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nys rejects li sound dredged dumping/similar to broadwater ruling

NYS Secretary of State Lorraine Cortes-Vasquez has rejected the U.S. Navy's proposal to dispose of 230,000 cubic yards of dredged material from below the navigation channel within the Thames River at the New London Disposal Site(NLDS) in the Long Island Sound. NYS Department of State determined that the proposal is not consistent with four of the Long Island Coastal Management Plan Policies. According to Cortes-Vasquez,"Similar to the Broadwater LNG objection issied in April 2008, the decision to object to the Navy's disposal of dredged material at the NLDS is a reaffirmation of Governor patterson's commitment to preserving the integrity of the Long Island Sound."

thanks to holiday lights volunteers -

It was a cold Sunday(12/6) afternoon but it didn't stop the installation of the Holiday Lights by the Duck Ponds. Once again thanks go out to master electrician Frank Vaughn who installed the necessary wiring. Thanks also go out to the Wading River Civic volunteers who put up the Holiday Lights. The 2009 volunteers were Mike Harrigan, Dominique/Tony Mendez, Barry Gilmore, Deborah Hall, Rich Gibney, Steve Shapiro, Bob Kohlus, Alan Hurley, Greg/Pelle Hall, Jack Guthy, Nicole/ Sophia/ Isabella and Jack Fanelli Burke, Stephanie/Sid Bail.

h1n1 influenza hotline

According to Suffolk County Health Services and the CDC , the individuals in priority groups recommended to receieve the H1N1 flu vaccine are: pregnant women, all people from 6 months to 24 years of age, persons 25-64 years who have health conditions associated with high risk complications from influenza, . Residents with questions about the H1N1 vaccine should contact their own health care provider and/or call the Suffolk County Department of Health Services H1N1 hotline 631-787-2200, Monday -Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm.

3.9% tax increase in riverhead

The Riverhead Town Board voted to accept 1 Town Budget for 2010 that will increase taxes by 3.9% instead of the projected increase of 6.54%. The town board reduced the tax rate by taking $4.7 million from the town fund balance to reduce the tax increase.

woodhull house, the good news and bad news

The good news is that Town of Brookhaven has completed extensive tree work to remove trees and branches that threatened the integrity of Wading River's oldest structure the Woodhull House. The town is also preparing to install a new roof on the Woodhull House. The bad news is that the historic barn in the rear portion of the property has collapsed. The town is currently making the site secure and attempting to determine if any portion of the barn is salvageable.

$4.8 million to rehabilitate epcal rail spur

The entire cost of rehabbing the EPCAL-Calverton Rail Spur will be funded with $4.8 million dollars of federal stimulus money. The spur has been dormant for 25 years, runs along Connecticut Avenue to the LIRR's main line. Congressman Bishop and Senator Schumer pointed out that less than 2 % of goods brought to Long Island are brought by train, the lowest percentage of any metropolitan area. Oficials hope that the rail spur option will make EPCAL even more attractive to investors and developers. The town has already begun preliminary planning and engineering work for the rail spur which is being paid for from a $650,000 grant from the state.

sad news: keith romaine dies at 36

Brookhaven Sixth District Councilman Keith Romaine died Saturday. Keith had been suffering from pneumonia and died from complications from a viral infection. Keith had had just been re-elected to his second term on the town board. Keith was the son of our Suffolk County Legislator Ed Romaine. A wake for Councilman Romaine will be held at Sinneckson's Funeral Home, 203 Main Street, Center Moriches,NY 11934, ph. 878-0065. Visting hours are Monday 11/16 7-9pm, 11/17 2-4pm, and 7-9pm. The funeral will be held at St. John The Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 25 Ocean Ave., Center Moriches,NY 11934 on 11/18.

st. john's hearing left open

The Riverhead Zoning Board of Appeals has left open the public comment period for 3 weeks on the 11/12 public hearing for the construction of a 100 foot tall monopole on the St. John's property in Wading River. Planning Board Chairman Mclaughlin and ZBA Attorney DiSimone explained that since the request for an increase in impervious service was relatively small (.02%) (diminimus) it would therefore be problematic for the ZBA to deny it.

status quo in brookhaven elections

Congratulations to Democratic candidate Mark Lesko who was elected Brookhaven Supervisor. Councilwoman Jane Bonner and all of the other incumbents were re-elected. The Democrats elected Pat Eddington as Town Clerk and fellow Democrat John Rouse was re-elected Highway Superintendent.

big changes in riverhead!

Congratulations to Riverhead's new Supervisor Sean Walter. The GOP also elected John Dunleavey, Jodi Giglio and George Gabrielson to the Town Council. Republican Laverne Tennenberg was re-elected Assessor. The Democrats captured 2 offices and elected Diane Wilhelm Town Clerk and George Woodson Highway Superintendent. Voters rejected the idea of the transfer of safety dispatchers to Suffolk County and approved the proposal that will give the Highway Superintendent a 4 year term.