Woodbridge News

Woodbridge Inspectors Step-up Review & Inspection of Township Residences & Businesses... Notices Issued for Failure to Maintain Property and Related Violations That Impact Communities and Standard of Living

WOODBRIDGE - Woodbridge Township Mayor John E. McCormac today announced that a separate review of property records and on-site inspections of residences and business by Woodbridge Housing Inspectors targeting property maintenance violations have resulted in the issuance of more than 360 violation notices over the past 60 days for failure to properly maintain property and related offenses. The crackdown on property maintenance violations is conducted as part of Mayor McCormac's "Quality of Life" program targeting violations which negatively impact neighborhoods and communities throughout the Township.

"The most recent round of inspections targeted residences and businesses throughout the Township that are clearly in violation of property maintenance rules and regulations," Mayor McCormac said. "While the crack down on illegal housing continues, it's just as important that we go after properties that have become eyesores and potentially dangerous by allowing vast amounts of junk and debris to accumulate. Additionally, I have instructed our inspectors to go after abandoned vehicles, illegal parking in yards, and related violations that clearly impact the quality of life for all residents."

In announcing the ongoing housing and inspection program, Mayor McCormac said that Housing Inspectors identified property maintenance violations and issued notices to property owners in every community throughout the Township -- Woodbridge, Port Reading, Fords, Iselin, Avenel, Keasbey, Colonia, Hopelawn, Menlo Park Terrace, and Sewaren. The violations include: accumulated junk and debris, abandoned and unregistered vehicles, failure to cut grass or remove weeds and overgrowth, failure to maintain fences or outside structures, failure to maintain driveways and sidewalks, graffiti, and related maintenance violations that result in a property becoming a neighborhood eyesore.

Mayor McCormac announced in December that Township inspectors issued more than 50 violation notices to owners of residential and/or business properties potentially in violation of Township housing ordinances. The violation notices allege illegal, overcrowded, and potentially dangerous housing. As a result of the violations, property owners were notified to register the property as a rental or multi-family unit and to submit to on-site inspection - most of the cases remain pending. The effort to police and identify potential illegal multi-family residences and apartments remains ongoing.

A Notice of Violation requires the property owner to provide a remediation plan to correct the alleged illegal condition, obtain any and all relevant permits, and bring the property into compliance with all Township ordinances and housing regulations. Should the property owner fail to comply with a Notice of Violation, the Bureau of Housing could issue a summons and refer the case to Municipal Court, wherein potential financial penalties of up to $2,500 per violation could be assessed.

Township residents are encouraged to report property maintenance violations and other housing-related violations or problems to the Woodbridge Township Bureau of Housing at 732-634-4500 x6009. All complaints will be investigated and all information remains confidential.

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