Town Supervisor offers relief for homeowners

The Town of Hempstead is one of many local governments that are scrambling to help homeowners in need following the wreckage caused by Hurricane Sandy.

On Thursday, during a press conference in Levittown, while standing in front of home damaged by Hurricane Sandy, Town Supervisor Kate Murray announced that the Town’s Building Department will waive permit fees for residents who require storm-related repairs to their homes. She said fees will only be waived for structures that conform to the original dimensions of the home.

Additionally, Murray said permit fees will also be waived for temporary housing trailers that are often used in the wake of such emergencies. “Sandy has ripped through our communities, toppling trees and destroying homes,” said the Supervisor. “And, while living rooms have been soaked with sea water and houses have been toppled from their foundations, the spirit of Long Islanders has not been broken. Neighbors across Long Island are poised to rebuild their shattered homes, and Hempstead Town is working to lend a helping hand.”

To receive compensation, residents must submit a copy of an insurance claim related to the repairs along with architectural plans to the Building Department. The fee waiver program will run for six months, beginning Oct. 29.

Murray also requested that the Town’s Board of Appeals waive its fees in relation to replacement and reconstruction of storm-damaged homes. Residents can contact the Building Department at (516) 812-3073 if they have questions.

On the Department of Sanitation front, Murray said that sanitation crews would be working their way through the township this weekend to collect garbage and recycling. The Supervisor encouraged residents to leave their garbage and recyclables outside for pickup, and that special requests for pickup are unnecessary.

The hours at the Merrick Sanitation Facility, located on 1600 Merrick Road, will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for people to drop off debris, tree limbs and other remnants left behind by Hurricane Sandy. “We want to do everything possible to help residents and accommodate them as they clean up in the wake of Hurricane Sandy,” said Murray.

Sanitation services are only available to residents served by the Town of Hempstead’s Department of Sanitation, which includes Districts 3, 4 and 5. For a list of contact numbers for the Special Sanitation Districts and Village Sanitation Departments, visit www.toh.li/sanitation-department/sanitation-districts.