MERRIMAC — As of Wednesday, Merrimac has no animal control officer. After holding the position for 13 years, Madelyn Cirinna has resigned.
Cirinna said she enjoyed the people she worked with and will be sad to leave the job. But she believed she had to resign because her paid hours were cut from 16 per week to 10.
"I can't do justice to the job or to the residents of Merrimac," she said. "I didn't know how I could prioritize and do a good job. There's a possibility of someone being injured or getting rabies if the job isn't done well."
As animal control officer, she dealt with rabies, bats in bedrooms, dog bites, skunks in trash barrels and educated the public about "responsible dog ownership."
"The services that I provide are really quite complex," she said. "It's a public safety service to the community. It's not just picking up the occasional loose dog."
Cirinna's hours were reduced in the new budget that took effect July 1. She said she has been thinking about resigning since the budget was passed at Town Meeting in the spring.
"The Finance Committee and the Board of Selectmen jointly recommended the hours be cut," said Treasurer and Finance Director Carol McLeod. "We had to look at all functions in the town that would have the least impact on services, and it was felt that this was an area that could have reduced hours."
Cirinna, who is a West Newbury resident, has also been serving as West Newbury's animal control officer for 20 years. She plans to continue in that position because West Newbury's budget did not reduce her 20 hours per week.
Selectmen are seeking a replacement for Cirinna. For more information, contact Jennifer Penney at the selectmen's office at 978-346-8862 or selectmen@townofmerrimac.com.
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