By Jennifer Kohlhepp, Managing Editor
The township’s escrow for Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment applications is in default $73,120, according to Mayor James “Jay” Taylor.
The mayor said at Monday night’s Township Committee meeting that he would like to see the township use its Planning Board and Zoning Board attorney to seek judgement against applicants who owe escrow funding. He said the township would be reimbursed attorney and filing fees if the judge rules in its favor.
Mayor Taylor suggested seeking judgements against applicants who owe more than $1,500 or who have been in default for more than a year. He said the township would first notify the applicants that the township is seeking to collect the owed escrow within 45 days.
“At that point we would refer it to the attorney to take action,” Mayor Taylor said.
He also suggested the township look at its escrow agreement and the possibility of revising it to be able to place liens on property owners who owe escrow and to set reasonable escrow levels that would cover the costs of the applications.
“Most escrows are not sufficient to cover the costs of the applications,” he said.
The mayor also said he would like the township’s professionals to come up with a fixed escrow fee for residents applying to construct items such as fences or sheds.“So residents don’t get hit with a charge that is out of scope,” he said.
