HOWELL — Construction code official Ed Mack was the recent recipient of a special commendation presented by the Township Council.
Mayor Timothy J. Konopka said Mack was being recognized for proposing and creating Howell’s unsafe structure ordinance which was adopted by the governing body in October 2001.
Konopka said that ordinance laid the groundwork for the recent demolition of the abandoned Regency Motel on Route 9 north at the Lakewood border. Officials said the building had become a hangout for teenagers and transients since its closing several years ago, and it was deemed a health and safety hazard.
Noting that the Regency was the "No. 1 culprit," Konopka said more dilapidated buildings throughout Howell would be coming down. He noted that the Regency ended up being demolished at no cost to the township.
"The credit goes to this man (Mack) for his professionalism and diligence," the mayor said.
The township had been prepared to have the motel demolition work done and then impose a lien against the property owner for repayment of costs. Konopka said the owner ended up getting rid of the old building in order to build a banquet hall on the property.
In thanking the governing body for the award, Mack said he "never worked with a better township attorney," crediting associate Township Attorney Carol Berlen and Township Manager Bruce Davis as being instrumental in his development of the unsafe structure ordinance.