MONROE - An update on potential expansion of the current Green County Humane Society was a topic of discussion during the Green County Humane Society annual meeting Thursday at Ludlow Mansion.
The purpose of the presentation was to answer questions the board might have or questions that would be raised during the initial start of fundraising.
John Baumann, president of Colony Brands, Inc., told the GCHS members of the growing need for a new shelter for the county. During the presentation, Baumann stated that the current shelter is deteriorating, causing welfare issues for the animals. A possible new shelter would provide a healthier environment and increase space for the animals.
"It's just not a very pleasant place," Baumann said. "It's a very poor environment."
A Shelter Task Force was appointed by the board of directors to evaluate requirements for an improved shelter building, as well as to assess the feasibility of raising the funds to complete the construction. The task force came to the conclusion that the current building is unacceptable for expansion.
"(Currently) we just don't have the space," Baumann said.
A remodel or an addition to the current building would be "fraught with long-term problems," Baumann added.
The task force concluded that a new shelter should be built to suit current and future animal needs.
One plan of action the committee came up with is to build on property at the Pleasant View Complex. Green County approved a land deal with the GCHS board in 2010. The site offered is 8.5 acres, and costs only $1-per-year for a 99-year lease.
The new plan would consist of a building over 13,800-square-feet and costing about $850,000. The current shelter is just over 3,100-square-feet.
The new building specifications include a metal building that uses solar lighting to reduce energy costs; concrete footings, standard wood walls, and 4-inch think foam installations; easy to clean and sanitize surfaces; and in-floor heating for the dogs.
An estimated incremental cost of running the new shelter is to be about $42,00 per year, officials said.
Planning for the new shelter and fundraising is still ongoing, and the committee and board hope to have an official kick-off of the campaign in the summer.
"We'd like everyone in our community to get involved at some point in our campaign," Baumann said.
During the annual meeting, the board also held elections for three open seats.
Incumbents Sherri Fiduccia and Tracey Pederson ran for reelection. Newcomer Andrea Stephenson ran for election, taking the open seat currently held by Mick McClain.
The purpose of the presentation was to answer questions the board might have or questions that would be raised during the initial start of fundraising.
John Baumann, president of Colony Brands, Inc., told the GCHS members of the growing need for a new shelter for the county. During the presentation, Baumann stated that the current shelter is deteriorating, causing welfare issues for the animals. A possible new shelter would provide a healthier environment and increase space for the animals.
"It's just not a very pleasant place," Baumann said. "It's a very poor environment."
A Shelter Task Force was appointed by the board of directors to evaluate requirements for an improved shelter building, as well as to assess the feasibility of raising the funds to complete the construction. The task force came to the conclusion that the current building is unacceptable for expansion.
"(Currently) we just don't have the space," Baumann said.
A remodel or an addition to the current building would be "fraught with long-term problems," Baumann added.
The task force concluded that a new shelter should be built to suit current and future animal needs.
One plan of action the committee came up with is to build on property at the Pleasant View Complex. Green County approved a land deal with the GCHS board in 2010. The site offered is 8.5 acres, and costs only $1-per-year for a 99-year lease.
The new plan would consist of a building over 13,800-square-feet and costing about $850,000. The current shelter is just over 3,100-square-feet.
The new building specifications include a metal building that uses solar lighting to reduce energy costs; concrete footings, standard wood walls, and 4-inch think foam installations; easy to clean and sanitize surfaces; and in-floor heating for the dogs.
An estimated incremental cost of running the new shelter is to be about $42,00 per year, officials said.
Planning for the new shelter and fundraising is still ongoing, and the committee and board hope to have an official kick-off of the campaign in the summer.
"We'd like everyone in our community to get involved at some point in our campaign," Baumann said.
During the annual meeting, the board also held elections for three open seats.
Incumbents Sherri Fiduccia and Tracey Pederson ran for reelection. Newcomer Andrea Stephenson ran for election, taking the open seat currently held by Mick McClain.