Letter to the Editor: "There is No Doubt JAC Saved Many Animals, But at What Price?"

Note: Essex County Place does not endorse any letters to the editor.

I would like to respond to the Letter to the Editor by L. Wasserman. The first two paragraphs are basically the only accurate statements made in this article. And, there is no doubt JAC (Jersey Animal Coalition) saved many animals, but at what price? 

It is unfortunate that Maplewood has contracted with Newark AHS, but this could have been avoided if JAC had adhered to the laws of the New Jersey Department of Health. Instead inept management, a non-effective Board of Trustees and the need for power ran the shelter into the ground. Did the NJDOH make up all the violations resulting from their investigation? Why didn't JAC fix them? 

No animal was turned away? Really, how many residents were told by the Shelter Manager and President "we don't have room for that animal (usually a cat)"? 

"No cost to taxpayers"? How much did JAC pay to rent the property in South Orange? How much money did South Orange and Maplewood pay to help build the shelter? How many times were the police called to the shelter by the Manager? 

With 80+ violations resulting from the NJDOH investigation, exactly how much "care and compassion" were the animals receiving at JAC? Animals were sent to the shelter veterinarian and never seen again, what happened to them? 

Rest In Peace, Lickety Split, Lucky, Charles, beautiful Juliette and all the other animals that died at this shelter. 

Nancy Schetelick 

Ex-Volunteer Coordinator

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Letter to the Editor: Sending Stray Animals to AHS Shelter is "Shameful"

Note: Essex County Place does not endorse any letters to the editor.

To the Editor:

I lived in Maplewood for 35 years and have been a volunteer and Trustee of the Jersey Animal Coalition (JAC) for over 25 years. 

The firing of Maplewood ACO Debbie Hadu has reminded the public that our communities are now without a shelter, and that even if she were allowed to stay on, she would have no place to bring Maplewood strays other than the high-kill facility with which South Orange and Maplewood have contracted.

I would like to point out that for the past ten years, Maplewood and South Orange have had the benefit of services of Jersey Animal Coalition's no-kill shelter at no cost to them and the taxpayers. 

During these ten years, JAC accepted and lovingly cared for all South Orange and Maplewood stray animals without compensation from either town. No animal was turned away. Medical treatment was provided when needed. Lost pets were reunited with owners during and after the 7 day state mandated holding period. No animal was euthanized. All were adopted into caring homes. 

These communities benefited from an outstanding Humane Education program both in our shelter and beyond, including visits to public and religious schools, providing countless opportunities for Community Service, Boy and Girl Scout participation in attaining badges, a teaching facility for Veterinary Technician students, and much more. Above all, JAC strove to make these communities outstanding examples of compassion, not only for their two legged citizens, but their four legged residents as well. 

Needless to say, the closing of the JAC Shelter is not only a loss to local communities, it is an even greater loss to the animals for whom we would have cared and saved - most of whom are now being killed in Newark and are beyond our saving. This is a shameful situation, and I would hope the people of Maplewood and South Orange are outraged by what is happening to these helpless pets.

Lila Wasserman 

Jersey Animal Coalition Trustee

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Update: Park Conservancy to Form Committee Regarding Former Animal Shelter

The Farrell Field Park Conservancy (FFPC) will form a committee regarding the former Jersey Animal Coalition (JAC) shelter building in South Orange. The building is located just 200 feet from the park playground near the driveway to the South Orange Department of Public Works.

A post on the FFPC website reads that "FFPC is asking for a seat at the table as various options are considered and a choice made as to how to best utilize this building", and that "since the use of the building directly impacts the park, surrounding woods and river wetlands corridor, we at FFPC are ready to look at all plans".

According to FFPC president Richard Bell, "anyone who is an official member of the conservancy is eligible to be a member of the committee".

The shelter opened in July of 2005 to serve South Orange and Maplewood, and remained open until March 12 of this year. On that day, the shelter was closed following a joint health inspection by the South Orange Village and New Jersey State Departments of Health for alleged health code violations. After JAC sued the village and several of its agencies and employees on July 7, a New Jersey Superior Court judge ordered that the shelter be allowed to reopen. In the beginning of October, as part of an agreement with South Orange Village, JAC announced that the organization would leave the shelter on November 11. 

Deputy Village Administrator Adam Loehner told Essex County Place that "the Village has taken over the former JAC building and (is) currently assessing the work that will need to be done to protect the building from the cold weather".

A sign was recently posted outside of the building reading that the shelter has closed, and that no animals or donations should be dropped off.

The president of JAC did not return requests for comment.

