Free Republic

Brookhaven town officials Friday launched another volley in their ongoing war on illegal housing, ordering the closing of three residences they said housed as many as 90 tenants. In documents filed in State Supreme Court in Riverhead, the town alleged that the conditions in the houses, all zoned for single-family -- one in Ronkonkoma and two in Farmingville -- were filthy and overcrowded, with fire hazards such as exposed wiring and blocked exits. The homeowners each face possible $10,000 fines for violations of town codes, officials said. Two of the homeowners could not be reached for comment, but one said...