Home Restoration Businesses Targeted By Proposed Ordinance Concerning House Fires In Gloucester Township

Gloucester Township, NJ -- The moments following a house fire are often the most vulnerable for the victim. Distraught about the fact they lost their home and possessions, and faced with the fact that this is a life changing tragedy, many people aren’t thinking straight.

This is often when people associated with home restoration businesses move in, sometimes taking advantage of the victim’s frazzled state of mind.

During Monday night’s meeting at the municipal complex, Gloucester Township Council introduced a proposed ordinance to regulate these home restoration businesses.

The legislation council proposes calls for these businesses to be registered with the township, and to wait until the scene is cleared before they can speak with the victim. The legislation was passed unanimously.

Council President Orlando Mercado said the township wasn’t aware of any specific problems, but noted that the issue came up through the fire districts and the police department.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, resident and Gloucester Township Republican Committee Chairman Ray Polidoro asked if the proposal included elected officials, citing state statute that reads as follows:

“No local government officer or employee shall use, or allow to be used, his public office or employment, or any information, not generally available to the members of the public, which he receives or acquires in the course of and by reason of his office or employment, for the purpose of securing financial gain for himself, any member of his immediate family, or any business organization with which he is associated.”

He asked if the township knew of any public or elected officials who participate in this practice, to which Mercado responded, “No, do you?”

“The township has a good idea of where this is being done, but it’s not my position to say,” Polidoro said.
He also cited state legislation passed in 2014 that prohibits home restoration companies from contacting victims of fire or flood between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. within 24 hours of a fire or flood.

Polidoro pointed out it’s possible that policemen and firefighters on the scene have knowledge of specific incidents before members of the general public do.

“Are there time limits that the state has that the township wouldn’t have?” Polidoro asked.

Township Solicitor David Carlamere said the township looked at how surrounding towns handle the issue before coming up with this proposal.

He also said he was unfamiliar with the time limits imposed by state law, but said he would look into it.
Mercado referenced two house fires that took place on Nov. 18, on LaCascata Drive and Loch Lomond Drive.

A total of 21 people were displaced in those fires.

Another five people were displaced by a house fire on Dunlin Way on Nov. 25.