Neighbor complains about delay in dealing with fire damaged boro house

MILFORD — A June 9, 2009 fire severely damaged the multiple family dwelling at 501 James Street, belonging to Gabriela and Michael Arizan. The house remains much as was after the fire today as the Arizans are disputing the insurance settlement. Neighbor Janet Jones, saying the house is a health hazard, as well as an eyesore, earlier this month asked the borough council to intervene and move things along. She said her family and others still smell the charred building every day. She said the property’s fencing was destroyed during the fire and now the empty building is visited by youths and animals. “If I wanted to sell my house, who would buy it?” she asked. The Arizans coincidentally wrote a Sept. 8 letter detailing the $114,000 dispute. At the advice of counsel, they don’t want to demolish or remove items before a settlement. “We do share the concern of the Borough... and will try to solve it in a satisfactory timeframe. However... it is not entirely dependent on us.” Borough Council President Matt Osterberg said he understood Jones’ concerns and the council discussed new fencing, but he added, “We don’t want to get in the middle of this and have these people lose $114,000.”