Officials Cracking Down On Unkempt Abandoned Properties

Wyckoff officials are doing something about the unkempt abandoned and vacant properties in town.

The Township Committee approved an ordinance Tuesday establishing fines for creditors who don’t maintain these properties to the point where grass becomes overgrown and a house begins to deteriorate.

Mayor Kevin Rooney said that it is becoming ”alarming” how bad the problem has become. He said that one property had grass that was 18 inches high.

The ordinance requires the creditor filing a foreclosure summons be responsible for upkeep of the property. If a creditor is loctaed out of state, he or she must appoint an in-state representative to act on behalf of the creditor.

Rooney said the ordinance is ”good because it allows us to take quick action.”

Violations must be corrected within 30 days of a creditor receiving a notice and within 10 days if a violation “presents an imminent threat to public health and safety,” the ordinance states. Fred Depken, the township zoning officer, will issue the notices.

Creditors will be fined $1,500 a day for each day beginning 30 days of receiving a violation or 11 days if the violation presents a threat to public health and safety.

Out-of-state credits who do not appoint an in-state representative within 10 days after receiving a notice will be fined $2,500 a day.

Depken also has the authority to remove any violations and establish a lien on a property to cover the cost of any removals. Liens will be added to the taxes assessed on that property.