"Call Murf" Building Ordered Demolished by Town

The Babylon Town Board unanimously approved a measure to order the demolition of the decaying building belonging to "Call Murf" Real Estate on Montauk Highway in Lindenhurst.

The property, which lies just outside the village boundaries putting it under the jurisdiction of the Town of Babylon, features a building that has sat decaying for the better part of the last two decades. The building has fallen further into disrepair in recent years, with its facade falling apart and holes opening in the roof and sides of the building.

According to documents provided by the town, the building has become a danger to public due to the open nature of the property itself.

Architect Daniel Falasco, of Holbrook, noted in his July 17 report to the town "the wood frame is deterioirated and in many areas completely missing, the front facade is pulling away from the main structure and is in an unsafe condition" as well as a "hole in west elevation."

269 East Montauk Highway formerly belonged to Jericho Marine, a marine equipment store, and before that had been a gas station, according to a Newsday article from 2011.

The site has been the subject of a Department of Environmental Conservation investigation concerning a plume of gasoline which had leaked into the water table from the site. The plume, according to the Newsday article, has been moving south ever since.

The demolition only applies to the property's main building and not the trailer that the real estate agent currently operates out of.

The town noted in it's demolition order the town assessor was authorized to assess the property owner for all costs incurred with the proceedings, including the removal of the building.

Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer said during the Monday meeting the demolition would be scheduled soon, after checking in with the state's DEC to avoid further damage to the contaminated ground.