I wouldn't want one in my neighborhood. Sound proof? What happens when the dogs go outside? Neighborhood will need some air refreshener, maybe some heavenly scented deodorzer. Good luck...

In addition, with the problems a dog kennel would bring to a neighborhood, this non-prof organization could bring former prison inmates to Holton street area. Prisoners, who are associated with the “Don’t Throw Us Away program at the North Central Correctional Institution at Gardner MA (The Great Dogs Rescue Kennel’ program) could be attracted to the home location of Great Dogs Rescue Kennel, bringing an additional safety concern for the neighbors. If the city council moves to allow the kennel, it should be moved to the IP-2 zoning district away from potential problems that some prisoners, including sex offenders, would bring into a neighborhood situation and children

I support the rescue. Holton street isn't all neighboorhood. The great dog rescue is an amazing organization and it sounds like that this would only be a temporary spot for dogs whom I assuming have been adopted to be picked up between the days of thursday-saturday. As for the smell, I have lived in Woburn most of my life and growing up in East Woburn everyone smells the jello factory which isn't such a great scent.
According to the "Don't throw us away program" website ditua.org. the program is in the actual correction facility and says "Gaining hands on training in the animal care profession increases the inmates’ chances of gainful employment after release and reduces the risk of recidivism." That by no means says that prisoners/parolee's will go out of their way to find great dog rescue. Not only that I'm sure the owner of the building would have brought that to the council meeting. On the Woburn police website it has 4 level 3 sex offenders listed on my phone app I can see 8 in that area. If a sex offender is to work or reside in Woburn they need to be listed. I think we should worry more about the ones who live in a neighborhoods than think about the potential that could or could not happen.
Great Dog Rescue is only to looking to further the lives of unwanted dogs. Thursday- Saturday is all their asking for and I don't think thats a lot.

So long as it is a no-kill shelter, I'm all for it. Plus it will give me a convenient place to volunteer!

I'm all for it.

Holton st. abuts many neighborhoods. I'm against it. Huge echo effect for the residents up on Bluberry Hill already with trucks . Plenty of other commercial area in Woburn with no neighborhoods,go there!!!
Mark

The outreach program is in the actual correctional facility. If you read the website they learn dog training skills and animal care, like a trade. That does not what so ever imply that the rescue would even hire an ex prisoner or parolee.
I've worked in the animal field as a kennel worker and now a vet tech for over 10 years. If the facility is taken care of and well maintained there is no smell. People are acting like its a raw sewage plant. Also if the dogs are looked after their happy. Believe it or not dogs just don't poop and bark all day.

Its not going to be a 24/7 operation. Its just a temporary holding facility so the dogs can go to a home.

Thank you Betsey! I would also love to volunteer and do whatever I can to help.

Hopefully we get approved so you can come help! If you want more information on volunteering, our website is: www.gdrne.com

seems to me we are more concerned about a dog kennel then we are about a CVS going in no woburn where school children walk all day near the park,, playground plus hundreds of cars trucks pass all day,,,, this is a dog kennel,, three days,, great people run it,, the dogs are well cared for instead of running the streets,,i live across from a vet who will house dogs for a week or two,, i smell noting and the noise is nothing to complain about,,,,,,,, there are more important things to worry about..

Thank you Bill.
Dan,
I understand your concerns about the Prison Program, but I think if you had all the information your worries would be completely gone. The program members are not associated with Great Dog Rescue in anyway other than training the dogs. They live in a very secluded and careful enviornment in Gardner, Ma. and are never allowed to have any information, pictures, etc... for any of the adopters who adopt the dogs trained there. They do not visit the isolation center or leave the Prison......EVER. The dogs they work with never come back to the isolation center.....so there would be no reason for them to seek us out.

One other thing to note: The handlers in the DTUA Program are not allowed to have any type of violent history. No sex offenders or violent criminals are allowed to work with the dogs at the Prison. We would never put our dogs in danger in that manner. We are likely talking guys who committed check fraud here.

Dan I have no idea where you get your information. The prison program is run IN the prison, when the dog is trained it then goes to the new owner. You need to check facts before you make statements.

Dan,
Note that we are a 501 C3 charity without hiring practices and only one paid employee, who is a wonderful woman. We do not provide job opportunities.

Not sure about having this in that area, Holton St. has been beat up for a long time, It's a great cause, and probably one of the lower impact businesses to go in the area, but why here? why not in the Commerce way area? There are many empty buildings there that would be ideal for this business. What makes Holton St more attractive than the Commerce way area?

People should consider how important this rental is to the owner of the building. Commercial space is not all that easy to lease these days. I think having abandoned buildings in the neighborhood is much worse than a charity organization which saves the lives of animals.

