Brookhaven demolishes Lake Panamoka homes

Two dilapidated houses near Lake Panamoka in Ridge were demolished last week.

The long vacant homes have been the source of several town code violations and residential complaints, Brookhaven Town officials said.

“When houses are allowed to deteriorate, it has a negative impact on every family in the neighborhood. The residents of Lake Panamoka have been waiting a long time for these eyesores to be removed,” Town Supervisor Edward P. Romaine said in a statement.

Suffolk County previously seized the property as a result of unpaid taxes and later donated the residences to Brookhaven Town, which now plans to use the parcels for open space purposes.

“It was great to see so many residents come out in support of our efforts to clean up their beautiful lakeside community. By demolishing these houses, we have improved their quality of life,” Town Councilwoman Jane Bonner said in a statement.