Note: The article was originally published on December 1, and was updated on December 3 to include information from the FFPC president.

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Signs Removed at Former JAC Shelter

Signs for the former Jersey Animal Coalition (JAC) shelter in South Orange were recently removed, including on the Department of Public Works driveway and on Walton Road. 

When PlaceNJ.com visited the shelter on November 12, a sign was posted on the front door reading "Our shelter is now closed. All animals formerly in the shelter are safe and have been placed in caring homes/facilities", adding that "our security cameras are in operation and Police Department has been advised". However, the sign was removed as of the following day.

The JAC moved out of the building on November 11th after occupying the building for nearly 10 years. Adoptions were concluded in October.

Representatives from the Village of South Orange and Jersey Animal Coalition did not respond to our requests for comment.

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Update: Jersey Animal Coalition Shelter to Close Next Month

The Jersey Animal Coalition shelter off of Walton Avenue in South Orange is expected to close on November 11.

A post on the JAC website reads "Jersey Animal Coalition feels compelled to leave its no-kill shelter immediately because of the lack of support from the local administrations of South Orange and Maplewood".

According to a press release from JAC, the organization "currently has found safe haven for the all of its remaining cats, and arrangements are being made to ensure the safety of one remaining dog". A Facebook post from last week read "the staff and volunteers have succeeded in saving the animals and placing them into responsible and loving homes, sanctuaries, fosters, rescues, or temporary boarding facilities". Announcements were made at Columbia High School last week encouraging students to adopt animals from the shelter. 

The shelter was originally closed by the South Orange Health Department after an inspection on March 12. At the time, JAC was charged with over 50 violations. The shelter remained closed until July, when the JAC sued the village and several village agencies and employees. That day, a Superior Court judge in Newark ordered that the shelter be allowed to reopen. Adoptions resumed that evening. 

"It is a very sad day", said former volunteer coordinator Nancy Schetelick in an email to Essex County Place. "This could have been a wonderful shelter if properly managed", adding that she hopes that the village can find a "good solution" for homeless animals. 

"JAC's refusal to accept responsibility for their mess and their failure to remedy the numerous violations was tragic and the absolute cause of their being shut down", said former volunteer Gale Petrecca.

JAC president and founder Ruth Perlmutter told Essex County Place that the Village ordered that all animals be removed from the JAC shelter by October 11. 

"We fulfilled our promise to our animals that they wouldn't lose their lives", said Perlmutter.

Perlmutter also responded to comments reportedly made by Village Administrator Barry Lewis' to the Village Green in September regarding ill animals at the shelter. "We treated sick animals and didn't just keep them", said Perlmutter. "Over the years, when the few animals we had that were suffering from terminal illnesses or injuries and medical treatment could not help them, we humanely euthanized them".

Lewis and Village Deputy Administrator Adam Loehner did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

"It's not over yet", added Perlmutter.

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Update: JAC and Village Nearing Settlement

The Jersey Animal Coalition (JAC) will likely leave its home at a South Orange animal shelter after more than nine years. This will come should a settlement be reached between the Township of South Orange Village and the JAC. As part of the settlement, more than 80 charges against the JAC would be dismissed if the organization and its animals vacate the property off of Walton Avenue near the South Orange Recycling Center.

Deputy Village Administrator Adam Loehner told Essex County Place on Friday that there is settlement in principle, however it has not yet be officiated. "It's coming to an end", said Loehner.

The shelter which currently houses the JAC opened in July of 2005, and remained open until March 12 of this year, when it was shut down and placed under quarantine after a joint inspection between the village and the state. At the time, the village issued more than 50 citations to the JAC, and issued over 30 more citations in the following months. On July 7, the JAC sued the Loehner, in addition to the Village Health Department, the Village Board of Health, Health Officer John Fests, and Village Administrator Barry Lewis, Jr. That afternoon, after reading the lawsuit, New Jersey State Superior Court Judge Dennis F. Carey, III ordered that the shelter be allowed to reopen temporarily. Adoptions resumed that night, and have remained ongoing.

Former volunteers at the shelter, who recently claimed that they were banned from volunteering there, are reacting to the news. 

"Sad ending to what could have been a good shelter", said Nancy Schetelick, a former volunteer coordinator. "This news exonerates all the 'banned' volunteers labeled troublemakers for trying to improve conditions for the animals". Schetelick also questioned what will happen to animals currently living at the shelter. "Will the NJSPCA (New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) finally step up and help relocate some of these animals?", Schetelick asked.

