Politics & Government

Township to Offer Project Amnesty Program

Program will star Jan. 1

In an effort to ensure all construction projects done in the town are up to code, Township Manager Helene Schlegel announced on Tuesday that an amnesty program will be implemented at the start of the new year. 

Schlegel said those residents who take advantage of the program will not have to pay a penalty fee for "building permits for undocumented construction." The program will run from Jan. 1, 2012 until the end of February. "Applicable codes at the time of construction will be used for all inspections," she said. 

In addition to those circumstances, Schlegel said the amnesty will also apply to residents who may have applied for permits but did not have the follow up inspections done. She added that this is particularly important to those residents who hire outside contractors to do their work. "The current property owner is responsible for bringing the property or the project into compliance," she said. 

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Residents who had work done but not the inspections are encouraged to contact their contractors and have the permits reinstated so they can be applied to the amnesty project. 

The driving force behind the program, she said, was to ensure the safety of the residents who have undertaken these projects. "We want to make sure that projects are done correctly," she said. "If someone has done a project and did not get a permit you have the opportunity to come in and there will be no penalty for the permit."

Find out what's happening in Howellwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In addition to helping to ensure the safety of the residents, Schlegel said having proper documentation can also help those home and business owners looking to eventually put their property on the market. "If you're selling your home or refinancing many banks are requiring copies of certificates of any work completed so these things are going to come up," she said. 

Among a few of the examples of projects Schlegel pointed to as needing permits or inspections are sheds, additions to property, remodeling jobs as well as roofing and siding. "We would like everyone to come in and make sure if you didn't do it with a permit, make sure that you come in and there will be no penalty," she said. "We just want to make sure that it's done right and for your health that everything is safe."



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