Quality of Life Task Force continues coordinated six-month clean-up effort across Brookhaven

Pictured left to right are Councilman Tim Mazzei, Supervisor Mark Lesko and Brian Tohill from the Law Department
and Quality of Life Task Force at the Operation Clean Sweep press conference in Medford’s Memorial Park.

Farmingville, NY – On Friday, September 23, Supervisor Mark Lesko and Councilman Tim Mazzei held a press conference in Medford to launch the fourth “Operation Clean Sweep,” a coordinated program spearheaded by the Town’s Quality of Life Task Force with the goal of improving the quality of life throughout Brookhaven. The three previous Operation Clean Sweeps were in Council District 3 in Selden, Council District 2 in Rocky Point and Council District 6 in Mastic. In the weeks ahead, there will be an Operation Clean Sweep in each remaining Town Council District.

The Operation Clean Sweep target area in Medford is bordered on the north by Railroad Avenue, south by Southhaven Avenue, east by Oregon Avenue, and west by Old Medford Avenue.

“The Town’s Quality of Life Task Force has made a big impact with Operation Clean Sweep and other enforcement actions across Brookhaven Town,” said Supervisor Lesko. “By targeting specific neighborhoods for clean-ups, the Quality of Life Task Force greatly improves the quality of life of the residents who live there.”

“I join Supervisor Lesko in his praise of the Town’s Quality of Life Task Force and the work they do to make a difference in the lives of so many of our residents,” said Councilman Tim Mazzei, who represents Council District 5. “Operation Clean Sweep has been a big success in each of the Council Districts and I expect the results here in Medford to be just as outstanding.”

Over the course of this week, Town employees will fix streetlamps, pick up litter, install new street signs, and conduct other activities to help clean up the neighborhood. The results of Operation Clean Sweep in Medford will be announced in the coming weeks. In October, the remaining Operation Clean Sweeps will take place in Council Districts 1 and 4.

Supervisor Lesko established the Quality of Life Task Force in June of 2009 to aggressively enforce the Town code to eliminate blight in neighborhoods, shutdown suburban slumlords, and prosecute serial offenders. 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.

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