§ 21A-1. Statement of policy.

A. 

In the Town of Brookhaven, with its population consisting of people of various races, creeds, colors and national origins, there is no greater danger to the health, morals, safety and welfare of the Town and its inhabitants than the existence of groups and individuals reflecting prejudice against one another and antagonistic to each other because of differences of race, creed, color or national origin. The Town Board hereby finds and declares that acts of prejudice, intolerance, bigotry and discrimination which deny a person the opportunity to sell, purchase, lease or rent or obtain financing for the purchase or lease of housing accommodations because of race, creed, color or national origin threaten the fundamental rights and privileges of the inhabitants of the Town of Brookhaven and undermine the foundations of a free democratic state. The Town Board further declares it to be the public policy of the Town of Brookhaven to eliminate and prevent discrimination and involuntary segregation based on race, creed, color or national origin and to safeguard the right of every person to sell, purchase, lease or rent or obtain financing for the purchase or lease of housing accommodations without regard to race, creed, color or national origin.

B. 

The Town Board further declares it to be the public policy of the Town of Brookhaven to require that every department or other subdivision of said Town which may be involved in any construction programs for road building or recreational construction programs which could involve the removal or replacement of persons from their present living accommodations and their resettlement elsewhere (or which endeavor to implement any public or publicly assisted or public-approved housing or relocation plan) notify the Town Board of such action planned so that it may receive from the Town Board such recommendations as, in the judgment of the Board, will aid in effectuating the purpose of this chapter, including the elimination or minimization of involuntary segregation in housing within the Town.

C. 

In accordance with this policy, it shall be the duty of all Town officers, officials and employees to exercise any governmental function relating to the use, sale or occupancy of land, real property or housing accommodations in such a manner consistent with law so that all patterns of involuntary racially segregated housing existing in this Town are eliminated and that the creation of any such patterns is prevented to the maximum extent that such a result can be achieved by such action.