By Frank Mustac, Special Writer
Banks and holding companies that own more than two dozen vacant homes in Hopewell Township face stiffer penalties if lawns on those properties are not mowed regularly.
The Hopewell Township Committee unanimously approved changes to ordinances on Monday, April 11, that now give a local judge the ability levy additional fines on repeat offenders of nuisance violations, including neglecting cutting the grass.
The changes come at the request of Robert English, the head of the township’s health department, and supported by the Police Chief Lance Maloney, according to Paul Pogorselski, the township administrator.
“We have about 30 vacant home where we have to go out every week,” said Mr. Pogorselski at the March 28 committee meting, when the rule changes were first introduced.
He explained that the township is presently forced to “engage” a mowing company to upkeep properties not being maintained.
“We have a number of repeat violators,” Mr. Pogorselski said.
“This is sort of just another hammer for the judge,” he said. “We hope that it will ultimately send a Township Committeeman Todd Brant asked if the changes extend to noise violations.
“In theory, this extends to every violation,” Mr. Pogorselski said.
Township Attorney Steven Goodell said a judge currently can only levy a single fine for every instance of a violation, but that the changes approved by the Township Committee gives a judge more options.
“There now is an additional charge that can be levied because you are now a repeat offender,” Mr. Goodell said on March 28. “So not only is the second or subsequent offense charged in and of itself, but the further offense of being a repeat offender is also charged.”
“So, in effect, it doubles the potential penalty, because now there are two charges instead of just one,” the attorney said. “The mere fact that you are continuing to repeat is and of itself a penalty.”
“It’s certainly worth a try,” Mr. Goodell said about adding the extra penalties.
Mayor Kevin Kuchinski described the motivation behind the ordinance changes.
“I think the intent here is we have some serial offenders, and they have observed that they can abuse the system and there is little we can do,” the mayor said. “They are big out-of-town banks primarily that are doing this.”
The charges and associated fines recommended by the health department and “endorsed” by the township administrator, he said, “puts some more teeth in our regulation.”
“I think this is a prudent step,” Mayor Kuchinski said, adding that now the township health officer can focus on health instead of chasing down out-of-state bankers.
