couple must shut down, town zoning board says.
Friday, May 12, 206
By SARAH CASSI
The Express-Times
PHILLIPSBURG | Debra Sadowski is digging in her heels to protect her ferret rescue from the town zoning board.
"There is no way they're getting me to get rid of the ferrets," Sadowski said.
Sadowski and her husband Keith have run Fuzzy Loving Ferrets Rescue since 1998--first in Washington, then Independence Township and now out of an Irwin Street home in Phillipsburg.
Three years after Sadowski and the zoning board first sparred over the rescue, the board voted unanimously Thursday to prohibit the couple from running the rescue out of their home.
Sadowski said she verified the rescue was an approved use with the zoning board before buying the house in 2003.
"I pay my taxes," Sadowski said. "I pay my mortgage on time. We keep to ourselves."
Sadowski said neighbors complained about odor, but said other neighbors in the area keep ferrets.
"Yet I'm the one getting picked on," Sadowski said.
Last July, Superior Court Judge Peter A. Buchsbaum said the zoning board needed to clarify its 2003 decision against Sadowski. Buchsbaum encouraged an amicable resolution and suggested a limit on the number of ferrets allowed.
Sadowski said she had 89 ferrets when she first moved in, but now has only 50, many of which are not adoptable because they're old or ill.
Since last fall Sadowski said she's run a placement service, where she keeps a list of prospective caretakers and notifies them when a ferret is available.
Sadowski said she first heard about Thursday's meeting when a reporter called for comment that day.
"I had no idea this was going on," Sadowski said.
At the meeting Greg Gianforcaro, board attorney, said the Sadowski's attorney faxed him a letter Jan. 11 saying he and his clients wouldn't attend the meeting.
Gianforcaro said town ordinances require a home business to be for-profit and cannot use more than 400 square feet.
In court transcripts, Sadowski said the rescue did not produce a profit. Gianforcaro said the Sadowskis were against inspectors examining the business, so square footage could not be determined.
"I was against it then. I haven't seen anything in the tape or the transcripts to change my mind. I don't think it will benefit the town of Phillipsburg," said board member Harold Baylor.
Gianforcaro said the board's unanimous vote will be sent to the superior court for review.
"We'll go from there," Gianforcaro said. |
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