This article shall be applicable to the public nuisances defined in Article
I of this chapter.
The Village Attorney may bring and maintain a civil proceeding
in the name of the Village for the following types of relief:
C. Temporary restraining order.
E. Civil penalties.
(1) The summons. The Village Attorney of the Village of Hillburn shall
name as defendants the building, structure or place wherein the public
nuisance is being conducted, maintained or permitted, by describing
it by tax map number and/or street address, and at least one of the
owners of some part of or interest in the property.
(2) The complaint.
(a)
The Village Attorney shall bring and maintain a civil proceeding in the name of the Village of Hillburn in the Supreme Court of Rockland County, or any other court of competent jurisdiction, to permanently enjoin the public nuisance and the persons conducting, maintaining or permitting the public nuisance, as defined in Article
I, §
166-3, of this chapter, from further conducting, maintaining or permitting the public nuisance, in the manner provided in Article
II of this chapter. The owner, operator and/or lessee of a building, structure or place wherein the public nuisance is being conducted, maintained or permitted may be made defendants in the action.
(b)
The venue of such action shall be the county where the public
nuisance is being conducted, maintained or permitted.
(c)
The existence of an adequate remedy at law shall not prevent
the granting of temporary or permanent relief pursuant to this chapter.
(d)
The civil action shall be commenced by the filing of a summons
and complaint alleging the facts constituting the nuisance.
(e)
The complaint shall name as defendants the building, structure
or place wherein the nuisance is being conducted, maintained or permitted,
by describing it by tax map number and/or street address, and at least
one of the owners who possess some part of or an interest in the property.
(f)
Any complaint filed under this chapter shall be verified or
accompanied by affidavit(s) for the purpose of showing that the owner
or his/her agent has notice of the nuisance and has had an opportunity
to abate the nuisance.
(g)
The complaint or affidavit shall contain a description of the
attempts by the applicant to notify and locate the owner of the property
and/or the owner's agent.
(h)
The complaint or affidavit shall describe the adverse impact
associated with the property on the surrounding neighborhood.
(3) In rem jurisdiction over building, structure, or place. In rem jurisdiction
shall be completed over the building, structure or place wherein the
public nuisance is being conducted, maintained or permitted by affixing
the summons to the door of the building, structure or place and by
mailing the summons by certified or registered mail, return receipt
requested, to one of the owners who possesses some part of or an interest
in the property. Proof of service shall be filed within two days thereafter
with the clerk of the court designated in the summons. Service shall
be complete upon such filing.
(4) Service of summons on other defendants. Defendant(s), other than
the building, structure or place wherein the public nuisance is being
conducted, maintained or permitted, shall be served with the summons
as provided in the Civil Practice Law and Rules.
(5) Notice of pendency. With respect to any action commenced or to be
commenced pursuant to this chapter, the Village Attorney may file
a notice of pendency pursuant to the provisions of Article 65 of the
Civil Practice Law and Rules.
(6) Presumption of ownership. The owner of the real estate affected by
the action shall be presumed to be the person in whose name the real
estate is recorded in the office of the Village of Hillburn Assessor
and/or the office of the Clerk of the County of Rockland.
(7) Presumption of employment or agency. Whenever there is testimony
that a person was the manager, operator, supervisor or in any other
way in charge of the premises at the time a public nuisance was being
conducted, maintained or permitted, such evidence shall be presumptive
that he or she was an agent or employee of the owner or lessee of
the building, structure or place considered to be a nuisance.
(8) Penalty. If, upon the trial of an action under this chapter, or upon
a motion for summary judgment in an action under this chapter, a finding
is made that the defendant has conducted, maintained or permitted
a public nuisance defined in this chapter, a penalty may be awarded
in an amount not to exceed $1,000 for each day it is found that the
defendant conducted, maintained or permitted the public nuisance after
notice to abate has been given by the Village. Upon recovery, such
penalty shall be paid into the general fund of the Village.
(9) Enforcement. A judgment pursuant to this chapter shall be enforced
by the Town of Ramapo Police Department and the office of the Village
Attorney, Village of Hillburn.
This article shall not be construed to exclude any other remedy
provided by law for the protection of the health, safety and welfare
of the people of the Village of Hillburn.