The Village of Mastic Beach to consider amending Blighted-Homes Law and triple its fines from $2,500.00 to $10,000.00 a year
(Long Island, NY) Blight and abandoned homes have long been a problem on Long Island and the local Village government of Mastic Beach is coming up with impressive ways to combat these eyesores.
The Village of Mastic Beach is considering a local-law amendment that would triple fines to $10,000 a year for abandoned homes that are not properly maintained within the boundaries of the Village.
“These penalties will be attached to the property’s tax bill if left unpaid,” said Deputy Mayor Bruce Summa.
Mastic Beach Village Mayor Maura Spery explained, “It is a privilege to live in the Village of Mastic Beach. This means if you own property here it has to be kept clean and neat. This Village has some of Long Island’s most beautiful shoreline and boasts historic Early-American landmarks. It is the best Village on Long Island, and we intend to have all property owners respect and preserve our Village’s natural beauty.”
The Village is working to fix problems as quickly as possible by enforcing local codes through its Public-Safety Department headed by new Code Supervisor Patrick McCall.
For example, a house that scores 100 points or more on the Village’s blighted-scoring metric results in that property being added to the Village’s blighted-home registry. The bank, corporation or individual who owns these abandoned properties is then given thirty (30) days to respond to the Village before a fine is levied. Under the Village’s current law, a $2,500.00 annual fine is attached to the blighted-home’s Village-tax bill for each year the home is blighted upon its annual inspection.
Spery added, “This area has started to attract the interest of young families seeking home ownership and new businesses wishing to be a part of Main Street’s revitalization. Addressing our vacant-home issue is yet another way we are restoring the splendor of our coastal Village.”
The Village Board will be holding a public hearing at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2015, at Village Hall, 369 Neighborhood Road, Mastic Beach, NY, for the purpose of receiving public input about raising the annual fine for blighted homes.
