Politics & Government

Empty Homes Leave Lindy Residents Worried

Village residents concerned unkept properties could lead to more dangers for their families.

Two village residents complained to the Lindenhurst Village Board about their neighboring empty properties, both with overgrown vegetation, deteriorating homes and potentially dangerous situations lying just on the other side of the fence.

Geno Degaetano, a village resident of four years at 229 East Hoffman Avenue, said the home next to him was unsafe and unsightly.

"There's two large cracks in the east wall," he told the board. "We feel it might be unstable... there's also several holes in the roof. We've seen racoons in the house."

The home next to him at 235 East Hoffman Avenue has been empty for a few years after the homeowner was admitted to a medical facility. The building has been left to the elements since, with vegetation occasionally cared for the village government.

"One of the neighbors saw people in backyard and thought they were doing drugs at the home. A detective found a pickaxe in the house," he told the board.

"I have an 18 month old and a puppy I'm scared to let out into the yard," he said. "I think it's not structurally sound and it needs to be checked out."

Another resident had similar complaints about the home next to her on North Erie Avenue.

"I've complained about this home numerous times... it's been vacant for ten years," said Margaret Uettwiller, of 455 North Erie Avenue. "The house is overgrown, its overrun with raccoons and possums  The mosquitoes coming from it make it impossible to even sit outside."

The home to her south on Erie Avenue has been empty after its residents moved to Smithtown nearly ten years ago, according to Uettwiller. The owners never sold it and keep up the property to the village's minimum requirements, she said.

"I want to barbecue and I have raccoons sitting on the roof looking at me," she told the board. "I'd really really appreciate it if we can do something with this place."

Mayor Tom Brennan reminded her the village lacks the authority to make someone sell a property, even if it is vacant, but that he would have the village notify the property owners to maintain it.

He also assured Degaetano a village building inspector would be checking out the neighboring home soon.

"We're doing the most we can," Brennan said.


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