West Amwell Township Housing Committee Meeting
COAH
June 21, 2001
Present: Chairperson Sue Molnar. Ruth Hall, Betty Jane Hunt, Joan VanderVeen, Nancy Palladino
Absent: Linda Wilson, Ruth Hall (left 8:10pm)
Molnar called the meeting to order at 7:15 PM. The minutes of the last meting on May 24 as prepared by Nancy Palladino were approved. Motion made by Ruth Hall and seconded by Susan Molnar . Betty Jane Hunt and Joan VanderVeen abstained, as they were absent from the last meeting.
The status of the Accessory Dwelling units was discussed. Five of the eight available are currently occupied with three moderate and two low-income inhabitants. One unit is being vacated and this committee is reviewing the application by a new applicant tonight. (CV and HP). The committee will be doing the income verification process themselves in order to save taxpayers the $300.00 fee previously charged for each applicant by an outside firm. We will request a copy of the applicant’s Federal tax return and examine Schedule C for any additional outside income. One more unit is currently available but some repairs are being completed.
Recent advertising brought a good response but the majority were families in need of two bedroom units. Approximately 6 applications were sent out but only one has been received back to date. We will retain proof of advertising (tear sheets, bills, certified copies) for the Housing files.
Molnar reported that she spoke to Shirley Bishop who is the Executive Director of COAH. She is willing to attend one of our meetings but the committee agreed that we need to locate missing township information first. According to Shirley, we are not now and never have been certified by COAH. There is no spending plan on file or information on ability to collect fees. Molnar spoke to Ed Schmierer of Mason, Griffith & Pierson who said a judgment of repose was done on April 21, 1999, which outlined the current status and mandated conditions West Am well must follow. Betty Jane Hunt left the meeting to go down to the archives storage in the lower level to attempt to locate the missing documentation from 1999. She says we are protected through the courts until 2005. Molnar noted that just because Ordinances are passed locally it doesn’t necessarily protect us if we are not implementing conditions correctly and fully and no one knows what the conditions are. Hunt returned and was unable to locate the missing paperwork. She will continue to look tomorrow. If she locates them, each member will receive a copy to review. Otherwise, the township attorney can request another copy from the court or possibly obtain a copy from Henry Kent-Smith who was special counsel in 1999 on this matter. Hunt will call him and also solicit his opinion as to whether it is advisable to remain with the court or go to COAH. WE will make a recommendation to the township committee after attorney and planner comment.
We need to know who to go to if we suggest any changes, additions or deletions in the current program so that we remain in compliance with the court order. Since the township master plan is currently under re-examination, now is a good time to input.
Palladino will contact ReadingtonTownship to see what dates they would be available for sending a representative to our meeting to share their experience on ECHO. The next meeting is scheduled for July 19, at 7:00pm. It was discussed that the meeting in August will be cancelled due to anticipated conflicts with summer vacations schedules. The September meeting is expected to be held on the regular schedule (3rd Thursday).
A motion to adjourn was made by VanderVeen and seconded by Palladino. All ayes. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Palladino
Note: Ruth Hall supplied all members with an updated list of contact numbers for the committee.