News

Suffolk lawmakers OK ballot proposition on drinking water fund

Jul
30
2014

Suffolk lawmakers yesterday authorized a November referendum on a ballot proposal to create a $29.4 million program for environmental restoration and protection projects and land acquisitions aimed at protecting groundwater. The county would issue $29.4 million in serial bonds to establish the fund — the amount the county has already borrowed from the county's drinking water protection fund to balance its budget.

If approved by voters, the charter law would also authorize the county to borrow from the drinking water protection program's assessment stabilization reserve fund balance for the next three years to provide tax relief and keep the county tax levy increase within the state-mandated 2 percent cap. The assessment stabilization reserve fund currently has a balance of $140...| read more ››

Bellone submits reform legislation saving taxpayers $31.5 million over the next five years

Jul
29
2014

In a move to continue to promote government reform, improve health care services and save taxpayer dollars, County Executive Bellone today laid on the table legislation to approve a contract with Hudson River Healthcare Inc. (HRHCare) to operate the South Brookhaven Family Health Center-West and the Marilyn Shellabarger South Brookhaven Family Health Center East-Shirley. Under the auspice of HRHCare, these two health care centers will become Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC’s) enhancing the health and welfare of underserved and underinsured individuals and their families.

“Since the beginning of my administration, I have promoted government reform through various initiatives to save tax payer dollars and ensure efficient operations,” said County Executive Bellone. “Transitioning these health centers to HRHCare’s oversight will provide...| read more ››

MacArthur Airport's new anti-terror tool -- a yellow Lab named Unser -- now on the job

Jul
29
2014

The Suffolk County Police Department has acquired a sophisticated and state-of-the-art new tool in counterterrorism: the powerful nose of a yellow Labrador retriever named Unser.

The department announced yesterday that Unser, a 2-year-old pooch trained in "Vapor Wake" detection of bomb chemicals, is one of the newest recruits to the force and is assigned to patrol Long Island MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma.

Unser has been training since puppyhood at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn University in Alabama, where dogs are "scientifically bred, selected and developed to detect the scent trail an explosive leaves in the air. By their side is a handler educated in research-based techniques to provide a complete security system," according to the program's website.

While...| read more ››

Legislator collects school supplies for the homeless

Jul
28
2014

Suffolk County Legis. William Spencer is collecting new school supplies for homeless children as part of a Long Island-wide drive.

Spencer (D-Centerport) is participating in the “Supply Our Students” drive, hosted by the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless, according to a statement from his office.

The drive, which is in its ninth year, distributes hundreds of backpacks filled with school supplies to children in need before the start of each school year. Last year, 1,200 children received backpacks and supplies, according to the statement.

“Through the donations received during this drive, we are able to provide every child with the supplies they need to excel in school,” Spencer said in the statement.

“All children deserve the chance to learn...| read more ››

Legislator collects school supplies for the homeless

Jul
28
2014

Suffolk County Legis. William Spencer is collecting new school supplies for homeless children as part of a Long Island-wide drive.

Spencer (D-Centerport) is participating in the “Supply Our Students” drive, hosted by the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless, according to a statement from his office.

The drive, which is in its ninth year, distributes hundreds of backpacks filled with school supplies to children in need before the start of each school year. Last year, 1,200 children received backpacks and supplies, according to the statement.

“Through the donations received during this drive, we are able to provide every child with the supplies they need to excel in school,” Spencer said in the statement.

“All children deserve the chance to learn...| read more ››

Speed cameras begin operation in Nassau school zones

Jul
26
2014

Nassau County has started operating speed cameras at local school zones as part of a state-approved plan aimed at improving traffic safety and raising money for the county.

On Friday, cameras were placed at Plainedge Middle School in Bethpage, Dutch Lane Elementary in Hicksville and Abbey Lane School in Levittown, Nassau Department of Public Works spokesman Michael Martino said.

The three schools, which are open for summer school, each received a "mobile unit" -- an unmarked van equipped with two cameras and a radar machine -- to place nearby.

Nassau received authorization from the state to install 56 cameras -- one for each school district -- and will rely on a combination of mobile units and permanent cameras, which should...| read more ››

County to give up LIRR dock lease to Greenport

Jul
26
2014

In what’s being called a win-win for both parties, Suffolk County is poised to give up oversight of the Railroad Dock on Third Street and let Greenport Village deal directly with the Metropolitan Transit Authority, which owns the property.

Since the early 1980s, the county has acted as a middleman, leasing the dock space from the MTA and, in turn, subleasing it for the token fee of $1 a year to the village.

Under the current agreement, Greenport is responsible for day-to-day maintenance of the dock, while the county oversees long-term capital projects.

“It is a good move for both the county and for Greenport,” said Legislator Al Krupski (D-Cutchogue). “Over the years the county has just kept acquiring infrastructure...| read more ››

New committee could shape the future of North Fork Preserve

Jul
25
2014

With plans for Northville’s North Fork Preserve already taking shape, the county Legislature is set to vote Tuesday on the creation of an advisory committee to make recommendations for development and future use of the park.

Because of the park’s 314-acre scale and the number of proposed active uses — which include camping, hiking and horseback riding — the park stands to have “significant” impacts on nearby communities, according to the resolution introduced by Legislator Al Krupski (D-Cutchogue).

The proposed North Fork Preserve Advisory Committee would be made up of 10 members, including representatives from the county and Riverhead Town government, as well as members of local civic group, an environmental group and horseman’s organizations to gather input from the...| read more ››

LUPINACCI HONORS DISTINGUISHED INDIVIDUALS AT “LUAU ON THE HARBOR”

Jul
23
2014

(Long Island, NY) Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci with Greg Kaufman, Board of Trustees President Arthur Brings, Jim and Yvette Loughlin, and County Legislator William Spencer

Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci (R,C,WF,I-Huntington Station) recently attended the Luau on the Harbor, a fundraiser sponsored by the Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum and Education Center. Dedicated to the area’s local history, the museum holds about 6,000 documents and artifacts from Cold Spring Harbor and other Long Island whaling towns. The library and archival collection contains 2,800 primary and secondary volumes and manuscript materials from the Cold Spring whaling fleet, including ships’ logs, journals and business correspondence of the Cold Spring Whaling Company.

Lupinacci, along with other members of the community, honored Jim and Yvette Loughlin and...| read more ››

Long Island to get $144M in state Sandy repair funds, says Cuomo

Jul
23
2014

New York State will provide about $144 million to municipalities in Nassau and Suffolk counties to fund superstorm Sandy repair costs not covered by the federal government, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced Tuesday.

The October 2012 storm, which damaged area roadways, bridges, hospitals and government buildings, cost governments in the two counties about $1.4 billion, primarily in Nassau, where the Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant will cost more than $800 million to repair and rebuild.

Under federal rules, the Federal Emergency Management Agency will reimburse 90 percent of the costs, with municipalities responsible for the final 10 percent.

Cuomo said the state will use about $175 million in funds from the federal Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Relief program to cover...| read more ››