North Hempstead approves demolition process for fire-damaged Westbury house if owners do not act
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Summary
After lengthy testimony from neighbors and the building department, the board authorized a resolution requiring parties claiming ownership of 44 Division Street to obtain repair permits by April 22; failing that, the town may demolish or otherwise secure the unsafe structure.
The Town of North Hempstead board voted to accept the building department's recommendation to begin demolition procedures for a fire-damaged property at 44 Division Street in Westbury if those claiming ownership do not obtain repair permits by April 22 and complete repairs within the following 30 days.
Deputy building commissioner Glenn Norgen said inspectors found the property in hazardous condition following a June 2023 fire and a smaller blaze within the past year: "This property had a fire back in June 2023...All the contents of the house have been thrown in the backyard, never cleaned up. There's graffiti. There's openings in the walls. This is a safety hazard," he said.
Neighbors described persistent squatting, fights, trespass, smells and blight that have affected surrounding houses. "It was just like the worst horror place you would imagine," said a neighbor who provided photographs and said the front gate was unsecured and the property had been an eyesore for roughly two years.
Family representatives — attorneys for Tyrone and Kevin Hardy, grandsons of the decedent — told the board a forged deed signed in 2022 complicated title and said they have filed surrogate-court proceedings to obtain executor appointments. Counsel said the family had negotiated a reduction of reverse-mortgage debt and planned to invest funds and labor to secure and restore the house once title issues are clarified. "They're ready to do that now," attorney Rita Eredix said, asking for time to act and offering to secure the property.
Building department staff explained the draft resolution's timeline and authority: parties claiming ownership must take action to secure permits by April 22; if they fail to secure permits or satisfy code within 30 days after permits are issued, the town may use its contractors or personnel to demolish the premises and assess the cost to the property. The building department noted the complex title history (reverse mortgages, apparent transfers to an LLC) and said it had sent prior orders and notices to interested parties.
Board members balanced sympathy for the family's claims with concern for immediate neighborhood safety. Several councilmembers cited ongoing public-safety and health risks; the board recorded multiple 'aye' votes and carried the measure to authorize demolition steps under the resolution's timeline.
The board set April 22 as the permit-deadline date appearing in the resolution; if the family can show progress toward title clarification and permits, the board retains discretion to reconsider its timetable.
The building department and counsel outlined next steps: notices to interested parties, potential asbestos and structural assessments before any demolition, and options to board and secure the property and charge costs to the record owner if demolition proceeds.