Former volunteer Gale Petrecca called the settlement "bittersweet for the long suffering animals". "We can only hope that JAC finally does the right thing and cleans up this mess entirely before closing the doors", said Petrecca. "They need to fling the doors open, let in the light, (and) allow adoptions at hugely slashed rates". Petrecca added that "it should not be about how much they can make on the remaining shelter pets but on getting every last one of them out of there before the deadline".

According to Loehner, the village has not yet decided what will be done with the shelter should the JAC move out. Officials with the Jersey Animal Coalition did not return requests for comment.

This story will be updated.

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Current and Former JAC Volunteers Speak Out

Only on PlaceNJ.com: The Jersey Animal Coalition (JAC) shelter off of Walton Avenue in South Orange remains open more than a month since a judge ordered that the shelter quarantine be lifted. Current volunteers at the shelter hope that it will stay this way.

"It is one of the prettiest shelters", volunteer Carole Leonard, of South Orange, told Essex County Place.

The shelter had originally been shut down and placed under quarantine after a joint health inspection between village and state authorities on March 12. At the time, village officials charged JAC with over 50 violations. That number has since increased to over 80 violations. Due to the quarantine, no adoptions from the shelter were permitted. On July 7, nearly four months after the March 12 inspection, JAC sued the village, its board of health, health department, and several of its employees. 

"These healthy animals have people lined up to adopt them", attorney William Strazza wrote at the time. "Yet, they have been held hostage by the South Orange defendants inside the JAC shelter for over three months".

After reading the lawsuit that day, New Jersey Superior Court judge Dennis F. Carey, III in Newark ordered that the quarantine be lifted. Adoptions began that evening, and have continued to this day. 

Current volunteer Michael Schickram, of West Orange, told Essex County Place that there are fewer than 20 dogs remaining at the shelter. "We have been aggressively adopting", he added.

However, since the inspection on March 12, stray animals found in both South Orange and Maplewood have been taken to the Associated Humane Society (AHS) in Newark, rather than the Jersey Animal Coalition shelter. 

Both the current and former volunteers came to the South Orange Board of Trustees meeting on Monday night to voice their opinions about this issue. Former volunteer coordinator Nancy Schetelick, of Union Township, spoke to the trustees, saying "there's a lot of publicity going out by JAC about all the animals being sent to die". Schetelick then requested to see the figures regarding the animals being sent by the village to JAC. After Schetelick spoke, Deputy Village Administrator Adam Loehner shared the figures with the former volunteers, as well as Essex County Place, outside the meeting. The figures, which can be seen below, do not include animals sent to AHS from Maplewood.

All of the current volunteers who wanted to speak to the board of trustees arrived after the public comment period had ended. Several of these volunteers accuse the village, particularly Administrator Barry Lewis, Jr. and Deputy Administrator Adam Loehner, of trying to have the shelter shut down even before the inspection on March 12. These volunteers include Leonard and Schickram, both of whom told Essex County Place that they want the trustees to visit the shelter to see how it has improved.

"Nobody understands this", said Leonard. 

At a Board of Trustees meeting in June, Leonard accused Loehner and Lewis of having a vendetta against JAC president and founder Ruth Perlmutter. At the time, Lewis denied the allegation, and said that the term 'vendetta' was "grossly inappropriate".

According to the current volunteers, the village is paying up to $100 for every animal sent to AHS. "We (taxpayers) are paying for something that's heartbreaking", said Leonard. "Those ladies (former volunteers) do not even live in South Orange".

However, the former volunteers disagreed with the current volunteers. "If they are truly worried about taxes, Ruth (Perlmutter) should drop the lawsuit", said Schetelick, adding that South Orange has hired an additional taxpayer funded lawyer for the lawsuit. 

JAC is due at South Orange Municipal Court in Maplewood this afternoon regarding the charges.

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Jersey Animal Coalition Due in Court August 12

According to court documents, the Jersey Animal Coalition (JAC) is due at South Orange Municipal Court in Maplewood on Tuesday, August 12 on dozens of charges. The JAC, which manages an animal shelter off of Walton Avenue in South Orange, had pleaded not guilty to all charges at the Municipal Court in June. 

The JAC shelter was shut down and placed under quarantine on March 12 following an inspection by the Village of South Orange and the State of New Jersey. The shelter remained closed and under quarantine until July 7, when a state superior court judge in Newark ordered that the shelter be reopened and the quarantine be lifted. This happened after the JAC filed a lawsuit against the village, and several of its employees, that morning.  A hearing regarding the lawsuit is scheduled to take place on August 20. The JAC shelter has remained open since July 7.

The municipal court is located at 1618 Springfield Avenue in Maplewood.

