Rental board reserves decision on revocation for 939 North Putnam Avenue after extended testimony and security/eviction timeline from Halley counsel
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Summary
At a revocation hearing for 939 North Putnam Avenue in Lindenhurst, counsel for provider Halley outlined eviction timelines, security upgrades, and case-management steps; neighbors pressed concerns about continued disturbances. The board voted to reserve its decision for 30 days to review additional correspondence.
The Town of Babylon Rental Board on April 8 heard a revocation matter for 939 North Putnam Avenue in Lindenhurst, a supportive-housing property operated by Halley, and voted to reserve judgment for 30 days while the board reviews additional correspondence and inspector findings.
Charles Russo, appearing for Halley, told the board the agency had followed state supportive-housing guidelines and described a multi-step response after community complaints. Russo said Halley served 90-day notices and filed court petitions prior to the town’s February violation notice; he told the board the sheriff executed evictions on two residents in February and March 2026. He said Halley increased maintenance, installed an ECAM virtual camera monitoring system, contracted GardaWorld for monitoring, hired temporary on-site security, upgraded locks and created an on-site staff security presence. Russo also cited constraints the provider faces from federal, state and county laws and the Fair Housing Act, noting a local-code presumption that favors the provider if eviction proceedings were already in process before the town’s revocation notice.
Neighbors and board members questioned whether those steps were taken early enough and whether the provider had adequately engaged neighbors. Patrick Nolan, a board member, said the absence of fines or prior citations was not proof of compliance and urged more proactive community outreach. Multiple neighbors described late-night activity, panhandling and people wandering the block. One recent complaint the board read aloud described a heavyset man walking blocks, looking into houses and sitting on the street talking to himself.
Melissa Wedengel, who identified herself and provided a phone number for neighbors to text ((631) 433-3200), said Halley’s recent staffing changes included a live-in super and that the organization reduced occupancy, currently listing four legal tenants and one additional occupant pending sheriff removal. Wedengel said Halley would not place further residents until safety and community concerns are addressed and that staff now visit the site multiple times per day.
After extended questioning, board member Patrick Nolan moved to reserve the decision for 30 days to allow time for the board to collect neighbor correspondence and for investigators to re-check the site; Mark Smith seconded the motion and the board approved the continuance. The board asked that all letters and emails be submitted for its file and encouraged the provider to work with police and the community in the interim.