GDRNE spent almost a year looking for the right location. We looked for something in a somewhat isolated location, not because we worried about us, but because we hoped to not face opposition. The offices spaces near Commerce Way are more concentrated and we worried that this would cause us issue on our approval with local businesses. To be honest, we also needed something our small budget could afford with enough space. Also, many landlords would not consider pets on the premises. Most of the places in the Commerce Way area were too large and out of our affordability range.

@Aaron Levy, the location matters if residents do not want it there. Read and try to comprehend my question. Instead of making statements. And you are no fool either, that's why if you are looking to locate a business does it not make sense to look at all commercial property? Seriously, Where they need a zoning change possibly on Holton St, they may not need one on Commerce way.I asked Betsy for an explanation as to her reasons for Holton st.She obviously explained it in her above answer. I'm sure it also gives the Holton st neighbors some insight into the reason for wanting to locate there, Come on Aaron, even a guy like you knows enough to realize any and all questions in a case like this are important. Smarten up.

Earnhardt, of course I understand that. I also see a strong display of NIMBYism here. And coming from Lexington, the home of NIMBYism, I would hope that people would be more open to positive businesses. And there's nothing much more positive than a temporary dog shelter.

(Sorry I came off as a jerk. I just don't understand where all of this opposition is coming from. And while I understand the noise and smell concerns, I've lived next to animal shelters, and generally you'd never even know it was there.)

Earnhardt, I am totally cool with you :)

I'm a OTRA verified transporter who had driven for great Dog Rescue many times to their current kennel. Never once have I seen dog waste or even smelled any while dropping or picking up dogs from them. They run a good clean kennel and it's been a pleasure to transport for them!!!

Thank you Laura. And gentelmen above, we appreciate your discourse and are happy to address any concerns. We want to be a positive addition to Woburn and we want people to be glad we are there.

As owner of the building I had the same concerns as the neighbors. I have tenants in the building and my own office is in the building. Quiet enjoyment of tenancy is part of my lease and anything to detract from that would be problamatic for me. After much investigation I am convinced that noise and waste will not be issues. Consider that the nearest residents on Holton St. and Blueberry hill are approximately 600-800 feet away. Hearing a dog at those locations would be like having a dog bark inside City Hall and thinking you might hear it at the Library and the field behind the Library Really?

Richard
Just wanted to discuss the subject, have a good relationship with your new tenant. She seems to be honest and up front with her answers during the discussion.

@ Dan, contact me anytime directly if you have concerns or issues. My office is in the building. 781.491.0848 We have done our home work. This tenant will be a non issue for the residents of Woburn.

I live up the road. The facility houses the dogs for a short period of time. I don't think there will be much disruption to the area and super happy to see another rescue group in Woburn.

As a Woburn resident, I am deeply disgusted that Woburn residents are opposing a dog shelter, especially with so many other things residents should be concerned about! Here we have a woman willing to DONATE her time to save a life (yes, animals are alive too). Yet, many residents are screaming "noise"... "waste"... "criminals". Unbelievable!
Maybe you are not aware that Woburn houses somewhere around seven (and growing) 40B establishments (or projects). I'm sure these places do not attract any of the three things you're worried about..! You should most certainly direct your concern to the city passing out more of these permits, because these establishments, no matter where they are in the city, will effect you!
If you're truly concerned about criminals in our city, you should start at the top. Trying to deflect criminals away from our city by getting a dog shelter shut down is almost comical. You should truly start researching your city and the people in it before you start attacking a non-profit organization. How about the halfway house in four corners (which allows criminals) located .3 miles away from an elementary school? I know I have seen them lurking around late at night, and have in fact been approached by them. The truth of it is, Woburnites only see what they want to see. Do what makes you sleep at night. Turn your head the other way.

To hear some of you complaining about waste is a complete disgrace. You people should be happy when you run your water for the first time in the morning and it doesn't smell like chlorine. Or better yet, be thankful that you can see through it. Have you forgotten your roots? And please, let's not be concerned about the sewage that dumps into our pond water whenever there's an overflow.
All I’m trying to say here, is if you are disgruntled about a safe haven for dogs, you need to open your eyes. There are ENTIRE STREETS in this city that should be declared a public nuisance. Matter of fact, I’m sure a dog barking would be “white noise” to some of our residents.
Why not look at the bright side of things? We will have an organization where these kids can go after school to help out, instead of strolling around Woburn center. Matter of fact, it’s been proven that troubled teens (or anyone!) can often find a connection with animals. Let people be reminded of what it means to volunteer. Let people be reminded that it takes a community help a life. Let this help our city.

Well put, Oh Woburn!!!! Could not agree more!!!!!

The DTUA program is run out of the Minimum facility at NCCI Gardner. Sex Offenders are not housed in minimum facilities. FYI DAN.