Ansonia Animal Shelter
ANSONIA – The state bonding commission is scheduled to vote on $500,000 for renovations to the Ansonia Animal Shelter on Tuesday (Oct. 22).
(Editor’s note: the commission approved the borrowing on Oct. 22, after this story was published)
State Rep. Kara Rochelle announced the funding in a press release on Oct. 15. The money will go to the city to help defray the cost of constructing a new facility, according to the press release.
However, Mayor David Cassetti – who is running to unseat Rochelle in the state House – told The Valley Indy that the timing of Rochelle’s announcement is a political stunt.
Animal Shelter Conditions
Rochelle said renovations have been badly needed for years. She said the current facility, which was constructed in 1978, is small and overcrowded for both animals and workers. She added that it’s had issues with roof leaks and rats, and that it has no capacity for cats.
Last year, Ansonia voters approved borrowing money for the animal shelter. A capital spending plan approved in August budgets $1.1 million to be borrowed for the shelter. City officials estimate that the demolition and rebuilding will cost between $1.3 and $1.7 million total.
Rochelle said she made the issue a priority because Cassetti’s administration hasn’t borrowed any money for the project yet.
“This has been a problem for many, many years,” Rochelle said. “I encourage anyone to go take a look at the condition of the facility right now. And they can see exactly why I stepped in and took action. I gave them ample time to deliver on their promises and they didn’t do so.”
Opponent’s Reaction
Cassetti said Rochelle made the announcement to get votes. Election Day is Nov. 5.
“For two years we were discussing the animal shelter and she never talked about helping us or anything,” Cassetti said. “Now, three weeks away from the election, all of a sudden she’s coming up with an idea to give $500,000 for the animal shelter. Where was she the previous two years when there was discussion, when we were looking for money, for her to help us? It’s an election year. This is a political ploy by them.”
Cassetti said that the delay in borrowing is because plans are still being worked out between AEPM International, the architecture firm hired to plan the renovation, and Jeannie Roslonowski, the animal control officer.
Rochelle denied that the timing of her announcement was political, and said that she had been discussing the issue with the state bond commission for months.
She also pointed to the Olson Drive land deal, where, in exchange for tax incentives on a proposed private multi-sports complex, developer John Guedes said in 2023 that his project manager would rebuild the animal shelter.
Cassetti told The Valley Indy that Guedes’ company will donate $150,000 to the animal shelter project. Marini said the project had expanded since Guedes made that pledge in 2023.
“He’s contributing, as previously agreed,” Marini wrote in a message to The Valley Indy.
