Property Maintenance Task Force addressing problems

by Julie Fink, Gazette Staff Writer

HAMMONTON—On January 1, Hammonton Mayor John DiDonato created a Property Maintenance Task Force in an effort to address issues such as overcrowding and poor living conditions observed first hand.
The task force will be led by DiDonato with members including Police Chief Frank Ingemi, Town Prosecutor Shirley Grasso, Town Code Enforcement Officer Frank Domenico and Property Maintenance Officer John Warren.
The task force will meet on a regular basis to focus on issues of overcrowding and unsafe or unsanitary living conditions while also addressing issues of unkempt properties with broken windows or exceptionally high grass, DiDonato said.
“It was designed in an effort to clean up our neighborhoods,” DiDonato said.
According to DiDonato, the first order of business for the task force was to create an updated ordinance that followed the International code.
The revised ordinance was presented to council for first reading on January 21. It adopts the 2006 edition of the International Property Maintenance Code, with some revisions, according to Grasso.
“It governs the conditions and maintenance of all property, buildings and structures, by providing certain uniform standards which are designed to ensure that structures are safe, sanitary and fit for human occupation and use. The code also addressed issues of overcrowding, and firmly sets down standards for the Code Officials to follow in reviewing overcrowding issues,” Grasso said.
For example, every bedroom occupied by more than one person must contain at least 50 square feet of floor area for each occupant thereof, according to Grasso.
Any person found in violation of the new code, if convicted, shall be subject to a fine of not more than $750 for the first offense, and up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment up to 90 days for subsequent violations.
Additionally, under the code landlords are required to register their rental properties with the construction office and submit to routine inspections.
According to DiDonato, currently the town of Hammonton has 1,200 registered rental units with it to reach an estimated 1,600 by the end of the year.
“That is one out of every three houses in the town,” he said.
We want the renters to stay for long periods of time and provide a stable community; if the rental conditions are poor then they will come and go, DiDonato continued.
“As prosecutor on behalf of the town of Hammonton, my office is committed to assuring the compliance with the code provisions,” Grasso said.
Other examples of violations include: excessive cars parked on one property, large piles of bulky trash left curbside, bed mattresses left curbside, overgrown grass or shrubbery, DiDonato said.
A hotline has been established for residents to make anonymous reports on suspected violations. Residents are asked to call 567-4300 ext. 300 with their concerns.