TOWNSHIP CRACKING DOWN ON RATS NEAR NEWARK LINE

Township officials have been responding to complaints of rats in the area near Williams Street, Hillcrest Road and Irvington Avenue in recent months, according to Health Officer Robert Roe.

He said one summons was issued recently and expects to issue two more this coming week to the apartment buildings at 664 and 684 Irvington Ave.

"It was in response to complaints from residents in the WilliamS Street, Hillcrest neighborhood, they were complaining of rats," Roe said. "Since June, I have been inspecting home to home looking for rat infestation, garbage, mosquitoes, and I am working my way through the area. They do report some improvement, but I have also seen areas with rats."

Roe said some complaints date back a year and might have been sparked by construction in the nearby Ivy Hill section of Newark, but that is unclear.

He said summonses can carry fines of up to $200 for the first offense and as high as $500 for further offenses.

Roe suggests that to avoid rats residents keep garbage cleaned up, lids on containers with garbage, and even bird feeders.