Further demonstrating the Town’s commitment to protecting quality of life in local communities, Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Councilman Louis Imbroto and Town Clerk James Altadonna Jr. joined local residents in celebrating the demolition of an abandoned home in Farmingdale. The Supervisor and Town officials were joined by several neighbors and new homeowner Phil Schupler, whose company P&G Home Builders Corp. began demolition on the property earlier in the day.
“This home has been an eyesore in this community for too long, as residents in this neighborhood had to deal with this blight for 12 long years,” Supervisor Saladino stated. “When this administration first took office just 17 months ago, we pledged to protect and preserve the quality of life of our residents. Today we continue to demonstrate that we keep our promises. Our residents should not have to bear the burden of having derelict properties on their streets.”
Earlier this year, the Town Board approved a comprehensive package of laws to combat zombie homes and fine property owners and lending institutions in violation of Town Code. The new legislation further allows the Town to recoup costs associated with Town maintenance of vacant properties.
The home demolished in Farmingdale stood vacant for over a decade and had multiple non-maintenance complaints. Additionally, the Town’s Highway Department performed over a dozen property cleanups due to the rampant overgrowth of grass, bushes and weeds. Costs of these cleans were subsequently placed on the county tax rolls. In response to resident complaints, the Town also boarded the property to prevent potential hazards such as illegal squatters and wildlife.
“Each home has its own set of unique circumstances that gets it to this point,” Supervisor Saladino added. “Most recently, the Town took legal action in Supreme Court against the absentee landlord – resulting in the sale of this home. Now, thanks to the commitment of the new owner, this longtime blight will become a beautiful new home in this community.”
Councilman Imbroto stated, “I am very proud to be the co-chair of the Town’s Quality of Life Taskforce, whose efforts brought forward the actions we are taking today. We have been reviewing concerns our residents have submitted to the Town’s Code Enforcement Bureau for lack of maintenance on various properties, and our new legislation allows us to go after these properties and cleanup these eyesores in our communities.”
Town Clerk Altadonna Jr. said, “We are proud to work with local citizens and civic associations to identify properties that are impacting the quality of our neighborhoods. Together, we are taking back our Town by addressing code violations, strengthening laws and cleaning up dilapidated and abandoned properties.”