My wife, Ruth, and I have been homeowners in the Andover section of Aberdeen Township for about 40 years. We have enjoyed and taken pride in our home and community. I have never been involved in politics, but believed our elected officials and employees carried out their duties reasonably well.
I had a question about 15 years ago that was quickly resolved by a compliance officer. This past winter, we were extremely satisfied with the assistance we received from the township’s police department.
My criticisms and concerns of the township’s elected officers and employees related to two complaints filed with the planning, zoning and development group that is under the direction of Mr. Dennis Pino, and with a request made to the Township Council.
We filed a complaint about a year ago with Mr. Edward Bennett, zoning officer. In the complaint, we supplied specific information. Mr. Bennett stated there is no violation because the accused gave a representation, which we believe is a lie, that refuted our information. A third party could have affirmed the accused statements. We so requested Mr. Bennett to obtain the affirmation. He won’t. Why not?
In a second complaint, we gave Mr. Bennett facts: a picture, names, etc., to support our complaint. Mr. Bennett was satisfied with a certified letter from the accused stating he was not in violation of the ordinance and ignored the information we supplied. Why? Our jails would be empty if the accused only had to supply a certified letter stating he was innocent.
In frustration, we contacted Mr. Pino, Mr. Bennett’s superior, as to the facts and Mr. Bennett’s decisions. Mr. Pino replied and evaded the specifics, ignored the facts and, in conclusion, backed Mr. Bennett. Why?
We then wrote to Mr. Marc Coren, township manager, as to the facts. He never replied. Why not? We then wrote to Mayor David Sobel and to the Township Council as to what has transpired with Mr. Bennett, Mr. Pino and Mr. Coren. We have not received a reply. Why not?
William J. Levitt, when he built Strathmore, placed a deed restriction as to fencing. A fence cannot be higher than 6 feet, and closer to the sidewalk than the distance of the house from the sidewalk — i.e., setback. I believe the purpose of this restriction was for safety and to give an open look since the lots are not large. In our case, the distance is about 25 feet.
There are no township restrictions as to boats. For about $50, the cost of a trailer license plate, a person can turn his driveway into a marine parking lot from a residential area. There are several boats in the Andover section, one of which is more than 7 feet tall, about 25 feet long, and about 7 feet from the sidewalk. It is used not more than a dozen times a year. It’s legal!
We wrote to the Town Council last fall requesting that the setback provision for fences apply to boats. I was informed I could attend a meeting before the December council meeting where our request was to be discussed, which I did. I don’t know the status of our request and wrote to the council on this matter. No reply has been received. Why not?
The above is a summary of our correspondence that covers about a year. I have attempted to be objective with the facts.
The above has been some lesson in civics for us. The actions of the township’s elected officials and employees make us wonder about their leadership, integrity, and effectiveness. We thought the township was here to make Aberdeen a great place to have a home and serve the people in an impartial, objective and timely manner by looking at the facts.
Robert J. Prata is a resident of the Andover section of Aberdeen