of Rockland, or an outside vendor operate the shelter. I believe that all options must be thoroughly looked at and evaluated. I along with all of the participants at the meeting are concerned about the welfare of the animals."

Day said he was disappointed that the Legislature didn't vote to allot the extra $10 million. However, he also said he and the lawmakers looked forward to the results of the town supervisors' efforts. He did not say when those might be expected.

Hi Tor, Rockland's only animal shelter, has suffered for years from overcrowding and underfunding, in a facility basically unchanged since 1972 near the county Fire Training Center in Pomona.

The county held a ceremonial groundbreaking event in October 2021 for the new shelter. The 14,000 square-foot design included indoor and outdoor spaces for dogs and cats, plus a small mammals and exotic pet area, a veterinary area including a surgery for spay and neuter procedures, rooms for meet-and-greets between people and prospective adoptees, temporary holding areas and quarantine areas.

County officials originally hoped to start construction in the spring. The county did go to bid, and recently picked Westchester contractor Piazza Inc. of Hawthorne to submit to the Legislature for approval, according to the Rockland Business Journal.

Meanwhile, Phillips, who is also the chairman of the county's solid waste management authority, called Rockland Green, began this spring promoting the idea of expanding Rockland Green's purview into running the shelter. Rockland Green has not proposed any plan; however, the Legislature and state lawmakers backed Phillips' proposal to have the state expand the quasi-public authority's charter to allow it to operate an animal shelter through a subsidiary, an essential first step.

In April, Orangetown Town Supervisor Teresa Kenny told the Rockland Business Journal she was concerned over the Rockland Green idea and the speed with which it seemed to be moving.

Issues with Hi-Tor's operations led Orangetown to drop its contract with the shelter for stray animal control in 2021 and switch to the Hudson Valley Humane Society for stray dogs.

Meanwhile, Day is concerned about operations at the shelter, which are dependent on volunteers.

Here is Day's statement:

I am disappointed that the Resolutions to move forward with the construction of the new Hi Tor Animal Care Facility in Pomona were not voted on Tuesday evening, causing another unnecessary delay in this process.

These votes are the final step needed to have shovels in the ground following the years of work my administration has completed to reach this point including securing funding, getting architectural design plans for the 14,000-square-foot facility, and lining up a contractor.

Unfortunately, like everything else, construction and material prices have skyrocketed over the last 18 months, doubling the cost of this project. While frustrating, it is understandable that the Rockland County Legislature is concerned with the cost and chose to delay the vote to identify other potential options.

New York State Agriculture & Markets Law tasks towns with animal (dogs) control within their municipality. Even though County government is not required to build or maintain a shelter, it was believed that having the County take the leadership role in this shared service and build this new facility would save the Towns from the burden of building their own shelters or finding alternatives at a significant cost. Yesterday I, along with my executive team and legislative leadership, met with all five Town Supervisors who are now concerned about the location of the shelter; however, they have committed themselves to finding suitable alternatives. Both the County Legislature and I look forward to the results of their efforts.

My administration, the County Legislature, and Town Supervisors made a joint promise long ago to provide homeless animals in Rockland with a desperately needed upgrade; rising costs do not change this fact. Time is a critical factor for the current aging facility. We have held up our end of the pledge now we need the other stakeholders to do the same on behalf of all the animals currently housed there.

I continue to ask those who regularly volunteer and support these animals to stay committed. Your time and effort in service to these animals is greatly appreciated.