MOTEL REOPENS
Motel had closed after health violations; cabins still closed
WILTON, N.Y. » Residents on Wednesday started moving back into a Route 9 motel that was closed last month because of health and safety violations.
More than a dozen families were forced to leave Crest Inn Suites & Cottages, which was shut down May 23 following an inspection by state and town officials.
“It was very difficult,” said resident Ashlee Jackson, who spent the past three weeks living with relatives.
Jackson, who has lived at the motel since last August, said she’s glad to get back into a place of her own.
The motel is primarily home to short-term residents who live there for several weeks or months while trying to find more permanent quarters.
But state Health Department and town code enforcement officials found numerous serious violations last month that forced the motel’s closure. Infractions included raw sewage, open electrical boxes and inadequate smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
The 21-unit facility, at the corner of Ernst Road, has a motel unit fronting Route 9 and several cabins in back. Following an inspection Tuesday, town officials approved reopening motel units.
“They’ve done a lot of work to get into compliance,” town Building Inspector Mark Mykins said.
But cabins at the rear of the property remain closed because of structural issues. Cabins can’t be reopened until the owner’s engineer certifies that structures are safe, Mykins said.
Motel owner Arslan Hussain said he hopes to have cabins reopen by Friday.
Hussain said it’s cost about $35,000 to correct violations.
“We did a full cleanup and did all the rooms over,” he said. “Customers are coming back. Nine are returning. Others have found apartments.”