MOUNT CARMEL - A new landlord fee being proposed by Councilman Joseph Lapotsky brought much criticism from at least two dozen landlords Monday night at the Mount Carmel Borough workshop meeting.
Dr. Raphael Adinolfi, of 110 N. Maple St., called any new fees for landlords "nonsense" and "just plain stupid."
In fact, he told the council during approximately 80 minutes worth of discussion in a crowd of 32 individuals, "We are the ones fighting blight!"
Adinolfi, 69, who moved to the borough from Brooklyn 12 years ago, is the owner of 20 units in Mount Carmel, said landlords who buy properties and fix them up should be rewarded. "We should get a $50 grant for every house we take on," he said.
Following the meeting, Adinolfi also called the proposal "counter-productive" and "a personal vendetta" against landlords.
Lapotsky's idea is to charge landlords an annual $25 fee per unit instead of keeping a flat registration fee of $100, which would allow a more "fair and equitable" system for landlords with one property compared to landlords with multiple properties. He also said the change could help punish landlords who are perpetuating blighted properties.
"It was never my intention to rip anybody off or deceive anyone. I'm not here to hurt landlords. I'm not here to hurt tenants," he said.
He said Councilman Clem Plisiewicz, who is also a landlord of four properties in the borough, is one of his best friends and he recognizes the model landlords such as David Fantini, who was at the meeting, but, "$25 was not going to hurt anyone."
Fantini said it was not fair to charge the $100 fee, but also said it wasn't fair to say the fees are to clean up the town.
"It is not the responsibility of landlords to pay for the blight issue. It is the whole community," he said.
It was previously reported by Code Enforcement Officer Robin Williams there were approximately 150 landlords in the borough, but Councilman Robert Shirmer had an updated list that was closer to 300.
His list cross referenced a list from the sewer authority, he said.
Landlord John McGee said he could live with a new fee if Lapotsky compromised and got rid of the inspection fees. Landlord Jeff Costello agreed, saying one or the other would be agreeable.
"We're all upset because we're getting picked on for every little thing. What's next?" Landlord Mike Magennis said.
Both Fantini and Adinolfi suggested that Williams needed more help with the code enforcement issues because he is being overwhelmed with problem landlords.
"You (the council) are ineffective. To a New Yorker, it just looks stupid," Adinolfi said.
President Tony Matulewicz reminded the public that no vote could be taken during the workshop meeting.
Lapotsky said he plans to make a motion Thursday night to adopt the new fee, but he doesn't expect to get a second.