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South Orange Village Sued by Jersey Animal Coalition, Quarantine Lifted

 

Above left: The quarantine signs have been removed from the door. Above right: a dog named 'Brownie' was adopted on Monday.

The quarantine at the Jersey Animal Coalition (JAC) shelter off of Walton Avenue in South Orange has temporarily been lifted, allowing the shelter to reopen. Several animals were adopted from the shelter within hours of the reopening on Monday afternoon.

The lifted quarantine comes after JAC and its president Ruth Perlmutter filed a lawsuit on Monday against the Village of South Orange, and the village's Health Department and Board of Health, in addition to Health Officer John Festa, Administrator Barry Lewis, Jr. and Deputy Administrator Adam Loehner. A former JAC executive board president, Robert Barenbach, is also named in the lawsuit.

The shelter had been originally been closed and placed under quarantine after a health inspection on March 12.

On Monday morning, Perlmutter sent a letter to local media regarding the lawsuit, reading: "On June 27, 2014 the Village of South Orange, after having shut down our shelter for four months, served notice on the Jersey Animal Coalition to terminate our lease, our services and demanding we vacate our shelter by July 9, 2014. The Jersey Animal Coalition takes great pride in serving the residents of South Orange and Maplewood at no cost. The Board, our staff, and all our volunteers want nothing more than to continue that service, save the lives of animals and find them loving homes. Due to our dedication to public service and to no kill sheltering, today, we are filing suit against South Orange and we thank the public for all the support we have received in this difficult time." 

In the complaint, Perlmutter wrote that JAC has met all requests made by the village since March. "Despite that, and despite requests from JAC", Perlmutter wrote, "the village has not re-inspected the JAC facility, has refused to lift the quarantine, and most recently, has tried to take over the shelter and seize the animals therein, contrary to existing law. As a result, the JAC has numerous animals in the shelter whom people wish to adopt, but who are stuck in our shelter due to the actions of the defendants. I come before this court praying for a court order to lift the quarantine and allow our animals to be placed in homes."

Perlmutter also claimed that former JAC president Robert Barenbach, of Monmouth County, was removed from his position in February in part because members of the JAC Executive Board learned that the JAC veterinarian of record was terminated by Barenbach, and was not replaced.

In the brief, JAC attorney William Strazza wrote that when Perlmutter once again became president of JAC, she "began putting out fires every place she found them, but could not move quickly enough to contain all the damage done before an incident in March 2014 which is the genesis, ultimately of this litigation". 

Strazza continued by requesting that the quarantine be lifted, and by saying that the animals at the JAC shelter are healthy, and contagious diseases at the shelter have been eliminated. "These healthy animals have people lined up to adopt them. Yet, they have been held hostage by the South Orange defendants inside the JAC shelter for over three months. For their sake, if for no other, plaintiffs pray this court will serve the interests of justice, act equitably, and provide all the emergent relief requested in this application for order to show cause with restraints."

In an email to Essex County Place, former JAC volunteer coordinator Nancy Schetelick questioned why the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) was not named as a defendant. "I find that interesting since JAC has not bothered to mention NJDOH as a defendant when it was the NJDOH who wrote up over 50 violations on the shelter for not being in compliance with numerous NJDOH Statutes", Schetelick wrote.

Loehner did not return requests for comment regarding the lawsuit.  

This afternoon in Newark, New Jersey Superior Court judge Dennis F. Carey, III ordered that the quarantine be lifted, and prohibited the village from evicting JAC from the shelter until further notice. Judge Carey also allowed adoptions to resume.

Several people came to the shelter to adopt animals when it reopened on Monday afternoon. 

When asked about the shelter reopening, LaVonne Trabal said, "I think it's fantastic. It's about time!" Trabal came to the shelter to adopt a cat named JoJo.

"We have fought very hard to keep this shelter open as a no-kill shelter for the people of South Orange and Maplewood", said volunteer Leo Davenport, who added that the shelter is in need of donations, including dog and cat food. "We're here for the animals", Davenport continued.

In an email to Essex County Place, Perlmutter said, "Our reaction (to the lifted quarantine) is bittersweet. Bitter because during our 4 months of closure we helplessly watched 4 week old puppies eager to share their joy and affection with their own families grow into adult dogs. We felt the frustration of not being able to give all our animals the homes they deserve, - all while watching our financial resources shrink. But also sweet, because we can now return to our mission of saving lives, finding caring homes,and making space for new arrivals by adopting and not euthanizing".

A hearing is scheduled to take place on August 20. 

