The Town of Brookhaven is cracking down on property owners who fail to maintain their properties. This issue has caused concern among other town residents who feel that the burden of paying for these costs is unfairly falling on them.
Chapter 45 of the Code of the Town of Brookhaven sets out the procedure for cleaning litter and cutting, trimming, and removing grass, weeds, and brush more than twelve inches on private property. In cases where the property owner fails to comply with the notice, the Commissioner of the Department of Recycling and Sustainable Materials Management can order the cleanup and maintenance of the property.
Councilman Michael Loguercio sponsored the resolution to charge property owners for the costs incurred by the Town for cleanup and/or maintenance. The resolution was passed by the Board and targeted properties within the jurisdiction of the Department of Recycling and Sustainable Materials Management.
However, the cost of these cleanup and maintenance efforts is not negligible. The Commissioner, Christine Fetten, has submitted an itemized statement of the expenses for specific properties whose owners still need to comply with the notice. These costs have not been paid, so the Town is now looking to charge back the property owners for the costs incurred.
Section 45-4D of the Town Code allows the Board to direct that the amount of the charges be assessed as a lien on the property in question and added to the next assessment roll. While this may seem like a fair solution, it is causing concern among other town residents who feel that they are being unfairly burdened with the cost of these property cleanups and maintenance efforts.
The imposition of liens on these properties could result in a reduction of the tax base, which could impact the Town's ability to fund essential services and infrastructure projects. Additionally, the imposition of liens may make it difficult for the affected property owners to sell or refinance their properties, further exacerbating the problem.
 |
Some believe that the Town should take a more aggressive approach to collect the owed costs from property owners, while others feel that the burden of paying for these costs should be spread more evenly across the Town's tax base.
In any case, the issue of owed property cleanup and maintenance costs is having a significant impact on the Town of Brookhaven. As this issue continues to play out, it remains to be seen what the final result will be on the Town's finances and residents. If you wish to report a property that violates the yard maintenance code in the Town of Brookhaven, New York, you can contact the Department of Recycling and Sustainable Materials Management. They are responsible for enforcing the yard maintenance code and will investigate your complaint. You can reach the Department by phone at (631) 451-TOWN (8696) or by email at recycling@brookhavenny.gov. When reporting a property, provide as much information as possible, including the property address and a detailed violation description. The Department will keep your information confidential, but you may be asked to provide your contact information if they need further details or clarification.