The following is a brief summary of major pending litigation:
1. ABRASIVE DISTRIBUTORS V. TEANECK - In this zoning case, the former owner of property on the corner of Cedar Lane and Palisades Avenue (including the site of a very large and old oak tree) sued Teaneck claiming that Teaneck had made it difficult for it to sell its property at a reasonable price, by, among other things attempting to declare the oak tree an historic site, and dissuading purchasers from buying the property. Teaneck denied these claims and the case is currently in the discovery stage. Trial is expected in late 1998 or in early 1999.
2. MERIDIAN CONSTRUCTION V. TEANECK - The general contractor for the recently completed Police Department building commenced arbitration proceedings to collect $28,121.52, the balance claimed due it under its contract. Teaneck objected to paying the general contractor because the building has had many leaks causing substantial water damage. As a result, Teaneck counterclaimed for its own damages of $111,500.00. The case is currently undergoing a series of arbitration hearings by an arbitrator appointed by the American Arbitration Association, and a decision is expected by the summer of 1998.
3. THE COURTS OF GLENPOINTE V. TEANECK AND UNIVISION - The Plaintiff sued to enjoin Univision (a radio station tenant at the Glenpointe office complex) from constructing an emergency generator. Teaneck was brought into the case because of a claim that its Construction Official improperly granted a permit to construct the generator. Because of other disputes between the Plaintiff and Univision this case is moving very slowly at present. It is too early to tell which direction this case will take or when trial will take place.
4. MULDER V. TEANECK - This is a zoning case in which a challenge has been made to the validity of Teaneck's Ordinance governing affordable housing. The Plaintiff constructed a building without the required set aside of affordable units. This is a new case; discovery will commence soon; and trial is not expected for at least a year.
5. VARIOUS SELF-INSURANCE FUND CASES. Since Teaneck is self-insured for .most accident cases (other than automobile, liability) we defend claims involving damages claimed to have been caused on our streets, parks, and other public property. At the end of the year there were 19 such cases being defended by the Township Attorney
6. VARIOUS STATE TAX COURT APPEALS. There are numerous State Tax Court Appeals - 23 at the year's end. Most of these involve commercial or industrial properties and the aggregate of the values in suit is substantial. Seven of the cases are by institutions requesting exemption from all real estate taxes. On each of these cases the Township has served or will serve written Interrogatories in order to obtain the information and documents needed to properly prepare for trial. Several of the cases are scheduled for trial in May and June of 1998.
7. VARIOUS CONSTRUCTION CASES. From time to time, when residents seriously violate Building Department regulations, it is necessary to take them to Teaneck Municipal Court to try and obtain compliance with the law. Teaneck is mainly concerned with having the violations removed and the unsafe conditions cleared up, but the law provides penalties and the fines for noncompliance can be quite high. In the event that compliance and payment of fines is not made, Teaneck has the option of enforcement in the Superior Court. These cases concern the failure on the part of the homeowners to obtain certificates of occupancy, building permits for extensions, required inspections, etc.
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