Byram addresses problems with rental properties

Byram - The changing face of Byram Township is nowhere more apparent than in the winterizing of former summer bungalows in its lake communities. Where once were cottages with beach towels on the clothes lines all summer and deep snow piled up to the door in winter, there are now family homes and investment rentals. In the words of Deputy Mayor Donna Griff: “In Cranberry Lake and Lake Lackawanna, the owners of summer cabins rented them out on a consistent basis. It’s been the norm in Byram.” She added that weekly rentals, typical of the shore communities, has not been the norm. Because of this, residents become concerned when a cabin is not occupied consistently. With this in mind, township resident Edward Klinginger approached township manager Greg Poff with concerns of a “revolving door” of tenants coming and going from a Lake Lackawanna property. The township council will discuss the possibility of “stacking” occurring in its lake community rentals at the Nov. 20 council meeting. Poff said Klinginger wanted to be present for the discussion and the council agreed. Mayor Eskil Danielson said stacking, or allowing occupancy of a bungalow by various family groups or member of an extended family, is a parallel problem to “revolving door rentals.” He said rentals have never been regulated in Byram. Clerk Doris Flynn said state regulations pertinent to rentals are primarily concerned with winter problems, such as allowing an oil tank to empty. Poff said a municipality can require landlords to post a bond for unanticipated costs as is commonly done in Shore communities. However, he added, the current land use staff would not be in a position to enforce more regulations. Councilman Lou Esposito said posting a bond won’t solve every problem. “I don’t see this as a huge problem in Byram,” he said, adding, “If Mr. Klinginger has a complaint, we need to listen.” Mayor Danielson suggested determining if posting a bond works in Shore communities. Griff suggested contacting communities near by, such as the townships around Lake Hopatcong or Vernon Township which has seasonal winter rentals. Byram is changing in other ways as well, including the construction of the Sussex Branch/Route 206 trail. Cost overruns on about half a mile of the bike trail will cause the township to implement an emergency resolution at the Nov. 20 meeting. Poff explained the spongy soil conditions absorbed the stone being laid for the trail at an alarming rate. He said since these soil conditions were not anticipated, the $23,000 cost overrun qualifies as an emergency. Griff was not impressed by the emergent nature of the request. “With all the engineering work that went on, how could we not have known about these conditions,” she asked. “We have a Natural Resources Inventory. We know what we have in Byram.” Councilman Earl Riley said he inquired as to why no soil samples were taken, and the engineering firm said none were necessary. He said it would take a long time in court to try to get any relief from the engineering firm. He added he has been walking through those woods for 30 years and wouldn’t have known how wet they were. The cost overrun is the result of material that has to be transferred from tandem dump trucks weighing 75,000 pounds to smaller, single-axle trucks, as well as from the cost of additional material. Poff said he does not anticipate having $23,000 in another line item to transfer into the trail line item. Esposito said he doesn’t feel $23,000 out of a $400,000 project is an inordinate amount for a change order. Bicycle transportation was not on the minds of the township’s senior citizens when Danielson and Riley attended a recent meeting. Riley said they were accosted by seniors asking about “our van” and weren’t happy when they were told a township van would not be on the road until spring. Poff said the board of education has been gracious in allowing the township the use of a bus and driver, but Riley pointed out “a small school bus doesn’t have some of the amenities they are used to or meet their expectations.” Poff admitted, “It’s a different type of vehicle and the timing depends on the driver’s availability. We are sending an offer letter to a new driver on Wednesday and she will be available 70 percent more hours.” He added the new township van is due in April 2007 and pointed out this type of vehicle must be custom ordered and takes some time to manufacture.