By JOSEPH KELLARD
Once the property of the Oceanside American Legion Post 1246, the area is now owned by Irving Grossman of Grossman's Nursery, 425 Atlantic Ave., town records reveal.
At an Oceanside town hall meeting in November, Kovit called Grossman's Nursery "the worst offender in the area" regarding the use and condition of his property.
The town received its first complaint about Grossman's in 1989, which described debris and automobiles stored there. Recent summonses pertained to Grossman's Atlantic and Terrell property across the street from the nursery's main location, which Grossman purchased about five years ago, according to Jerome Potucek, first vice commander of the Oceanside American Legion.
These violations included allowing outside storage on the premises, using the parking lot for storage, and maintaining structures -- such as metal greenhouse frames, wooden shacks and an abandoned office trailer -- on the property without permits, a town spokesperson said.
Mary Jane Vlacancich, an Elm Street resident living behind the property, said she realized Grossman owned it about three years ago when she noticed more "things" being dumped there.
"There's an old, broken-down trailer, broken-down trucks, and pipes all stored over there, and the property is not kept up at all," Vlacancich told the Herald. "He's trying to camouflage it from the front of the property by putting old wooden fencing around certain parts so you don't see all the debris and everything. But I can see it from my yard, and I'm disgusted by it."
Grossman's lawyer appeared in court on Dec. 12 for these most recent violations, but the case was adjourned to Jan. 7, according to a town spokesperson.
Meanwhile, a man identifying himself as Grossman's son -- one day saying his name was Bill, another day saying it was John -- denied that Grossman owned the Atlantic and Terrell avenues property. His father, he said, was unavailable for comment. "We are tied up with other things right now," the man said.
Town officials said that Grossman has not paid any fines assessed to his company since 1989. Grossman has never made a court appearance, but has sent legal representation.
