Humane Society agreement reached; prep work for electric trains gets OK
The City of Gadsden has approved a contract with the Humane Society Pet Rescue and Adoption Center to house animals picked up by animal control or surrendered by Gadsden residents.
The agreement gives the society $11,800 a month for its services, and is an increase for the organization, City Attorney Lee Roberts said Tuesday. For a time the society was without a director and the amount the city paid was decreased, he said.
"Their audit shows they deserve to go back to where they were," council member Ben Reed said. He said the board has a new director and "I believe they've righted the ship."
Roberts said the city may see an increase in veterinarian bills under the new contract, for treatment of injured animals taken to the shelter by animal control.
Roberts had previously explained that Gadsden residents were not charged a fee when they surrendered animals at the shelter because of the city's contract. He said that is likely to change.
The society will have to look at a fee that will help with its operations, Roberts said, without making the fee high enough that people don't take homeless animals to the shelter. That could increase the population of stray animals in the city.
Getting on track for trains
The council also approved a contract with the EE Group Inc. for electrical upgrades at Noccalula Falls to increase the ability to charge the electric trains at the park. The cost is $13,500.
Parks and Recreation Director Jen Weathington said the plan is to begin electrical work while the set-up for Christmas at the Falls is underway.
In May, the city approved buying two new electric trains to replace the gas-powered models that have been used at the park for some 50 years.
City Engineer Heath Williamson said some track-widening work will be needed.
Weathington said the trains should be on their way after the park closes for January and February. "That's our hope," she said, and they can be put into operation when the park reopens in the spring.
Responding to a question from council member Jason Wilson, Weathington said money for the project came from the department's Christmas at the Falls. Wilson said it was an example of how the funds from the holiday activities at the falls goes back into the park.
Contact Gadsden Times reporter Donna Thornton at 256-393-3284 or donna.thornton@gadsdentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Gadsden approves agreement with Humane Society; OK's work at park
