Plans are coming together to address additional problems at the Carbon County Animal Shelter after an on-site assessment in April revealed that some changes are needed to properly operate the facility.

Last week, Commissioner Chris Lukasevich announced a plan to create an advisory commission for the shelter.

“One of the most significant points I thought made was the recommendation to have an advisory commission. We have other advisory commissions in the county,” Lukasevich said, noting that one example is a commission at Mauch Chunk Lake Park.

Lukasevich said the commission would be composed of five people who would work together to develop the policy and strategies for the shelter.

“It would be my hope that toward the end of the year, we could have those members selected and an advisory commission stood up.”

He plans to present a resolution at this week’s commissioners’ meeting to create the advisory commission.

Last month, the commissioners released the report that was completed by the Lehigh County Humane Society, in conjunction with PCoRP, the county’s insurance company.

The assessment found several items that should be addressed, from cosmetic repairs to better serve the visitors, as well as the dogs; to staff training and hiring enough staff or creating a volunteer program to provide adequate services for the animals while under the county’s care.

The county commended Tom Connors, director at the shelter, for all he and the staff have been doing so far.

Two weeks ago, the commissioners also hired two companies to complete concrete and paving work at the shelter.

Flexer Masonry of Lehighton will install a 14-foot by 25-foot concrete pad at the shelter at a cost of $2,300; while Motola Paving of Lehighton will pave and regrade the parking area at a cost of $10,600.

In addition, the county maintenance department has been working on installing lighting and doing some other cosmetic upgrades to the building.

Reporter Amy Miller contributed to this story.

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