Government
Riverhead begins systematic crackdown on ‘zombie’ and blighted properties
Two measures to combat “zombie” and blighted properties in Riverhead were passed by the Riverhead Town Board Wednesday. One sets up a point system for determining "blight" and adds high fees to the tax bills of all properties determined to be blighted. The other establishes a "mortgage-in-default" registry and makes banks responsible for the defaulted property's condition.