The home at 16 Shore Drive in Sound Beach has been in danger of falling into the Long Island Sound for years with continued erosion, and now the Town of Brookhaven has stepped in and condemned the home.
The owner of the home, Edith Hotis, is a senior citizen who is worried she's going to be evicted. Sound Beach Civic President Bea Ruberto told Patch that Hotis had initially contacted FEMA to see if she could get some help and at that time was told that the damage wasn't bad enough. Now, with signs posted, Hotis is in danger of facing a court order to leave from the Town if she refuses to leave, according to a report on News12.com.
Willie Jones, President of the Sound Beach Property Owners Association, said they had tried working on fixing the bluff in the past before the Department of Environmental Conservation stepped in and wrote them a ticket because they were touching vegetation and dirt on DEC property.
"We're attached to a wetlands in a tidal area so they really do have the jurisdiction," he said back in November.
Jones had been trying to work with the Town to get a bulkhead done for support in the area, but Lori Baldassare, Deputy Superintendent of Highways, , a process that would take six months or more. Jones said the issues date back years and years.
Hotis told News 12 that she and her husband, who is now deceased, put their life savings into the home and she is not willing to move.
What action should be taken by either Ms. Hotis or the Town of Brookhaven in this situation? Tell us in the comments below.
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