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Village Administrator Responds to Comments by JAC Attorney

South Orange Village Administrator Barry R. Lewis, Jr. sent attorney William Strazza, who is representing the Jersey Animal Coalition, a letter on Thursday regarding recent comments made by Strazza to local media.  Strazza had accused the village of animal cruelty, among other accusations, in his statement.

"Your decision to use vitriolic and demonstrably untrue accusations in the press in an effort to politicize and spin this serious matter is extremely disconcerting", Lewis said. 

The shelter managed by JAC off of Walton Avenue in South Orange has been closed and under quarantine since March. The village announced this week that JAC's lease with the village has been revoked, and that JAC must leave the shelter by July 9.  

In the letter, Lewis wrote that Strazza had requested that the quarantine be lifted because of an affidavit of JAC veterinarian of record Dr. Michael Santiago. Lewis responded by saying that "this affidavit does not in any way address most of the conditions precedent to the lifting of the quarantine, which were very specifically set forth in the Health Officer’s April 21st letter". Lewis restated the conditions in his letter, and said that the "village is and always has been prepared to immediately review any information submitted and conduct necessary inspections to confirm compliance with these conditions and, upon such confirmation, lift the quarantine".

In addition, Lewis claimed that despite Strazza stating that the village was in possession of health certificates, "this statement is categorically and demonstrably untrue". Plus, Lewis mentioned that despite Strazza denying allegations against JAC to the media, Strazza allegedly wrote that JAC has not met the lease obligation to provide annual financial statements.

"In summary, posturing in the newspapers is counter-productive, particularly when the positions stated are not based in fact and are clearly intended to spin the story and portray the Village as the cause of the problems", Lewis wrote.

Lewis concluded by saying that "the Village remains committed to working with the JAC to address these issues, but cannot do anything unless and until the JAC takes action and notifies us of the corrective actions and compliance with the Lease obligations. However, as noted above, your seeming preference to air these disputes in the press with spurious accusations and deliberate ignoring of the facts does little to further this process in any productive way and will have no impact on the Village’s commitment to fairly and objectively enforcing the applicable regulations to ensure the safety of the animals".

South Orange has charged JAC with over 80 violations, and JAC has pleaded not guilty to all charges. A trial will be set in August should an agreement not be reached between the prosecution and the defense.

In an email to Essex County Place, former JAC volunteer Gale Petrecca said "We, the volunteers and followers of the case are all furious about Strazza's coy remarks, he claims he doesn't want to try the case in the press but that is exactly what he is now doing. He is just a mouthpiece for the JAC Director, spewing rhetoric and untruths. I hope they pay him well for making a fool of himself in the press. How do you know when Strazza is lying? His mouth is moving."

Strazza did not respond to requests for comment regarding the letter.

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Village: JAC to be Evicted (Updated)

The Jersey Animal Coalition (JAC) will be evicted from managing the village-owned animal shelter off of Walton Avenue in South Orange. 

In a letter sent on June 27, South Orange Village Administrator Barry R. Lewis, Jr. informed JAC president and interim director Ruth Perlmutter and attorney William Strazza that the lease agreement between JAC and the village had been terminated, and that the organization must vacate shelter premises by 4pm on Wednesday, July 9.

In an email to Essex County Place, Deputy Village Administrator Adam Loehner said that the "JAC eviction will not impact the services the Village provides to our residents. This entire situation is very unfortunate and we are surprised that the JAC has not corrected the issues from the violations and our communications in-order to open as soon as possible. We are hearing from many potential adopters who would like to give an animal a good home and the JAC is refusing to allow their animals to be transferred out to be adopted".

Nancy Schetelick, a former volunteer coordinator for JAC, told Essex County Place that she would like the shelter to be taken over by a reputable organization. "The animals have been held hostage long enough", Schetelick said, "they need to be 'rescued' and hopefully other animal rescue organization's will step up and give them a chance at a new life".

However, some have questioned this move by the village. "What is the ulterior motive of South Orange on this one?", questioned Marilynn English. "The real issue should be what is best for the animals. If JAC has been working for 25 years and 9 years in South Orange, what really brought this conflict on?"

The shelter has been closed and under quarantine since ringworm was allegedly discovered at the shelter in March. At South Orange Municipal Court in April and in June, JAC attorney William Strazza pleaded not guilty on behalf of the organization to more than 80 violations.

In a statement, Strazza claimed that a ringworm was introduced in the shelter when an infected cat was brought in by a South Orange Animal Control Officer, and put in the general animal population of the shelter. "After the discovery of the ringworm, the JAC has vigorously and aggressively treated the issue", Strazza said. "That fact is well known to South Orange, yet South Orange has refused to lift the quarantine", he added.

