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Town of Huntington

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Pexels photo by Nishant Das

Huntington Town Supervisor Ed Smyth and Deborah Misir, the Town’s first Indian-American Town Attorney, will welcome Town, County and State officials, representatives from local Hindu temples, and members of the community to a cultural celebration of Holi, a “Festival of Colors,” celebrating love and inclusion at Huntington Town Hall, 100 Main Street, on Wednesday, April 6 at 4:30 PM.

“We join Huntington’s Indian-American community and all who observe this annual celebration of colors, with the hope, optimism and unity perfectly reflected during the springtime,” said Supervisor Ed Smyth.

“Holi – called Phagwah in the Caribbean – is the spring festival of colors and renewal. We welcome the Indian – American and Caribbean- American communities and people of all faiths who join together to celebrate this happy and fun holiday,” said Town Attorney Deborah Misir.

The Holi “Festival of Colors,” or “Festival of Spring,” celebrates the arrival of spring and harvests to come, and the victory of good over evil. The traditionally Hindu festival is celebrated across the globe, regardless of religion or cultural background: It’s a celebration of love and inclusion.

On January 4, 2022, the Town Board appointed Deborah N. Misir as Huntington’s first Indian-American Town Attorney. A resident of Lloyd Harbor, Deborah N. Misir is an accomplished lawyer, government executive and law professor with almost 25 years’ experience in practice. Before entering private practice on Long Island, she served in Washington DC, as U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor and Chief of Staff of OSHA, as a member of the federal management Senior Executive Service (SES). In addition, she was an ethics counsel in the White House Counsel’s Office for President George W. Bush, advising senior White House officials on various aspects of government ethics laws. Ms. Misir is a veteran and joined the JAGC program of the U.S. Marine Corps after graduation from law school.

The event will livestream on Optimum 18, FIOS 38, and at huntingtonny.gov/featured-programs. 

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Photo from Town of Huntington
Photo from Town of Huntington
Photo from Town of Huntington
Photo from Town of Huntington

Town of Huntington Supervisor Ed Smyth lit Huntington Town Hall in green lights on Friday, March 11, ahead of the Huntington Hibernians’ 88th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade; the green lights will remain in place today, St. Patrick’s Day, and through the weekend ending on March 20. 

 “Huntington is host to the greatest St. Patrick’s Day parade on Long Island and we have continued the celebration of Huntington’s Irish heritage by lighting Town Hall in green the entire week,” posted Supervisor Ed Smyth on social media. “Happy St. Patrick’s Day!” 

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Blue and gold lights at Huntington Town Hall Tuesday March 1 2022 in support of Ukraine's fight for freedom
Town electrician Tony Beigelbeck installs blue and gold lights at Huntington Town Hall
Blue and gold lights at Huntington Town Hall Tuesday March 1 2022 in support of Ukraine's fight for freedom
Blue and gold lights at Huntington Town Hall Tuesday March 1 2022 in support of Ukraine's fight for freedom

Town of Huntington Supervisor Ed Smyth lit Huntington Town Hall in blue and gold lights on  February 26 in support of Ukraine’s fight for freedom.

“I have directed Huntington Town Hall to be illuminated blue and gold as we stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people fighting for their freedom,” posted Supervisor Ed Smyth on social media. “Thank you to Director of General Services Bill Musto, Town electrician Tony Beigelbeck and staff for their service around the clock.”

Photos courtesy of Town of Huntington

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Photo from Town of Huntington

Huntington Town Supervisor Edmund J. Smyth, the Huntington Town Board, in their role as the Community Development Agency (CDA), and CDA Director Leah M. Jefferson will launch the distribution of  COVID-19 at-home test kits at Manor Field Park, East 5th Street, Huntington Station on Monday, February 7 at 11 a.m.

The Huntington Community Development Agency will be distributing over 10,000 over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 test kits to Town of Huntington residents funded by the 2020 CARES Act Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) program.  

 Pre-registration is required. Recipients must be Town of Huntington residents and each household is eligible to receive up to four (4) OTC Rapid Result COVID-19 test kits. Apply online at huntingtonny.gov/covid-test-kits. 

