Norwich — The city will try a second time to finalize an agreement with the Northeastern Connecticut Council of Governments to join its growing regional animal control service, with the Norwich dog pound serving as the southern base for the program.

The City Council on Monday approved a resolution to authorize City Manager John Salomone to enter into an agreement with NECCOG to take over animal control services from the city police department. Salomone initially proposed an agreement with NECCOG last April as a way to cut animal control costs and improve services at a time when Norwich was without a regular animal control officer.

But the transition was delayed repeatedly, as it required negotiations with the Norwich police union. It was delayed again as city officials negotiated a settlement of a discrimination lawsuit filed by former part-time Animal Control Officer Donna Gremminger. The City Council approved the settlement, with a $25,000 payment, on Feb. 8.

Salomone said the contract with NECCOG needs to be updated, but the agency should be able to take over Norwich animal control services within a few weeks.

The resolution approved Monday calls for Norwich to pay the same $3.15 per capita as other towns in the regional service pay. NECCOG plans to lease the 16-run Norwich kennel in Mohegan Park for $20,000 per year and will purchase the city’s two 2006 animal control vehicles – a pickup truck equipped with metal crates and a van – for $7,000.

NECCOG plans to use the Norwich pound as the central base to serve towns in the southern portion of its service area, and the Dayville pound will serve northern towns, NECCOG Executive Director John Filchak said. NECCOG provides animal control services for 18 towns, including Bozrah, Colchester, Franklin, Griswold, Lisbon, Lebanon, Sprague and Voluntown.

Three full-time officers will staff the Norwich pound, including one officer assigned to the smaller towns in the region. All staff at both Norwich and Dayville would be available for major emergencies, such as hoarding rescues, Filchak said. There will be flexibility if staff from one office are busy or far away, the other office could take a call.

“We’re used to driving all over,” Filchak said.

Having a service center in Norwich also will be more convenient for residents in places such as Colchester and Bozrah, Filchak said. And if someone is looking to adopt a dog or cat listed by NECCOG, the person could make an appointment at either location.

“It’s a win, win,” Salomone said Monday. “They get a base of operation in the southern part of the county, and it will help them service the animals they have in this region.”

c.bessette@theday.com