Crime & Safety

Housing Violations Case Headed for Trial

The owner of a multi-family home on Park Avenue that was destroyed by a fire in November was issued a summons.

The owner of a Park Avenue home that was destroyed by a fire in November is expected to stand trial for alleged housing violations at the multi-family residence.

David Chiarolanzio and his attorney, Samuel DeAngelis, appeared as scheduled in Madison Joint Municipal Court Wednesday evening along with environmental health specialist Tamica Trotman of the Madison Health Department, who issued the summons in the case.

DeAngelis told Judge Gary F. Troxell they were "far apart" in resolving the case on their own.

Find out what's happening in Madisonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The judge said he was not sure if the trial would be March 20 or another day.

Chiarolanzio was issued the summons Dec. 17 for allegedly violating sections of the borough code outlining housing standards. He is charged with having tenants living in "unfit dwellings" that did not conform to the New Jersey State Housing Code, and with not properly registering rental properties with the borough.

Find out what's happening in Madisonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The alleged issues came to the attention of borough officials when they responded to the fire the month before.

Anyone found guilty of violating any of Madison's housing standards can face, at the discretion of the judge, a fine not to exceed $2,000, up to 90 days in jail, or community service for each offense.

The house was torn down in January, allowing investigators to complete their investigation of the fire's cause. The Nov. 17 blaze was ruled accidental and is believed to have started in a basement utility room around a furnace or chimney.

Madison firefighters rescued a woman and her dog from a second-floor apartment in the home. The resident was evaluated at a hospital for smoke inhalation and released the same day.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.