§ 20-28. Powers and duties.

A. 

The powers and duties of the Department of Housing and Human Services shall be under the administration, direction and control of the Commissioner. The Commissioner may, with the approval of the Town Board, establish, consolidate or abolish any division or subdivisions now existing or hereafter created in the Department. The Commissioner shall supervise and control all divisions of the Department.

B. 

The Department of Housing and Human Services shall have the following powers and responsibilities:

(1) 

To coordinate and manage all federal and state housing programs for the Town and to administer, manage, develop and promote programs which concern themselves with arresting blighted conditions in the community, which establish manpower programs to provide employment training and related services in assisting individuals to develop their full economic and occupational potential, which deal with a social and physical environment of Brookhaven's residential community, which promote and encourage citizen participation in the socioeconomic development of the community and which plan and organize projects that will prevent and treat the problems of the disadvantaged.

(2) 

To coordinate state, federal, local and private agencies in the evaluation of problems and in the delivery and integration of specific services; and to advise on the coordination of all federal and state suburban grant programs. To administer the HUD Community Development Programs effective July 1, 2018, including but not limited to: Home Investment Partnership Program, Housing Opportunities for Persons with Aids (HOPWA), and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), to become effective July 1, 2019, the Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and the Section 8 Rental Subsidy Program. Additionally, to coordinate state, federal, local and private agencies in the evaluation of problems and in the delivery and integration of specific services; and to advise on the coordination of all federal and state suburban grant programs.

[Amended 5-24-2018 by L.L. No. 11-2018, effective 5-29-2018]

(3) 

The functions of this Department in the context of human services shall also include administration and coordination dedicated to the needs and concerns of veterans by disseminating information to local veterans regarding programs and services available for their benefit and assistance. Additionally, this Department shall work with local communities to improve coordination of Town-wide transportation options to better serve people with disabilities, senior citizens and low-income individuals.

(4) 

Division of Water Resources programs. The Division of Water Resources shall be under the jurisdiction of the Department of Housing and Human Services. Water Resources was created in order that this office may also oversee the construction of public water mains and the connection of residential structures with CDBG funding from the federal government. This Division shall administer, develop, manage, initiate, implement, promote and supervise water resource programs serving the interests and welfare of the people of the Town of Brookhaven and develop, coordinate and maintain statistics and information related to contamination of the water supply and methods of preventing such contamination.

Editor’s Note: Former Subsection B(4), regarding special districts, was repealed 5-24-2018 by L.L. No. 11-2018, effective 5-29-2018. This local law also redesignated Subsection B(5) as B(4).

Amended 9-21-2010 by L.L. No. 19-2010, effective 10-1-2010