TOMS RIVER, NJ – If you want to sell your home in Toms River, Mayor Maurice Hill’s certificate of occupancy inspection ordinance could set the process back weeks, even months. That is if you have performed illegal construction without permits. That ordinance requires the seller of a home to remedy outstanding permits and illegal construction prior to the sale of a home.
In many cases, homeowners bought homes that had illegal work done and had no idea, until their CO inspection fails during the home sale process.
The plan, which several councilmembers have criticized as a government roadblock and intrusion into a private home sale, was touted by Hill to ensure that all residents are kept honest and safe from shoddy illegal construction.
For most people, the process can take weeks, even months, holding up home sales and forcing homeowners to remedy construction projects without permits. Hill said the process was to ensure that homes being sold are safe and ‘legal’ for new homeowners.
On November 9th, Hill filed a permit to ‘legitimize’ an illegally constructed finished basement at his own home. At first, it looked like Hill would see firsthand the struggles homeowners in his situation would face. It was hoped by many in town hall that once Hill begins the process, he would reconsider his law that unnecessarily burdens many township residents on a daily basis.
Records show that Hill submitted his application on Thursday, November 9th. The plans were reviewed on December 7th and by the following Wednesday, the 13th, Hill had all of his approvals. In just three business days, the mayor had final approvals for his plumbing, electrical, fire, and building permits.
Hill was spared the inconvenience his constituents faced in the process.
Hill’s spokesperson, Art Gallagher, said there was nothing nefarious in the process. Gallagher claims Hill’s illegal basement was not a case of a homeowner doing work without permits but claims the original permits and approvals were lost at the town hall at some time in the past.
“The mayor has been paying property taxes for his finished basement since it was completed,” Gallagher said.
The certificate of occupancy is likely to be repealed in 2024 as it was one of the topics pushed by Mayor-Elect Dan Rodrick and his team during the 2023 campaign cycle. Rodrick’s team is expected to repeal the ordinance.
Councilman Justin Lamb has also been vocal about the ordinance since its adoption and gave examples of how the law is negatively impacting residents.
Most remedial permit applications such as Hill’s can take as long a two months to get approved, according to a township official. Most who apply also fail initial inspections, the source said.
Hill’s illegal basement is now deemed legal, as many who applied before him are still battling bureaucratic red-tape, denials, and delays.
While it takes most residents weeks and even months, Hill’s application took just four business days from start to finish on a major construction project done decades ago.
Hill’s last day in office in December 31st. Insiders say Hill knew about his illegal basement for quite some time, but waited until the end of his term to address it as not to raise political or ethical questions during his tenure. Sources also say Hill wanted to approvals done before his predecessor takes control on January 1st.
Hill, who said earlier this year, “If Dan Rodrick wins, I’m moving.” stated this week at a town hall meeting that he has no plans to leave Toms River.
“I was born here and I’ll die here,” Hill said.