Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Development Construction topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents complain Franklin returned escrow money before site work finished; council directs solicitor, staff to press developer
Summary
A resident raised concerns that escrow funds were released to developer Franklin before required site improvements — including dog‑park railings, dumpster gates and curbing — were finished. Council asked its solicitor and staff to contact the developer and try to expedite repairs and directed staff to set a meeting with the parties.
A Brookhaven resident told council during public comment that homeowners at a development are experiencing delays and poor communication after their prior management company returned funds and a new company, Reece Management, had not provided information or coupon books for 2025.
"They are not cooperating with the transition," the resident said, listing unfinished items including paving, curbs, new dumpster gates and a required railing for the dog park. The resident said some escrow money had been released to the developer and asked why more funds were paid out before inspections and repairs were complete.
Council members and borough staff responded that public improvement escrow is intended to secure completion of site improvements and that inspection reports by Catania Engineering found the work complete per the land‑development agreement, which prompted the partial release of escrow. Councilman Catania said a remaining holdback — which staff estimated at roughly $20,000 — was in place for outstanding items.
Solicitor and staff recommended sending a formal notice to the developer under the terms of the public improvement agreement, giving set days to cure deficiencies and authorizing the borough to perform work and deduct costs from the funds if the developer does not comply. Council agreed to attempt direct contact with the developer and to hold a meeting next Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the council room to press for action.
Why it matters: The dispute affects homeowners' ability to get repairs completed and could require borough enforcement action if the developer does not complete required work. Council said it will pursue legal notice and further inspections when warranted.
"That is not the purpose. That is not the contractual purpose of the public improvement escrow monies," the solicitor said at the meeting, describing escrow as payment to ensure site improvements were completed per specifications.
