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Flores asks for $70K to $100k for kennel project’s completion
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Posted on May 02 2012
By Clarissa V. David
Reporter
Reporter
Saipan Mayor Donald G. Flores has requested the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation for funding appropriation to support the ongoing construction of an animal control shelter in Lower Base.
Flores wrote to delegation chair Rep. Ramon A. Tebuteb and House Committee on Ways and Means chair Rep. Ray N. Yumul, saying the project is almost finished “but would not be ready to be opened for full operation until it is connected to the island’s main sewage collection system.”
“For the dog kennel shelter to be opened for full operation, its wastewater system must be connected to the island’s main collection system, in compliance with [Commonwealth Utilities Corp.’s] requirements,” Flores said in his April 12 letter.
According to Flores, the kennel’s sewage connection will be “a forced line to the main system” and its design would require pumps and other structures such as manholes.
To do so, Flores said, would not be cheap as they would need $70,000 to $100,000 based on CUC’s estimates following an “extensive field investigation” conducted by the utilities agency between July and September of last year.
In March, the mayor also wrote to the delegation asking for $50,000 from the Developers Infrastructure Tax Fund collection.
Flores cited that one of the duties and responsibilities of the Saipan Mayor’s Office is the regulation and licensing of dogs, cats, and other domestic animals and “critical” to its effective administration is the kennel.
“Without a kennel, controlling the problem of stray dogs will not be possible,” he added.
It was in late December 2011 when construction for the facility began in a building previously used by a garment manufacturer, funded by a $75,000 appropriation from Saipan Local Law 15-12.
Of this amount, 70 percent has already been spent, said Flores, while 51 percent of the remaining amount is already “encumbered.”
While the Saipan Mayor’s Office has allotted a renovation and construction budget of $15,000 from a grant it received, what’s left of this amount is being used in the ongoing public awareness campaign on animal licensing and regulation.
“We estimate the project to continue two to three weeks more before the funds run out,” said Flores.
