Now-empty Southampton properties damaged by Hurricane Sandy to be distributed

In the coming weeks, 10 properties that were damaged by Hurricane Sandy and then razed, are going to be turned over to the owners of adjacent lots, 27east reported. The Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery offered to buyout the owners of the damaged properties for their pre-storm market rate and then leveled the structures there. State officials want to preserve the properties as open space to reduce future flooding. In 2016, 16 owners turned over their properties to the state as part of the program. The Flanders, Riverside, Northampton Civic Association will be redistributing this year’s properties to adjoining owners. Before that happens though, the state needs to include covenants and restrictions recorded with the deeds to ensure the properties remain open space in perpetuity. [27east]