56 Citations Issued at Two Homes in Flanders and Northampton

Southampton Code Enforcement announced Friday morning that it had issued 56 citations at two overcrowded homes, in Flanders in Northampton, after serving search warrants on Thursday.

In Flanders, three bedrooms were reportedly constructed in the basement illegally while in Northampton, 16 people in total occupied one home, including an entire family in a single bedroom.

“Situations like these, where we are dealing with utterly irresponsible landlords and tenants, are why strong code enforcement is essential,” said Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst. 

The Flanders home, located at 90 Maple Ave., was reported to house 11 people in total, including the son of the property owners. Salvador and Angela Aquino, owners of the home, were issued 24 citations to appear at the Town Justice Court.

In addition to illegal basement bedrooms, the house was also reported to lack emergency escape windows, a carbon monoxide detector, and had ceilings below code. The town also cited an insect infestation.

In Northampton, behind Wildwood Lake Bowl, code enforcers reported 16 people living in a single home at 40 Pine Court. A living room was made into living quarters and the lower floor into a two-bedroom apartment. 

According to town officials, the owners of the residence, Jessica and Garry Deleva of Patchogue, were issued 32 citations. 

Councilman Chris Nuzzi noted that “there was no permit for the premises, which would have required an inspection prior to rental and no doubt addressed many of these issues.”