Animal shelter kennels discussed

WELLSBURG - The Brooke County Commission on Tuesday discussed adding outdoor kennels for the new county animal shelter in construction.

The commission agreed, pending the availability of funds, to accept a bid of $14,900 from Lombardi Construction of Follansbee for the addition of a 24 foot by 50 foot paved shelter in which outdoor kennels for the shelters animals could be placed.

Lombardi is the contractor for ongoing renovations at the former Windsor Coal Co.s main headquarters at 44 Hollow, an area off state Route 2 south of Beech Bottom, and submitted the lowest bid for the outdoor shelter.

Jim Andreozzi, the county's dog warden, said a paved area for outdoor kennels is needed so animals from the shelter can be secured outside when staff is cleaning the shelter, and the animals are healthier when exposed periodically to fresh air.

He said the Brooke County Animal Welfare League has provided $10,400 for the outdoor kennels.

Commission President Bernie Kazienko stressed the addition is contingent upon there being enough funds, and the commission is determining how close they are to exhausting funds reserved for the project.

The commission has collected about $353,000, including $338,000 generated by a four-year levy supported by Brooke County voters in 2004 and various donations, for the new shelter.

Lombardi Development submitted the lowest bid, in the amount of $272,000, for renovations to the former Windsor Coal building, which was donated to the county by Windsor Coal and its parent company, CONSOL Energy.

But in May the commission accepted $50,597 in change orders for unforeseen work that included the replacement of water, sewer and stormwater lines at the site and addition of concrete, gravel and a sump pump to address excess moisture beneath the indoor kennel area.

See today's newspaper for more details.

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)