Farmingville, NY – Supervisor Mark Lesko and Councilwoman Connie Kepert announced the clean up of three properties in Bellport on March 17, 2011. The Quality of Life Task Force and Department of Waste Management teamed up to get rid of debris strewn at 520 Bourdois Avenue, 713 Davis Avenue, and 955 Walker Avenue, and re-board and secure the structures.

“Our Quality of Life Task Force continues to clean up nuisance properties around the Town of Brookhaven and make sure they stay that way,” said Supervisor Lesko, “Houses like these are more than just blight; they are a breeding ground for criminal activity. I commend the Task Force investigators and our Division of Waste Management for their efforts.”

Councilwoman Kepert, who represents the 4th Council District where the properties are located said, “Our Quality of Life Task Force and Waste Management team have made a significant impact by cleaning up these properties and others throughout the Town of Brookhaven. I will continue to work closely with community leaders and our Town agencies to assure that we use all our resources to make the Bellport area a safe and better place to live.”

The property located at 520 Bourdois Avenue was an alleged “crack house” that was condemned and boarded and secured in January 2011. The entire property has been cleaned up and the Highway Department sent a street sweeper to clean up the roadway as well.

The property at 713 Davidson Avenue was abandoned with litter scattered throughout and it had a large boat hull in the front yard full of garbage. The home had been looted of its copper pipes and other metal. The property was previously boarded up by an unknown party, but was unsecured due to vandalism. The Building Department will proceed to re-secure this property.

The 955 Walker Avenue property was previously the subject of a July 2010 Quality of Life Task Force case, where the Task Force investigators found the property had no electric, heat, plumbing or running water, a hole in the roof, and dead animals inside and outside the house. The Task Force previously cleaned up 71,120 pounds of litter and debris on this property. This site was completely cleaned up and secured last year, but when the Task Force followed up it found that an unknown party had dumped a load of debris in the yard. The property is now clean again.

The Town will recoup the cost of clean-ups by charging the property owners.

Supervisor Lesko established the Quality of Life Task Force in June of 2009 to aggressively enforce the Town code to eliminate blight in neighborhoods and shutdown suburban slumlords. From June 2009 through December 2009, fines levied on code violations increased by 170% compared to the same time period in 2008. In 2010, the Quality of Life Task Force continued its success. Compared to 2009, fines levied in 2010 nearly doubled to almost $1 million. Fines are levied through tickets issued to property owners with properties that have seriously unsafe or hazardous conditions.

If residents believe that a property is in violation of any Town of Brookhaven codes, they can call 451-TOWN to file a complaint.

Rear of property at 520 Bourdois Avenue prior to cleanup by the Quality of Life Task Force.

Property at 520 Bourdois Avenue during recent clean-up by the Town’s Quality of Life Task Force.

Property at 520 Bourdois Avenue after the recent clean-up by the Town’s Quality of Life Task Force.

Division of Public Information * Office of the Supervisor
One Independence Hill • Farmingville • NY 11738 • Phone (631) 451-6595 • Fax (631) 451-6258