By:Jacky Gerzema
After 1 1/2 years, owner tears down fire-ravaged house
To the relief of angry neighbors, the burned remains of a Church Street house destroyed by fire more than a year-and-a-half ago finally were to be removed, it appeared. Early this week, half a wall and a pile of debris were all that remained of Sherman Chalfin's home, which was ruined in January 1999.
Chalfin, who could not be reached for comment, was said to have told a Town of Hempstead building inspector that what remained would be removed this week.
A spokesperson for the town said that if Chalfin hadn't taken down the remaining wall by Aug. 6, he would be fined again.
"We're hoping that he'll finally follow through with this and take care of his mess," the spokesperson said.
Neighbors wanted it gone immediately. "There are rats over there," said one Church Street resident.
Another said, "I know kids scale that fence and hang out there; it's not safe for anyone."
If the property were cleaned up this week, it would be the end of a long battle between Chalfin and the town.
When Chalfin failed to remove the entire building more than a year after the fire, the Town of Hempstead board voted during a public hearing in February this year to put the project out to bid.
Chalfin, who had removed a portion of the house without the proper permits and was fined, protested and asked the board for 30 days to finish the job. When he was denied, Chalfin filed an appeal in Hempstead District Court. Judge Alfred D. Cooper sided with the board and denied Chalfin's request.
Again, Chalfin appealed.
Edward G. McCabe, an administrative law judge for the state Supreme Court, overturned Cooper and gave Chalfin 45 days to finish tearing down the house. Nothing was done until three days before the deadline.
