Patchogue to revisit status of abandoned home
Patchogue Village Hall is shown in 2012. Credit: Carl Corry
The Patchogue Village board of trustees has adjourned a public hearing to discuss the status of an abandoned home.
Board members voted unanimously Monday night to reschedule the hearing for Sept. 14 to allow HSBC Bank National Association, which has an interest in the property, to determine whether it can save the home. It wasn't immediately known who holds title ownership of the house.
Village attorney Brian Egan said bank officials met with the building department last week.
"Hopefully the bank will put some money into it," Mayor Paul Pontieri said. The dilapidated structure has been abandoned for many years.
A yearlong investigation by Newsday and News 12 found that Long Island municipalities spent more than $3.2 million last year to clean up, board up or demolish zombie homes.
Long Island leads the state in the number of zombie homes, with almost 4,300, according to RealtyTrac, a California firm that compiles real estate data.
The investigation found zombie houses have cost Long Island homeowners $295 million in depreciated property values.
Last month, the board voted to demolish two long-vacant village homes on the same street.
The first, at 70 River Ave., is owned by U.S. Bank National Association. The other, at 180 River Ave., has been vandalized and is in danger of collapsing.
Sarra Sounds Off Ep 36: Champs crowned in lax and flag football On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Gregg talks with Michael Sicoli and Tess Ferguson about county champs crowned in boys and girls lacrosse, and Jared Valuzzi reports on the Long Island flag football championship.
Sarra Sounds Off Ep 36: Champs crowned in lax and flag football On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Gregg talks with Michael Sicoli and Tess Ferguson about county champs crowned in boys and girls lacrosse, and Jared Valuzzi reports on the Long Island flag football championship.
