City Council is seeking to recoup almost $80,000 for costs associated with the demolition and cleanup of a Broad Street home.

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The governing body approved a resolution (AR-243-21) on Monday night ratifying and confirming a property lien to recover $79,563.94 incurred for the demolition and cleanup costs of 916 Broad St.

An order to repair or demolish dated February 28, 2020 stated that if the property owner did not repair or demolish the property by May 1, 2020, the city could demolish the property and be reimbursed for all costs incurred with the demolition, according to the resolution. The owner did not comply with the issued and recorded order as of Aug. 3, 2020, according to the original resolution.

In October 2020, City Council awarded a nearly $25,000 contract for the demolition of the home at the corner of Broad and West Albert streets, which had been deemed “unfit for human habitation, occupancy and/or use.” East Hanover-based Caravella Demolition, Inc. was the lowest of three quotes last year for the demolition work, which included “demolition and disposal of the existing structure, and restoration to the disturbed areas.”

The property (Block 82, Lot 1) is assessed in 2021 for $47,000, which generates a property tax bill of about $3,267, according to property records. The property previously had a tax bill of $6,382 based on an assessment of $97,000 when the single-family home was still standing.

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