200 Homes Could Face Involuntary Demolition In Toms River

Between 150 and 200 structurally damaged homes in Toms River, largely abandoned since Superstorm Sandy, may be torn down under a planned "involuntary" demolition and debris removal program.

The township has completed its voluntary demolition program, under which structurally-damaged homes left standing – but uninhabitable – after Sandy were demolished. The township has since been reimbursed by the federal government for the work.

But now the attention is turning to properties whose owners did not participate in the first round, but have not moved on demolishing the remains of their homes.

The Toms River Township council on Tuesday voted in favor of seeking bids for a contractor to perform the demolitions, which Township Administrator Paul Shives said would likely number between 150 and 200.

"That could grow, but I don’t think it’s going to grow dramatically," he said.

Officials say homes left abandoned a year after the storm could pose a safety hazard, and become a nuisance in storm-stricken neighborhoods where others are trying to rebuild.

Homeowners who have not made an effort to tear down their houses that cannot be saved will be issued a letter from township officials advising them that their property must be demolished. If they refuse to comply or ignore the letter, Shives said, they will be issued a summons and a hearing will be scheduled in municipal court, at which point it will be decided if the township should move forward with demolition.

Shives said the township will attempt to recoup the cost of demolition with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but any costs to the township will be passed on to property owners in the forms of a lien.

Shives said it has not yet been determined whether those liens would be sold at auction, similar to a tax lien.

Mayor Thomas Kelaher said Wednesday that the township has issued a total of 1,015 demolition permits, 492 of which have been completed.

In all, 141 homes were demolished under the voluntary program, Kelaher said.