Township board rejects Animal Rescue League agreement

UNION >> Faced with a minimum $10,000 annual bill in 2019, the Union Township Board of Supervisors voted 2-0 on Oct. 15 to not sign a new fee agreement from the Animal Rescue League of Berks County, Cumru Township.

The league’s fee agreement request to all Berks County municipalities indicates that it is losing $1.1 million a year in providing animal pick-ups and shelter services throughout the county.

Board Vice-Chairman Terry Kennedy and Supervisors Nelson L. Ott, Jr., said the league’s new fee structure begins with a $1,500 baseline fee that would be charged to each municipality.

Board Chairman Donald Basile was absent from the meeting.

Each municipality would also be responsible for services rendered to their residents.

“If you take an animal found in Birdsboro to the league, Union Township is charged,” said Ott. The league’s estimate for Union Township, based upon the calls it received for services in 2016-17, is almost $10,000. “If the board chooses not to sign, the league won’t provide services,” said Ott.

Union Township has previously donated $1,300 annually to the Animal Rescue League.

The board’s vote on Oct. 15 to return the agreement unsigned included to not donate any money to the league in 2019.

“The league is receiving county tax money. They’re not giving us all the facts. They never came to a meeting to discuss with us, and they have the audacity to increase our fees by 700 percent,” said Ott,

Kennedy and Ott’s vote to return the agreement unsigned included that the township will not donate any money in 2019 to the league.

The township website will be updated with an explanation of the board’s vote and its position regarding the league’s fee request.