Council approves changes to abandoned-property ordinance procedure; shifts notice tasks to clerk's office

The Township of Washington council on July 14 reviewed amendments to the local abandoned-property ordinance that assign more operational responsibility for required notices to the township clerk's office while keeping the public officer (the code official) formally responsible for enforcement. Council counsel explained the change as a practical fix to ensure statutory notices and registration requirements are sent and recorded correctly. "What the way I've said it is I've kept the public officer responsible, but shall cause township clerk to send notice," the presenter said, noting that the clerk's office is better equipped to process certified mailings and maintain records that a court would expect in an enforcement action. The draft also clarifies that registration statements required of owners of abandoned properties must follow forms promulgated by the public officer and processed through the clerk. Council members asked whether mailing costs handled by the clerk would be recoverable; counsel confirmed fees and costs remain chargeable back to the property owner under existing provisions. The council agreed to place the revised text on a future agenda for formal introduction and adoption after minor technical edits and to ensure consistency with the state's change to publication rules effective March 1, 2026.

Why it matters: The procedural edits are intended to improve the township's ability to satisfy statutory notice requirements and thereby strengthen the enforceability of abandoned-property remedies.