Wrecking Ball Pushed Off, Again, For Hightower Homes

Two dilapidated homes on West Main Street will avoid the wrecking ball, for now, as Smithtown officials grant owner, Jeffery K. Brown two weeks to present a plan to complete construction on the Hightower Homes.

Thus far, Brown has been required by the town to hire a design professional to survey the blighted homes and prepare a report with recommendations for what corrective actions will be required for the Hightower Homes to be deemed safe under town building codes. The town is also requiring Brown to apply to renew all the expired Town of Smithtown building permits for the Hightower Homes sites, to have the house's Tyvek wrapped and siding installed on each building.

Councilman Thomas McCarthy, who got into a heated debate with Brown at the March 21 town board meeting, told Newsday that Brown had shown "good will".

According to a report on Newsday, Brown has until April 18 to submit plans that will show his intention to finish the work. According to the report, the work will be inspected by a town building inspector and an engineer hired at Brown's expense.

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