Hours of operation will be Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 9am to 2pm, Wednesdays from 3pm to 7pm, and Fridays from 1pm to 4pm, while supplies last. The distribution site will not be open on Federal holidays. 

 The Huntington Community Development Agency is also partnering with Value Drugs of Greenlawn to provide approximately 2,000 Town of Huntington residents an opportunity to receive a free onsite Rapid Results Antigen COVID-19 test. Onsite testing is available now to pre-registered residents. Apply at huntingtonny.gov/valuedrugscovid19testing to receive a voucher for a free test. Once approved, residents can schedule their appointment with Value Drugs. Tests will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Huntington CDA Chairman Ed Smyth stated, “These at-home test kits will provide Huntington families peace of mind that it is safe to gather and visit with at-risk family members.” 

 “Due to the recent spike in coronavirus cases, and with the demand of test kits outpacing the supply, the Town of Huntington and the Community Development Agency felt it was imperative that we address the issue,” said Leah M. Jefferson, Director of the Community Development Agency. “The Town has faced enough difficulties during the pandemic, and we are grateful for the generosity of Value Drugs which has allowed us to meet the demand for rapid testing, and ultimately keep our community safer.” 

 In September 2020, the Town of Huntington was awarded funding in the amount of $1,869,925 from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to prepare for, respond to, and prevent the spread of coronavirus. This funding was made available through the Community Development Block Grant- Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) program.  To date, this funding has been made available to businesses and individuals in the community who have been directly impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic, and to those community agencies that provide direct assistance to the residents of Huntington.   

 At their February 1 Community Development Agency meeting, the CDA Board authorized the distribution of 10,080 COVID-19 over-the-counter rapid tests to residents of the Town of Huntington purchased with $151,200 in CDBG-CV funds awarded in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 At the same meeting, the CDA Board also approved the execution of a contract with Value Drugs for the purpose of administering rapid COVID-19 tests to the residents of the Town of Huntington onsite at the Value Drugs at 106 Broadway in Greenlawn.

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A historic photo of downtown Huntington Station. Photo from Town of Huntington

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone (D) announced Dec. 29 a partnership between the county and Town of Huntington to expand sewers into Huntington Station. Both the county and the town will invest $22 million to fund the Huntington Station Hub Sewer Project, the first project funded under the county’s newly created Wastewater Infrastructure Fund, according to a press release from Belone’s office.

“For far too long, our region’s outdated infrastructure has slowed growth and development, with the lack of sewers being a primary driver,” Bellone said. “This is an historic partnership where both the Town and the county have come together and will be utilizing American Rescue Plan funds to push this much needed project forward, which will boost the local economy, create jobs, and allow for the continued revitalization of blighted areas.”

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D) praised the county and town for the partnership.

“I fought hard to deliver over $1 billion in COVID relief to county, town, and village governments across Long Island, and I’m so glad that County Executive Bellone and Town of Huntington and are using some of this aid to make long-sought investments in sewer infrastructure that will help Huntington build back better.,” Schumer said in the press release. “Upgrading sewer infrastructure is key to improving Long Island’s environment, protecting public health, fostering sustainable growth, and spurring economic development.”

Huntington Town Supervisor Chad Lupinacci (R) thanked everyone involved.

“I thank County Executive Steve Bellone, the Suffolk County Legislature and my Town Board colleagues for our shared bi-partisan vision to invest our respective American Rescue Plan Act funds in a renewed Route 110 Corridor,” Luinacci said in the press release.  “It is very satisfying to have, as one of my last acts as Supervisor, allocated this funding for sewers in downtown Huntington Station on the south side of the train tracks, something that will spur economic investment and produce tangible results in the revitalization of my hometown–one of the key goals of my administration–in the years to come.”

The lack of sewers in Huntington Station has long been an obstacle to revitalization efforts by both the county and the town. This expansion will allow downtown Huntington Station to continue to evolve as a major economic center of Long Island. The sewer improvements will promote mixed-use development and provide the possibility to expand existing businesses, allow new businesses to move in and allow for the redevelopment of vacant parcels.

The Huntington Station Hub Sewer Project plans for installation and connection to sewers for both residential and commercial properties within the Huntington Hub. The project will connect approximately 229 parcels in the vicinity of the Huntington Railroad Station and south along NYS Route 110 corridor. Additionally, the sewers would also serve several commercial blocks of Depot Road and industrial land along the LIRR tracks.

