Millstone Declaring War on Foreclosed Units

Posted on November 10, 2009
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With the number of foreclosed houses increasing Millstone officials have decided to wage war on this menace. The abandoned units are causing health problems and this has led to the city deciding to pass ordnances.

On 21st October the Township Committee passed the ordnance by a vote of 3:1. The dissenting voice was that of committee person Elias Abilheira . Another committee person Fiore Masci was not present. A public hearing was held on 4th November.

Nancy Grbleja the mayor of Millstone said that the ordnance was aimed at making the owners of the vacant houses take steps to maintain these. The ordnance deals with foreclosed houses as well as unkempt vacant plots taken over by vagrants and garbage.

In some instances the town authorities had to issue summons to the owners regarding the derelict condition of the properties. If the summons does not produce responses then the town authorities would dispatch employees of the public works department (DPW) to do the cleaning job. A lien would then be placed on the property so as to realize the expenses.

Grbelja explained that the recent ordinance would be applied to cases where the house after having undergone foreclosure is left abandoned and the summons have remained unanswered. She said, “There are some houses in foreclosure that look like a mess. It’s been years (since they were cared for) and the place looks like a trash pit.”

Originally the ordinance had detailed that either the owner, tenant or anybody occupying any house or plot of land in the town, excluding marked conservation areas, are bound to keep the place trimmed and weeded. Grass should not grow beyond 6” and there should be no dead trees, dry roots and offensive growth or garbage and solid waste lying around.

Abilheira wanted to change the language referring to brush and grass to be erased. He noted that within 10 acre zones he would not like the residents cut down grass and brush only for the purpose of having undulating lawns.

After lengthy discussions the committee decided to alter the language and make the ordinance read, “keep established lawn areas free of grass 10” or higher.”

The head of DPW, Kenn Gann said that his staff has cleared properties where the grass and the weed have exceeded 12” in height and where trash had piled up. He said, “It’s taken three hours to cut lawns like that.”

Millstone Declaring War on Foreclosed Units

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