BY JANE MEGGITT
Staff Writer
MILLSTONE — Alan and Sharon Gaboff thought inviting neighbors to their home would quell fears surrounding their plan for a new pet clinic.
They were wrong.
The Gaboffs hand-delivered letters to residents asking them to come by on Nov. 11. They said they would show them the plans for their new veterinary clinic and answer any questions they might have. Unfortunately, with the exception of Neil Robinson — who is selling them a portion of his property so their acreage will conform with zoning requirements — none of their neighbors attended.
“I am aware that some of you are concerned, and rightly so, not knowing what my intentions will be,” Sharon Gaboff stated in the letter. “As your neighbor, I am looking forward to alleviating some of these concerns.”
In the letter, Sharon Gaboff also stated that she was “open to any suggestions you may have after you understand my project.”
The Gaboffs, who live on Ely Harmony Road at the intersection of Stagecoach Road, would like to clear up what they believe are misrepresentations and misconceptions about the project.
Their plan recently came before the Planning Board, but the board voted to have the Zoning Board of Adjustment hear the application since there are some concerns about the property size and shape.
There is a concern that the narrow strip of land connected to the main parcel will not provide enough buffering.
The Gaboffs’ plan is to build a 9,670-square-foot veterinary clinic and rehabilitation training center on their land at the intersection of Ely Harmony and Stagecoach roads. Bark Inn Buddies, as it will be called, will include an exercise pool, a grooming area and a training area.
Contrary to what the Examiner previously reported based on information retrieved from the application, the facility will have veterinary and surgical rooms, as it will also be a full-service veterinary clinic.
The Gaboffs plan to operate the clinic six days a week from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and offer 24-hour emergency service. They are currently in negotiations with a well-known local veterinarian, but according to Alan Gaboff, no contracts have been signed.
Alan Gaboff said that they intend to have only a 10-run rather than a 100-run facility and will be able to accommodate no more than 20-22 dogs.
The couple also said that one of the neighbors who claimed that he never received any notification had been sent a certified letter by their attorney, but it was never picked up.
The Gaboffs also dispute the report that the project would cause Millstone to lose “100 of the finest oak trees in the township.”
Planning Board member Mark Cascella, who is also on the Shade Tree Commission, said that the blueprint for the project showed the removal of 101 mature trees between 10 and 48 inches in diameter, most of which are oak trees.
The Gaboffs claim that they do not have 100 mature oak trees on their entire property, and that those they do have are “far from mature.”
The building that the Gaboffs currently use for their business, which dates back to the 1950s, would be torn down, according to the couple.
Sharon Gaboff is involved in many animal activities, including Adopt-A-Pet, a nonprofit animal rescue group that she founded in 1984. She is also a certified trainer of Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs and the founder of Furry Angels Therapy Dogs, which brings therapy dogs to nursing homes, hospices, schools, scout meetings and other locations.
In addition, she is a certified emergency medical technician (EMT) and has worked with the Millstone First Aid Squad for many years.
“It would be nice to keep my business in town and be able to continue to do EMT work,” she said.
Both Gaboffs are certified animal control officers in the state of New Jersey.
The architect, Sal Santorio, described the proposed building as a “low-profile, barn-type structure, a gabled structure with a simple roof. It’s designed to fit in with the rural atmosphere.”
It will contain a state-of-the-art heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, a pool for rehabilitation following surgeries, and the training room.
“I have gone to Girl Scout and other facilities for 20 years with Adopt-A-Pet,” Sharon Gaboff said. “Now it is time for them to be invited to my facility.”
Low-cost spay and neuter, about which the Gaboffs feel very strongly, will also be offered.
“I want a state-of-the-art building to fit into the community and do what I have been doing for 12 years,” she said.
The present building would require extensive renovation, she said, noting that many of her customers have been using the facility since it was built. People brought their dogs here in the 1950s and ’60s, and now their children are bringing their pets to the Gaboffs.
The couple said there would be less traffic with the new building than there is now, since they are planning to provide a pet “chauffeur” service to and from appointments.
Sharon said that right now the neighbors can hear everyone’s dogs, including wolves that are kept across near Route 537, because there is no buffering, but with the new facility, her property will have extensive buffering for noise and privacy.
Demolishing the current building will also solve a water runoff problem.
Alan Gaboff said that they do no advertising and have built their clientele through referrals.
“We must be doing something right to be bursting through the seams [in the current building],” he said.
The couple’s application will be decided by the Zoning Board of Adjustment. As of press time, no date had been set.