The Town of Brookhaven is asking Suffolk to take down the buildings on the site of the vacant Ridge Motel East, which has been vacant for more than a decade.

Residents say the motel on Route 25 in Ridge, which was converted into a drug rehabilitation center, is now an eye sore.

Brookhaven Supervisor Ed Romaine says the structures on the county-owned property are unsafe and have attracted squatters.

The Town of Brookhaven and Ridge Civic Association leaders are asking Suffolk County, which now owns the property due to unpaid taxes, to demolish it.

However, the properties previous owner, Carlos Lauro, filed a petition asking for more time to pay the $230,000 in back taxes. 

Suffolk County Legislator Al Krupski says before the buildings are taken down the petition must be considered.

"We live in America and everyone has property rights. There's a process that's been set up to give everyone their legal rights and legal process to redeem their property," says Legislator Krupski.

The Suffolk County Legislature will vote on the petition in February. If approved, Lauro will have 60 days to pay the taxes in full. If he does not, the county will then have the right to demolish the property. 

News 12 Long Island was unable to reach the previous owner of the site for comments.