JAC was founded 25 years ago, and has managed the shelter since it opened in 2005.

Both the letter from the village to Perlmutter and Strazza, and the statement by Strazza, are below.

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Full Letter from Village:

Dear Mr. Strazza and Mrs. Perlmutter: 

This letter follows my letter of June 13, 2014 to each of you, and my letter of June 25, 2014 of Mr. Strazza. As you know, my letter of June 13, 2014 served as a Notice of Default and provided the JAC with ten (10) days in which to cure the stated defaults under the Lease between the Township of South Orange Village, the Township of Maplewood and the Jersey Animal Coalition dated December 15, 1999. (“the Lease”) Since that time, we have only been provided with documentation relating to the insurance requirements under the Lease and the remaining listed defaults have not been addressed or cured. 

In the absence of such curing of the stated defaults, you are hereby notified, pursuant to Paragraph 10.1 of the Lease, that the Township of South Orange Village hereby terminates the Lease and demands that the JAC quit and vacate the premises on or before 4 p.m., Wednesday, July 9, 2014. Please be advised that if the JAC fails to vacate the premises by that time, the Village will take immediate action to enforce its rights under the Lease. Please govern yourselves accordingly. 

Very Truly Yours, 
Barry R. Lewis, Jr. 
Village Administrator

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Statement by JAC Attorney William Strazza:

Since this entire ordeal began, the JAC, its Board and its President, Ruth Perlmutter, have taken the position that they have no intention to try the charges filed against them by South Orange in the press. Other than to continue to assert that there is no legal basis for the charges, it remains my client's policy to handle this matter only in court. That said, there are facts unrelated to the charges the JAC feels are important for the public to know. South Orange issued its quarantine order due to the presence of ringworm in several animals at the shelter. Our investigation reveals that the ringworm outbreak was caused by a South Orange ACO bringing a ringworm infected feral cat into the shelter after hours, and leaving it in general population, as opposed to it being left in isolation. After the discovery of the ringworm, the JAC has vigorously and aggressively treated the issue. That fact is well known to South Orange, yet South Orange has refused to lift the quarantine. In fact, South Orange is in possession of health certificates for all shelter animals, and an affidavit from the Shelter vet indicating the entire facility is disease free. Despite that, and despite the knowledge that the JAC had people lined up willing to adopt, the quarantine remains on place. In addition, despite repeated requests to have South Orange and the State re-inspect and to lift the quarantine, those requests have been ignored. This inexplicable refusal to act, combined now with South Orange moving to evict the JAC for alleged lease violations, which the JAC flatly denies, amounts to animal cruelty. In addition, it strongly suggests some improper underlying motive for every action taken since March 12th.

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MAPSO News Roundup 7/1/14

A teenager was wounded after being shot in Maplewood on Monday night. Maplewood Police issued the following statement:

"On Monday June 30th at about 10 PM the Maplewood Police Depeartment received several reports of an individual who had been shot in the area of Schaefer Road near Jacoby Street in Maplewood. Maplewood Police and Maplewood Fire EMS units were dispatched to the scene. Police and EMS personnel located a 17 year old male on the sidewalk suffering from gunshot wounds to his legs. The victim was conscious and alert. The preliminary investigation indicates that the victim left a party being held on Schaefer Road when he was approached by two males. One suspect was described as a light skinned black male wearing shorts. The other suspect was described as a dark skinned black male wearing a blue shirt. The light skinned male produced a handgun and fired several shots at the victim striking him the legs. The two suspects then fled the area. The victim was transported to University Hospital in Newark where he was being treated for gunshot wounds to his legs. Detectives of the Maplewood Police Depeartment are actively investigating the incident and request that anyone with any information regarding the case please contact the Maplewood Police Department at 973-762-2333."

Shaefer Road connects Newark Way and Van Ness Terrace.

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Dr. Brian Osborne is officially the new superintendent of the public school district in New Rochelle, Westchester County, New York. Dr. Osborne was the superintendent of the South Orange Maplewood School District until June 30.

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Ruth Perlmutter, president of the Jersey Animal Coalition (JAC) in South Orange, is due in Municipal Court today on charges relating to construction taking place at the JAC shelter without a permit. Perlmutter was cited by South Orange Code Enforcement Inspections director Anthony Grenci in June. 



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Loehner: JAC Receives Citations Daily

According to South Orange Deputy Village Administrator Adam Loehner, the Jersey Animal Coalition is receiving citations every day due to "the JAC knowingly taking an quarantined animal from the facility". The dog, named Rocky, was allegedly signed out of the JAC shelter to a rescue group despite the quarantine.

