Neighbors press Eastchester for action on three long-vacant "ghost" houses in Chester Heights

At the town board’s June 16 meeting, resident Anne Marie Sweeney described three vacant or "ghost" houses in Chester Heights (two on Archer Drive, one on Central Drive) that neighbors say are condemned or abandoned and are lowering neighborhood property values.

Sweeney said neighbors gathered 40 petition signatures and that one property’s taxes had not been paid. She asked what timeline and authority the town has to address condemned and tax-delinquent properties.

Supervisor Colavita responded that the building inspector has visited the properties, that one property is in foreclosure and that in‑rem foreclosure proceedings can begin only after two years of tax arrears. He said the town has limited authority: highway crews have been sent to cut grass as a temporary measure and, in cases of emergency danger, the town can enter a property to make it safe and bill the owner, but otherwise the town must follow the legal foreclosure process.

Colavita described outreach to family members and banks but said multiple owners or lack of cooperation can delay sale or repair. He said one house owed roughly $22,000 in back taxes (reported as approximately one year of school and county tax) and that one property’s in‑rem period comes due in September. The board encouraged neighbors to pursue private remedies while the town continues legal and administrative follow-up.

No formal new town action was taken at the meeting; the town said it will continue to monitor the properties and apply interim measures (grass cutting, securing structures) as allowed by law.