Town lays off popular animal officer

Fred Musante, Editor July 14, 2005

Animal Control Officer Linda Schaff may not have a job after tomorrow, but she has many supporters who asked the Town Council to rescind the decision to include her among the round of town employee layoffs effective at the end of this week.

Members of several organizations that rescue and try to find homes for abandoned dogs and cats picketed Town Hall and addressed the council Monday, trying to get Schaff reinstated, but Town Manager Benjamin Branyan said it wasn't likely. Branyan said he was forced to cut $1.4 million from the town side of his recommended budget, the portion including everything except the Board of Education, and he had few alternatives except to lay off employees. "I didn't want to make any of these cuts," Branyan said, adding, "We did our best to minimize service delivery." The town's purchasing agent was cut, the unfilled Army Engine Plant coordinator position was eliminated, a legal secretary for the town attorney was reduced to part-time, and part-time positions at the Public Works Department were cut. Two positions at the fire department - a deputy fire marshal and a training officer - were eliminated. Firefighters in those positions will be reassigned to vacant positions at lower pay, Branyan said. "Every department, every line item was reduced," he said. But pet lovers who supported Schaff said she is special. Karin Westbrook, president of the Stratford Cat Project organization, said Schaff is a caring, dedicated officer who tries to give every dog at the shelter, even pit bulls and other breeds with bad reputations, a chance to show their best side. Her layoff will leave the shelter manned by a single officer. A third officer is on indefinite medical leave. That was portrayed as dangerous and inhumane by the pro-animal folk, who have frequently asked the Town Council to expand and renovate the animal shelter so it can serve cats as well as dogs. Jim Mihaly of Overland Drive warned that understaffing might result in "serious health problems." "There has to be something else that can be cut from the budget," said Christine Nealy of Second Hill Lane, leader of another animal rescue group. Mary Ellen Jenkins pleaded for Schaff's reinstatement, holding her small black dog that she said she rescued from the shelter.

©Stratford Star 2005