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Rockland committed $7.7 million for construction, plus $500,000 for architects and engineering. Some city officials also have doubts about the location. Steve Lieberman covers government, breaking news, courts, police, and investigations. Reach him at Twitter: more articles and bio. Our local coverage is only possible with support from our readers.NEW CITY - The long-awaited construction of a multimillion-dollar Hi Tor animal sanctuary is temporarily on hold after bids for the work went over budget. The circumstances are interfering with Hi-Tor's ability to function. "A disputed financial entry became a felony.
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"We're waiting for a resolution from the DA's office and the board is supporting her," Day said. She's pleaded not guilty to the charges.ĭay said her indictment has affected the shelter's ability to fundraise and keep volunteers and employees. When the Rockland District Attorney's Office seized financial records in August, Day said both Hi-Tor management and the county government shared a number of concerns about operations at the shelter.ĭay has supported DiBernardo as they've worked together on the new facility. Orangetown pulled out of using Hi-Tor for sheltering animals during 2021 in favor of sending dogs to the Hudson Valley Humane Society, a no-kill animal welfare facility on Quaker Road. Clarkstown and Ramapo pay for Spring Valley, which has the most stray dogs. Towns pay fees to the nonprofit's animal services in their jurisdictions. They advocated for a county takeover of the facility. In February 2021, Rockland's five town supervisors expressed concerns about the shelter's management, costs, and finances. In 2018, many volunteers quit after a shelter manager was fired by the board for "abandonment." The shelter faces a discrimination lawsuit. Tension among the board, staff and volunteers has been a hallmark of the nonprofit shelter that started 50 years ago. Hi-Tor President Debbie DiBernardo's arrest on a felony and 17 misdemeanors has complicated the issue of what's next for Hi-Tor, though the supervisors were looking to get professionals to run the facility.īut problems have arisen over the years, even before DiBernardo became president of the board. "In order for us to have an intelligent conversation, we need to know if Rockland Green can do this and if we can get its charter changed." Troubled history "There's nothing written in stone." Day said. He said he's not sure Hi-Tor, as constituted, can handle the larger facility. The county has allocated $8.3 million in capital project funding and the center has received additional money from state grants and donations.ĭay said the new shelter will be three-to-four times the size of the current antiquated facility. The county government has been working with the Hi-Tor board to build a new facility on county land near the Rockland Fire Training Center off Route 45 in Ramapo. Phillips said the shelter likely needs to hire a handful of staff, especially veterinarians. "We're dealing with animals who have been relagated to the shelter caused by the neglect of human beings," Phillips said.
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Phillips said the issues go beyond dollars. He said the state amending Rockland Green's charter to oversee an animal shelter offers an alternative management solution at Hi-Tor for down the road.
#HI TOR ANIMAL SHELTER NEWS UPDATE#
Howard Phillips, the Haverstraw supervisor, and Rockland Green board president said he's prepared to update the Legislature. They can hire people to run the shelter and oversee the day-to-day management." I have no questions that Rockland Green can manage Hi-Tor. "We need management to show they can do the job. "There's been a lot of issues over the years, not just what's happened recently," Hood said.
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He said the state Senate and Assembly could consider a county request when they return to session. Hood said he's cognizant the state Legislature will soon recess for the summer. Legislature Chairman Jay Hood, D-Haverstraw, said he's not sure the issue will be addressed on Wednesday unless more information on the possible takeover and budgeting is provided.