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Greece Town Supervisor Proposing New Regulations for Zombie Homes

wrvo.org

Greece Town Supervisor Bill Reilich says if you have a "zombie home" on your street, it's a problem.

He says in the town of Greece, there are 170 foreclosed homes, and another 92 vacant homes that could go into foreclosure.

Reilich is proposing what he calls the toughest vacant and abandoned property regulations in the area, possibly the state.

He says once a property falls into foreclosure, the bank or lender has 45 days to register with the Town of Greece.

If they don't, they face a $5 thousand dollar fine.

At that time they also have to post a $10 thousand dollar bond with the town, to ensure the town  is able to maintain the property, if they are not.

If the $10 thousand dollar bond is depleted, the bank or lender will have to restore it.

Also under the amendment to the town's Property Maintenance Code, penalties would be increased for owners of vacant and abandoned structures who are repeatedly in violation of the code.

"We want to preserve the integrity of our neighborhoods we want neighborhoods to be homes that people have they are proud of, and we understand that having a zombie home on the street detracts from the value of the homes on the street and also the whole atmosphere of the neighborhood."

Reilich says they want to hit the banks where it'll be effective: in their pocketbooks.

He says a public hearing on the amendment will be held at the next town board meeting and a vote on the proposal will follow.