Houdaille Quarry Animal Shelter Part of County Reorg Goals

Starting in 2012, Springfield will be animal central for Union County.

At the Union County reorganization meeting held on Sunday, January 3, Daniel P. Sullivan was appointed Freeholder Chairman. In his speech, he outlined a series of initiatives for the county that he titled "Helping People, Moving Union County Forward." Among the projects set to begin or be completed this year was a proposed animal shelter at Houdaille Quarry near Rte. 78 in Springfield.

The project has been discussed since at least 2006, but gained momentum recently, with the Union County Board of Freeholders voting it through in Dec., 2009. According to an article by the Westfield Leader, the project is estimated to cost $6.5 million. It will act as an animal control facility and adoption program for prospective pets and will draw animals from throughout the county. The facility is projected to be open in about two years.

At a Freeholder meeting in 2006, a representative of Springfield's Environmental Committee and a Springfield resident voiced opposition to the project, saying the project would be disruptive for wildlife in the area. The Union-owned land is also the site of other county facilities, including a work yard for the county's Departments of Parks and Public Works and Engineering and the county sheriff's firing range.