Sandy Reynolds, president of HUMANEmontclair, an organization she described as created to protect animals from abuse, neglect and abandonment, spoke to municipal officials in support of PAWS.

Reynolds said PAWS provides "pride and comfort for residents" and is a "safe haven for animals."

"PAWS deserves their reputations and our gratitude," she said.

The local nonprofit animal shelter, located on North Willow Street, has a low-kill methodology and a decades-long presence in town.

However, PAWS and the municipal government continue to be in the midst of contract negotiations. Township Manager Joseph Hartnett indicated that an agreement might soon be reached. Meanwhile, PAWS has been sheltering Montclair’s homeless and stray animals with the municipality’s animal control officers without a contract in place.

Beseeching council members to adopt the priorities set forth by HUMANEmontclair, Reynolds said she hoped the municipal representatives could have "meaningful dialogue" with the PAWS Board of Trustees.

Hartnett responded that he would "support 1,000 percent" HUMANEmontclair’s goals and noted "so many animal organizations are struggling."

"Where the problems come in is when you start to talk about finances and budgets," said Hartnett, adding "my heart goes out to [animal shelters.]" He noted a problem such nonprofits face is they expand too quickly out of the municipality’s capabilities.

Ron Locascio, a member of the PAWS Board of Trustees, responded to Hartnett’s comments by saying, "I certainly don’t think that PAWS has taken on more than it could handle."

Locascio also maintained that the municipal government has not paid the sheltering bills sent to them by PAWS for 2008.

"If the situation was reversed, we would have paid our bills," Locascio said. "I find it very unprofessional the bills have not been paid."

Other residents also spoke in support of the animal shelter.

Although Hartnett did not respond to Locascio, 1st Ward Councilman Rich Murnick said the council intends to review information on the matter and then comment.

Actions

• According to Hartnett, the has council contracted with a firm to conduct an asbestos investigation in Renaissance Middle School.
• The council approved a proclamation congratulating Isaac Brown, a former Montclair police officer, professional musician and lifelong Montclair resident, on his birthday that is today. Brown will commemorate the occasion with a performance with Jazz Prophets at the Priory, 118 Walnut St., tomorrow, Sept. 12.
• The council introduced an ordinance that would grant renewal of municipal consent to Comcast of New Jersey II LLC to construct, connect, operate and maintain a cable television communications system in Montclair.
• The council established an advisory task force to review and make recommendations regarding the municipality’s policy of repair and replacement of sidewalks.
• The council referred to the Planning Board the proposed designation of properties on 37 North Mountain Ave., where the Georgian Inn is located, and 323 Claremont Ave. as historic landmarks for preparation of a report and recommendation in accordance with the Historic Preservation Ordinance.
• Fourth Ward Councilwoman Renée Baskerville announced that she will be organizing a third 4th Ward community meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 30, from 7 to 9 p.m., in the conference room of the Montclair Fire Headquarters on Pine Street.
• As a liaison to the municipal transportation committee, 3rd Ward Councilman Nick Lewis reported he does not believe there will be weekend train service on the Montclair-Boonton Line until 2010. Lewis attributed the hold up to ongoing construction along the train’s route.
• Montclair will resume its evening shuttle to the Bay Street Train Station this Monday, Sept. 15.
• Council members urged residents to attend a community-wide fundraiser this Sunday, Sept. 14, on North Willow Street, for the children of Monica Paul, who was slain in June in the Helen & Bill Geyer Family YMCA.