Dog control officer Gloria McCormick.

RIPLEY — At their regular meeting last month, Supervisor Laura K. Pless told council members that it is imperative that Ripley create a holding center for dogs, in compliance with the New York state mandate.

“We are in a difficult situation,” she said. “This has been a real problem because it’s quite an expense for municipalities.: Following an overcrowding crisis in 2022, the Chautauqua County Humane Society updated its contracts with municipalities in the county. To limit overcrowding, most towns were offered a secondary contract, which states that they must do their own holding of dogs.

The Companion Animal Care Standards Act for Shelters and Rescues in New York State requires that all shelters and rescues be licensed and inspected by the state Department of Agriculture and Markets. This legislation standardizes care practices, training, and record-keeping for all holding facilities.

Pless went on to say that the town does have space in a building at the town park, near Interstate 90. The town is petitioning for grants for remodeling, but it takes time, she said. “This is really creating a problem for us. We are working on it,” she said.

Gloria McCormick, who serves as Dog Control Officer for Ripley, Brocton, Sherman, and several other municipalities, was on hand to urge council members to take action on this matter. “I cannot do the job if I don’t have the tools,” she said. “We don’t need the whole building; we only need half.”

McCormick said the Deputy Dog Control Officer, Richard Carpenter, is going to come and review the building to determine what will be needed to comply with the state mandate. “We need to move forward with this,” she said.

In other business, council members approved a motion to seek proposals from real estate agents for the purpose of selling select town properties. Pless noted a motion is required to even contact real estate agents about the properties, which are both commercial and residential. “I would like to get moving on this while the market is hot,” she said.

Pless also told council members that the town’s e-mail has been changed from Fairpoint to be part of the ny.gov system. E-mails will now include the official’s title followed by @ripleyny.gov, she said.

Pless said that, for the time being, any e-mails using the former Fairpoint system should be forwarded. “If someone does not answer your email, it may be lost in the Fairpoint email system,” she said.

Pless also read a correspondence regarding the South Ripley Solar Project, directed to landowners in that area. The letter was simply to inform them that there would be soil tests taking place. “Things are starting to take place, starting to move along,” she said.

In her report, Town Clerk Ryleigh Enterline said that online billing is now available for water and sewer. Residents just need to have their account number. She also noted the town will hold a rabies clinic in September. People should register online through the county office, she said.

In another matter, council members approved the appointment of Trista Brown as a general laborer for Parks & Recreation. “She had the full support of the interview committee and we are looking forward to having her join our team,” Pless said.