Friday, February 22, 2019
Vol. 79, No. 8
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SERVING PLAINVIEW, HICKSVILLE, AND LEVITTOWN
Default registry to combat zombie homes
SNUGGLE UP FOR READING
Students and teachers came dressed in their pajamas for Dutch Lane School’s annual Snuggle Night. Snuggle Night is designed to reinforce the importance of reading at home. See page 12 Photos courtesy of the Hicksville Public Schools
“Freezin’ for a Reason” in Oyster Bay
The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that residents will have the opportunity to be “Freezin’ for a Reason” and support Special Olympics New York by participating in the 6th Annual Special Olympic New YorkTown of Oyster Bay Polar Plunge on Saturday, March 16. The event will take place at TOBAY Beach with registration starting at 9:30 am and the plunge to begin at 11:30 am.
“Many residents are used to seeing beautiful TOBAY Beach in the middle of the summer, but this event provides an enjoyable and charitable reason to begin the beach season early,” stated Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “Participants will have an opportunity to prove their mettle and their compassion by diving into the chilly waters of TOBAY Beach to raise funds for the athletes of Special Olym-
pics New York.” Each year, Special Olympics New York Polar Plunges are held throughout the state to attract thousands of chilled souls to engage in a commendable and thrilling fundraising event. All funds support Special Olympics New York’s programs and promote awareness of people living with intellectual disabilities in New York See page 7
The Town of Oyster Bay plans to establish a registry of properties in local communities whose mortgages have gone into default. The Town says that this will help it ensure that lending institutions and property owners remain responsible for the maintenance of the properties. Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino said, “This new quality of life initiative will help safeguard our neighborhoods from blighted properties. Thanks to the diligence of the Town’s Quality of Life Task Force and the Town’s Department of Planning & Development, we are continuing to fulfill our promise to protect and preserve our neighborhoods. Banks and lending institutions are now on the hook for upkeep of foreclosed homes and we’ll hold them financially accountable for neglect.” The new code places additional obligations on banks and lending institutions in the event that a property is not being maintained. Once a loan on a house goes into default, the financial lender must notify the Town within 10 days and pay an annual $500 fee as long as the mortgage continues to be in default. Additionally, the lender must supply a property manager to the Town, with whom the Town may communicate in the event that the property does not get appropriately maintained. Councilman Lou Imbroto, co-chair of the Quality of Life Task Force, said, “This new initiative adds an additional layer of protection in ensuring that vacant properties do not become eyesores in our communities. Over the past year, we have strengthened the law to address quality of life concerns caused by dilapidated and vacant homes in our neighborhoods. Furthermore, we are protecting our taxpayers by making sure those responsible for non-maintenance of properties are being held accountable.”
Valentines for Vets at Lee Road School PAGE 10 Fun mock trial at Fork Lane School PAGE 8