TOWNSHIP PREPARES TO DEMOLISH ABANDONED HOME THAT NEIGHBORS WANT GONE

The Township is moving forward with plans to demolish a Mountain Avenue house that has effectively been abandoned for the past five years, but indicated the owner could stop the demolition if he proves the house is being sold and repaired.

The Township Committee on Wednesday passed a resolution directing the Township to issue a request for bids to demolish the home at 4 Mountain Avenue, which neighbors have been demanding be fixed or torn down for years. 

16 neighbors signed a petition last month that urged the demolition, claiming it is an eyesore and a dangerous location.

"The property has been an abomination for five or six years," said neighbor Adam Licht, who addressed the TC and signed the petition. "The whole block would like to see it resolved."

Mayor Vic Deluca said that the Township had issued code violations going back years and issued an order on Oct. 6 for the property owner to show cause as to why it should not be demolished.

Property Owner Claydes Ahmad Smith addressed the TC at the meeting declaring that he had hired a contractor to fix-up the property and that a buyer was in place to purchase the site and renovate it.

"It looks like we will probably be closing in the next 45 days," Smith told the TC. He was joined at the meeting by Michael Yablonsky, who said he was slated to purchase the house and renovate it for sale.

"We will go to work doing what we do which is bring properties back to the neighborhoods of Maplewood," Yablonsky said, noting he had done other rehab efforts at homes in town.

But Deluca and Township Attorney Roger Desiderio said the duo had not produced proof that a sale is occurring and that financing was in place.

"How about you put your money into escrow so we know you are serious?" Deluca said "Money talks here, doesn't it?"

Added Desiderio: "We haven't even seen a contract."

Township Administrator Joseph Manning said it would take between 30 and 45 days to prepare a bid request and accept bids on the demolition. So the TC told the property owner and Yablonsky that if they produce proof of a sale and improvements before the bids are contracted out in that time, the demolition could be cancelled.

"What you must understand Mr. Smith and Mr. Yablonsky is that you are on the clock," TC Member India Larrier said.