Humane Society drops plans for Vernon site; likely negotiating to build in South Windsor

By Jason Rowe
Journal Inquirer
August 22, 2006

VERNON - The Connecticut Humane Society has withdrawn its application to construct a "pet wellness center" on Hartford Turnpike for animal owners who cannot afford veterinary treatment.

Plans for the 10,000-square foot building were submitted to the town's Planning Department on July 25.

But Town Planer Neil S. Pade said today a Humane Society representative told him Monday that the organization intends to withdraw its application.

Written confirmation of the withdrawal is expected today and Pade said he will make a formal announcement at tonight's Inland Wetlands Commission meeting, scheduled for 7:30 at the Vernon Senior Center.

The plan was expected to go before the Wetlands Commission before moving on to the Planning and Zoning Commission for final approval.

Attempts to reach Humane Society officials for comment today were unsuccessful.

Pade said Humane Society officials were apparently abandoning their Vernon plans to concentrate on a new facility in South Windsor.

Last week, South Windsor officials revealed that the Humane Society was developing a plan to provide a medical and animal control facility in South Windsor, which would be located at either the Interstate 291 corridor or at Evergreen Walk.

And South Windsor Town Manager Matthew Galligan has been contacting town officials in Hartford, East Hartford, East Windsor, Ellington, Manchester, and Windsor Locks about the possibility of using the new Humane Society building as a regional animal control facility.

According to the now-withdrawn application, the Humane Society wanted to construct the building on 3.95 acres at 927 Hartford Turnpike, east of Vernon Avenue.

The site is owned by JAJL LLC and has roughly 450 feet of frontage on Hartford Turnpike, according to Ryan K. McKain, a Hartford lawyer representing the Humane Society.

McKain wrote July 24 to town planning officials that the new site would offer basic wellness care, catastrophic care, spay/neuter services, and vaccinations for pet owners who cannot afford veterinary treatment.

An ancillary animsal shelter for surrendered pets also was slated for the new building, according to McKain.