Farmingville, NY - On March 3, Supervisor Ed Romaine (left) and Councilman Dan Panico (right) attended the demolition of two long-abandoned “zombie houses” located next door to each other at 39 Cedar Road (left) and 103 Orchid Drive (right). The houses were vacant for many years and had become occupied by squatters at various times, generating complaints from residents in the neighborhood. Both houses were demolished in accordance with Chapter 73 of the Town Code that provides a “fast track” to rid neighborhoods of unsafe structures. The cost of demolition and debris removal is the responsibility of the property owner, and the Town places a lien on the property that is then placed on the tax bill. Suffolk County reimburses the Town and then collects the money from the property owner.
Supervisor Ed Romaine said, “I commend Councilman Panico for his determination to remove both of these dangerous eyesores from the neighborhood. We continue to demolish zombie houses and I warn any negligent property owners that we will not tolerate dilapidated and unsafe houses anywhere in the Town of Brookhaven.”
Councilman Panico said, “The houses at 39 Cedar Road and 103 Orchid Drive will no longer cast a shadow on the community. There are now two less vacant, boarded and vandalized properties in Mastic Beach. We will continue to demolish similar homes until there are no more.”
Division of Public Information * Office of the Supervisor
One Independence Hill • Farmingville • NY 11738 • Phone 631-451-6595