The Highlands Town Board awarded a $295,000 contract to build a new dog pound to FCC Construction on August 26. The town hasn’t had a dog pound since July 9, 2023, when flood waters destroyed it.

“We lost the dog pound that day,” Deputy Supervisor Rich Sullivan said, “but that building took the brunt of the water rushing down Mine Dock Rd. and that saved the Sewer Plant.”

The new pound will be an upgraded version of what was there previously, because it will be more modern. It will have climate control and running water, two indoor/outdoor kennel areas, a dog wash tub and fencing around the whole thing. It was designed based on state standards – it is New York State that requires the town to have a kennel if it does not have an arrangement in place with a dog shelter.

The good news about the project is that despite its high price tag, the work is expected to be reimbursed (75%) by FEMA. Should the state cover an additional 12.5%, as it has been doing so far in conjunction with flood-related work, that will bring the local cost, Comptroller Kelly Pecoraro said, to $36,875.

The vote was 4-1 with Councilman Joe DeWitt as the lone ‘no’ vote. He expressed concern about the cost and suggested instead buying a premade building and having the electric and plumbing work done separately.

There were two bids received for the work; the higher bid was from TAM Enterprises, at $318,000.

In other business from the meeting:

- It was noted the town paid $101,897 in bills, including $17,273 to New Beginnings Window & Doors for new windows on the front of Town Hall, $15,662 to Rockland County Solid Waste in tipping fees, $11,417 to Lanc & Tully for fire inspections, $10,665 to Rider, Weiner & Frankel for legal services, and $7800 to L&L Property Maintenance for cemetery services.

- Supervisor Bob Livsey read a letter praising Deputy Highway Superintendent Tiffany Montellese; it was from someone out of town who needed help with a cemetery issue.

- Police Chief Joseph Burns reported his officers responded to 648 calls in July. They handled four cases, made three arrests, had 148 traffic stops, wrote 71 tickets and dealt with five motor vehicle accidents. The board hired a part-time police officer to add to Burns’ staff – Jon Valentine.

- The board okayed two contracts – one with Denali for sludge removal for $125 a ton, and one with RCAP Solutions, at no cost, for assistance with some state reporting.