West Marlborough animal rescue gets permission for a new building

Greenmore Farm Animal Rescue in West Marlborough Township has received permission from the township's zoning hearing board to finish constructing its new kennel building.

Construction started in the fall after the rescue's owners, Julia Altman and John "Jack" Merritt, obtained a building permit. However, work was halted when the township's zoning officer ruled that they needed to apply for a special exception under the township's zoning ordinance.

The new building will provide separate areas for medical care and whelping as well as a home-like room where families can get to know their new rescue dogs.

A zoning hearing was scheduled earlier this year but had to be canceled due to the pandemic.

At the rescheduled hearing, held June 29, Ms. Altman and Mr. Merritt described the activities at the rescue and said the new building does not represent any increase in activity but will allow them to improve their services. Ms. Altman said they have a kennel license from the state that permits them to have a maximum of 45 dogs.

Neighbor John Geewax objected to the building, arguing that (1) it was too close to his property line and would have to be moved, and (2) the rescue exceeded the number of animals permitted on a farm. The zoning board pointed out that the setback rules applied only to open buildings like run-in sheds, not enclosed ones, and that the animal restrictions in the township ordinance applied to livestock like horses and cows.

"Dogs are not livestock," explained the zoning board's attorney, Fronefield Crawford.

After hearing the testimony of the owners and their architect, and Mr. Geewax's objections, the four members of the zoning board who were present (Tom Best, Wayne Grafton, Josh Taylor and chairman Clayton Bright) walked to a far corner of the parking lot to weigh the matter. After a brief discussion, they returned and all four voted to approve the special exception. They placed a condition on the ruling that there would be no expansion of the operations in terms of the number of dogs, large animals, employees, or volunteers, to which the owners readily agreed.

"We're delighted," said Mr. Merritt after hearing the ruling.

The rescue is located at 246 Clonmell-Upland Road (Route 842).

The Kennett Y is up and running

Today I returned to the Kennett YMCA, one of my homes away from home, for the first time since they closed down in March due to the pandemic.
Monday, June 29, was the first day they were officially up and running, although over the weekend there was a "soft opening" for people who had kept their membership dues paid up during the shutdown.

This timely slogan is on the T-shirt given to early visitors.

"Welcome Back! We Missed You," said the white sign out front. A sign closer to the entry doors said that by entering, you promise that you aren't feeling sick and aren't putting others at risk. The two center doors are locked, while the other two are designated as entry or exit. You have to wear a mask in the lobby, although you're allowed to remove it while working out.
The check-in procedure is a little different than usual. The desk is surrounded by clear plastic sheets to separate the staffers from the members. You scan in your card and they take your forehead temperature before letting you enter. How great it was to see Mary and Jeannie -- both of whom seemed to remember everybody's names after all these weeks!
The Y is reopening gradually, so the indoor track, the locker rooms, the smaller gym, the cycling room, and the pools are still shut. Group exercise classes are being held in the north half of the gymnasium (with dots on the floor indicating where you're supposed to stand for safe distancing), and you have to reserve your spot in advance via the Y's app. 
To allow for social distancing, half of the cardio equipment has been moved to the south half of the gym. The rest is still in the cardio room. The HIIT area and the weight-lifting room are open, again with the equipment spread out. 
There are no magazines to read anymore, and there are a lot of signs posted with safety reminders. Visitors were good about wiping down their equipment with paper towels.
During my mid-afternoon visit there weren't many other visitors -- a bunch of teens in the weight room, maybe half-a-dozen folks like me using the treadmills and rowing machines, one woman stretching on a mat in a far corner of the gym. 
Later this week I'll visit the Jennersville Y and let you know the situation there.