Last week, unsafe conditions caused by a burst water pipe and subsequent smoke in the early morning hours at the Secatogue Avenue Apartments necessitated that the building's 158 residents be evacuated. The initial response and evacuation was handled professionally by our village fire department, under the direction of Chief Rich Tortoso, and the Nassau County Police Department. The Red Cross initiated their emergency plan, utilizing the gym at SUNY Farmingdale as the emergency housing site. While the Red Cross tended to the needs of the evacuees, calming them during this disruptive episode, the task of making sure the repairs were made and the building made safe for the residents' return were being coordinated under the watchful eye of our village building department and code enforcement officers. Within 36 hours, all the families were able to return to their own or temporary apartments. The speed with which this was accomplished was due to the mutual cooperation and diligent work from our village departments and local agencies.

Over the past several months, the village has responded to complaints of tenants of the Secatogue Avenue Apartments by inspecting their apartments, common areas of the building, and issuing code violations summonses where conditions merited. As a result of those complaints, village code enforcement officers have issued 14 citations for code violations, including wall and ceiling damages, roof holes, vermin and mold. The building owner has appeared in village court on these items. However, as a result of this recent event, we are now able to enter the apartments of tenants who had not registered complaints to inspect them, with the consent of the building owners, to ensure that each apartment complies with health standards.

I would like to thank Chief Tortoso and the Farmingdale Fire Department volunteers for their efforts. Their prompt response ensured the safety of the apartment residents and neighboring homes and avoided any further potentially dangerous situations. I would also like to acknowledge the fine job performed by the entire village hall staff who shouldered the media crush that followed while continuing to perform their jobs. Our Village Clerk, John Giordano and Code Enforcement Supervisor Ron Craig, also need to be commended for extra efforts during this event.

Thanks are also in order for the administration and staff of the Farmingdale State University of New York and the Farmingdale School District for their assistance and cooperation in housing the displaced residents. It is assuring to know that when unexpected emergencies arise, our village is prepared to quickly mobilize to address those in need.