Brooklawn Cat Saga Continues
By Linda Boker-Angelo
NEWS Correspondent
Brooklawn’s saga of the cats continued last week as resident cat rescuer Jennifer Smith once more appealed to Borough Council at the October council meeting to allow her to continue running her feline foster home.
Despite an hour and a half of commentary by cat activists, who came from as far away as National Park and Marlton to support Smith, nothing was settled as the issue was brought to a close by Mayor John Soubasis.
During the heated, though polite, discussion, Soubasis and Borough Council were blasted by the group, which felt that Smith should be commended for the service that she is providing.
Smith’s problems started in July, when an anonymous complaint prompted the town Board of Health to notify Smith that she was in violation of a pet-limit ordinance, which allows a maximum of three animals per household.
A member of Furrever Friends, a small, non-profit animal rescue organization that operates out of the homes of volunteers, Smith had 10 cats in her Haakon Road home, including her own two pets, at the time of the complaint.
Smith and several Friends members have requested that she be given a special permit to continue her animal rescue work or that the ordinance be changed to allow for pet fosters.
Last month, after considerable discussion, Council decided to uphold the ordinance. However, Council members suggested that Smith apply to the Borough Planning Board for a land use variance and site plan approval so that she can obtain a permit to run a kennel, which would allow her to continue housing the animals. Smith would need the Planning Board’s approval to use her home, which is zoned as residential property, for a “commercial” venture.
The governing body had agreed to hold off on enforcing the ordinance until after the Planning Board meeting on October 11. Smith said she decided not to apply for the variance, due to the cost involved and her doubt that she would be approved. She said the money she would be using to apply would be money that she could use for the care of her foster cats.
Smith was not cited or fined, even though she neither applied for the variance nor complied with the ordinance.
Friends member Joyce Moyer, of Gloucester City, said that the $185 application fee could pay for the spay/neuter of four cats. Moyer said the group could not justify spending the money on an application they felt would probably be denied.
Councilman Jerry Granstrom, a member of the Planning and Zoning Board, said he was insulted that the group felt Smith’s application would not be given fair consideration.
Friends supporters suggested that Council waive the fee for Smith. Although Council members seemed to have mixed opinions on the request, Soubasis said the governing body would discuss the matter.
Currently, Smith is still caring for her feline charges, in violation of the ordinance.
In other business, Granstrom swore in new Police Officer William Welsh.
Council also accepted the resignation of Public Works employee Matthew Sullivan and approved the EMS applications of Sarah Duer and Donna Duer.
Councilwoman Theresa Branella announced that Halloween trick or treating will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. on October 31. Borough hayrides are planned for Friday, October 27 from 6 to 9 p.m. From 6 to 7 p.m. residents will be treated to plain hayrides. Haunted hayrides will be offered from 7 to 9 p.m.
Council will hold their next meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, November 20 at the Borough Hall.
