Farmingville, NY – On July 10, Councilwoman Jane Bonner (left) joined neighborhood residents Kristin Scharf (right) and her son Cian as the Town demolished an abandoned foundation located at 8 Upton Drive in Sound Beach. The foundation was left open since a fire destroyed the house in 2010. It was the source of resident complaints leading to numerous Town of Brookhaven housing code violations. The foundation was demolished, by the Town’s Department of Recycling and Sustainable Materials Management in accordance with Chapter 73 of the Town Code which provides a “fast track” to rid neighborhoods of unsafe structures. The cost of demolition, debris removal and backfilling is the responsibility of the property owner, and the Town places a lien on the property that is then placed on the tax bill. The County reimburses the Town and then they collect the money from the property owner.
Councilwoman Bonner said, “This is the first open foundation that the Town has demolished in my district, but it was just as dangerous as a dilapidated house. I commend our Law Department and the Department of Recycling and Sustainable Materials Management for their efforts to remove this eyesore and help make Upton Drive a better place to live.”
Residents who want to report an abandoned house or open foundation in their neighborhood should call 631-451-TOWN (8696) or go to www.Brookhavenny.gov.
Division of Public Information * Office of the Supervisor
One Independence Hill • Farmingville • NY 11738 • Phone 631-451-6595