Published January 5, 2016
By TAP INTO ROSELLE/ROSELLE PARK STAFF

ROSELLE, NJ - Mayor Christine Dansereau and Division Chief Code Enforcement Officer for the borough of Roselle Robert Lawson received an award from the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey for being a leader in addressing vacant and abandoned properties, and restoring them to productive use.

Roselle has maintained a strong joint abandoned and vacant properties ordinance. Local officials engage residents and community leaders throughout the process, asking them to help identify properties in neighborhoods that may be hazardous. Residents are encouraged to contact code enforcement for issues in their area.  

An innovative data collection method for tracking code complaints and violations has been instituted. The borough has generated more than $375,000 in revenue from fees assessed to address vacant properties. Even more importantly, properties that are abandoned are being renovated and restored to productive use in the community.

Photo L-R: Lewis Hurd, Executive Director of Premier CDC in Plainfield; Christine Dansereau, Mayor for the Borough of Roselle; Robert Lawson, Division Chief Code Enforcement Officer for the Borough of Roselle; Staci Berger, President of the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey; Brian Penn, President of Future Systems; Richard Wolff, Code Enforcement Officer for the Borough of Roselle