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Good Farm Plan to Go Ahead Despite Division Over Funding
By Douglas Staff Writer
Photo By Joe Giuliani
Barking Up the Wrong Tree? Backlash Against Proposed Kennel Ordinance Curbs Consideration Until Further Notice By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer
SHAMONG—Kennel proprietors, dog breeders and show-dog enthusiasts from all across the area voiced strong opposition to a proposed kennel ordinance (as currently written) in Shamong Township last week as the town searches for a way to gain control of a residence that has been gradually transformed into a kennel with over 70 dogs, and is said to now be a “very serious” and “ongoing problem.” The strength of the opposition ultimately halted passage of the proposed law, at least for now, to the dismay of more than a dozen neighbors who have spent the year urging the Shamong Township Committee to act in response to alleged noise disturbances and animal
cruelty at the kennel. Most people who spoke out against the proposed law specified that they were not necessarily against some form of kennel regulations, but believed the law as introduced contained onerous requirements. Other opponents, however, believed the township should address the owner of the property at 539 Oakshade Road on an individual basis, using the full force of the current laws on the books. The now tabled measure defines a kennel as “an establishment wherein or whereupon the business of boarding or selling dogs or cats, or breeding for dogs or cats for sale, is carried on, except a pet shop.” It would require a kennel operator to obtain a license for every dog housed in the kennel and pay a $250 annual fee for a yearly administrative review of the
kennel. Particularly controversial is a provision that any owner, of any facility—including a home or barn—with five or more breeding female dogs would have to obtain a kennel license. The measure would also force kennel operators to pay for one yearly inspection at a cost of $250. A second inspection within the same calendar year, if warranted, would cost an additional $250. Subsequent inspections, if warranted, within a calendar year would cost an additional $375. With respect to record keeping, a kennel operator would have to submit annually to the township the total number of animals sold, traded, bartered, brokered, or given away. Each licensee See BACKLASH/ Page 13
D. Melegari
S O U T H A M P T O N — A n a r r o w 3 -2 Southampton Township Committee vote last month advanced the first phase of a plan to transform a large portion of Southampton Township’s Good Farm into recreational facilities. The split decision was reached after six years passed from when an initial concept for the 220-acre farm was first made public. It also followed a lively and almost tenminute confrontation in July between resident Benjamin Trimble and the committee over the multi-million-dollar project. Five concept plans for the proposed complex have been created by Environmental Resolutions Inc., an engineering firm working on behalf of Southampton, since 2012. The latest calls for the construction of four multipurpose fields, five ball fields, bocce courts, a sledding hill, a skating pond, a comfort station with a concession area, several picnic pavilions, an amphitheater, a boardwalk, two field sheds and an irrigation pump house on the farm. The first phase, as approved on Aug. 21, will involve construction of just one multi-purpose field, a six-foot wide asphalt walking path circling the field and an asphalt drive with a stone parking lot. Installation of an “extensive” stor mwater management system and electrical infrastructure, as well as grading and earthwork for future multi-purpose fields, is also part of the project’s first phase. The previous concept plans contained a first phase that would have been much more expansive and costlier. Phase one, billed in 2016 as a $1 million expenditure without reliance on Southampton tax dollars, then as an $840,000 expenditure in June, will now cost $1,092,000 with $250,000 in Southampton revenues anticipated to be dedicated towards it. Kathleen D. Hoff man, Southampton township administrator and public information officer, did not return multiple messages for this story which sought an explanation about the different cost projections over just two months. Deputy Township Clerk Chrissy Andres said that when she tried to reach out to Hoffman, the administrator did not pick up the telephone. She said, when pressed on the whereabouts of Hoffman, that she did not know whether the administrator has been reporting to work because she works in a different part of the Robert L. Thompson municipal building. The newly anticipated use of Southampton taxpayers’ money for Phase One of the project, See PLAN/ Page 22
INDEX Automotive................ 23 Business Directory.... 16 Community.................. 9 Gardening Column.... 15
Health........................ 11 Opinion........................ 7 Hobbyist.................... 14 Worship Directory........ 9 Local News.................. 2 Marketplace............... 21
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