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

Pictured left to right are Supervisor Mark Lesko, Department of Waste Management employees James Hall, Jr. and Nico John and Councilman Steve Fiore-Rosenfeld at the launch of Operation Clean Sweep in Council District 1 in Port Jefferson Station	Pictured left to right are Quality of Life Task Force Chief Investigator Paul Degen, Supervisor Mark Lesko and Councilman Steve Fiore-Rosenfeld at the launch of Operation Clean Sweep in Council District 1 in Port Jefferson Station.

Farmingville, NY – On Tuesday, October 11, Supervisor Mark Lesko and Councilman Steve Fiore-Rosenfeld held a press conference in Port Jefferson Station to launch the fifth “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 Operation Clean Sweep target area in Port Jefferson Station is bordered on the north by Susan Road and Clinton Avenue, the east by Bicycle Path and on the west by Old Town Road and Terryville Road.

Supervisor Mark Lesko said, “Since its inception, the Quality of Life Task Force has made a significant impact all throughout Brookhaven by cleaning up properties, closing illegal multi-family homes, and cracking down on those who violate our Town codes. Operation Clean Sweep takes it to the next level by to targeting specific neighborhoods and helping to improve the quality of life of the residents who live there.”

Councilman Steve Fiore-Rosenfeld said, "Operation Clean Sweep is another step in the right direction to help Brookhaven residents to take back their own communities to protect their quality of life - in this case in a section of Port Jefferson Station. Coordinating our Law, Traffic Safety, Streetlighting and Waste Management Departments we hope to send a clear message of community resolve to secure and restore our resident’s peaceful enjoyment of their homes while protecting their property values. Our Quality of Life Task Force was intended for precisely this purpose to more effectively enforce our town codes and crack down on the repeat offenders that denigrate our neighborhoods."

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 Port Jefferson Station will be announced in the coming weeks.

Supervisor Lesko and Councilman Fiore-Rosenfeld established the Quality of Life Task Force to aggressively enforce the Town code, eliminate blight in neighborhoods, shutdown suburban slumlords, and prosecute serial offenders. Between 2008 and 2010 fines levied on code enforcement violations increased by 255%. Fines are levied through tickets issued to property owners with properties that have seriously unsafe or hazardous conditions.

Supervisor Lesko, Councilman Fiore-Rosenfeld, and the rest of the Town Board established the Brookhaven Community Court, a special court part of the Sixth District Court, Patchogue, dedicated to handling proceedings alleging violations of Brookhaven town ordinances and affecting the quality of life of local residents in 2010.

The four previous Operation Clean Sweeps were in Council District 3 in Selden, Council District 2 in Rocky Point, Council District 6 in Mastic and Council District 5 in Medford. In the weeks ahead, there will be an Operation Clean Sweep in Council District 4. 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