Plymouth Council Strengthens Ordinance Related to Contractors

As an added safeguard for residents seeking home renovation or repair, the Plymouth Township Council adopted an ordinance amendment Monday requiring that construction contractors and subcontractors be registered with Plymouth Township.

The regulation also requires that contractors and subcontractors working in new construction or alteration, maintenance or repair of structures provide insurance certificates as proof of comprehensive general liability coverage, as well as workers’ compensation coverage. Insurance coverage is essential in the event of an on-the-job injury, or in case of damage to a customer’s property, for instance.

Contractors would also pay an annual registration fee, with the amount set by Plymouth Township.

Councilman David Gannon lauded the measure as expanding upon and “strengthening what we already had” in place for plumbers.

“If you work here you should be licensed,” Gannon said. “It seems to me that anybody who wouldn’t want to register in the township might be doing something they shouldn’t be doing.”

The Council approved the amendment 4-1, with Councilwoman Lenore Bruno casting the dissenting vote.

The updated ordinance assures that Plymouth Township treats every contractor the same and ensures that “everybody’s paying their fair share,” according to Gannon.