An OG complainer at an HOA meeting. Give Jack a hand. Blogfinger photo, undated. ©
Last night Grover Ken Buckley went before the Neptune Township Committee to complain about the failure of the Township to solve the problem of derelict houses. We used to write articles all the time on Blogfinger complaining about those DH’s, but all those articles accomplished was to raise awareness. We went to court to hear Neptune’s lawyers file impotent complaints against landlords and we went to meetings of the OGHOA which appointed a derelict houses committee.
The derelict committee complained and they created a fine website (derelictbuildings.net) which frames the issues nicely including quotes from the law and pictures of rotting buildings, but no new ideas were found. Their website has posted nothing since last July, and the HOA’s website is currently suspended.
Ken Buckley should be commended for shining a bright light again on this matter, but in the end, he has no new ideas either. Yet he has singled out the citizens of Ocean Grove because they complain without having solutions.
But there are no strings attached to the First Amendment, and so, citizens of Ocean Grove, complain all you want, even if you are clueless as to how to solve the derelict housing problem. Blogfinger is open for business.
–Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
Paul,
My “spot zoning” hint failed. Let’s pose a scenario to inspire a solution. Envision someone returning from Florida. The house next door does not look the same; the owner won mega millions and left for parts unknown—-never to return.
Years go by and you have to complain to get the Township to cut the grass and board up the smashed windows and doors. Eventually the bride says: DO SOMETHING! DAMNIT.
What would you come up with?
This is what our fellow townspeople have faced for years.
I say when the tax assessment takes place, these derelict homes be assessed as if they were restored, thereby raising their taxes in the hopes the owners do not pay, go delinquent, end up as tax sale …. Forcing, eventually selling off to someone who will restore or knock down and rebuild.
Lisa,
After two years of taking pictures of obvious deterioration, writing and filing complaint forms of violations at specific addresses, badgering Township officials and personnel at various levels, questioning at township meetings, etc… limited results.
The r
eport by the Township Atty. on the limitations of what Neptune can legally do has affected enthusiasm. Over time members resign in frustration over the lack of progress while new ones join. One new member “overenthusiasticly” filed more violations (many on occupied homes) than could be addressed and also left in frustration.
The DBC was formed to address unoccupied houses in long time disrepair. It turns out most are owned by out-of-staters. But two (80 Main Ave. and the Parkview on Sea View Ave.) are owned by NJ residents who use legal strategies to avoid fixing up.
Come to an OGHOA meeting and I’ll fill you in.*
* Editor’s Note: Ken Buckley is a member of the Board at the HOA.
At least one of the owners of a derelict building operates two hotels in the Grove. Why not change the requirements for operating a hotel to require that there be no outstanding violations on any other property in the township? Deny the mercantile license for anyone with outstanding violations on any property.
Ken: I was, of course, only referring to your comments from last night before Big Brother. But why tease us; let it all hang out. Tell us your plan. —Paul
“…but in the end, he has no new ideas either.”
Au contraire, mon ami. Whoever told you that, misinformed you, and certainly does not know me. As a tease I will give you a two word hint to stir the imagination: SPOT ZONING. Look it up.
ken
What if we or the township publicized the owners of these structures. Maybe we could put large signs in the public areas in front of the building with their names and addresses. Something like:
‘This Structure Owned by Mr. John Doe of 123 Main St. Anytown NJ’, with a list of open complaints against them. All of that information is public records, it might shame a couple of people into fixing the problems, or selling to someone who will
Last year, after hearing a presentation by the DBC, I went to their website to ask a question. My terrace abuts the northeast corner of the albatross, and the birds that nest under the roof fly across my terrace and sit on the railings. Needless to say, it is a mess, and probaby a health hazzard. I mentioned I had pictures to show to the DBC. I never received a response. So my question is what is the purpose of the DBC? And what can OG residents do to help move things along?