This petition is in response to a Notice of Violation sent to residents of the township of Teaneck. As per the correspondence, we are in violation of Sections 32-30 and 32-31 of the Code of Township.
- The fact that it is code does not make it fair and just. I, and I'm sure other residents of the township, would expect more from a town council that was elected to represent the interests of its stakeholders.
- Most sidewalks would be in perfect condition if not for the tree roots of the trees own by the township.
The action of the township asking taxpayers to pay for the repair is tantamount to you driving into my car and expecting me to pay for the repair of my vehicle. The township's trees have "run" into my sidewalk.
I am in total agreement that the uneven positioning of the slabs need to be repaired and I'm willing to pay for a permit to have the DPW to cut back roots. However the repair would not be necessary if not for the tree and tree roots that are causing the lifting of the sidewalk slabs.
- Respectfully, I view this as an egregious passing the burden of these repairs onto the taxpayers.
The letter gives the homeowner the option of doing the work themselves.
- Do you honestly expect people, many of whom are seniors, to raise a slab that weighs in excess of 900lbs?
Cost for contracts are approximately $230 per slab with most homeowners needing 2-4 repaired.
After canvassing Margaret Street and homes at the corner of Margaret and Forest and Selvage Avenues, there are 17 homes whose sidewalks have been marked as deficient or in need of repair. All needed repairs are a result of the roots of the trees causing the uneven appearance of the sidewalks.
- The signers of this petition demand that the township resend the violation notices, modify Sections 32-30 and 32-30 of the codes, cease and desist enforcement of them until modifications or requirements, and take full and complete responsibility for the repairs that its property (the trees) have caused.
