After decades of controversy and years of negotiations the Town of Smithtown removed the structure at 10 Fairview Avenue in Smithtown on Wednesday, May 25. The site was the subject of a public hearing in 2015 when the board in a unanimous decision (4-0 with one absent) voted to clean up the property and to remove any unsafe structures at the site. The cost of the demolition/clean-up will be attached to the property’s tax lien. The buiding was completely covered with graffiti and has been the subject of neighbors complaints.
The property, a former waste transfer and collection site, was owned by John Haynes and is now owned by Fairview Holdings LLC. In February of 2016 Mr. Haynes appeared before the Town Board and announced his objection to the Town’s plan.
Before the demolition Mr. Haynes had expressed hope that the Town might purchase the property.