Paul Humbert Opposes Proposed Property Maintenance Ordinance

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 24, 2026

Paul Humbert Opposes Proposed Property Maintenance Ordinance

Township Committee candidate warns that vague standards could lead to selective enforcement and expanded government intrusion

BERNARDS TOWNSHIP, NJ – Bernards Township has introduced an ordinance to regulate property maintenance on non-residential properties. Before we accept this, a few questions are worth asking.

Why now? Bernards has never had a property maintenance ordinance, because we've never needed one. Where is all this "blight" we're suddenly trying to solve? We don't have an NYC-scale blight problem, so why are we reaching for NYC-style regulatory tools?

This ordinance is presented as a solution to a broad, township-wide problem. But that problem doesn't exist. What does exist is a specific developer who has been pushing for a zoning change and appears to be the actual target here.

A law written broadly but aimed at one party, with just 10 days to fix so-called "blight," starts to look less like policy and more like targeted punishment. Whatever you think of that developer or that zoning fight, using government power to single someone out should concern anyone who wants fair and even-handed government.

And here's the bigger issue: this kind of ordinance relies on vague terms like "blight" and "maintenance." Vague language invites selective enforcement. Code officers rely on personal opinion rather than objective standards, which can lead to individual targeting.

It starts with commercial properties. What stops it from reaching homeowners next? Peeling paint. The "wrong" paint color. Yard decor someone decides is "ugly." Solar panels. Cracked driveways. Grass that's too tall. We've seen this movie before, a few years back it was a push for Historic Districts that would have limited what homeowners could do with their own property. Is Bernards turning into a township-wide HOA?

These types of ordinances give authorities too much power to penalize property owners. Even under the best of circumstances they are difficult to enforce fairly.

You may trust the officials in office today to enforce this fairly. But ordinances outlive administrations. A vague law is a tool that sits on the shelf for whoever holds office years from now, and we won't always know who that is.

One resident said it best at the hearing: "I personally don't like property maintenance ordinances. I think they could be used as a weapon and I'd rather not even see this." I agree.

Bernards doesn't have a blight problem. We shouldn't be creating a blight solution in search of one. I do not support this ordinance.

WHEN YOU VOTE THIS NOVEMBER THINK ABOUT WHICH CANDIDATES WANT MORE REGULATION AND GOVERNMENT IN YOUR LIFE.

If you want less of it, vote for me.

About Paul Humbert

Paul Humbert is a candidate for Bernards Township Committee. His campaign is focused on responsible spending, limited government, protecting Bernards Township’s charm, supporting public safety, and keeping the community affordable. Learn more: www.HumbertForBernards.com