Friday, April 5, 2019
Vol. 79, No. 14
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SERVING PLAINVIEW, HICKSVILLE, AND LEVITTOWN
Town demolishes Bethpage “zombie home”
Supervisor Saladino (right) and Councilman Imbroto begin demolition of a zombie home in Bethpage. The Town of Oyster Bay demolished a so-called “zombie home” on Warwick
Place on April 1, with the consent of the homeowner, after a judge allowed
inspectors to access the property last fall. At that time, water was seen coming out of the home due to burst pipes, the Town said. The Town said the property violated many requirements of Town Code. To help combat zombie homes in local communities, the Town Board last year approved a comprehensive package of laws that increase the Town’s ability to seek restitution from property owners and lending institutions in violation of Town Code. These new legislations further allow the Town to recover costs associated with maintenance of vacant properties, and also require that a $25,000 trust account must be established when a home enters into foreclosure. Most recently, the Town approved the creation of a mortgage default registry, which adds an additional layer of protection to its existing provisions for properties in foreclosure and holds lending institutions and property owners responsible for any maintenance required on an abandoned or derelict property. According to the Town’s Code Enforcement Bureau, the Bureau first
inspected the property in July 2017 following complaints from neighbors. While awaiting action from the homeowner, the Town continued to monitor the property and perform cleanups as necessary. Last year, the Town was notified that water was coming out of the home, and it was discovered that pipes burst inside the house. The Town received a judge’s order for permission to access the premises last fall, at which time an interior survey was conducted. The Town’s inspection found the home in very poor condition, with extensive interior damage, rotting floors and walls, mold and mildew, as well as rotting trash throughout. A new builder recently purchased the property and agreed to demolish the dwelling as per the conditions outlined in a stipulation of settlement with the Town. “This home has been an eyesore in this community, and residents can now breathe a sigh of relief that this derelict property has been removed,” Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino stated.
Hicksville business closed because of compliance problems BY GARY SIMEONE
There will be no more bow and arrows at the C&B Archery Center in Hicksville, as the business recently shut its doors after operating in the town for more than a decade. The Town of Oyster Bay helped to spur that decision along after enforcing requirements in 2016 that the business needed to adhere to. “After operating illegally for more than a decade, the company received a special-use permit from the Town Board in 2016,” said Town spokeswoman Marta Kane. “The approval included requirements based on State law to accommodate individuals with disabilities.” The owner of C&B Archery, Ralph Allocco, opened
the business located on Commercial Avenue in Hicksville, in 2006. Allocco said that the cost of the Town’s new compliance rules, which included accommodating people with disabilities, was more than he could afford to pay. “We have done everything that the Town required us to do and now they are asking for more,” said the 71-year-old Allocco. “When I went before the Town Board to approve the archery center, I was under the impression that all was good. Now I cannot afford to do anymore to appease them.” He said other Town codes that were outlined included repaving and striping the parking lot, installing outdoor lighting and adding State required handi-
capped-bathrooms and drinking fountains. The total cost of the additions were between $75,000-$100,000 on a building that he leases. The Archery Center was a popular gathering spot for novices as well as experienced marksmen in the recreational and sometimes competitive sport. The center itself had a main range with 28 shooting lanes and different types of targets including Block and SpyderWeb targets. “I had spent a lot of time there over the years practicing my craft and I’m sorry to see them go,” said a man named Benjamin from Levittown. “It was more than just about using a bow to shoot arrows. It was a social outlet for me and my buddies who came here.”
Town plans beach, harbor cleanup PAGE 3 Teddy Bear Jamboree at Summit Lane PAGE 12