Town Council Squashes Rent Control Measure

Councilman Robert Ruane's effort to reinstate town-wide rent control was short-lived last night, after the council voted 4-2 against the proposed ordinance.

The move is a blow to tenants, who since October have been fighting against what they call For weeks, tenants have swarmed council meetings petitioning the council to consider passing rent control. Last night was no different, as town hall council chambers was filled with more disgruntled tenants.

Mayor Raymond McCarthy, who voted against the measure, pinned the blame on Troy Towers management.

"If you want to put this in a nutshell, the biggest problem that we have is the management at Troy Towers," McCarthy said. "I will not vote for (rent control) as it sits here today. But I think the tenants that are there maybe have to take a look at a different action."

Councilwoman Janice Maly and Ruane voted for the measure, while Council Members Nicholas Joanow, Peggy O'Boyle Dunigan and Bernard Hamilton voted against. Councilman Michael Venezia abstained, citing a conflict of interest because he is a renter in town.

Before the measure came to a vote, Joanow called for more transparency and public input regarding rent control and suggested a committee be formed to present a final version of the  ordinance.

"What was 1994 is not what it is today," said Joanow, alluding to the last time Bloomfield saw rent control.

Joanow also said he was concerned about how rent control could affect the downtown redevelopment project.

Hamilton said if a committee is formed, it should not include someone who would directly benefit from rent control. Third Ward Councilman Ruane is a Troy Towers resident.

"I am acting in a legislative manner here, on behalf of my constituents…" Ruane said, addressing Hamilton's conflict of interest charge. "So if any judge or lawyer wants to have a constitutional crisis over separation of powers - I am a legislator and I am legislating right now."

Township Administrator Yoshi Manale said health and building inspectors have visited Troy Towers to investigate several tenant complaints. Violations will be issued, he said.

Town council meets again next Monday at 7:30 p.m. at town hall.

Click here to watch the town council meeting.