Oxford Township Committee approves package of resolutions including multiple tax-certificate redemptions and redevelopment designation

Oxford Township’s Committee on Dec. 4 approved a package of routine and substantive measures, voting unanimously on a series of resolutions that included multiple tax-certificate redemptions, a minor subdivision filing for township-owned property, a redevelopment determination for a municipal parcel and a small budget transfer.

The committee authorized payments to clear outstanding tax-sale certificates held by Changsheng Lu: Resolution 2024‑139 approved $4,985.48 to redeem Certificate #23‑00002 (7 Renner’s Road, Block 1.02 Lot 12); Resolution 2024‑140 approved $3,578.49 to redeem Certificate #24‑00008 (81 Washington Avenue, Block 5 Lot 8); Resolution 2024‑141 approved $379.84 to redeem Certificate #24‑00039 (24 Axford Avenue, Block 37 Lot 5); Resolution 2024‑142 authorized $2,254.07 to redeem Certificate #24‑00002 (88 Mine Hill Road, Block 1.01 Lot 47); and Resolution 2024‑143 approved $2,701.74 to redeem Certificate #24‑00017 (12 Bush Street, Block 25 Lot 41). Each resolution instructs the Tax Collector to cancel the related lien from township records. The motions were moved by Committee member Georgette Miller, seconded by Linda Koufodontes, and passed by a roll‑call vote of 3–0.

(Note on the record: the resolution text for 2024‑142 lists the redemption amount as $854.07 and a premium of $1,400.00, which together equal the authorized check of $2,254.07; the meeting minutes contain a typographical repetition of the $2,254.07 figure in the certificate line.)

The committee also approved Resolution 2024‑144 directing the township attorney to file and record a minor subdivision deed for a municipal parcel (Block 1.01 Lot 3.03) to create two lots identified as Lot 3.04 and Lot 3.06; Mayor Gerald Norton noted the property is town‑owned and will be split. Resolution 2024‑146 designates Block 25 Lot 57 (cited as 153 Mt. Pisgah) as an area in need of redevelopment under the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law; the designation is a Non‑Condemnation Redevelopment Area and will be forwarded to the state Commissioner of Community Affairs for review.

On fiscal matters, Resolution 2024‑147 authorized inter‑budget transfers totaling $5,500 across several line items (municipal clerk wages, engineering, planning board expenses, gasoline and related wages) as permitted during the municipality’s final two months of the fiscal year. Resolution 2024‑148 authorized a $1,572.00 reimbursement from township fund balance to a third‑party lienholder to cover reduced legal fees after a 2021 redemption check had been issued to the wrong lienholder; Mayor Norton described the action as correcting a township error.

Votes at a glance

- Res. 2024‑139 (Tax redemption — 7 Renner’s Road): Passed, Ayes 3–0 (Mover: Georgette Miller; Second: Linda Koufodontes). - Res. 2024‑140 (Tax redemption — 81 Washington Ave): Passed, Ayes 3–0. - Res. 2024‑141 (Tax redemption — 24 Axford Ave): Passed, Ayes 3–0. - Res. 2024‑142 (Tax redemption — 88 Mine Hill Rd): Passed, Ayes 3–0. - Res. 2024‑143 (Tax redemption — 12 Bush St): Passed, Ayes 3–0. - Res. 2024‑144 (Minor subdivision deed — Bl. 1.01 Lot 3.03): Passed, Ayes 3–0. - Res. 2024‑146 (Area in need of redevelopment — Bl. 25 Lot 57): Passed, Ayes 3–0. - Res. 2024‑147 (Budget transfers): Passed, Ayes 3–0. - Res. 2024‑148 (Reimburse lienholder legal fees): Passed, Ayes 3–0.

What it means

Township officials said the redemptions will clear tax‑sale liens and restore clear title status for the listed properties. The redevelopment designation for Block 25 Lot 57 starts a formal local process and triggers state review; the committee explicitly authorized use of redevelopment powers except eminent domain (a non‑condemnation designation). The minor subdivision will split a municipal parcel into two lots as previously approved by the Land Use Board. The approved budget transfers and the lienholder reimbursement are administrative steps the committee said were needed to correct records and align appropriations.

Next steps and records

The clerk certified each adopted resolution; the Tax Collector was authorized to remove liens where specified; the subdivision deed filing will be handled by the Township Attorney. The redevelopment determination proceeds to the state Commissioner of Community Affairs for review, and the committee’s action will not take effect until any required state review period is satisfied.