Welcome to “HTON”- Town Owned Property Needs Cleaning Up

By Nicholas Wieland

It is disgraceful that with all the talk of “Revitalization of Huntington Station” the first thing a visitor sees coming into Huntington by train is Graffiti. Back in 2012, I brought this to the attention of Public Safety. Needless to say nothing was done by the town.  In December 2013, I again mentioned it to Public Safety.  After about a month, they informed me that the wall and Graffiti was the MTA’s property and problem.

According to the Helix, the town owns this property.  The graffiti is on a fence that is on the property that the town took over by eminent domain in 2005. If you look at the property records, it clearly states that the fence is located on the property.

If in fact, the town really didn’t know that they owned this parcel, they should have taken up the issue with the MTA.  The town code in regards to Graffiti states:

Chapter 119 of town law:

Enforcement; action by the Town.

[Added 5-22-2007 by L.L. No. 22-2007]

A. Notice to remove. In addition to issuing a notice of violation and/or a summons, the Director of Public Safety, or his/her designee, is authorized to notify the property owner, or his agent, or person-in-charge of the property, in writing or orally, to remove, remedy or abate the condition or nuisance within ten (10) days of receipt of such written notice or verbal directive. If such notice is in writing, it shall be mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, and addressed to the property owner at the last address shown on the most current assessment roll on file in the Office of the Town Assessor, or to the owner’s agent or person-in-charge at the last known address.

Section 119-16 States Penalties for offenses.

Fine is minimum of $500 to $2,500 per issue.  Section C of 119-16 states fines can be $250 per day.

Header from Land Management Tab: Notice SCTM # above and TAX MAP# match

I will continue to ask the town to be responsible landlords and clean up this parcel.  We will keep you updated on the progress.