Village of East Williston attorney Jeffrey Blinkoff said Monday that the sale of controversial residential property at 8 Sumter Ave. is scheduled for closing on Friday. According to Blinkoff, the worst-case scenario was the closing would take place on March 16 or 17, and confirmed the information by speaking with both the buyers and sellers attorney.
Dating back several years, the property has been a source of complaints from village residents, ranging from raccoon infestation to being a general eyesore in the neighborhood with unkempt shrubbery and loose roofing.
Blinkoff explained that a week prior to the meeting, an architect on behalf of the purchasers came to Village Hall to meet with Robert Campagna, village building inspector, to discuss whether the purchase will proceed with or without the demolition.
“Things are moving along, but not until everything is signed and done,” Blinkoff said, who mentioned that it is his understanding that a young couple is moving into the house, and the purchaser is the father of one of them.
Blinkoff also said that an agreement is in place which requires the new owners to fix up the house and get permits for construction within a certain timeframe, however regardless of what they do to the principal house, the shed and garage on the property will be taken down.
“The turn around time is roughly 60 days from when the closing takes place,” Blinkoff said. “The agreement also includes a number of what will be paid at the time of closing, which is about $47,000, and is good through the end of March.”
Issues with the dilapidated home date back several years, most recently the back and forth tussle in Nassau County Supreme Court and discussions in East Williston Planning Board meetings.
The Village of East Williston Board had been granted demolition rights by a February 2012 court order, and the village board approved the plan in October 2013, when it accepted a bid by J. Galvin Construction.
Iannone Attends Meeting
James Iannone, a village resident and practicing attorney in Williston Park, attended the Monday village board meeting and was introduced by the board as a candidate in the village election on Wednesday, March 18. Trustee Caroline DeBenedittis decided not to seek reelection and Iannone will be running unopposed for the open seat.
Village Mayor David Tanner and Deputy Mayor Bonnie Parente are both seeking re-election and are running unopposed. Iannone moved into the village in October 2009 and April will mark his fifth year with the East Williston Fire Department.
DeBenedittis will also be included in the Town of North Hempstead’s 22nd Annual May W. Newburger Women’s Roll of Honor on Thursday, March 26 at the Harbor Links.
—Rich Forestano contributed to this report
