Bloomingdale Regional Animal Shelter Society (BASS) President Ellen Ribitzki approached the borough council Tuesday night to ask why BASS did not receive the same monthly payment of $2,500 that the donor-funded organization received in November and December, but she was not pleased with the answer.

BASS has been requesting a contract with the borough for six years and Ribitzki has said BASS can no longer continue to operate without receiving funding from the borough after having to care for more animals since the borough has expanded shared services agreements for animal control with other local municipalities (Butler, North Caldwell, Pompton Lakes, Riverdale, Wanaque and Ringwood).

Mayor Jonathan Dunleavy told Ribitzki that since the borough offered BASS a five-year contract on Dec. 30, which has still not been signed by BASS, the monthly payments will cease until the contract is signed. Dunleavy said the contract has not been signed because BASS requested several changes to the contract.

Ribitzki told Tri-Boro Patch last month that one of the things BASS was requesting be added to the contract is a 120-day clause, which the borough would also have, that would allow the organization to vacate the contract if it is no longer financially feasible to continue servicing the borough. BASS would also like the borough to commit to funding the move to a new location, should the current Brandt Lane facility, which has been flooded out several times over the past few years, get flooded out.

At the council's Jan. 24 meeting, Fred Semrau was appointed as the new borough attorney and while Semrau said Tuesday that he has not yet had the opportunity to review all related documents, he promised to make contact with BASS' attorney by the next council meeting. But Ribitzki said BASS is currently out of money.

"I would think there would be some kind of implied contract," Ribitzki said about continuing to receive payments until the proposed contract is signed.

Dunleavy said the contract would be signed by now if not for BASS' requested changes.

"No one has delayed payment to BASS but BASS," he said.

Councilman Glenn Schiffman made a motion that the borough pay BASS $2,500 for the month of January, but Semrau advised the council not to entertain the motion and said it would be better for the borough to continue to move ahead with the contract that was proposed.

"I don't think it's fair that somebody's rendering services and not being paid for them," Schiffman said.

But Semrau pointed out that in the meantime, BASS will continue to collect fees that are applicable through the Animal Control Office as they have been.

Semrau also said he would consult the council on whether the contract should be retroactive once signed.