By SCOTT WHIPPLE
Herald staff

BERLIN — Despite severe weather, the town’s new animal shelter is expected to be completed by mid-January.

Town engineer Art Simonian said the new, 2,400-square-foot shelter at 600 Christian Lane will house 10 dog runs plus one isolation kennel and 36 cat cages.

The new shelter, on a half acre of land, is adjacent to the town’s animal-control facility.

“First comes the utility pole, then the electric service and gas line,” said Simonian. “After that the floors will be painted; we’ll put in the lighting, windows and doors. We’re looking at mid-January for occupancy.”

The new facility will have a washer, dryer, an office and a reception area.

“We’ll install our own security system,” Simonian said. “And, our building maintenance crew will move some of the equipment. This way we’ll save some money for the town.”

Simonian doesn’t expect the project will exceed the initial cost estimate of $750,000.

Residents have been waiting for a new modern facility for 10 years.

Heavy rains have flooded the current 30-year-old facility near the Mattabasset River and the town garage. Flooding has forced the town to move the animals to private kennels for the time being.

Design of the new shelter had been the subject of controversy. Friends of Berlin Animal Control expressed their concern that a new shelter might be plagued by some of the problems of the current facility — mold, decay, and no room for future expansion.

The Meriden Humane Society had suffered from structural problems, including poor ventilation. However, Mayor Adam Salina said Berlin would not make the same mistakes made in construction of other animal shelters. He said a close watch would be kept on construction throughout the project.

“We are going to make sure it is done right and not in a haphazard way,” Salina said.

Scott Whipple can be reached at swhipple@newbritainherald.com or by calling (860) 225-4601, ext. 319.