Council seeks answers on baffling bond issue BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer MARLBORO- A paperwork snafu regarding a developer's performance bonds that should have been released in 2002 for the Centex Homes project at Highland Pointe (Marlboro Pointe) was not quickly remedied as residents came forth to speak against the bonds' release at the April 24 Township Council meeting. According to a resolution that was scheduled to be voted on that evening, the original performance bonds were issued for Calton Homes, the original developer of Marlboro Pointe, off Station Road. Centex Homes acquired the development in 1999 and the original performance bonds were replaced. Performance bonds are posted by the developer of a property while construction on a project is continuing. The bonds guarantee that the project will be completed as approved by the municipality, or the town may use the funds to complete the work that was left undone. The performance bonds are released to the developer after the project has been completed to the municipality's satisfaction. Former council members passed a resolution to release the original performance bonds in 2002, however, the numbers were incorrect and the replacement numbers were needed. The Marlboro Pointe project was completed and reports had been received from Centex Homes' engineer and the former township engineer dated 2002 recommending the release of the performance guarantees. However, Tom Corrado, of Station Road, came forward during the Citizens Voice portion of the council meeting to speak against the release of the bonds. He cited problems of flooding and other issues occurring to his home and his neighbors' homes as a result of the development. Attorney,Matthew Ceres, representing Centex Homes, was present that evening and said his client is seeking the correct numbers of the performance bonds. After hearing the concerns of the residents, Ceres said he was authorized by Centex Homes to collect their contact information and said the company would reach out to them. Council President Jeff Cantor asked Ceres if he was guaranteeing that Centex Homes would be reaching out to address the issues being presented. When Ceres said the individuals would be contacted, Councilman Frank LaRocca asked if the flooding issues would be addressed, to which Ceres said he could not say." I can agree that they are willing to work with them, I can't tell you exactly what they are willing to do," Ceres told LaRocca. Councilwoman Randi Marder said she understood the matter was a paperwork error, but was concerned about the problems residents in the area of theMarlboro Pointe development are facing. Corrado had a large file filled with paperwork related to the project dating back to 1996. Patricia Korabiak, of Crine Road, spoke out and noted items on the plans for the development that were never completed. Cantor asked Korabiak, using her expertise as an environmental commissioner, if there could be a relationship between the flooding issues and the Centex Homes development. "Absolutely. I've lived in the township for 25 years; I go past Tom's (Corrado) house three to four times a day. Now it's impassable," Korabiak told the council. Expressing the understanding that the present situation regarding the performance bonds was an administrative snafu, Cantor said he believes something must be done. "The issue is that we have residents we represent who experience adverse effects," in relation to the homes, Cantor said. Township Attorney Ronald Gordon said because a previous administration approved the release of the developer's performance bonds, there were not many options for the council on the matter. Marder said she would like to see Centex Homes at least complete the items that had been promised. Township Engineer Ernest Peters said his office reviewed the documents from the original approval, but he had not gone out to the site to inspect the property. Cantor made a motion to table the resolution regarding the release of the performance bonds until the council'sMay 15 meeting so that more investigation could be done on the matter. The council approved the motion to table the resolution.