By Nick Norlen, Staff Writer
Despite lingering concerns about a potential burden on affordable housing programs and their residents, the Princeton Township Committee adopted an ordinance Monday that requires the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in township residences.
The ordinance, which will require homes to be inspected for compliance every time residences change hands, is intended to bring the township in line with the state’s uniform fire code, according to township Fire Official Ron DiLapo, who originally recommended the change.
Like smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms will be required to be installed within 10 feet of each sleeping area.
Mr. DiLapo said Wednesday that homeowners have to supply their own detectors, but said he expects that cost to be incurred only once.
”They’re intended to stay with the home,” he said. “That’s what we’re checking — to make sure that the person that was there prior leaves them.”
Renters in the township would be required to make an appointment with the Bureau of Fire Prevention for an inspection upon moving in, Mr. DiLapo said.
According to the ordinance, the application fee for alarm certification is be $60 if received 10 or more business days prior to the change of occupancy, $95 if received four to nine business days prior and $150 if received three or fewer days prior.
However, residents of the township’s affordable housing units would pay reduced fees: $35 for applications received 10 or more business days prior to the change of occupancy, $70 for four to nine days, and $125 for those received three or fewer days prior.
Still, committee members Lance Liverman and Victoria Bergman cited concern about how the fees would affect affordable housing programs and the residents that live in the units.
”We certainly want to make sure that the residents of our housing are protected,” said Ms. Bergman, “but we don’t want to put an unnecessary financial burden on those units.”
Indeed, Princeton Community Housing Executive Director Sandra Persichetti indicated during the meeting Monday that she would prefer to have no fees for affordable units.
”Thirty-five dollars doesn’t sound like a lot to all of us here, but when you’re using next month’s rent to pay last month’s bills, it’s a lot,” she said, referring to her program’s tight budget.
Mr. DiLapo said he would be willing to work with Ms. Persichetti and affordable housing officials on ways to reduce the fees.
”I’m not looking to unjustly charge anyone,” he said. “We’re not making a profit on this. We’re covering our fees and covering our bases so we can do the fire inspections.”
And though he has said that the conducting of inspections will likely be limited to the fire official, Mr. DiLapo said Monday — in response to a suggestion by Ms. Bergman — that “there may be a possibility” that inspections for affordable rental units could be expanded to include trained affordable housing staff.
Though Ms. Bergman and Mayor Phyllis Marchand stated support for passing the ordinance before further discussion of the inspection fees, Deputy Mayor Bernie Miller issued the lone vote against the new mandate, stating that there are still “too many unanswered questions” about the affordable housing aspect.
