Tuesday, July 19, 2005

PHILLIPSBURG -- Taking a cue from the court, the town's zoning board has authorized its attorney to attempt to reach an amicable agreement with a couple running a ferret rescue service out of their home.

Last month, Superior Court Judge Peter A. Buchsbaum ruled the board must clarify a 2003 decision it made that prohibits Debra and Keith Sadowski from running the Fuzzy Loving Ferrets Rescue from their Irwin Street home.

Buchsbaum said the board failed to justify its 3-2 decision. He sent the matter back to the board, encouraged an amicable resolution to the dispute and suggested a limit on the number of ferrets allowed.

In response, the board last week authorized attorney Greg Gianforcaro to reach out to the Sadowskis' attorney to see if the judge's orders can be carried out.

Gianforcaro said Monday he will report to the board in August. He said it's too early to say whether the board might finalize this matter next month.

William Strazza, attorney for the Sadowskis, could not be reached for comment Monday.

Debra Sadowski said she and her husband currently have about 55 ferrets in their home. They have had up to 75 ferrets at one time.

She said she'd like to get this resolved, but will not accept a cap less than the number of ferrets they have now.

"I want the cap at 65," Sadowski said. "I can handle that amount."

The couple has run the Fuzzy Loving Ferrets Rescue since 1993. They were in Washington and Independence Township before moving to Phillipsburg.

When the Sadowskis appeared before the zoning board in December 2003, they argued that the rescue met the criteria to be considered a home occupation.

The shelter is totally within the home, has no display advertising or exterior storage and wasn't altered to affect the residential look. Less than 400 square feet is used for the rescue, and no traffic is associated with it, they said.

But the board rejected their request.

Sadowski still contends that some board members voted according to their personal opinion rather than the facts.

Recommend this article...