User:Helpmeplease

I as a homeowner am going through the impossible task of getting a variance to construct a pool in my backyard. This process is more than a little frustrating. I am going for this variance due to the fact that the property is small because this was approved by the town when a major contractor subdivided the property. Also my pool would be too close to the stairs on my deck if I didn't reduce the setbacks. This seems pretty simple, but not since this process is created for contractors that subdivide property instead of as they call it "SIMPLE" Variance. I have spent numerous hours on this including sending out certified letters to 40 neighbors, putting an ad in the courier news, making 20 copies of about 40 sheets of nonsense required by the town.

I put down a $350 escrow and now that escrow has been depleted and they are looking for $525 more. Why do they create an escrow if it is not even in the ballpark? It seems that everybody gets a piece for nonsense. I basically get a bill a week and have no say on what is going on. I was never told how much this will truly cost me and still can't get any answers. I receive the bill after the supposive service was performed. The word corruption comes to mind considering some of the township employees double dip. Meaning they work for the town as well as the outsourced agency. Call the outsoucing agencies and they don't call you back because there is no accountability. Call the town and they say to call the agency.

This process I can understand if it was for the well being of the residents. I am only putting in a pool and it actually helps the town by increasing property value. I am very frustrated and can't get any answers.....

When I talk to individuals the majority agree with me, but throw their hands up and say there is nothing that they can do. I know other residents that have similar problems with the town and mostly caused by the outsourcing. I am not sure why our taxes keep rising if we don't even have a staff to resolve these simple issues.