By Charley Falkenburg, Special to the Packet
WEST WINDSOR Some sat with expressions of confusion. Others appeared shocked, looking at the council as if waiting to hear a new verdict. Most simply stood up, interrupting the Dec. 10 meeting with murmured words of disappointment and voicing last-minute disagreements as they spilled out of the council chambers.
In an emotionally charged meeting, about 40 people rallied to reinstate the position of the town’s own animal control officer (ACO). Despite pleas to reconsider, the Township Council approved the renewal of a two-year shared services contract with East Windsor for animal control services by a 3-2 vote.
Visibly disappointed, nearly all those in attendance abruptly left, leaving the once filled room nearly empty.
At the request of Councilman Bryan Maher, the contract resolution was extended another two weeks to allow the ACO supporters to make their claim before council approved it. But after the dust settled, the only two council members who were swayed were Mr. Maher and George Borek, who both voted against the agreement.
The ACO advocates have been arguing against the contract for about two years, when the town first eliminated its ACO position and put Bettina Roed out of a job to save money.
At the time, the ACO needed a new truck and Plainsboro had ended its shared services for animal control services with the town. Under orders from former business administrator Bob Hary, Police Chief Joseph Pica set out to strike a deal with another town.
Since then, West Windsor has sent 558 animal calls to East Windsor’s ACO when needed. Chief Pica said the scope of the calls involved struck deer, phone dispatch directions and ticketing those who left their dogs in the car during the summer all calls that would have been handled by the police.
Chief Pica estimated an ACO normally is requested to respond up to 150 of those calls, but that Ms. Roed would exceed that number because of her dedication. According to town officials, the arrangement has saved West Windsor about $45,000 in nine months. Compared to the ACO salary, Chief Pica said the town has gone from paying $60,000 to $11,000 a year.
”I was tasked with the challenge of going and getting another shared service to see if we could save some money and I have done that,” said Chief Pica. “If we’re talking dollars and cents, I have done what you asked me to do.”
But to the Monday evening crowd, the ACO controversy was about more than just money it was about quality, health and safety issues.
Resident Debbie Hepler told the council that of the reported calls, 11 were regarding bites something she thought should have been handled by a trained ACO instead of a police officer, especially with risk of contracting rabies.
”The current ACO situation is neither beneficial to animals nor to residents and it creates a public health and safety hazard,” said Ms. Hepler. “No respectable humane community would allow this system to continue operating as it does today.”
Many were appreciative of the police’s efforts, but thought making the police department juggle both roles was unfair and that a trained ACO has the needed skills and experience to do the job more efficiently.
Resident Tari Pantaleo recalled an instance where a snapping turtle required six policemen to subdue, when the same kind of turtle had been bagged twice by only one ACO. She summed her thoughts up in one word.
”Experience,” she added, eliciting cheers and applause from the audience.
Resident Terry Dungan recalled a recent accident in August when resident Arnold Chen and his dog were hit by a car on the corner of North Post and Clarksville roads.
”That dog laid suffering in the street and was eventually taken to the emergency vet service by a West Windsor resident rather than an ACO,” said Ms. Dungan. “I need an ACO in my backyard we all do and the animals especially do.”
For resident Emily Epstein, a contract with East Windsor meant a no services agreement. She was particularly concerned about police officers not being required to pick up stray animals.
”The rule should be stray animals are as needy as any other wild animal,” said Ms. Epstein. “The animals are not getting the care they need and these residents who put their taxes and faith into this community are not getting the services.”
However, resident Ellen Scanlon recalled an instance when she found two stray dogs in the middle of the street near her house and the responding officer had to put one in his patrol car.
”The whole thing seemed totally ridiculous, like a three ring circus,” she added. “It was very unprofessional.”
Chief Pica clarified that police do pick up strays, but that they do not pick up feral cats, a job that requires the ACO. He added that they have only received about six formal complaints, with most being issues about a delay in response time.
He said one complaint involved an officer leaving an injured deer on someone’s lawn, hoping it would get up and run away. When it didn’t, the officer had to come back and euthanize it the next day.
”It’s an East Windsor ACO, but we do have an ACO and we do provide ACO services,” said Chief Pica. “Is the service the same as it was before? Absolutely not, there’s no question about that. The decision has to be made on what you think residents want as far services and costs.”
After grappling a little longer and considering the emails they received saying the agreement was working fine, the council ultimately chose the cost-effective route. The renewed two-year pact would not exceed $36,000, with each year not to exceed $18,000.
Only two residents addressed the council’s decision in the second portion of public comment: Ms. Hepler and Pete Weale. Both commended Mr. Borek and Mr. Maher for their votes.
”You did the right thing, you weighed all the ups and down, benefits and the pros and cons,” added Ms. Hepler. “I appreciate your thoughtful votes.”

