Justice Comes Slowly in Cromwell Court Dispute

If years of service in the New Jersey State Police taught West Deptford Mayor Ray Chintall anything, it’s that justice doesn’t happen overnight.

So as Chintall watched from the back of the courtroom Thursday morning, he wasn’t surprised , dating back to the property’s condemnation last summer, as to what should happen with the now-partially demolished home at 113 Cromwell Court.

“That’s our judicial system,” Chintall said. “Sometimes things don’t happen as fast as you wish.”

While he wouldn’t comment too deeply into the legal tornado that has swirled around the home this year, from to the current situation in Superior Court, Chintall said he had hoped to walk out of the courtroom Thursday with some kind of resolution for the residents, who have had to live with a growing debris field and a half-wrecked home on the block since February.

“I’m very empathetic to the people who live on Cromwell Court,” he said. “My primary concern…is the health and welfare of our residents.”

Given McCaffrey’s request to see the property, as well as hear testimony directly from the experts involved in the situation, Chintall said it’s understandable an immediate resolution wasn’t in the offing.

Chintall added that it’s in everyone’s best interest—from the court to plaintiff Michael Crowley to the township—to see a thorough treatment of the case, so there aren’t any question marks at the end.

“Mr. Crowley’s entitled to his day in court, after all,” he said.