Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Government topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Mayor, township attorney say legal and enforcement steps could limit new placements at Hanover hotels
Summary
Hanover Township officials described a multiagency push — including updated hotel licensing, federal and state meetings, and pending litigation — aimed at reducing new placements at local hotels and securing rehousing for families placed in temporary lodging.
Town officials told the Hanover Township Board of Education and the public that they are pursuing legal and administrative steps intended to curb new placements of families into local hotels and motels.
Board president invited Mayor Gallagher to speak, and the mayor described meetings with the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), the Department of Education and state lawmakers to coordinate rehousing vouchers and placement plans. "We're working with the DCA now for 74 days, seven days a week," he said, describing DCA satellite‑office activity and efforts to rehouse families placed in facilities he said were not fit for long‑term stay.
Township attorney Fred told the gathering the township updated a hotel registration and licensing ordinance and has been enforcing it; he said the township moved litigation over a hotel owner into federal district court and has issued notices of violation. Fred said the township is "on the cusp" of obtaining a consent order or a cease‑and‑desist to stop further placements and asked stakeholders to allow 10–15 days for that process to play out.
The attorney also said the township is examining zoning controls and other enforcement tools. "Not only the hotel licensing aspect, but we've now looked even closer at the zoning aspect of this as well," he said, adding that the municipality has issued notices of violation and is prepared for further litigation if necessary.
Municipal officials and board members agreed to continue data‑sharing and coordination; the attorney suggested exploring mandates counsel review for possible legal relief for unfunded mandates tied to handling displaced students. The mayor and attorney both stressed that rehousing placed families quickly is the preferred outcome but said enforcement and legal tools are part of a parallel strategy to stop additional backfilling of hotels while placements are being resolved.
