Middle to Register Vacant Dwellings, Moves on Northern Bike Path Link

COURT HOUSE – In a 30-minute meeting, Middle Township Committee Feb. 6 passed a series of resolutions including one that ratified a shared services agreement with the county concerning funding for the bike path project known as “the northern extension.” 
The project is funded through the county’s Open Space program and will carry the Middle Township path up into Dennis Township.
The southern connector which will link the township bike path with Lower Township is also moving ahead.
Committeeman Timothy Donohue said he is hopeful that the connector with Lower Township will be ready for the summer season.
The committee also introduced on first reading an ordinance governing the registration of vacant properties. The ordinance would require the registration of vacant and abandoned structures and would impose a periodic fee while the structure remains vacant.
The ordinance would require that structures already vacant, or in the foreclosure process, must be registered with the township with an initial registration fee of $500. 
Every six months the registration would have to be renewed and an additional $500 fee paid.
Chief of Police Christopher Leusner, who helped guide the process of getting this ordinance in place, said that the $500 fee every six months is similar to the process adopted by many Atlantic County municipalities.
Leusner sees the registration process as a benefit to public safety.
The new process will provide the township with the identification and contact information for a responsible agent for a vacant property, aiding in resolving issues of code violations or complaints while the property sits vacant.
The ordinance is intended to aid in enforcing “minimum standards of accountability” for a vacant structure.
The ordinance will be on the agenda for a public hearing and final reading at the March 6 committee meeting.
Deputy Mayor Jeffrey DeVico informed the public that the township had received 36 applications for the vacant position of business administrator. 
The previous administrator, Constance Mahon, resigned from the position and is in a similar position in the Borough of Wildwood Crest.
Donohue said that the search committee for the new administrator would be meeting this week to continue review of the applications. DeVico said that the start of interviews was imminent.
Mayor Michael Clark announced that the township closed on an $85,000 small business loan to Habitat for Humanity to facilitate the opening of a “ReStore” in Court House Village.
The Habitat ReStore will occupy about 1,500 square feet of space in the shopping center that also houses Big Lots. 
The store, one of 850 across the country, will offer new and used appliances, furniture, building materials and fixtures, and home accessories for sale to the public at reduced prices.
The ReStore is driven by donations from individuals, companies, and contractors.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.