Westbury board amends law on property liability

Written, 48-hour notice of unsafe conditions in certain public spaces will now be required before the Village of Westbury assumes liability for any resulting personal injuries or property damage.

The village board on Thursday night unanimously passed an amendment calling for written complaints of dangerous streets, sidewalks, bridges and public squares. Westbury will assume accident liability in any such municipally owned or maintained areas only after two days have passed after a written complaint is received.

No civil action may be taken against the village unless a letter is either delivered or personally given to the village clerk, according to the new law.

“These changes are about protecting the village and taxpayers ... from opening us to more liability than we should have,” Mayor Peter Cavallaro said during the board meeting.