A hack that took down Suffolk County’s computer systems is preventing Brookhaven Town from moving ahead with public hearings on zombie homes across the town that have been deemed unsafe.
“The county’s misfortune with their computer system has caused some disruption for the town,” said Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine.
He explained that the town can’t put a lien on the properties they would like to demo because the Suffolk County Clerk’s office cannot file them. Because of that, the town is not guaranteed it will get the money back that it lays out.
“At this point over the last few years we have taken down over 400 zombie houses,” Romaine added.
The town spends between $35,000 and $40,000 in the demolition of zombie homes, which it recoups when the property is eventually sold.
“County clerk's office is not up and running to allow us to do that,” Romaine said. “Until that time we are reluctant to do demos to zombie houses if we can’t collect money for the taxpayer for the money we put out.”
Romaine said that he hopes the county will be back up to speed shortly. A list of homes across a number of hamlets are in line to be discussed including houses in Coram, Medford, Mastic Beach, Belport and Middle Island.
Public hearings on the homes were pushed to later dates at Brookhaven Town Hall.