Brookhaven Notebook: Energy Updates, Open Space Purchase and Home Condemnation

Last May, Brookhaven launched its Office of Energy and Sustainability, and began work on the Green Homes and Go Solar projects.

In less than a year, the Town has crossed a number of objectives off its energy to-do list, with more to come in 2011.

This year, Brookhaven will be working with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) for its Green Jobs, Green New York program, meant to finance energy efficient improvements in homes.

Sarah Anker, the director of Brookhaven’s Office of Energy and Sustainability, said all the details have not been finalized, but the point of the program is to recommend energy efficient improvements that may be repaid through energy savings over time.

Nearly 700 residents applied for Brookhaven's Green Homes program, but only 300 were chosen as possible candidates for the energy improvement assessments and needs. With the Green Jobs, Green New York initiative, it offers more homes a chance to be retrofitted with energy efficient protocols, Anker said.

According to NYSERDA, some details of the program are to:

• Conduct a comprehensive home assessment using a participating Building Performance Institute (BPI) Accredited Home Performance contractor. The contractor will make recommendations for energy improvements.
• Develop a Work Scope with the participating Accredited Home Performance contractor and submit a signed copy to the Program for review and approval. Financing is only available for recommendations that are determined to be cost-effective.
• Implement the work using a participating Accredited Home Perfor­mance contractor. All work is subject to inspection by NYSERDA.

In September, the Town of Brookhaven received a grant of $4.1 million to promote energy efficiency. The goals of the Green Homes and Go Solar initiatives were meant to improve energy performance and reduce energy consumption of Town residences.

“We want to move in the direction of current energy technology,” Anker said.

Town Makes Open Space Purchase in Mastic-Shirley

The Town announced a recent open space acquisition of a .23 acre tidal wetlands parcel consisting of a high salt marsh in the Mastic-Shirley Conservation Area.

The parcel, which cost $40,000, is adjacent to two other already protected lots and nearby several parcels that the Town of Brookhaven and Suffolk County have collectively acquired for open space preservation, the Town said in a statement,

“The preservation of remaining tidal wetlands is crucial to safeguarding the water quality of Great South Bay,” Brookhaven Supervisor Mark Lesko said. “Open space preservation throughout Brookhaven Town is a top priority and this acquisition is just the latest effort to help protect and enhance the natural balance of this valuable estuary.”

In 2010, the Town of Brookhaven preserved over 140 acres of open space and farmland development rights and over 200 acres are currently in contract for purchase, the Town said.

Town Condemns House Overrun by Animals

Last Tuesday, the Brookhaven Quality of Life Task Force aided in the condemnation of a home in Shirley with over 100 animals – dead and alive – present.

According to Town officials, animal feces covered the home and the outside was littered with old tractor style lawn mowers, trailers, and wooden produce containers.

The Town condemned the house for sanitary conditions and all of the animals were impounded and taken away by the SCSPCA MASH Unit – a mobile animal hospital, the Town said in an official statement.

In total, investigators observed the following animals on the property: one cow, one pig, eight goats, five dogs, six cats, two ducks (one was found dead), several chinchillas, one sun conure (a type of bird), two cockatiels, seven fancy rats, two love birds, three hens, one pheasant, one diamond dove, several cats, and approximately 75 pigeons, with five of the pigeons found dead.

Eight appearance tickets were issued to the property owner, three of which are misdemeanor offenses. The court date is set for April 21, 2011.

“I applaud the swift action of the Quality of Life Task Force in responding to the terrible situation at this property,” Lesko said in a statement, “this animal hoarding is one of the most egregious Quality of Life Task Force cases we have seen.  We will prosecute the code violations issued to the property owner to the fullest extent of the law and the Quality of Life Task Force will continue to aggressively crack down on property owners who disregard the health and safety of Brookhaven residents.”