There is hereby created the Cosgrove Animal
Shelter Commission.
[Amended 3-13-2024]
Said Commission shall consist of seven members,
at least six of whom shall be residents of the Town of Branford and
one of whom at the discretion of the Board of Selectman may be a nonresident
of the Town, and shall be appointed by the Branford Board of Selectmen.
Not more than four members shall at the same time be members of the
same political party. Members shall serve without compensation.
The Commission shall advise and assist the Board
of Selectmen or Animal Shelter staff, as appropriate, in connection
with the operation of the Cosgrove Animal Shelter as follows:
A. It shall make recommendations to the Board of Selectmen
in connection with the hiring of professional staff, such as a Shelter
Director, a Municipal Animal Control Officer and assistant animal
control officers; provided, however, that the Municipal Animal Control
Officer and said assistants so appointed hereunder shall be appointed
by the proper appointing authority of the Town of Branford pursuant
to its Charter and Section 22-331 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
B. It shall assist the Shelter Director, or if none,
the next senior Shelter staff member, in the leasing, acquisition,
contracting for and otherwise arranging for personal property, equipment
and services necessary for the conduct of the Shelter's business,
subject however to the expenditure approval process of the Town of
Branford.
C. It shall submit, in cooperation with the Shelter Director,
or if none, the next senior Shelter staff member, an annual operating
budget to the Office of the First Selectman and in accordance with
the Charter of the Town of Branford. All funds of the Commission shall
be audited annually, as part of the Town's audit, and it shall file
an annual report of its doings, which report shall be included in
the Town's annual report.
D. It shall assist the Shelter Director, or if none,
the next senior Shelter staff member, to establish goals and objectives
for the Shelter, including strategic planning for future needs, coordinate
volunteers, pursue and apply for any available grants, establish a
program of public relations and marketing particularly as it relates
to animals available for adoption, advise the Board of Selectmen concerning
the need for capital improvements and assist in raising the necessary
funding therefor and organize education and training programs, such
as animal first aid and animal rights.
E. It shall review the general operation of the animal
shelter and make recommendations to the Board of Selectmen or other
appropriate Town officials concerning matters such as the hours of
operation of the Animal Shelter, the qualifications of personnel,
the priorities for the development of services, and the duties of
Animal Shelter staff.
The Commission is also empowered to accept any
gifts, grants, donations and/or bequests made to it from any source
and to utilize the same to enhance, maintain and/or preserve the Animal
Shelter, the animals cared for therein or any programs connected therewith.