Homeowners Seeking Help
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$ffl#k Brangwicfc Public IN THIS ISSUE MEW Middlesex Singer County to host Fair benefit Page 15 Page 26 JULY 31, 1997 40 CENTS VOLUME 4, NUMBER 41 Homeowners seeking help Wyckoff went to say that Kipcon's Southridge Hills group report indicates inadequate drainage from wants builder to take sump pumps causes water to leak into the foundations and basements of the homes. care of problems Residents also named cracked sidewalks, BY JOHN P. DOWGIN below-grade electrical transformers and shoddy landscaping* specifically trees that Staff Writer remain unplanted and dying, among their gripes with the development. pproximately 20 Southridge Hills "These trees are really hideous," homeowners converged on the Town- Wyckoff said. "Charlie Brown's Christmas Aship Committee's Tuesday work ses- tree looks better than some of the things that sion in search of the committee's help. I've seen at Southridge." The group, led by Southridge Hills SHHA members went on to claim that Homeowners Association (SHHA) Pres- these problems have existed ever since the ident Carol Wyckoff, asked the township to development opened four years ago and that assist it in its efforts to hold the builder efforts to handle the matter with the builder responsible for what residents described as directly have not been fruitful. deficiencies in the construction of their "I just want closure on this," SHHA development. member Al Phillip said. "We're asking for the committee's help Following the meeting, Wyckoff went in resolving the outstanding matters which on to note that while the bulk of construc- are the builder's responsibility to correct," tion is being performed by Garden Homes Wyckoff said. of South Brunswick, Wolf & Silverman of In presenting its case to the committee, Short Hills is the firm primarily responsible Wyckoff said that SHHA hired an engineer- for the development. ing consultant, Kipcon Inc. of Highland Wyckoff also made a number of requests Park, to perform an independent evaluation .to the committee as far as potential solutions and to "see if the development was built in to the problem were concerned. conjunction with the plans." First, Wyckoff asked the committee to Armed with photographs of the cited determine if any performance bonds out- problems, Wyckoff listed several specific standing against the developers exist and if shortcomings of Southridge Hills. those bonds could be blocked until the cited "One of our number one problems is the problems are repaired. "They're really the draining and grating of the ground areas and only insurance we have," Wyckoff said. sidewalks," Wyckoff said, claiming that the Wyckoff also asked for a walk through drains have been set 2-3 inches too high. of the development with township officials "The water's just sitting there and at- to verify the problems found by Kipcon, that The Rev. Joseph Desmond was installed Sunday as pastor of St. Cecilia's tracting mosquitoes," she said. 'This is what a timetable be composed with which the Church in Monmouth Junction. For the story, see page 27. some homeowners look out their windows (Augusto F. Menezes/Greater Media) and see." Continued on page 7 Officials ponder self-insurance plan program to a self-insured system which price tag for this coverage would be $1.48 cials' control over benefits. Proposal to switch would save the township at least $235,000 million, as opposed to an estimated $1.9 "In this economic environment, if you from US Healthcare next year alone. million under the township's current ar- can afford to go self-insured, you should A vote on the proposal is scheduled for rangement with US Healthcare. seize the opportunity," Migdon said. could save $235,000 next week's meeting. BGIA also guaranteed that township The township also retains the option of Committeemen Ted Van Hessen and employees' benefits would not change, taking on either a 12-12 or a 12-15 cover- BY JOHN P. DOWGIN Roger Craig were not present to hear the while the claims adjudication process age plan. Staff Writer proposal. would be "handled more judiciously and Under a 12-12 plan, insurance claims Under the proposal, which was made by expeditiously," would have to be incurred and submitted t Tuesday's South Brunswick Stuart Migdon, BGIA's executive director Migdon went on to cite at least 250 before the 12-month policy's expiration. Township Committee work ses- of employee benefits, the township would municipalities and other public entities that The 12-15 plan, however, allows a A sion, representatives from Business switch its prescription and medical benefits have already switched to self-insured plans three-month grace period following expi- and Governmental Insurance Agency to a third-party administrator, which in this since the late 1980s. He also noted that ration