WOODSTOCK – The selectmen voted unanimously last week to assist Animal Control Officer Dannie Paine with the cost of heating his Moose Pond Animal Shelter in West Paris during the coming winter.
Town Manager Vern Maxfield told the board, “Dannie has asked for help for heating his shelter because, with the increasing heating oil prices, he won’t be able to keep the shelter open this winter. I think we need to help him all we can as we are lucky to have him. His is a thankless job, and I think he earns everything cent of the money we pay him and more.”
Agreeing with Maxfield, Chairman Leon Poland said, “It’s hard to say how much longer he will be doing this for us, as his health isn’t very good and we can never replace him when he is gone.”
After the meeting, Paine said, “I’ve never asked for help before in the 12 years I have been doing this but I have no choice now. I’ve been paying all my bills from what I get and that’s $150 dollars a month plus expenses. I can’t do this any more.”
As for his concern for the animals he houses, he said, “I love animals and I can’t let them freeze.”
Paine said he serves the towns of Woodstock, West Paris, Sumner, Albany Township, Mason Township and Milton Plantation. He said he’s also asked for assistance from Sumner and West Paris. As for Albany, Mason and Milton, he said he hasn’t asked them for help because animals from those towns are taken to Fryeburg or Rumford.
He said he hasn’t heard responses from Sumner or West Paris. “If they say no, I’ll take their animals any place they want me to take them, but I can’t house them at my shelter.”
The Woodstock board decided Paine is to receive $50 per month for November and December, with an annual $400 to be paid starting in January.
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