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CLIFTON PARK---A Clifton Park man who is a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, is facing fines of $250 a day for numerous zoning violations issued to him by town zoning officials for feeding ducks and geese on his property. He has now been restrained from feeding the fowl by order of state Supreme Court Justice Stephen Ferradino.
George Sarris, 55, has been ordered to stop feeding all ducks and geese in his pond on Woodside Drive in Clifton Park until a hearing is held. The restraining order was issued as the result of a lawsuit against Sarris brought by his neighbors, Theresa Schillaci and Robert Newell, who maintain that Sarris is creating a public nuisance by feeding the fowl on his property.
The town has cited him at least 12 times for violating the town zoning code which states that residents must own at least five acres to harbor waterfowl. Sarris owns less than three acres but argues he can keep the fowl because his pond is specially zoned. Represented by attorney Peter Henner who failed to file a response that was due in the case last week, Sarris says that he'll go to jail before he'll stop feeding the birds. They say that they were never served with the order to show cause or advised of last week's hearing. They have until Jan. 20 to file a response.
His neighbors say that the birds interfere with their life and defecate on their property. They seek a permanent injunction enjoining Sarris from feeding the birds and want $250,000 for their alleged property damage and what they claim is devaluation of their property. They are represented by James Morgan of Galvin and Morgan of Delmar.
The town is being represented by Louis Renzi, a former member of the Galvin and Morgan law firm. It is unknown if Renzi and Morgan have disclosed their previous professional relationship to the court, Sarris and Henner. 1-14-06
© 2005 North
Country Gazette
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