By Charley Falkenburg, Special to the Packet
WEST WINDSOR The renewal of a controversial shared services agreement for animal control services was on the table at the Nov. 20 Town Council meeting and few people came to oppose it.
West Windsor entered an agreement with East Windsor about two years ago, eliminating its animal control officer (ACO) position and putting Bettina Roed out of a job.
Ms. Roed’s layoff spurred a band of her supporters to continually rally against the agreement at council meetings in hopes of reinstating the position.
However, they were not there this time as the council looked at the renewal contract.
It appeared their absence took the council by surprise, prompting them to table the resolution until the Dec. 10 meeting at the request of Councilman Bryan Maher.
”This was put before us on extremely short notice. We need to give them time and a heads-up to make their case before we put it to bed for the next two years,” said Mr. Maher.
While leaning in favor of the renewal, Mr. Maher thought it was only fair to give Ms. Roed’s supporters a chance to make a case that could potentially sway the council vote.
The agenda for the Nov. 20 was posted about six hours before the meeting; a factor resident Pete Weale also thought didn’t allow the ACO advocates enough time to prepare.
If renewed, the cost of the two-year pact would not exceed $36,000, with each year not to exceed $18,000.
Police Chief Joseph Pica agreed with Mr. Maher and said there was no harm in waiting another two weeks.
In the two years under the shared services agreement with East Windsor, Chief Pica said it was a “win-win” and that they have only received four complaints to date.
The majority of the complaints were about a delay in response, but Chief Pica said the full-time employee was off those days and a replacement had to be sent.
The other complaint addressed an injured deer in someone’s backyard. The officer left it there overnight thinking it might get up and run away, but he ended up having to go back the next day and euthanize it.
”The agreement is working. It’s efficient and it’s cost effective,” said Chief Pica.
The shared services contract will come before the council again at the Dec. 10 meeting at 7 p.m. at town hall.

