Cromwell Court Demolition Decision Coming May 17

A suit over the demolition of 113 Cromwell Ct. is headed to Superior Court this month, with a final date set two weeks from now.

After several delays, the lawsuit by Michael Crowley against Wes Deptford will be heard May 17 in front of Judge Eugene McCaffrey Jr., who also heard the Open Public Meetings Act lawsuit against the township last month.

The township has already filed its side, solicitor Anthony Ogozalek Jr. said, and now has only to wait until that morning to make oral arguments and get a decision from the judge.

“The township committee wants this resolves as soon as possible,” Ogozalek said at Thursday night’s township committee meeting.

John Bond, who lives next door to the half-demolished home, said there needs to be a push to get the court proceedings wrapped up this month.

“Anyone who’s driven by the house can’t have the impression that there’s anything to do but finish the demolition,” he said.

While Ogozalek said the latest court date should provide a resolution, Bond said the previous delays raise concerns about whether that’s likely.

“It’s difficult to take it as a rock-solid guarantee,” Bond said.

Demolition on the home in Sherwood Green began and ended in a matter of just a couple of days back in February. Crowley forced the stoppage, claiming there was asbestos debris being mishandled by an unlicensed contractor.

Crowley’s been trying since last summer to overturn condemnation and demolition orders on the house, in an attempt to instead rehab the home.  after a lengthy hearing at the beginning of February, choosing to uphold a November demolition order instead.

The home’s owners, Robert Schumann and the late Dorothy Schumann, abandoned the home about six years ago, neighbors said, and the property fell into disrepair.

Neighbors have complained of mold problems, among myriad other issues, and , with tax and other liens piling up, to the tune of roughly $90,000—not counting demolition costs.

Various outcomes are possible from the court proceedings, Ogozalek said, including allowing the demolition to continue, or giving Crowley the opportunity to rehab what's left of the home, among others.