Rental Fees May Jump From $50 to $100 Per Unit

By Joseph L. Kuchie –

SOUTH AMBOY – South Amboy Construction Official Tom Kelly was on hand at last week’s business meeting to discuss the city’s building and zoning fees.

Kelly explained to the council that he has proposed an increase in most fees in order to bring the city “into the modern area”. The building department fees have not been raised in 13 years and he believed it was time for an adjustment.

“There’s been an increase across the board…it was done to bring us closer to what other towns fees schedules are similar to,” Kelly said. “The state of New Jersey through the uniform construction code identifies maximum fees and we’re not even close to what they charge and permit.”

Kelly and the council focused on the city’s $50 rental fee, which compared to other towns like Sayreville and Woodbridge is very low. Kelly suggested that if the city adopts the fee schedule that there should be an increase in the rental fee.

“Rental fees are currently $50, which is very low,” Kelly said.  “If we are going to adopt the fee schedule we could change the rental fee…at least $75 per unit would be my recommendation and if you want to go to $100 it would be justified.”

Along with an increase in rental fees could come the addition of re-inspection fees. Currently the city of South Amboy does not charge a re-inspection fee, but Councilmen Gross believed instating a flat fee of $100 without re-inspection fees would become an issue if residents constantly required re-inspection.

Kelly explained that at least 50 percent of inspected locations eventually have to be re-inspected and 30 percent of those places are re-inspected more than once. Council President Joseph Connors suggested that they re-write it so the first re-inspection is free and then a charge would be administered for any further inspections.

All council members were in attendance for the business meeting. The next city council meeting will be held next Wednesday, August 20th at 7 p.m.