Resident: Take Action on 'Garbage-Infested Area'

A Bridgewater couple urged the  Monday night to expedite any action they might take on a property in foreclosure that is in disarray on Claire Drive.

Rick and Nancy Musser, representing their neighbors on Claire Drive and Stella Drive, urged for something to be done with 24 Claire Drive.

The governing body had originally slated a July 16 hearing to determine what remedy would be imposed against property owner Kevin Miller for “violations of the property maintenance code.”

“We’re living next to a garbage-infested area. It’s a terrible health risk,” Rick Musser said. “Please try to get this done as quickly as possible. We’ve tried everything for the last three years.”

Nancy Musser expressed concern with waiting another two weeks before any action is taken. “This needs to be done as quickly as possible,” she said.

“The Mussers have been very patient,” Township Administrator James Naples told the council. He explained that action was taken through the Zoning Department and the resident was brought to court. At one point, he was given 14 days to clean up the property.

“That did not occur,” he said, noting that another warrant was issued at that time. “We’re beyond trying to get the resident to comply. It’s that much of an eyesore and a problem for all the neighbors.

Township Attorney William Savo added that the property is in foreclosure.

“It’s a shameful thing that this is so antiquated that it takes so long,” Musser said.

Savo explained that the township is obligated to follow a specific process and that there needs to be sufficient time to notify residents of the public hearing.

In order to expedite the resolution, the council has scheduled a public meeting on Wednesday, July 11 at 8 a.m.

Also at that time, the council is expected to vote on resolutions for grant agreements that would authorize two groups, Our House, Inc. and A.W. Holdings, LLC DBA Benchmark Human Services, to construct or purchase housing for developmentally disabled individuals.

The grants of $750,000 and $1,000,000, respectively, would provide the township with 28 units and 30-year restrictions to help meet COAH requirements, Naples said.

Councilman Howard Norgalis asked the resolutions be postponed to July 16 to allow council members sufficient time to review the actual agreements. Based on recent decisions on the state level, he noted that the resolutions need to be approved by July 17, “otherwise we will probably lose the money to the state.”