Earlier this month, the Town of Huntington allocated $22 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding for the Huntington Station Hub Sewer Project. The town will transfer $22,209,010 in American Rescue Plan Act Funds, its entire share of ARPA funds, to Suffolk County for the construction of the project.

As part of the 2022 Operating Budget, Bellone created the Wastewater Infrastructure Fund, which includes $125 million in new funding to significantly advance the County’s historic Reclaim Our Water Initiative.  The program is designed to stop and reverse nitrogen pollution by eliminating old cesspools and septic systems through sewer connections and the installation of Innovative Alternative.

Suffolk  County  is  partnering  with  the town of  Huntington  in  their  revitalization efforts of downtown Huntington Station, providing planning and design services of various infrastructure improvements. The Huntington Station LIRR stop is a vital east-west transportation connection and a study to examine implementing a bus rapid transit (BRT) line is currently underway. These efforts are part of the Connect Long Island economic development initiative and is intended to improve the economic future of Huntington Station.

Huntington Station, home to a diverse population, was once a thriving downtown that was displaced in the 1960s due to an Urban Renewal project. In the decades since, there have been unfulfilled promises to restore the downtown. Fortunately, in the last several years, through collaborative efforts of the public and private sectors, as well as the community- Huntington Station has seen tangible progress. Expanding the sewer infrastructure southbound, will build on the progress made and capitalize on the area’s existing assets such as the train station and access to major highways.

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Kevin Gershowitz (standing behind podium), President, Gershow Recycling, speaks during a press conference announcing the Town of Huntington’s anti-drunk and distracted driving campaign on November 30.

Gershow Recycling recently donated the use of a wrecked car in support of the Town of Huntington’s Anti-Drunk and Distracted Driving Campaign. Presented by Mark Cuthbertson, Councilman, Town of Huntington, and the Huntington Town Board, the program reminds residents of the dangers of drunk or distracted driving during the holidays.

Kevin Gershowitz, President, Gershow Recycling, took part in a press conference that was held on November 30, along with Councilman Mark Cuthbertson; Cathy Busuttil, whose sister was the victim of a drunk driving accident; Councilwoman Joan Cergol; Isai Fuentes, Program Specialist, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, New York State Office; and law enforcement personnel.

Mr. Gershowitz thanked the Town and MADD for their public awareness efforts and noted that Gershow takes in thousands of vehicles that were involved in serious accidents each year, some of which were the result of drunk driving. “There’s no reason to drive drunk today,” Mr. Gershowitz said. “Technology has afforded us the ability to use Uber, Lyft and all the types of ride-sharing services. I urge you: take advantage of it. Have fun, but stay away from your car if you’ve had too much to drink.”

Gershow has nine locations in Brooklyn, New Hyde Park, Valley Stream, Freeport, Lindenhurst, Huntington Station, Bay Shore, Medford and Riverhead. For more information, call (631) 289-6188 or visit www.gershow.com.

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File photo

The Huntington Town Board held its December 14, 2021 meeting, where they allocated $22 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding for the Huntington Station Hub Sewer Infrastructure Project, opted out of the State Cannabis Law, and approved proposed amendments to the Matinecock Court Housing Development.

Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci and the Town Board approved an intermunicipal agreement with the County of Suffolk to transfer the Town’s $22,209,010 in American Rescue Plan Act Funds to the County of Suffolk for the construction of the Huntington Station Hub Sewer Infrastructure Project, spanning the New York Avenue/Route 110 Corridor from the Huntington LIRR Train Station to 14th Street with additional adjacent parcels to the east and west.

The Town opted out of allowing cannabis retail dispensaries and on-site consumption sites within the Town of Huntington, outside of the Incorporated Villages, as authorized under New York State Cannabis Law Article 4. The board also voted to prohibit the consumption of cannabis on Town property, including parks and beaches, and on streets and sidewalks outside of the Incorporated Villages.

