LETTER
To the editor:
This letter is to all owner-occupied two-family homeowners in Manville.
A proposed new ordinance the Borough of Manville is trying to pass would require us to pay a large registration fee to have our homes inspected yearly. The original ordinance was passed in June, exempting owner-occupied two-family homes.
It has been reported that a Hillsborough resident (a non owner-occupied landlord) objected to the exemption and the Borough Council reconsidered. Two councilmen, Martin Wierzba and Theodore Petrock, happen to be two-family owner-occupied homeowners who seem to want to avoid the appearance of favoritism.
Single-family homes are exempt as it is considered an invasion of their privacy.
The State of New Jersey, Department of Community Affairs, Division of Codes and Standards, Office of Landlord/Tenant Information, states that we as owner-occupied two-family homeowners are entitled to similar rights as single-family homeowners. They view this as our home. If the state government has created laws to protect us in our own homes, why is the local government putting us in the same category as investors or non-resident landlords? It is an invasion of our privacy, too!
Manville homeowners have just received a huge tax increase partially due to the devastating effects of Hurricane Floyd and the creosote contamination in the Claremont subdivision. We are still struggling financially and emotionally.
If safety is the "real" issue here, it should be known that we, as responsible homeowners, maintain the highest safety standards as our family lives here. If the town is so concerned with resident safety, than inspect every home at the town’s expense.
Raritan proposed this ordinance and landlords and homeowners opposed it.
Please come to the next town council meeting and show your support at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 10.
Bruce Payseur
Manville