under which claims could still be (BGIA) of Woodbridge recommended that case would be Boston Mutual. such programs save money by providing submitted. the township switch its employee insurance Under Boston Mutual, the estimated greater efficiency and increasing local offi- Continued on page 7 2 SENTINEL, JULY 31, 1997 NS The strength behind ours is a major teaching hospital. At St. Peter's Adult Day Care Center, we'll do more than just watch over your elderly or disabled loved ones, we'll treat them. Under the supervision of medical professionals, RNs and LPNs, your family member will receive all the personal attention, social activities and medical treatments he or she needs in a safe, home-like environment. Even if that care requires tube feeding, oxygen, programs for Alzheimer's or other services other facilities don't offer. But what really sets St. Peter's apart is our medical focus and specialty services. We offer physical, speech and occupational therapies, podiatry and social services. Our comprehensive program treats the whole person, body, mind and spirit, because we are dedicated to bringing each person to his or her personal best. Adult Day Care is a great alternative to institutionalizing your loved one. But before you choose a program, look at the source of its strength. St. Peter's Adult Day Care Center 1-609-655-6853 Hours of Operation: Mon. through Fri., 8am to 4pm. Transportation/Drop - off, 7am-8am, 4pm-5pm. SENTINEL, JULY 31, 1997 3 ililiililli Township ordered to release plans Owners requested plans for suit over code violations BY JOHN P. DOWGIN Staff Writer SOUTH BRUNSWICK — The town- ship must provide Peter and Monica Griffin of Kendall Park with the building plans for their Labrador Drive home, a state Superior Court judge ruled on July A BANNER DAY— South Brunswick police officers watch as the AAA's 12. newest reminder to drive safely is hoisted over Route 27 in Kingston. The Griffins requested the plans as (Jackie Pollack/Greater Media) pait of their legal case against Beekman Rolling with the oldies. Manor developers, the builders of the house which the Griffins claim was de- Page 28 livered to them while in violation of a Board to increase number of building codes. "I don't think it should have had to REGULAR FEATURES have gone this far," Monica GiilTm said. "I feel that the township isn't there for their people." • Classifieds Page 30 building use fees State Superior Court Judge Douglas • Editorials Page 12 SOUTH BRUNSWICK — Groups have some sort of gathering on a weekly Hague, sitting in New Brunswick, made • Letters Page 12 wishing to hold their events and meetings at basis," board member Gail Barcclo noted. the ruling. South Brunswick's school facilities will "I would not like to see them left scram- • Milestones Page 9 have to shell out a little bit more money for bling at the last second due to this." According to township officials, South • Obituaries Page 24 the privilege, thanks to a resolution passed However, Superintendent of Schools Brunswick originally denied the Griffins by the Board of Education at its July 21 Samuel Stewart advised that a letter imme- access to the plans because it believed • Police Beat Page 25 meeting. diately be sent to all groups who regularly doing so would have constituted a viola- • Real Estate Page 26 Under the resolution, which passed utilize school facilities that would be affect- tion of copyright law. unanimously despite two absences, fees for ed under the new policy advising them of "(Code Enforcement Officer) Tony • Sports Page 28 the change. organizations falling under board designa- Lombardo said he'd been under the im- tions "Group III" and "Group IV" will be Board Business Manager Jeffrey Scott raised effective immediately. The amounts also noted that very few regular school pression that opening a sealed plan would were not available. facility useis would be seriously affected create problems with the preparers of the According to those designations, Group by the policy. "A lot of township organiza- plan," Township Attorney Bertram Busch III defines any privately run, nonprofit tions and activities aren't going to see much explained. "We said if we got a court organization with 75 percent or more of its of an impact," he said. order, we'd comply with it." membership residing in South Brunswick. The general sentiment of residents The Griffins have been waging a battle Phone numbers: Group IV includes "all other groups," attending the meeting was that a fee in- against the developers and township offi- which basically refers to any organization crease was well advised. "I believe Mr. cials over the issue for more than a year. Editorial not financed or sponsored by the township Scott is on the right track," commented They contend that not only did in- 254-7000 Ext. 226 or board. Ridge Road resident Joseph Spataro.