How to crack the code

[admin]

All Freehold Borough residents, homeowners and property owners are invited to spend an evening learning all about how Code Enforcement works to ensure safety of their homes and their neighborhoods on Wednesday, May 20th, at 7:00 p.m. in Borough Hall.



Maureen Haley, chair of the Rental Property Advisory Board, says that the Code Enforcement Forum will provide attendees with both overviews and specifics, such as what exactly Code Enforcement does, and what it doesn't do. Speakers include Code Enforcement officers, Borough Attorney Kerry Higgins and Municipal Prosecutor Kathleen Sheedy.

Attendees will learn how to log a complaint and the entire process of what happens to that complaint, such as how code enforcement officers proceed to address and/or correct the problem that prompted the complaint call, and how they keep track of complaints along with the actions taken. In addition, attendees will learn what happens when matters go to municipal court as well as how fines are assessed. Speakers will relate recent activities on complaint calls and share success stories, as well as what residents can do to combat problems occurring in rental units.

Councilman Marc Le Vine said, “The purpose of this seminar is to educate our residents in understanding the operations of our Code Enforcement department and how to recognize and report a violation. It will also help landlords to better understand their property management responsibilities. Attendance at this forum will teach residents how they can avoid violating ordinances, and also to recognize when others have violated the same as well as how to initiate a complaint.”

“Community education is vitally important, especially in matters that need Code Enforcement to step in,” says Haley. “We urge Freehold Borough residents to come to this forum because this information can help them protect and preserve their quality of life and that of their neighbors and friends in the community.”

Haley adds that the Rental Property Advisory Board wants to assist Code Enforcement to combat abuses that occur in rental properties as well as properties that seem to lack oversight and maintenance. “Code Enforcement needs the public to be knowledgeable of their rights and watchful for signs of abuse. We encourage residents to feel empowered to work with our Code Enforcement for the betterment of all.”

[admin]

AS Lisa mentioned in another thread, some of the FB committees are really producing some great things for residents. The NPC has been sprinting out of the starting gate with tons of ideas and events, the Recreation Commission is bringing us an awesome Jazz and blues concert, HPC is giving us a house to tour that is well done, and then we have the above.

The same week of the Code forum, the Human Relations Committee is doing its safety forum.
I have sat in on meetings for both of these committees and there is a lot of positive energy from both. I strongly encourage residents to make it to both the Code and Safety forums. From what I have seen, they will both be outstanding. I know these meetings are on back to back nights, but they will both be worth the time and energy to show up. Tell your friends and lets bring our community together for the right reasons. The volunteers on these committees are so dedicated to bringing quality events to our residents.

[admin]

newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2009/0513/front_page/005.html


Code enforcement forum will be held in Freehold


FREEHOLD — All Freehold Borough residents, homeowners and property owners are invited to spend an evening learning all about how code enforcement works to ensure safety of their homes and their neighborhoods on May 20 at 7 p.m. in Borough Hall, West Main Street.

Maureen Haley, chair of the Rental Property Advisory Board, said the Code Enforcement Forum will provide attendees with overviews and specific information, such as what exactly code enforcement does, and what it does not do. Speakers will include code enforcement officers, Borough Attorney Kerry Higgins and Municipal Prosecutor Kathleen Sheedy.

Attendees will learn how to log a complaint and the entire process of what happens to that complaint, such as how code enforcement officers proceed to address and/or correct the problem that prompted the complaint call, and how they keep track of complaints along with the actions taken.

In addition, attendees will learn what happens when matters go to municipal court as well as how fines are assessed. Speakers will relate recent activities on complaint calls and share success stories, as well as what residents can do to combat problems occurring in rental units.



Borough Councilman Marc Le Vine said, "The purpose of this seminar is to educate our residents in understanding the operations of our code enforcement department and how to recognize and report a violation.

"It will also help landlords to better understand their property management responsibilities. Attendance at this forum will teach residents how they can avoid violating ordinances, and also to recognize when others have violated the same, as well as how to initiate a complaint," he said.

"Community education is vitally important, especially in matters that need code enforcement to step in," Haley added. "We urge Freehold Borough residents to come to this forum because this information can help them protect and preserve their quality of life and that of their neighbors and friends in the community."

Haley said the Rental Property Advisory Board wants to assist code enforcement to combat abuses that occur in rental properties as well as properties that seem to lack oversight and maintenance.

"Code enforcement needs the public to be knowledgeable of their rights and watchful for signs of abuse. We encourage residents to feel empowered to work with our code enforcement for the betterment of all," she said.

[admin]

[glow=red,2,300]Tonight!![/glow]

This will be worth your time.

[admin]

The Rental Committee did a very good job with this forum tonight. I will post a more detailed account of the meeting on Friday morning.

[admin]

This was a very good meeting. While we would always like to see more people, attendance for this was not bad.

Besides the committee members and speakers there was over 25 people.

Borough Attorney Kerry Higgins started off with a very good talk about the legal and constitutional aspects of what can and cannot be done. This included an over view of what the code office has to do and the procedures used to ensure that peoples rights are protected. Poor Kerry was under the weather, but did a good job and pulled through.

Next, Hank Stryker gave a very good talk about what the code office really does. All his code officers were there. Hank explained what happens with a complaint and how to go about making one. This included a reasonable explanation as to why it may appear that a lot of time may go by before it appears that something is being done. hank explained the investigation process which begins within 24 hours of a complaint coming in.

Next up was Kathy Sheedy, the borough prosecutor. This was a great opportunity for residents to gain a perspective and exposure to the prosecution of complaints. Her presentation provided a nice wrap up and tie in to the previous speakers.

At the end of the night, there was question and answer session. This was a success as many residents did ask questions. Some asked several questions, including our own pot hole avenger.

The rental committee did well with this and I believe they will continue to serve our town well. residents should not forget that there are monthly meetings and all are welcome to attend.