Ridgewood is not the only municipality cracking down on bad sidewalks
N.J. town to residents: Replace your sidewalk, or meet us in court
By Seth Augenstein | The Star-Ledger
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on August 13, 2014 at 7:43 AM, updated August 13, 2014 at 2:06 PM
HIGHLAND PARK — Two years ago, a local ordinance was passed allowing the borough to compel homeowners to fix the sidewalks in front of their houses.
Hundreds of residents complied with the borough’s request, but dozens more resisted. And it’s taken two years to reach a climax: this month the borough began taking dozens of homeowners to municipal court, following up on summonses.
Some of the homeowners have decided they can fight borough hall. In a lawsuit filed Monday, they charge the venture is a town-wide system of “intimidation” to do needless repairs.
“In the past two years, Highland Park has intimidated many residents into inappropriately spending their own money for inappropriate sidewalk replacements,” said Mark Oshinskie, an attorney leading the legal opposition. “But causing even more people to unnecessarily spend considerable sums for more such dubious, damaging work is unfair and destructive.”
Experts said responsibility and liability for sidewalks is a legal gray area in New Jersey. While the town says it’s acting in the interest of public safety, opponents have steadfastly refused to repair what they see as a needless financial burden.
https://www.nj.com/middlesex/index.ssf/2014/08/nj_town_to_residents_replace_your_sidewalk_or_meet_us_in_court.html#incart_m-rpt-1
