Referring to illegal housing as "a threat to the suburban quality of life we all enjoy," Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto announced a major new initiative to combat illegal housing in the Town of Oyster Bay - the formation of a new Town Illegal Housing Division, with six new full-time inspectors.

"It all comes down to enforcement and personnel," Venditto said. "The additional inspectors will allow the town to step up investigations of suspected illegal apartments."

Venditto said the Illegal Housing Division, which will operate under the auspices of the Town's Department of Planning and Development, will be dedicated to handling illegal housing issues on a Town-wide basis.

"Illegal housing generally results in unsafe conditions, because it is often constructed without regard to town building and fire codes," Venditto explained. "It also creates an increased burden on municipal services, including overcrowding of schools. Other negative impacts include added traffic, garbage, more on-street parking and increased noise."

On March 7, 2000, the Oyster Bay Town Board unanimously approved the formation of a Task Force to investigate illegal accessory apartments in the town and report back to the supervisor with its suggestions. While it was an important step, Venditto said the new division will provide more effective means to win the illegal housing battle.

John Paider, Special Counsel to the supervisor, will head up the division.

"Mr. Paider brings a wealth of legal and investigative experience to the new division," Venditto said. "He intends to implement new, innovative and creative methods to help identify and, ultimately, eliminate illegal housing trouble spots in the town."

New measures include evening and weekend inspections to assist with gaining access to illegal apartments. Inspectors will also be asked to document suspected illegal housing and indicate suspicious characteristics such as extra mailboxes, doorbells, meters and unusual entrances. Violations will be issued to both tenants and landlords.

"The division will work closely with the town attorney's office to ensure that maximum fines are imposed," explained Venditto. "The town attorney will also provide the legal framework to allow unannounced inspections to ensure compliance on an ongoing basis."

Venditto said he and his colleagues on the town board cannot afford to take this matter lightly. "I am well aware that addressing the illegal housing issue is both challenging and arduous, but it is an extremely important quality of life issue," the supervisor said. "I am confident that the town's new Illegal Housing Division will have a positive impact toward ridding the Town of Oyster Bay of this problem."