By Michael Benavides
Staff Writer
JACKSON – Township Council members have introduced an ordinance that changes the definition of a kennel and a small breeder in the municipal code.
The ordinance was introduced on Oct 25 with a unanimous vote from council members Kenneth Bressi, Barry Calogero, Ann Updegrave and Scott R. Martin.
Council President Rob Nixon was absent from the meeting.
A public hearing on the ordinance will take place at the council’s Nov. 29 meeting. The council may vote to adopt the ordinance following the public hearing.
According to the current definition, a kennel is defined as “any establishment wherein or whereon the business of boarding or selling cats or dogs or breeding cats or dogs for sale is carried on, where more than 10 cats or dogs are handled each calendar year, except a pet shop.”
According to the proposed definition, a kennel will be “any establishment wherein or whereon the business of boarding or selling cats or dogs for sale is carried on, where more than five dogs or cats over the age of 7 months are harbored or kept.”
Calogero said, “This was a correction to the recently revised kennel ordinance that incorrectly defined a kennel as having 10 or more dogs and cats; (the Oct. 25) ordinance reduced that number to the correct number – five dogs or cats. This ordinance was proposed at the request of our animal control/code enforcement department.”
The proposed ordinance will also change the definition of a small breeder.
According to the current definition, a small breeder is “any person or persons who engages in the business of breeding cats or dogs for sale, where no more than 10 cats or dogs are handled during the breeding process each calendar year, except a pet shop.”
According to the proposed definition, a small breeder will be “any person or persons who engages in the business of breeding cats of dogs for sale, where no more than five cats or five dogs are handled during the breeding process of each calendar year, except a pet shop.”
The ordinance adds a definition for an establishment which states that an establishment is “a place of business or residence with furnishings and staff, public or private institution.”
In other business on Oct. 25, the council passed a resolution which will authorize the construction and/or acquisition of general improvements. Bonds to be issued will not exceed $5.86 million.
Business Administrator Helene Schlegel said the proposed projects include, but are not limited to, the acquisition of equipment (a mower, utility pickup truck, tractor with bucket loader); motor pool equipment (column lift, air compressor, air conditioning station, transmission flushing machine); record retention/microfilming equipment for various departments; a first aid ambulance; a senior center bus; road, drainage and sidewalk improvements; vehicles and equipment for the Department of Public Works (mowers, two pickup trucks with snow plows); park improvements; various police equipment (police communication room 911 system replacement, video surveillance system upgrades); municipal building improvements; and the acquisition of municipal court equipment.
In addition to issuing $5.86 million worth of bonds to cover the cost of the projects and equipment purchases, Jackson will make a total down payment in the amount of $302,859, according to Schlegel.
