Residents seek help with apartments
Tell twp. officials of deterioration at So. Bruns. complex
BY MELISSA CIFELLI
Staff Writer

PHOTOS BY MIGUEL JUAREZ staff Lack of maintenance has allowed vines to grow on the sheds of several homes at the apartments. At left, tenant Ellen Liggon points at mold growing on the rear of several residences at the Deans Apartments on Blackhorse Lane in South Brunswick.

It’s more than just a leaky roof. Residents of Deans Apartments, located on Black Horse Lane in South Brunswick, appealed to the Township Council last week for help with what they say are deteriorating living conditions.

The apartments, maintained by Lower County Management of N.J., based out of Sicklerville, are moderate-income housing with 40 units.

Within the last five to six years, according to resident Ellen Liggon, conditions at the apartments have gone downhill. A tenant at the apartments for 20 years, she said appliances, lighting, siding, roadways and the playground are all in dire need of repair.

Residents have tried for several years to reach out to management and have petitioned the owner to make changes, but with no results, according to Liggon. Liggon said she had also reached out to Mayor Frank Gambatese and township officials last year, but again with no results.

“Nobody is helping us,” Liggon said. “Why do we have to live this way?”

According to Liggon, the repairs needed range from simple to major problems. Appliances, such as air conditioners, are old and frequently break down; mold is growing on several apartments; some outside lights don’t work; sidewalks and parking lots need repaving; and the children’s playground equipment is broken or missing.

Since the meeting, Liggon said she had been contacted by Assemblyman Bill Baroni (R-Middlesex/Mercer), who has requested that tenants fax over lists of problems or needed repairs. But despite the new attention, Liggon said she is still wary that any changes will be made.

“I’m not holding my breath,” Liggon said.

At least people are listening now, Liggon said, which is something she feels good about.

“I just don’t know what’s going to happen,” she said.

The complex’s management and owners had stopped caring about the complex, a long time ago, Liggon said. Liggon said she has been told the repairs are not being made because of a lack of money. But tenants, according to Liggon, continue to get rent increases without repairs.

“Someone needs to care,” she said.

Sharon Barton, maintenance coordinator for Lower County Management of NJ, said a maintenance man and site manager have been sent to the apartments and have begun to schedule repairs. The maintenance office will have a staff member who will handle resident’s requests for repairs, she said.

According to Barton, the apartments had been in bad shape when the Lower County Management took over several years ago.

According to Liggon, the majority of residents at Deans Apartments are single parents, working hard to make ends meet. Liggon, herself is a single mom with a son in college. Liggon also said tenants might be fearful of possible repercussions down the road if they complain about conditions at the apartment.

“We’re all in the same boat,” Liggon said, and residents should not be treated differently because of their income.

To follow through with her commitment to see changes made, Liggon said she will keep in touch with Baroni and township officials, and will ask residents to report on any repairs completed.

“I don’t expect any overnight solution,” Liggon said.

As a result of residents’ appearance before the council, Manager Matthew Watkins said the township will pursue the situation aggressively.

“There is the potential for a lot of changes,” Watkins said.

Already, a special smoke alarm was installed for a hearing-impaired couple last week.

According to South Brunswick Public Affairs Coordinator Ron Schmalz, both fire safety and health officials have been at the apartments following up on issues such as mold, unscreened trash receptacles and lighting. The management had been issued violations for lighting previously, according to Schmalz.

Schmalz said the township is trying to work out problems with the management, who he said have been receptive.

Barton said she did not have a timeline as to when all repairs will be made as some, like exposed wiring, are quite extensive.

“We’ll start chipping away and start getting this done,” Barton said.

An update on the progress of the situation will be on the council’s agenda at its next meeting.

Liggon, however, said she is has not been impressed yet with the attention being paid to apartment’s problems.

“Talk is cheap. Let’s see if action gets taken,” Liggon said.

Violations, according to Liggon, do not matter if nobody is made accountable or repairs are not made. As of now, Liggon is waiting on repairs, and plans to keep the pressure for changes.

“I’m a squeaky wheel. I’m not going away,” she said.

“I’m not holding my breath,” Liggon said.

At least people are listening now, Liggon said, which is something she feels good about.

“I just don’t know what’s going to happen,” she said.

The complex’s management and owners had stopped caring about the complex, a long time ago, Liggon said. Liggon said she has been told the repairs are not being made because of a lack of money. But tenants, according to Liggon, continue to get rent increases without repairs.

“Someone needs to care,” she said.

Sharon Barton, maintenance coordinator for Lower County Management of N.J., said a maintenance man and site manager have been sent to the apartments and have begun to schedule repairs. The maintenance office will have a staff member who will handle resident’s requests for repairs, she said.

According to Barton, the apartments had been in bad shape when the Lower County Management took over several years ago.

According to Liggon, the majority of residents at Deans Apartments are single parents, working hard to make ends meet. Liggon, herself is a single mom with a son in college. Liggon also said tenants might be fearful of possible repercussions down the road if they complain about conditions at the apartment.

“We’re all in the same boat,” Liggon said, and residents should not be treated differently because of their income.

To follow through with her commitment to see changes made, Liggon said she will keep in touch with Baroni and township officials, and will ask residents to report on any repairs completed.

“I don’t expect any overnight solution,” Liggon said.

As a result of residents’ appearance before the council, Manager Matthew Watkins said the township will pursue the situation aggressively.

“There is the potential for a lot of changes,” Watkins said.

Already, a special smoke alarm was installed for a hearing-impaired couple last week.

According to South Brunswick Public Affairs Coordinator Ron Schmalz, both fire safety and health officials have been at the apartments following up on issues such as mold, unscreened trash receptacles and lighting. The management had been issued violations for lighting previously, according to Schmalz.

Schmalz said the township is trying to work out problems with the management, who he said have been receptive.

Barton said she did not have a timeline as to when all repairs will be made as some, like exposed wiring, are quite extensive.

“We’ll start chipping away and start getting this done,” Barton said.

An update on the progress of the situation will be on the council’s agenda at its next meeting.

Liggon, however, said she is has not been impressed yet with the attention being paid to apartment’s problems.

“Talk is cheap. Let’s see if action gets taken,” Liggon said.

Violations, according to Liggon, do not matter if nobody is made accountable or repairs are not made. As of now, Liggon is waiting on repairs, and plans to keep the pressure for changes.

“I’m a squeaky wheel. I’m not going away,” she said.