In an email to Essex County Place, Loehner said that this is an "unfortunate situation that is needlessly being drawn out because the JAC refuses to follow state laws and local ordinances laws that are there to protect the animals they house at their facility".

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Update: JAC Pleads Not Guilty to New Charges

First on Essex County Place: Attorney William Strazza, on behalf of the Jersey Animal Coalition (JAC) pleaded not guilty to approximately 30 new violations at South Orange Municipal Court on Tuesday, bringing the total amount of charges against the organization to approximately 85. JAC manages an animal shelter off of Walton Avenue in South Orange. 

South Orange Municipal Prosecutor Gracia Robert Montilus, Judge Jonathan Rosenbluth, and Strazza spoke behind closed doors for several minutes at court. 

"I appreciate the fact that you guys are working together", Judge Rosenbluth told Strazza and Montilus. Montilus requested that 30 days be allowed so that the prosecution can work with the defense on a resolution. Judge Rosenbluth said that JAC will reappear in court on July 15, and if a resolution is not reached by then, a trial will be scheduled for the first week of August. 

The shelter is currently closed and under quarantine, causing stray animals to be sent to Associated Humane Society in Newark rather than the JAC shelter. The JAC shelter was closed in March after a joint inspection by local and state health officials. At the time, South Orange Health Department officer John Festa cited JAC with 51 violations. 

Nancy Schetelick, a former volunteer coordinator at JAC and Union Township resident was present at court. Schetelick told Essex County Place that although she would like to see the animals and the conditions at the JAC shelter, she has been banned from shelter property. "They said stay away", Schetelick said. 

Strazza declined to discuss the charges with Essex County Place. 

Several people spoke about the JAC shelter at the South Orange Board of Trustees meeting on Monday. Carole Bishop Leonard, of South Orange, criticized the suggestion made by South Orange Deputy Administrator Adam Loehner to turn the shelter into a municipal pound. “Do you really want to add another $200,000 a year to our tax burden", Leonard said, adding that the JAC shelter did not cost South Orange taxpayers anything, and that JAC has accepted every animal brought to them by municipal animal control. Leonard went on to say that South Orange taxpayers are paying for all dogs and cats currently being sent to the AHS shelter in Newark. Leonard adding that “the JAC shelter has addressed and corrected every cited violation including the frivolous ones that Deputy Loehner and Mr. Festa have been so anxious about”. Leonard alleged that Loehner and Festa have a "vendetta" against Perlmutter. Leonard concluded by saying, "I am really offended that two town employees and a couple of disgruntled volunteers, none of whom live in South Orange and do not pay taxes here, are riding roughshod over the rest of us who genuinely care about animal welfare, and the integrity and reputation of this village". 

Jim Block, of Westfield, said that he has been a volunteer at JAC for three years. Block asked that the quarantine be lifted, saying that there are people interested in adopting dogs. Block added that to him, it seemed that the village "wants the JAC strangled financially". 

Schetelick told the Board of Trustees "I really don't understand how you can lift the quarantine or the ban without calling the state DOH (Department of Health) and having them reinspect the place so that they are in compliance with 52 violations". Schetelick also questioned how only certain current volunteers are being allowed inside the shelter. "Why don't they let everybody in?", Schetelick asked. 

South Orange Village President Alex Torpey said that there is no "personal vendetta" against the shelter, and asked Loehner to speak regarding the current state of the shelter. Loehner said that there has been no formal communication between JAC management and legal counsel and the village. Loehner said that he has worked with several health officials, including the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NJSPCA). "These people are experts and I trust their opinion", Loehner said. 

Loehner mentioned that on a recent inspection of the shelter, a few animals were missing. One animal, named Rocky, was signed out on April 15 to a rescue group. In addition, Loehner said that a notice of default was sent to the JAC because the village has not heard from JAC about the facility, corrections made, or conditions in over three months, except for when the JAC applied to participate in an adoption event in Ridgewood. "Outside of that, we have not heard anything", he added. In order for the quarantine to be lifted, JAC must correct each deficiency and pass a health inspection. 

Village Administrator Barry Lewis, Jr. said that the closure and quarantine of the shelter came after the New Jersey DOH received "a number of complaints". Lewis reported that the state DOH then contacted the village to coordinate an inspection. Lewis called the term 'vendetta' "grossly inappropriate" for this situation, adding that Loehner was assigned this case administratively. "The notion that there is a vendetta...is completely untrue. The ball is and has been in the JAC's court since the day of the inspection". 

