Westfield To 'Crack Down' On Businesses Violating Ordinances

WESTFIELD, NJ - Those developers and businesses that have been ignoring local ordinances because the fines and enforcement were light could see a change by the end of the month as the governing body introduced a measure that would increase penalties.

The ordinance, according to Mayor Shelley Brindle, will increase fines for violations of ordinances.

"In particular housing and zoning violations, up to $2,000 per violation," Brindle said. "These fines are consistent with many neighboring towns and with our desire to crack down on developers and businesses who continue to operate at the expense of their neighbors."

Brindle said that Westfield's fines have been too low in many cases to serve as enough of a deterrent for noncompliance.

"This ordinance is intended to rectify that. And we will be vigilant about enforcement," Brindle said.

A public hearing and vote on the measure is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 26, at 8 p.m. at the Municipal Building, 425 East Broad Street.

(Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

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