Huntington cites four illegal apartments

Town of Huntington code enforcement officers issued 10 summonses and 10 notices of violation last week after finding what the town said was four illegal apartments in three Huntington Station houses.

At 59 6th Ave., summonses were issued for an illegal first-floor apartment, an illegal temporary apartment and for failing to register the apartment as required by town code. Officers also cited the owner for safety violations including missing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

At 47A 9th Ave., officers issues summonses for an illegal first-level apartment, making interior alterations without a permit, failing to register the apartment and for having an unregistered vehicle and litter and debris. Safety violation notices also were issued.

At 76 E. 3rd St., summonses were issued for an illegal second-level apartment, interior alterations without a permit and failure to register the apartment. Safety and hazardous condition citations also were issued.

John Richmond, who said he owns the 6th and 9th avenue homes, said he was not aware of any violation notices. Marisel Mata, who officials said owns the 3rd Street home, could not be immediately reached for comment. Both Richmond and Mata are due in Suffolk County District Court in Huntington Station on April 27 to answer their summonses.

The town began a code enforcement crackdown in October 2009. Since that time almost 700 summonses and 2,500 notices of violation have been issued, and more than 550 investigations have been conducted into suspected illegal apartments, according to town officials.