HOWELL – Directors of the North Howell Little League are seeking permission from the Township Council to continue using storage containers that have been on the league’s property for a number of years.
Township Manager Brian Geoghegan said the issue arose when municipal code enforcement officers were in the area of Okerson Road investigating a property maintenance issue. The North Howell Little League baseball complex is on Okerson Road. The issue stemmed from a complaint that had been received about the league, which was quickly addressed by the organization.
“While on-site, the (code enforcement officer) noticed containers being used for storage. They are described as shipping container style, which is contrary to our current ordinances, despite the fact they may have actually been placed on-site prior to our ordinance,” Geoghegan said.
When the violation regarding the containers was brought to the league’s attention, its directors wrote to the governing body seeking relief from the ordinance. The directors said the containers are used to store equipment and supplies that are used to maintain the fields.
Geoghegan gave an overview of the situation at the May 15 council meeting.
“Apparently the storage containers have been there for quite some time. It is currently in violation of our ordinances, but apparently the council has granted such exceptions in the past. That has been done for other Little Leagues, so (North Howell Little League) was seeking that approval,” he said.
A letter from the North Howell Little League to Howell also requested “some form of monetary assistance.”
“I would ask the council to table that request until I can discuss that further with them,” Geoghegan said.
Deputy Mayor Robert Nicastro said his children played in the North Howell Little League more than a decade ago and said the league used the containers for storage.
“I understand the dilemma, but unfortunately sometimes I do not understand how things come up when they do. (The containers) have been there and now it is an issue, but I personally have no issues with these containers. They are usually set back behind the fieldhouse,” Nicastro said.
“This is township property and perhaps to avoid this in the future, maybe we (could) have some sort of exemption in whatever ordinance is creating this (dilemma) … we can revisit it now and then that’s it, we are done with it,” Nicastro said.
Councilwoman Evelyn O’Donnell said, “Whatever we could do to expedite future situations that are exactly the same, we should just put a policy in place to ensure (the issue does not repeat itself). We are not looking at groups that are in violation because that was obviously never the intent and it has been a longstanding issue, so however this came to light at this point may be a blessing in disguise so we can actually do something to alleviate any issues in the future.”
Councilman Bob Walsh said he supports giving the North Howell Little League the relief it is seeking for the storage containers, but he said he wants to ensure that individuals will not be able to place storage containers “wherever they feel like.”
“I am all for granting them some relief. I drove over there and looked at where the storage containers are and I do not see an issue with them being there,” Walsh said.
Walsh said he would want to see the North Howell Little League’s finances before providing any monetary aid to the organization.
Nicastro suggested that municipal officials meet with representatives of the league.
Mayor Theresa Berger was not present at the May 15 council meeting.