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Quinton committee refers slaughterhouse odor, septic collapse and possible shelter to health and planning officials; proposes booster club for fire company
Summary
Committee referred several housing and zoning complaints—including an alleged slaughterhouse selling meat on Rt. 49, septic collapse from illegal dumping on Telegraph Road, and a report of a potential homeless shelter at 41 New Bridge Road—to the Planning Board, Housing/Zoning Officer and County Health Department; Solicitor advised on nonprofit booster-club formation and cautioned about donated services.
Quinton Township officials used the Jan. 21 work session to coordinate responses to multiple housing and health concerns and to consider routine operational requests.
Mayor Joseph Hannagan asked the clerk to schedule a review with Housing/Zoning Officer Robert Schmid about a sunken stormwater grate and broken pipes near 108 Waterworks Road and to refer several complaints on Route 49—allegations that a slaughterhouse was selling meat to the public and causing an odor, and an apparent heavy-equipment business relocated from Jericho Road—to the Planning Board and County Health Department for investigation.
Committee members also discussed a report of illegal dumping and equipment parked on a septic system at 160 Telegraph Road, which the Housing/Zoning Officer previously inspected in 2023; that earlier violation notice was returned as undeliverable and the property is not on the clerk’s vacant-property list. Solicitor Jacqueline Vigilante recommended involving the County Health Department because the septic system may have been compromised and suggested checking tax-payment status to consider placing a lien and potentially foreclosing to remediate the hazard.
Residents told the committee that the owner of 41 New Bridge Road appears to be preparing the property to operate a homeless shelter. Housing/Zoning Officer Schmid said the lot is a nonconforming lot in the PBR district and cited ordinance 170-23A(9), which permits certain community residences; Solicitor Vigilante said she would review whether a homeless shelter falls under that provision.
On municipal operations, Deputy Mayor James Smith proposed forming a "Booster Club" so the Fire Company/Recreation Committee could establish a 501(c)(3) to accept donations and host fundraisers. Solicitor Vigilante said the idea could be pursued but township resources cannot be used to create the nonprofit and cautioned that donated services should be limited to minimal repairs from licensed and insured individuals. "If the individual is licensed and insured and the repair is minimal it would be ok," she said.
The road department reported multiple maintenance needs and requested replacement of a heavy overhead garage door; the department offered to pick up and install a replacement if the township covers only the cost of the door. Mayor Hannagan asked the department to obtain three quotes for the replacement.
Public commenter D. Perry asked whether the Fire Company needs to assist with the Feb. 7 rabies clinic; staff confirmed tables, chairs and equipment arrangements and said the Triple Combination Pumper had been ordered.
Next steps: referrals to the Planning Board and County Health Department, solicitor review of ordinance 170-23A(9), tax-collector follow-up on delinquent properties and three quotes for the overhead door; no enforcement action taken at the meeting.
