Town Officials Create New Quality Of Life Task Force

BETHPAGE, NY – Town of Oyster Bay officials recently announced they have created a new Quality of Life Task Force in order to protect and preserve the quality of life throughout the Town.

The task force will work to address several Town-wide issues including illegal housing, non-maintenance of property, and other quality of life concerns.

“This newly formed task force will focus on code enforcement for quality of life concerns such as illegal housing, zombie homes, noise, landscaping, and parking, amongst other issues,” Supervisor Joseph Saladino said. “The Town has been consistently recognized as one of the best places to live in the nation by numerous publications, and has seen a steady increase in the values of homes, properties and businesses.”

Last week, officials joined with local homeowners who recently filed a complaint with the Town regarding illegal room rentals in a home across the street in their residential neighborhood in Bethpage.

“The rise of illegal rooming houses and zombie homes - which are not maintained by owners - cannot be allowed to threaten the quality of life our residents deserve," Town Clerk James Altadonna said. "Aggressive enforcement of our quality of life ordinances will protect our residents and preserve our town’s beauty and tranquility for this generation and the next. At our direction, the Town Attorney is seeking court intervention to tear down zombie homes in East Massapequa.”

The quality of life task force will be made up of representatives from several Town departments, including members of Code Enforcement, Department of Planning and Development, and Town Attorney, as well as contain members of local law enforcement and fire protection agencies.

“This task force will not only help protect our greatest asset, our quality of life, but also protect and preserve the safety and general well-being of our residents, as often these code violations can lead to dangerous and unsafe conditions,” Councilman Tom Hand said.

One specific quality of life issue that the task force will focus on is the rise of “illegal rooming houses” which have cropped up not only in the Town, but all throughout Nassau County.

“As a former prosecutor of illegal housing violations, I am proud to serve as liaison between the Quality of Life Task Force and the Town Board,” Councilman Louis Imbroto said. “This task force will focus on issues both big and small, and will meet regularly to discuss recommendations for any actions to be taken to help protect the suburban quality of life the Town of Oyster Bay is known for.”

Residents who would like to report an issue of concern to the Quality of Life Task Force are urged to call Code Enforcement at (516) 624-6200.

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