Nov 22, 2011 10:08 AM

Residents of West Tiana Road in Hampton Bays are trying to derail plans that call for the opening of a homeless shelter in their community, possibly as early as next month, and sat down with local elected officials on Saturday to express their outrage.

Suffolk County Legislator Jay Schneiderman and Southampton Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst met with approximately 50 residents who crowded into the West Tiana Road home of Robert and Gail Liner to voice a litany of concerns over a situation that they believe will alter their quality of life and pose considerable safety threats.

Mr. Schneiderman and Ms. Throne-Holst said they were just as shocked as residents to learn about the plan that involves the transformation of the Hidden Cove Motel into a permanent homeless shelter, and both said that they are now working against the clock to stop Suffolk County’s Department of Social Services from following through with its plan.

Ms. Throne-Holst said the town sent code enforcement officials and the fire marshal to check out the motel—which is currently occupied by about 20 tenants living there full time, plus a dozen homeless families placed in the motel by DSS on a temporary basis—last week to ensure that it is up to code. She said their reports are expected soon. In addition, Ms. Throne-Holst said town officials are still investigating whether or not a full-scale homeless shelter is permitted at the site under the town code.

On his end, Mr. Schneiderman said he plans to pen legislation that, if adopted, would prevent the conversion of motels into permanent homeless shelters. He also told those in attendance that litigation is a possibility only if they, or the town, decide to sue the county—and its Department of Social Services—over the decision.

Other possible remedies, Ms. Throne-Holst said, could include the town purchasing the motel property and converting it into affordable housing.

“We were not notified,” Ms. Throne-Holst said of DSS’s decision to make the former motel a permanent homeless shelter. “The town only found out when we started getting calls from residents.”

The supervisor added that the county has pushed forward other initiatives, including the contentious homeless sex offender trailers that are still sited in Westhampton and Riverside, without the “courtesy” of notification. “We are as upset, taken aback, shocked and dismayed as the rest of you,” she said.

Mr. Schneiderman, who said he also had no pre-knowledge of the county’s plan, noted that it might be illegal for Suffolk to convert a motel into a year-round homeless shelter.

“DSS doesn’t call me to say they’re thinking of a homeless shelter,” said Mr. Schneiderman, who owns a motel in Montauk. “I don’t want this as much as you don’t want this.”

Livid residents believe that the Hampton Bays shelter is another example of the DSS pushing through a plan without first reaching out to those living in the affected communities.

A flier passed around at the meeting raises a number of concerns, including whether or not county officials have taken a close look at reported criminal activity at the motel and its surrounding areas in recent months. Town Police responded to the motel more than 60 times since January to answer a variety of calls, ranging from assault and burglary, to menacing and domestic disputes, according to police reports. The documents were requested and secured by Hampton Bays resident Salvatore Coppa.

Other residents continued to question whether or not the building itself can accommodate up to 32 homeless families; at the present time, about 20 tenants are renting the rooms, while another dozen of the units are occupied by homeless families. Others asked if the building’s cesspool and electrical systems are in compliance with town code.

“We’re looking at an imposition of government into our lives, and it’s hurting us,” said West Tiana Road resident John Pinna. “Stop it by saying ‘no.’”

Mr. Schneiderman reminded residents that the county’s DSS must provide temporary housing for the homeless in its jurisdiction, adding that those figures have swelled in recent months. He previously reported that more than 500 families in the county are seeking temporary housing through the county. “We are legally mandated to care for the homeless,” Mr. Schneiderman said.

The Hidden Cove Motel previously served as a homeless shelter for the county from 1999 until 2002, when it operated under the name “Luv ‘Em.”

Residents learned three weeks ago that the owners of the Hidden Cove Motel—Laml Realty Corporation—intend to evict its rental tenants so the DSS can open a full-scale homeless shelter there before the end of the year.