Towing Practices and Affordable Housing Obligations Reviewed by Township Committee

Due to complaints of damaged vehicles, inaccessible storage facilities and excessive fees, new regulations on towing practices in Bernards Township could be in place soon after the Township Committee reviews an amendment to the "Vehicle Towing Regulations" section of the Township Ordinances.

The Committee met on Tuesday night for their combined regular agenda and business meeting, and reviewed towing, affordable housing and conservation easements on King George Road.

Towing Regulations

The Committee tabled an ordinance revising the Township's towing policies until next meeting so the Township staff can create a second draft. Committee member John Carpenter suggested allowing the staff to have added time to make adjustments after talking to those working on crafting the ordinance, and the rest of Township Committee agreed.

According to New Jersey state laws, townships have the authority to create ordinances regulating the removal of motor vehicles from public or private property. The Bernards Township Police Department has received numerous complaints from about excessive towing fees, according to the explanation given in the first draft of the ordinance.

The current towing practices sometimes demand payments in cash only, and limited times have been provided for vehicle retrieval. There have also been complaints of not knowing where a vehicle was taken, as well damage to motor vehicles by the towing company, all according to the draft ordinance.

The proposed version of the new ordinance included fee limits charged by the towing companies and regulations on where vehicles can be stored, as well as how long the storage facility must remain open for vehicle retrieval.

The Township Committee will hear a revised version of the ordinance at their next meeting.

Affordable Housing

The Council on Affordable Housing in New Jersey is currently reviewing applications and granting certification for their third round of affordable housing obligations. The third round deals with the projected number of affordable housing units each municipality should provide from 2010 to 2018.

Township Engineer Peter Messina, outside consultant David Banisch and Township Attorney John Belardo are currently working on responding to comments made on Bernards' request for third round certification. The Township has met its affordable housing obligation in each previous COAH round, and expects to receive certification once again.

Deputy Mayor John Malay mentioned that the first bill introduced the New Jersey state Senate this year would abolish COAH due to perceived inefficiency and ineffectiveness of the authority. Although, it is not clear whether the bill will have traction.

Conservation Easements

The Committee also passed an ordinance establishing a variety of conservation easements on the property of Millington Baptist Church on 520 King George Road. The easements were put in place following the approval of a major subdivision plan for the property, approved by the Planning Board on July 8, 2008.

The purpose of the easements is to "regulate the use of the property in accordance with the Planning Board's approval," according to the explanation note written by Assistant Township Planner David Schley.

Meeting Notes

The Township Committee also passed a resolution recognizing the 20th anniversary of Congregation B'Nai Israel on Whitenack Rd.

Mayor Scott Spitzer also mentioned the official kick offs of his wellness campaign and brown bag lunch events. The mayor mentioned that the first wellness campaign event will be a Zumba class with Township committee member Carolyn Gaziano, to which Carpenter said, "As long it's not [with] Mr. Malay, that will be great." Malay laughed and replied, "I do not Zumba."

Spitzer also congratulated St. James Roman Catholic Church for their "Chili and Chowder" charity event held at the church last Saturday night. The mayor said the event was well attended of over several hundred people, and several local charities benefited from the proceeds.

Spitzer said, "It was a very enjoyable and wonderful event. I recommend it to members of our Township Committee in coming years."

The next Township Committee meeting is scheduled for Feb. 9.