But don’t worry, Bill Young will straighten things out.
A reader sent me a link to this story that appeared in nj.com a couple of months ago:
Bayonne Mayor Mark Smith concerned over Port Authority window replacement program
Confusion and controversy have arisen after the Port Authority recently offered a window replacement program as part of their noise mitigation efforts for roughly 100 Bayonne homes affected by the Bayonne Bridge construction project.
On Wednesday, Bayonne Mayor Mark Smith sent out a letter urging residents to be wary of the terms of the program, since it was believed residents would lose any rights to sue. In a statement released by city officials yesterday, Smith was critical of the Port Authority and opposed any release requirements it has put in place.
“Many residents were surprised by the release clause which the owners were required to sign in order to receive the noise mitigation benefit,” Smith said. “The release says in part, that the owner releases the authority and its agents from any claim related to ‘noise, dust and other such nuisances resulting from construction activities.’”
Smith added: “For many months now, the Port Authority has touted their window replacement program as the cornerstone of their Noise Mitigation program, now to require people to release the authority from any and all noise, dust and nuisance claims is too much. Their project is causing these issues and we expect them to be responsible for mitigating these exposures without any cost to our property owners.”
But Port Authority spokesman Chris Valens clarified that the limited release clause applies exclusively to the window replacement program.
“It was never our intent for the contract to cover anything other than the window replacement,” said Valens. “We’re working to clarify and simplify the language.”…………………………
……………………………Lucia Frazier, 66, of Avenue A has been unhappy with the effects the construction has had on the surrounding neighbor hood. She remained resolute, saying she wouldn’t sign any of the recent forms provided by the Port Authority.
“I want to sell my house but with all this, how am I going to?” said Frazier. “I spoke with Bill Young (Port Authority liaison for residents) and he told me I should thank the mayor for letting us keep our houses from the Port Authority.”
A city official disputed the claims that the Port Authority considered purchasing the homes near the Bayonne Bridge construction areas.
Efforts to reach Young after hours were unsuccessful………
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