Dangerous Farmingdale Zombie Home Demolished

FARMINGDALE, NY — A dilapidated and abandoned zombie home "plaguing" Farmingdale, located at 63 Vandewater St., was demolished on Friday, as Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Councilman Lou Imbroto were on-hand, the Town announced.

"We take quality of life issues very seriously in our Town, and protecting our residents is a top priority for me and my colleagues on the Town Board," Saladino stated via press release. "This most recent home demolition further demonstrates that we keep our promises to our residents and will continue to do what’s right for communities throughout our great Town."

The Farmingdale property marks the ninth zombie home successfully removed from local neighborhoods through the efforts of the Town’s Quality of Life Task Force. The house has been abandoned for years and required several property cleanups, as it was not being maintained.

The Town secured and monitored the property while undergoing the appropriate legal process, until recent inspections revealed severe damage. Subsequent visits showed the structure was no longer sound, as the roof was deteriorating and the garage foundation was compromised. Evidence of vermin was also discovered, as well as signs of air and water infiltration.

"The Town immediately took action as this property posed a potentially dangerous condition to the health, safety and general welfare of the public," Imbroto, chairman of the Town’s Quality of Life Task Force, said. "As we have done in communities throughout our Town, we took the appropriate steps to rid the neighborhood of this blight, and we will continue to ensure that happens throughout our Town."

Last year, the Oyster Bay Town Board approved a comprehensive package of laws to combat zombie homes. The Town now has the ability to fine property owners and lending institutions in violation of Town Code, recoup costs associated with Town maintenance of vacant properties, and ban the use of plywood in covering residential windows and doors.

The new Code further strengthens the Town’s ability to address adverse conditions often brought on by ‘zombie’ homes, by establishing a mandated trust account to which the foreclosing entity must deposit $25,000 to cover any potential costs the Town could incur from maintaining the property.