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Neighbors press Middletown officials over prolonged enforcement at 596 Langhorne‑Yardley Road; solicitor outlines injunction process
Summary
Residents described a lengthy enforcement and safety problem at 596 Langhorne‑Yardley Road and asked why enforcement steps slowed; township solicitor and staff described emergency injunction steps, service difficulties and litigation considerations, and said the township has obtained relief and is pursuing additional violations.
Several residents whose homes abut 596 Langhorne‑Yardley Road pressed the Middletown Board on June 12 for faster action after a year‑long enforcement process.
James Belser (662 Valley View Road) told the board the situation has been “a rather lengthy and very time consuming” experience and said he believed follow‑up after filings had stalled. Belser and other neighbors said they wanted clearer timelines and more frequent communication about next steps.
Township legal staff said the township sought injunctive relief to address immediate hazards and that an emergency preliminary injunction led to removal of part of a fence on the property that day. The solicitor explained that filing for injunctive relief requires comprehensive exhibits and legal strategy, coordination with insurance carriers and handling competing dockets; staff said they are working with constables and the sheriff’s office where defendant service has been difficult.
Residents asked whether past fines and judgments would be negotiated down if the defendant later seeks permits. The solicitor said the township has not agreed to reduce fines and that judgments remain; the solicitor also noted that judgments can be negotiated in litigation but no agreement to do so has occurred. The solicitor said the township obtained an unusually high judgment in one enforcement matter (cited in broad terms by counsel) and that lien and foreclosure remedies are subject to statutory and practical limits.
Neighbors also asked about public safety risks at nearby intersections and requested clearer, written communication about timelines. Township officials reiterated the policy not to discuss litigation strategy in detail but said they would respond to right‑to‑know requests and that legal dockets are public record. Officials said the injunction route was chosen because it offered a more effective remedy in this case and that staff consider both speed and legal sufficiency to obtain enforceable relief.
The exchange left neighbors appreciative of some recent actions (including fence removal under the injunction) but frustrated over perceived slowness and limited written updates while litigation is active.
