A $100,000 state grant will be used to augment code enforcement and building inspections for Sandy-damaged properties.
After Superstorm Sandy hit New Jersey in 2012, hundreds of homes throughout Middletown’s Bayshore were damaged. Many property owners have made good progress in repairing, elevating and rebuilding their homes. Many others are just getting underway while many more still remain abandoned.
“The township is experiencing near unprecedented levels of construction activity which has stretched our staff very thin,” said Construction Official Joseph Kachinsky.
Grant funds will be used to hire additional code enforcement staff to monitor abandoned properties to ensure that they are maintained adequately and that they do not become a nuisance to neighbors. In many cases, these properties are now in the hands of banks, mortgage companies and absentee owners. It takes a lot of diligence and tracking to make sure these properties are given the attention they need and that the neighbors deserve, he said.
“We’ll also be able to give homes that are under reconstruction expedited inspections. We want to do whatever we can to speed up the rebuilding process for our residents who have already been displaced and inconvenienced far too long,” said Mayor Stephanie Murray.
“We appreciate that the state has recognized the need to help municipalities provide specialized assistance to Sandy-impacted residents and property owners. We think this will go a long way towards helping our community to fully rebuild,” she said.