The board approved the developer’s proposed amendments the court-ordered settlement agreement with Matinecock Court Housing Development Fund Corporation and Matinecock Court LLC for the proposed development for low-income housing at the corner of Pulaski Road and Elwood Road in East Northport. The amendments, subject to approval by United States District Court in the Eastern District of New York, decreases the total number of units from 155 to 146, changes the 50/50 rental/equity split to 100% limited equity cooperative, and requires payments in lieu of taxes.

In other action, the Town Board:

  • Scheduled two regular Town Board meetings for Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at 2:00 PM and Tuesday, January 11, 2022 at 2:00 PM.
  • Approved up to $125,000 in Environmental Open Space and Park Improvement funds for recommended neighborhood enhancements to install sidewalks, curbs, an ADA-compliant pedestrian ramp and trees along the south side of Madison Street to create safe community access to Heckscher Park.
  • The board amended the Town’s Affordable Housing Code (Chapter 74) to establish alternative formulas, created with the support of the Huntington Housing Coalition, for the calculation of affordable rents on smaller projects in commercial zones due to higher construction costs.

 

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Dave Bennardo, left in above photo, was recently elected as Town of Huntington councilman. File photo from 2015

A former school district superintendent is ready to take a seat at Huntington’s Town Board table.

Dave Bennardo

Former South Huntington school district superintendent David Bennardo was elected as councilman in November. Bennardo, who ran on the Republican ticket, and running mate Sal Ferro, will take the places of current councilmen Ed Smyth (R), who won his bid for town supervisor, and Mark Cuthbertson (D), who ran for Suffolk County legislator and lost. The newly elected councilmen and supervisor will be sworn into office in January.

Bennardo said during campaigning, people would tell him he had a good chance of winning but he didn’t believe it himself.

“I was raised to kind of always believe that you’re an underdog and you hope for the best, so it was a beautiful surprise, and I just am humbled by it,” he said.

The councilman-elect said he and Ferro have been in touch with their Democratic opponents Jennifer Hebert and Joseph Schramm. One of the goals of Bennardo and Ferro during campaigning, as well as Hebert and Schramm, was for a less divisive race, government and town. Bennardo said they have received some good ideas from the two Democrats, and are “trying to keep the relationship alive so we can benefit from each other’s point of view.” Conversations across party lines are something that he believes sharpens and morphs views.

Bennardo said he is looking forward to attending town events and getting out in the community to meet more residents and familiarize himself with their concerns.

“I want to immerse myself in the community — between events and meetings at town halls and anytime I can to meet the constituents — and find out more of the things that are important to them,” Bennardo said.

He added while campaigning he found many wanted “to return to civil conversations and mature government.”

“The first step is to build those relationships across the aisle,” Bennardo said.

He said Ferro agrees with him, and they believe in compromising and listening. Bennardo said he is looking forward to serving Huntington residents along with Ferro. Their goal, he said, is to create a bipartisan team in town government that endures.

Bennardo said he would also like to see a personal touch brought back to Town Hall for the community and that will involve getting to know the staff members.

He said he believes his skill set as a former school superintendent will transfer to town councilman as he always made it a point to get to know those in his school district.

“Your responsibility is to get out there and get to know the people you serve,” he said.

Bennardo added while serving as superintendent of the South Huntington school district and principal at Harborfields High School for nine years, he knew responsiveness was essential, especially in the days of social media where it’s easier for people to communicate with each other.

“There is no place more responsive than school district leadership, because you have to be,” he said. “Your constituents are on your doorstep 45 seconds later, and they always know where to find you. I want to take that same mentality to the town.”

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A former supervisor was honored by the Town of Huntington last week. Flags in the town were flown at half-staff from Monday, Nov. 15, to Friday, Nov. 19, to remember Kenneth Butterfield, who first served as supervisor in 1975. Butterfield died Nov. 14 at age 87.

Kenneth Butterfield

“The town mourns the loss of former Supervisor Kenneth Butterfield, who invested in notable infrastructure projects, such as the HART Bus system and the Huntington Station commuter parking facility, while advocating for our environment and expanding senior services,” said Supervisor Chad Lupinacci (R) in a press release.

Butterfield began his career in town government in 1973 when he became Huntington’s first full-time town attorney, according to the press release from the town. Two years later he was appointed to the supervisor position to fill a vacancy. He won his first election in 1977 and was reelected in 1979 and 1981 for two-year terms.

