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 County Dog Fund to End
November 19, 1999
To Members of the Berkshire County Dog Fund:
The Berkshire County Dog Fund will be ending as of March 31, 2000, which is the end of the fiscal year for the program. Since the Berkshire County Commission will end on June 30, 2000 it makes no sense to be collecting funds from the sale of dog licenses in May and June, only to return it to the towns before June 30th. We regret that this service must end, and have appreciated the opportunity to work with you in a program that has included the group purchasing dog licenses and tags, the services of our County Dog officer, and the Berkshire County Dog Fund through which member town are reimbursed for expenses related to enforcing dog laws. We believe that this program has also helped provide humane treatment to animals and protection to citizens.
As the enclosed procedure outline explains, we will order and distribute the year 2000 licenses per usual, we will distribute to member towns remaining funds from the year 1999 account per usual, however after March 31, 2000 revenues from license sales should be forwarded to your town treasurer rather than to the County Dog Fund. Please note the articles that each town at the next annual town meeting (or special town meeting), if you have not already taken care of this matter.
Some of our member towns are individually making arrangements to continue the services of their County Dog officer. Should a your town decide to join a regional council of governments there would be an opportunity for a new regional dog and animal control service. Unfortunately however, at this point towns must make provision to individually take over this responsibility. Please call if you have any questions and let us know any way we might be of help.
Respectfully yours,
Thomas H. Stokes
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