A Bobcat, Sewer Rate Increase And Man Hits Police Cruiser

This was a classic week of the good, the bad and the ugly.

The good was plentiful, as it always seems to be in Waterford, with the community rallying together to fix the animal shelter. Right now, the shelter gets so cold in the winter time the water bowls freeze and the dogs have to wear sweaters (which is kind of adorable).

But that will change soon, after the Animal Control Facility Study Ad-Hoc Committee got Home Depot and Waterford's Benvenuti Oil Company to donate all the supplies and labor to fix the shelter. The work should be done soon, just before the real cold sets in this winter.

Another piece of good news, or at least interesting news, was when Patch was sent another photo of a bobcat that’s been hanging out around Cross Road. The bobcat is a beauty and, according to the Department of Energy and Environmental protection, is no threat to humans (although a slight threat to cats). If you ever photograph the bobcat, or any other strange animal walking around Waterford, feel free to add it to our neighborhood gallery.

Also on the side of good news, the town has paid off $1.6 million off of its $2.6 million health care deficit. Waterford Finance Director Rudie Beers is hoping to get that deficit paid off completely this year, which will give the town far more options moving forward.

Then there was the bad, highlighted by some news Friday that the town is looking to raise sewer rates by 6.29 percent. This provoked some concerned comments both on Waterford Patch and on Waterford Patch’s Facebook page, as people were not happy about being asked to pay more.

And then there was worst news Friday. A fire broke out at 520 Boston Post Road, destroying the home and displacing a family, which was renting there. The fire also killed two of the family’s four dogs, and the family has no renter’s insurance.

Then there was the ugly. There was a story about a Quaker Hill man who allegedly smashed his pick-up truck into a police cruiser, route: {:controller=>"articles", :action=>"show", :id=>"police-quaker-hill-man-crashed-into-police-officer"} -->. There was another about a man , which caused it to burst into flames. He was later arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. , and a to the tune of $3.4 million. O, and the state