Township Councilmen Approve Ordinance for Additional Inspection at Time of Sale

Members of the Washington Township council approved an ordinance Tuesday that will require home sellers to pay for an inspection that would find any outstanding permits and safety hazards.

The Certificate of Continued Occupancy (CCO) ordinance was , but after conducting the public hearing last month when residents complained about the $200 additional cost, . Tuesday, they continued discussion and ultimately decided to reduce the fee to $100.

Council President Fred Goetz suggested lowering the fee to $50 since he believed it didn't cost the township $200 to conduct the inspection. He said the inspector gets paid $35 per hour.

"The intent of this is public safety and looking out for incoming residents," Goetz said. "It's not about money making. I'm fine if we take it down to zero."

But Councilman Glenn Beckmeyer said he believed there should be a fee to cover the costs because without one, the current residents would have to pick up the cost in their taxes while the sellers likely leave the township. He suggested a $100 fee because he said the inspections will take longer than an hour because of the paperwork involved.

Mayor Janet Sobkowicz said officials "can't charge less" than $100 for the inspection if they don't want current taxpayers to contribute to the cost.

Councilman Joseph D'Urso, who abstained from the vote, said he wanted to make sure the Building Department had the permit paperwork in order before passing the CCO ordinance.

"I think we should get our bookkeeping in order before we do it," D'Urso said.

Council Vice President Steve Cascio said he believed passing the CCO ordinance would force the Building Department to have better record keeping.

Goetz added, "We don't have the power to direct anything to happen in the Building Department except by ordinance."

The remaining four councilmen voted to approve the CCO ordinance.

The next township council meeting is scheduled for Nov. 21.