The dilapidated building at 305 Homestead Avenue in Maybrook, which has drawn complaints from concerned residents, is in the process of demolition.

A demolition permit was issued to JAIS, LLC, the owners of the property, on June 10. Village Building Inspector Tim Ippolito said the building was taken down on June 18 and the owners continue to complete site work.

Ippolito said JAIS has a year to complete the demolition process.

The demolition came at no additional cost to village taxpayers, Ippolito said, since the owners paid for the demolition.

On April 3, the village building department issued a violation notice. Ippolito stated the property contained trash, he observed animals entering and exiting through holes in the building and there is structural damage to the front wall. There was also damage to the roof, siding, gutters and more.

The red deli has been an eyesore for a number of years, although Ippolito said property owner rights restricted the village from forcing the owner to demolish the building. It was also difficult for the village to get in touch with the limited liability company. The business closed about eight or nine years ago.

Ippolito said the village followed all federal, state and municipal laws, respecting the rights of the property owner. The village also avoided court action, which would have come at the expense of village taxpayers.

“We always do our best not to violate anybody’s rights in situations like this,” Ippolito said. “This is not Communist Russia where we force people to do things against their will.”

Nearby property owner Linda Amodio said while she is happy the building is being taken down, the process should have occurred sooner.

Amodio contacted the board in June of 2016 about the deli, however her contact dropped off about a year and a half ago because she felt she wasn’t getting anywhere. In May 2017, Ippolito told Amodio in an email chain that a structural engineer hired by the village deemed the structure unsafe and the building was condemned.

“In essence the taxpaying property owners who maintain their property are being penalized by not penalizing the property owners who leave their property in disrepair,” Amodio said.