On Thursday, at 2 p.m., Beatrice Albano, owner of the house at 35 Embury Avenue, had been ordered to appear in Municipal Court for failing to correct a list of maintenance violations. Albano, who lives in Brooklyn, NY, didn’t show. Township Attorney Gene Anthony wanted Judge Robin Wernik to issue a warrant for Albano’s arrest, but Judge Wernik decided to set another court date and give the defendant another chance to appear. Anthony contended that this was the second time this defendant had failed to answer a summons regarding this property. Wernik said it was only the first time.
A Township inspector has found Albano’s unoccupied property to be replete with wood rot, lack of paint and broken and missing siding, among other problems. A couple of neighbors have told Blogfinger they think the building may be beyond saving. It is in a prime location, in the second block from the ocean.
– Charles Layton
Apparently the out of town owners do not respect the Neptune Municipal Court.
Deja vu all over again. Why do I feel like I’m watching “Groundhog Day” with this repeating itself over and over again?
As a neighbor of this eyesore, I really hope something is done about it soon. It’s such a firetrap, and I don’t want my house to go down with it!
The Township will continue to pursue this case until the house is fixed and/or sold to someone who will fix it. We will not continue to allow this owner or any other owner to willfully ignore Code citations or court orders and endanger the lives of other, law abiding neighbors, no matter how long it takes or how much money it costs. We cannot and will not put a price tag on the safety of our residents, plain and simple – lives are absolutely irreplaceable. We will not play Russian roulette with the health and well-being of this property’s immediate neighbors. We have no lives to spare to the selfish whim of derelict homeowners.
Mary Beth — I am becoming a believer now that I see the Township Atty. is handling these violations cases in Municipal Court. That shows real commitment! A couple of “public hangings” should send the message to these owners that Neptune Twp. means business.HOOAAH !!!!!
Not if the judge can’t count…….
Appleation, I know the judge’s actions are frustrating. However, when a case switches from being handled in court by Code Enforcement to being handled by the Township Attorney, apparently, it becomes a “do-over”.
That being said, Judge Wernik has proven to be very tough with derelict property owners. Very few municipal judges have issued bench warrants for code violators, as Judge Wernik did for the owner of 14 Spray, or the kind of intense mediation in which the Township and the owner of the Parkview are currently involved.
Gene Anthony, the Township Attorney, is an absolute pit bull for the taxpayers in the courtroom, and Bill Doolittle and the crew from Code continue to supply Gene with updated information on properties even as Gene is going into the courtoom. When Gene got the call from Rick Cuttrell that citizens had signed a petition asking the Township to act on 24 McClintock, he left his office and came to get it so he could use it in his case prep.
I share the frustration the neighbors of 35 Embury feel about the new court date. I was distracted initially by the tragedy of the drowning death of the young man from my neighborhood over here in Bradley Park, Naziere Nelson, and didn’t initially realize a new court date was set. Poor Denis McCarthy, who has been a friend of mine since time immemorial, sent me a note congratulating me on the work on 35 Embury. In my jangled and overly emotional state of mind, I took it as criticism and then I apologized to him (and I’m apologizing again, Denis, publicly, because I still feel bad about it).
I will find out from Gene when the next court date for 35 Embury is, and hey, if any neighbors want to start a petition, Gene can enter it as evidence…
If there has ever been an example of local government, citizens, and a homeowner’s association working together for the good of the town, I have to say that this process of bringing derelict homes back up to Code certainly qualifies. From the Township side, HPC, Administration, Code, the Township Committee, Fire and the PD have enjoyed a great working relationship with concerned citizens and OGHOA. Many times, citizens don’t want to get involved in these situations, but Grovers are a special breed. Because of involved citizens, we will get these situations resolved in the citizens’ and Township’s favor. It is very humbling to work with such dedicated residents.
Committeewoman: Please tell us how the Ocean Grove Homeowners Association deserves any credit for dealing with the derelict housing situation. This question is not meant to be provocative , but I want to know the facts behind your accolades. And while you are passing out compliments regarding the derelict houses, you might have mentioned Charles Layton and his ferocious pursuit of this story for Blogfinger.
Paul, individual members of the OGHOA have come to us and provided info. Just because they haven’t done a formal resolution – which could be a sticky legal situation for them under civil law – doesn’t mean they haven’t been helpful.
And I’m saving the thanks to Charles, you and Blogfinger for another time – don’t ruin the surprise! But yes, Charles and Blogfinger deserve a LOT of credit for your excellent reporting on this issue and for giving the Township a way to communicate and work with the residents of Ocean Grove on this and other issues, and I am sorry that I excluded Blogfinger and its staff from my earlier post – your reporting on this and other Ocean Grove issues has been outstanding and truly game-changing in the Grove.
Paul, you are right. If the derelict houses had parking issues, the HOA would be all over it.
waterseller…The HOA membership did pass a resolution at its last meeting that included parking requirements in the North End Redevelopment Plan. At the HOA’s previous meeting the HOA membership did not take action when the derelict houses issue was raised. Rereading Paul Goldfinger’s comment above, I am unable to discern where Paul is “right” about….I don’t know… what.
Are you confusing HOA members decisions?
A very confused ken.
Ken — I don’t recall the HOA taking any action on derelict houses. What exactly was that?
Ken, my point exactly. There are no parking issues with the derelict houses so HOA takes no action, but let a parking issue rear its ugly head and the HOA is ready to man the barricades.
To Waterseller and others who question why the HOA takes no action on derelict houses – go to a meeting, ask to be recognized, give your name, and put the question on the floor for discussion and call for the opinion of the members. There is an opportunity at every meeting to do just that. Complaining in Blogfinger is not working for you.
That would be eye opening.
Anon and Ken- I’m not interested in joining the HOA. I don’t have parking problems and that seems to be the main agenda of that org.
I don’t have parking problems either, and although it has been a topic of great concern for some residents I do not agree it is the main agenda of that org. By the way I do know it is not necessary to join the HOA to speak at the organization’s meetings which are advertised as OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. (Donuts, coffee and orange juice free to all.)