When contacted about the new charges against the JAC, JAC president Ruth Perlmutter said, "There are no new charges that I'm aware of". Perlmutter added that the shelter is accepting donations of "cleaning supplies, litter, dog and cat food- and of course monetary donations to pay bills that come in regardless of whether or not we're open or closed".

MAPSO News Briefs: Coda Reopens, JAC Due in Court

 

The Coda Kitchen and Bar in Maplewood reopened on Thursday, June 12. A sign outside the restaurant read "We are open! Thank you for all of your support!" The Maplewood restaurant had been closed since May 30, when a floor collapsed inside, killing one construction worker and injuring another. The Maplewood Village Alliance is raising money for the family of the victim, Guo Tai Chen, of Queens. Donations can be made here.

The Jersey Animal Coalition (JAC) is scheduled to appear at South Orange Municipal Court in Maplewood on Tuesday, June 17 on dozens of charges. The JAC shelter off of Walton Avenue in South Orange has been closed and under quarantine since March.

SO Deputy Administrator: JAC Shelter is Not in Compliance With State Regulations

Several people spoke at the South Orange Board of Trustees meeting on Monday, June 9, regarding the quarantine and closure of the Jersey Animal Coalition shelter off of Walton Avenue. 

Richard Fishbein, of South Orange, criticized the way that the village has handled the closure. Fishbein said that village Health Officer John Festa and Deputy Administrator Adam Loehner have visited the shelter several times with in the past few weeks. 

"They know it's in excellent condition", Fishbein said. "Your strategy is clear, make the shelter spin its wheels and deplete all of its resources". 

Gale Petrecca, of Union Township, told the Board of Trustees that she was a volunteer at the JAC shelter for four years.

 "I don't know how anyone could blame the town for this mess that JAC has gotten itself into", Petrecca said. "They're creating a lot of chaos", she continued, encouraging village officials "to just keep up the effort to straighten this place out". 

Petrecca claimed that volunteers "have been getting banned because they speak up", saying that she has been threatened in the past. "it just seems to come down to the dollar for JAC", said Petrecca. 

Michael Schickram, of West Orange, told the Board of Trustees that he has been a volunteer at the shelter for seven years. Schickram says that he does not believe that the village should take over the shelter, and he wants the board to continue to work with the JAC. 

"Unfortunately, there's a tremendous amount of misinformation being posted online by a few fortunate former volunteers that terrible things are happening at the shelter". Schickram said.

Schickram praised shelter founder and president Ruth Perlmutter, and then said that "some people have disagreements with her and it gets emotional and people say the wrong things and they don't volunteer there anymore...you have to respect the administration of the shelter like you would any business or any other organization". 

Former volunteer coordinator Nancy Schetelick, of Union Township, told the Board of Trustees that she had trained over 200 volunteers before being banned from the shelter. 

"I was banned because I made some comments about the way the shelter was being run", Schetelick claimed. "I'm sure the people who are running it mean well, but they don't have enough money to keep it going, not the way it should be", she added, mentioning that "if you can find a way to help the animals, get somebody else to take it over or the volunteers are willing to help put the animals someplace else, it's just that we don't want them staying there". 

After being requested to by Village President Alex Torpey, Village Deputy Administrator Adam Loehner spoke regarding the current situation at the shelter. 

"There are state requirements...(on)...how to keep animals, how the facility should be met, and how the operation of the facility should be done. The JAC is not in compliance with this". 

Loehner stated that when a member of the public was interested in adopting an animal from JAC, the village worked with the Associated Humane Society (AHS), of Newark, so that the animal could be transferred from JAC to AHS to be adopted. Loehner said that in order for this to take place, the village needed JAC to provide a letter from the interested adopter, a certification letter from JAC veterinarian of record, and a transfer agreement. However, Loehner said that the village received none of these, adding that "we were quite surprised". 

In addition, Loehner reported that recently, the East Orange Water Commission (EOWC) reported that JAC had a delinquency in payment, and the EOWC was planning to turn off the water for the shelter. Loehner said that JAC was able to pay their water bill "literally as the person was driving down the driveway to turn off their water". 

Also, Loehner said that during a visit to the shelter last Friday, he noticed that "the animals appeared to be in okay condition", saying that the village was "ready to remove any animals that needed medical treatment". No animals were removed from the shelter. 

Loehner told the Board of Trustees that he is currently preparing four suggestions as to what should be done with the shelter, stating that "they are still not in compliance with the state as a facility so we cannot lift the quarantine, take the closure off, or reopen it". 

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