State law keeps township from accessing money to finish development
Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times
CALN – In their board meeting Thursday night, the township’s Board of Commissioners said that their hands are tied in the Kings Grant situation, thanks to the State Legislature — leaving some 88 residents in a sort of limbo. But, they assured residents — they won’t be left to fend for themselves.
The neighborhood’s developer, Dewey Homes, has not finished the property — which has had residents since 2005 — and the roads have not been dedicated to the township. That means that snow removal and road maintenance falls on the struggling developer — which has already defaulted on a development in Limerick and has earned an “F” rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Many residents of the community have voiced complaints that after purchasing their homes, Dewey, has not finished construction to the roads, dedicated the streets, or maintained the development.
Board President John Contento said that even though it is not the township’s responsibility, he wants to make sure things like snow and sewage are taken care of for residents.
“Caln Township will do whatever we have to do to protect your welfare,” he said.
The township has found an outside contractor to plow the roads, should Dewey’s contractor not do so.
Township Engineer Jeff McClintock clarified some of the information currently circulating, saying that there is no escrow that the township can pull money from in order to finish and dedicate streets.
He said that when Dewey originally laid out plans for the development, they had to take sign an agreement with the bank would provide the township money to complete the project, should Dewey fail to do so.
“We can’t force their hand until there’s negligence or default,” said McClintock.
However, an act passed in 2010 and then extended in 2012 will prevent the township from being able to access this money until 2016. The act was originally meant to help developers through the economic downturn but has been a hassle for Kings Grant residents.
Commissioners said that they would be ready to go to court in July 2016 but cannot do anything until then. Contento said that petitioning the state government could help overturn the permit extension act.
