There is hereby created the Cosgrove Animal Shelter Commission.
Said Commission shall consist of seven members, at least six of whom
shall be residents of the Town of Branford and one of whom may be a resident
of the Town of North Branford, 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.