By Linda Seida, Staff Writer
WEST AMWELL — Money talks, and township officials hope a local developer is listening.
The Township Committee agreed recently to tell Calton Homes if it wants its performance bond back, it must enforce the terms of a builder’s agreement with regard to survey markers.
There are about 100 houses in the Calton development. About a third of the properties have survey markers with many marking easements.
Some of the homeowners have removed the markers because they consider them unattractive. The markers are made of white PVC with a pole sticking 1 or 2 feet out of the ground.
The developer must enforce the placement of the markers before the township agrees to release the performance bond and assumes responsibility for the roads.
”More than anything, this is a lesson in how not to do something like that,” Deputy Mayor Ron Shapella said.
He said the builder’s agreement stipulated only that the developer had to install the markers, but not the type of material. Some homeowners consider the PVC pipe unsightly.
The township likely will include more detailed specifications in future builder’s agreements.
A development of 14 houses is going up in Mount Airy along Route 179 across the road from the firehouse. The Planning Board “spent a lot of time” reviewing the specifications, according to Mr. Shapella.
The markers in the new development “will be much more permanent and much more attractive,” he said. “Something different.”
Calton will be required to pay for the replacement of the markers.
The Township Committee voted Sept. 3 to inform Calton of the township’s demand for enforcement of the builder’s agreement.
”Sooner or later, the township needs to take responsibility for a project so we want as many of the problems rectified as possible,” Mr. Shapella said.

