Smithtown offers Sandy damage assessments

The Town of Smithtown building department announced it is available to assess Sandy-related structural damage to commercial and residential buildings, said town building director John Bongino.

“If someone calls, we’ll send an inspector out,” he said, adding that inspectors can determine whether a building permit is needed.

Bongino said the department will “expedite” permit applications. Owners will need to contact a registered architect or professional engineer to design the plans, which will be reviewed by the town to make sure they conform to state building code, Bongino said.

Since Sandy hit, the department has assessed about two dozen residential and commercial properties, he said.

“The goal is to try to get them back into a more normal life of being back in their homes ... and making it safe and more structurally sound,” Bongino said.

For more information, call the building department at 631-360-7520 or go to smithtownny.gov.

Above: Christina Ryan, 38, and her son Timothy Ryan, 7, walk down the sidewalk where five large trees fell across their street, Dorothy Lane, during hurricane Sandy in Kings Park. (Oct. 30, 2012)