Former town clerk Jo-Ann Raia (R) remembered Butterfield. Her first two years as town clerk overlapped with Butterfield’s last two years as supervisor.

“Ken and I were both inaugurated on Jan. 1, 1982, at Huntington High School,” Raia said in an email. “Ken was very gracious to me since he knew how nervous I was. When I got up to give my remarks, I said I had ‘Butterfields in my stomach’ and everyone started laughing. I was embarrassed, and after I finished Ken came over to shake
my hand.”

She added Butterfield approved funding that was essential to a project in the town clerk’s office.

“He also approved capital budget funding which was the first leg of building my records center,” she said. “He was a no-nonsense supervisor with a big smile and soft voice. He made his mark on Huntington.”

According to Butterfield’s obituary on the Nolan Funeral Home website, he was born in Flushing on Oct. 20, 1934. In addition to his career in politics, he was a musician who played trumpet in the U.S. Military Academy Band at West Point while he served in the military. Later in life, he played trumpet with his Dixieland jazz band, the Isotope Stompers, and he oversaw the construction of the Harry Chapin Rainbow Stage at Heckscher Park, Huntington. He was the first to play on it once the stage was completed.

He graduated college and law school within five years and specialized in maritime law during the early years of his law career. Butterfield returned to private practice after he left Town Hall. He was a partner of Armstrong and Butterfield and then Butterfield and Butterfield. He also served on the Northport Village Zoning Board
of Appeals.

He is survived by his wife, Deirdre Butterfield, his daughter Caroline Butterfield Colgan (Bernie), his son Thomas Butterfield and his daughter Li Ann Butterfield Watson (Matthew). He is also survived by his grandson Matthew Butterfield.

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A scene from last year's ceremony. Photo by Lina Weingarten/2020

The public is invited to join Town of Huntington officials, the Huntington Veterans Advisory Board, New York State and Suffolk County officials for a Veterans Day Ceremony on Sunday, November 7 at 11 a.m. on Veterans Plaza on the front lawn of Huntington Town Hall, 100 Main Street, Huntington, to honor veterans of the Town of Huntington and across our Nation.

Veterans Day 2021 commemorates the centennial of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Located at Arlington National Cemetery, the Tomb was initially dedicated by the Army on Armistice Day, November 11, 1921, with the burial of an unknown service member from World War I. Over the past century, additional unknowns have been buried at the Tomb, and the site has become a people’s memorial that inspires reflection on service, valor, sacrifice and mourning.

2021 also marks the 80th anniversary of the bombing on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Veterans Advisory Board member Mortimer Roberts, a World War II veteran, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. The World War II Memorial on Veterans Plaza now displays 365 new names added at a special ceremony on October 3, 2021 after a years-long outreach effort to properly recognize all Huntington residents who served in World War II. The names on the memorial now total 6,365.

The ceremony will feature patriotic music and take place on Veterans Plaza amid the American flag display known as the “Field of Honor,” as well as a 30-foot American flag displayed between fire trucks from the Huntington Fire Department and Huntington Manor Fire Department.

Refreshments donated by Buttercooky Bakery and Dunkin Donuts will be served after the ceremony. South Huntington Cub Scout Pack 406 volunteers will be assisting with program distribution.

The Kiwanis Club of Huntington is sponsoring a “Field of Honor” of American flags on display at Huntington Town Hall. 3’x5’ American flags are mounted on 8’ poles surrounding Veterans Plaza on the front lawn of Huntington Town Hall. Each flag has its own custom-printed gold ribbon personalized and dedicated to each veteran honoree. Flags can be purchased at BuyAFlag.org for $35. Flags were assembled in early September 2021 and will be taken down in December 2021. Net proceeds benefit veterans’ and children’s causes in Huntington.

Event: 

DATE:            Sunday, November 7, 2021

TIME:             11:00 a.m.

PLACE:           Veterans Plaza, Huntington Town Hall, 100 Main Street, Huntington

(Front lawn of Town Hall, park in lot and walk through building) 

For information about the Veterans Day Ceremony, please call 631-351-3012 or [email protected]

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