MONROE - The Green County Humane Society (GCHS) now has land for a new shelter.
The Green County Board of Supervisors Tuesday, by a vote of 21-2, with one abstention, approved a 99-year lease with the shelter for land at the Pleasant View Complex on Highway 81.
Board member Sherri Fiduccia, who also serves on the Green County Humane Society Board, abstained.
"This is a good day for the humane society," said Dan Bartholf, humane society building committee member. "Nailing down a piece of property has always been the biggest hurdle to building a new shelter."
According to the lease agreement, the humane society would pay the county $1 a year for each year of the agreement. The agreement begins Feb. 1, 2010 and continues through Jan. 31, 2109.
The agreement requires the humane society use the land for an animal shelter; it can make alterations to the barn on the Pleasant View property to provide extra storage. Any buildings must face east to reduce noise so animals will not disturb residents at Pleasant View Nursing Home or county employees.
In addition, the county and the humane society will work together to allow water, sewer, electric and telephone utilities to be extended to the leased property at a minimal cost to the shelter.
"If hookup to the City of Monroe water system is not allowed or financially feasible, then the county shall allow the humane society to hookup to its well at the expense of the humane society," according to the contract.
Two Green County board members, Randall Iverson and Harvey Kubly, voted against the agreement. They said they were concerned about the shelter's proximity to the nursing home and county office buildings at the Pleasant View Complex.
"I have concerns about the noise," Kubly said. "I'm opposed to the location. What might not be a problem now might be opening a can of worms."
County board member Sue Disch said people in town have dogs next door that are closer than the dogs that will be at the shelter. Board member Herb Hanson said the Green County Property, Parks and Insurance Committee took into account the location concerns and felt the questions were adequately addressed.
Bartholf assured the board dogs would be housed as far away from the nursing home residents and county employees as possible. He said dogs would not be allowed out of the shelter unless they were on leashes.
Bartholf said the shelter board has wanted to build a new building for several years. No formal designs have been approved by the shelter's building committee. The county's decision was a start, however.
"I think we can move forward," he said. "We can hire an architect, educate the public and plan fundraisers."
The humane society board will discuss the county's vote at its meeting tonight. The GCHS board has to approve the contract with the county before it takes effect.
The humane society board meets at 6:30 p.m. at First National Bank and Trust, 1625 10th St., formerly Amcore Bank.
The Green County Board of Supervisors Tuesday, by a vote of 21-2, with one abstention, approved a 99-year lease with the shelter for land at the Pleasant View Complex on Highway 81.
Board member Sherri Fiduccia, who also serves on the Green County Humane Society Board, abstained.
"This is a good day for the humane society," said Dan Bartholf, humane society building committee member. "Nailing down a piece of property has always been the biggest hurdle to building a new shelter."
According to the lease agreement, the humane society would pay the county $1 a year for each year of the agreement. The agreement begins Feb. 1, 2010 and continues through Jan. 31, 2109.
The agreement requires the humane society use the land for an animal shelter; it can make alterations to the barn on the Pleasant View property to provide extra storage. Any buildings must face east to reduce noise so animals will not disturb residents at Pleasant View Nursing Home or county employees.
In addition, the county and the humane society will work together to allow water, sewer, electric and telephone utilities to be extended to the leased property at a minimal cost to the shelter.
"If hookup to the City of Monroe water system is not allowed or financially feasible, then the county shall allow the humane society to hookup to its well at the expense of the humane society," according to the contract.
Two Green County board members, Randall Iverson and Harvey Kubly, voted against the agreement. They said they were concerned about the shelter's proximity to the nursing home and county office buildings at the Pleasant View Complex.
"I have concerns about the noise," Kubly said. "I'm opposed to the location. What might not be a problem now might be opening a can of worms."
County board member Sue Disch said people in town have dogs next door that are closer than the dogs that will be at the shelter. Board member Herb Hanson said the Green County Property, Parks and Insurance Committee took into account the location concerns and felt the questions were adequately addressed.
Bartholf assured the board dogs would be housed as far away from the nursing home residents and county employees as possible. He said dogs would not be allowed out of the shelter unless they were on leashes.
Bartholf said the shelter board has wanted to build a new building for several years. No formal designs have been approved by the shelter's building committee. The county's decision was a start, however.
"I think we can move forward," he said. "We can hire an architect, educate the public and plan fundraisers."
The humane society board will discuss the county's vote at its meeting tonight. The GCHS board has to approve the contract with the county before it takes effect.
The humane society board meets at 6:30 p.m. at First National Bank and Trust, 1625 10th St., formerly Amcore Bank.