More info needed before bond released

More info needed
before bond released

Two Marlboro homeowners are appealing to the Township Council for help in determining why their houses are having serious issues with drainage.

Township Councilman Barry Denkensohn, to his credit, has indicated that he would like builder Dan Werbler to come before the governing body and address allegations that two developments he built in the vicinity of Tennent Road have triggered flooding problems in that area.

The council should have the upper hand in this matter since the township is still holding a performance bond that Werbler posted in connection with the construction of his Marlboro Summit project.

Schoor DePalma of Manal-apan, an engineering firm that is acting as a consultant for the township in regard to Marlboro Summit, has recommended to Township Engineer Bill Schultz that Marlboro release the $316,000 performance bond posted by Werbler for the development. Schultz, in turn, formally recommended that the council release the bond.

Schultz has told the council that he recommended the council release the performance bond because the developer has complied with the plans for Marlboro Summit that were approved by the township Planning Board.

However, in the minds of residents who are living with a significant amount of standing water on their property, not all of the issues have been addressed to their satisfaction.

A private engineer hired by one homeowner came to the exact opposite conclusion that Schultz did and said Werbler’s Marlboro Summit performance bond should not be released.

There appears to be enough documented evidence to prompt the council to take a serious look at what’s happening in this development.

Homeowners make an expensive purchase of a home with the good faith belief that plans the municipality approved will result in a properly built project. A planning board relies on its professionals to make sure the project is technically sound before construction begins.

There are two sides to every story and council members have only heard the residents’ side thus far. Werbler should come before the council and explain why he believes Marlboro Summit has been properly constructed and why he believes his performance bond money should be returned.

Lingering questions about this development deserve to be answered.