Mastic Beach residents frustrated by delays in the long-awaited federal home-raising program are invited to attend a May 19 meeting at the Mastic Beach Property Owners Association to discuss their concerns.
The effort is part of the Army Corps of Engineers’ Fire Island to Montauk Point project, known as FIMP, a $2.4 billion coastal protection plan that includes raising homes in flood-prone areas. While the program has been described as a lifeline for homeowners facing rising flood insurance costs and repeated flooding, residents say the process has become bogged down in reviews, inspections, and code issues.
Frank Fugarino, president of the Pattersquash Creek Civic Association, said the delays are wearing down homeowners who have already waited more than a decade.
“The Army Corps of Engineers’ Fire Island to Montauk Point plan is now maybe in its 12th year, and not one house has been elevated,” Fugarino said. “It’s outrageous.”
He said many residents are now running into town code issues before they can move forward, including violations they may have inherited when they bought their homes.
“What is the point of bringing that porch to code on ground level when the house is going to be raised six feet?” Fugarino wondered.
Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico said compliance remains an important part of the process. “In general, it’s in everyone’s best interest for the homes to be code compliant. It’s a Federal regulation,” Panico said.
He urged residents having difficulties with the program to contact his office at Town Hall in Farmingville. “The Army Corps is learning as we work through this,” Panico said.
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, who was Brookhaven supervisor when the program was introduced, said oversight is necessary. “The homes should be inspected after they are raised,” Romaine stated, “not before.”
Residents are expected to discuss their frustrations, concerns, and next steps at the May 19 meeting.