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Yearly Archives: 2023

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Pixabay photo

Earlier this year, the Town of Brookhaven took a gamble, hedging that the market rate of natural gas would climb.

That hedge proved unsuccessful, and town residents have paid the price ever since.

Brookhaven launched its Community Choice Aggregation program in May, partnering with Manhattan-based Good Energy for a fixed rate of $0.695 per therm on natural gas.

The logic was simple. Given the volatility of the international energy economy — with costs fluctuating to the vicissitudes of geopolitical unrest and natural disaster — the town agreed to lock its consumers into a fixed rate, shielded from the variability of the market.

At the time of the negotiation, that price seemed reasonable. In January, the default supply rate from National Grid was $0.792 per therm — 14% higher than the Good Energy rate. As part of the bargain, all Brookhaven National Grid consumers were automatically opted into the $0.695 per therm supply rate.

Unfortunately, every month since the CCA took effect, National Grid has offered a cheaper rate than Good Energy. That includes the month of September, as the rate is now $0.297 per therm. 

Simply put, far too many Brookhaven residents are paying more than they should for their natural gas supply. And despite the urgency of the moment, the Town Board and Good Energy have acted with unusual calm.

We hear so often from Brookhaven officials about the need for fiscal responsibility. Where is the fiscal responsibility for ratepayers? Why hasn’t the town had a more aggressive public outreach and education campaign?

The town’s CCA webpage — brookhavencommunityenergy.com — still considers the program a means to “provide annual savings and rate stability for participating residential and commercial consumers by fixing the gas supply of the natural gas rate.”

This messaging is possibly misleading unsuspecting residents to remain opted in. Messages like these can do a disservice to the hardworking residents of this town, who should not have to bear such unnecessary costs.

The Town Board should confront its constituents, explaining the faults in this CCA program and encouraging consumers to opt out immediately.

A day may come when the National Grid rate exceeds $0.695 per therm. When that happens, we will give the Town Board its due credit and encourage all residents to opt in again.

But that day has not arrived.

With skyrocketing costs everywhere, elected officials must do everything possible to safeguard their constituents from further financial strain. Now is not the time to save face but to lead.

To every Brookhaven natural gas consumer, please opt out of the CCA until further notice. And please watch the rates.

Visit www.brookhavencommunityenergy.com and follow the directions at the top of the page to opt out.

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File photo

Suffolk County Police Seventh Squad detectives are investigating a motorcycle crash that killed a Selden man on Sept. 9 in Manorville.

Henry L. Zdenek Jr. was riding a 2005 Harley-Davidson motorcycle southbound on Clancy Road, near Hampton Vista Drive, when he crossed into the northbound lanes in an attempt to pass other motorcycles at 10:28 a.m. Zdenek swerved back into the southbound lane to avoid oncoming traffic and struck a 2004 Harley-Davidson being ridden by Rosalind Zayas.

Zdenek, 59, of Selden, was transported via ambulance to Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead where he was pronounced dead. Zayas, 62, of Central Islip, was taken to the same hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Anyone with information on the crash is asked to contact the Seventh Squad at 631-852-8752.

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Eric Mahl with the Northport Symphony Orchestra.

The Northport Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce the appointment of Eric Mahl as its new Music Director, following his successful conducting debut with the orchestra at this year’s spring concert.

In addition to the Northport Symphony Orchestra, Mr. Mahl is the Music Director of the Geneva Light Opera Company, the Philharmonia Orchestra at Third Street, and the Western Connecticut Youth Orchestra, as well as Associate Conductor with the Greenwich Village Orchestra and faculty/festival ensemble conductor at the Charles Ives Music Festival. He is also the founder and Music Director of OrchestraOne, a NYC based non-profit that has community involvement and participation as its foundation.

Mr. Mahl has programmed an ambitious season for NSO, with a mix of symphonic favorites and works of diverse, lesser-known composers, capped off by virtuoso Metropolitan Opera violinist Jeremías Sergiani-Velázquez performing Prokofiev’s electrifying Concerto No. 1 at our spring 2024 concert. This season will also mark the addition of a children’s concert to our regular schedule.

Mr. Mahl inherits the mantle from founding Music Director Richard Hyman, who closed out sixteen illustrious years with the NSO.

We are excited to start a new chapter, expanding our repertoire and our outreach to the community.

NSO welcomes inquiry from interested musicians regarding joining our ensemble and will hold ongoing auditions.  Email [email protected] for additional information. 

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Do you recognize this woman? Photo from SCPD
Do you recognize this woman? Photo from SCPD

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the woman who stole merchandise from a South Setauket store. 

A woman allegedly stole health and beauty products, clothing, and vitamins from Target, located at 265 Pond Path, on September 4 at approximately 3 p.m. The stolen merchandise has a value of approximately $330.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS, utilizing a mobile app which can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips, or online at www.P3Tips.com. All calls, text messages and emails will be kept confidential.

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Do you recognize this woman? Photo from SCPD
Do you recognize this woman? Photo from SCPD
Do you recognize this woman? Photo from SCPD
Photo from SCPD

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Sixth Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the woman who allegedly used stolen credit cards in Shirley in August. 

Credit cards were stolen from a vehicle parked in the parking lot of Cedar Beach in Mount Sinai on August 17. A short time later, a woman used the stolen credit cards at Kohl’s, located at 999 Montauk Highway. The woman fled in a dark-colored vehicle. 

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS, utilizing a mobile app which can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips, or online at www.P3Tips.com. All calls, text messages and emails will be kept confidential.

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Lanieri Park dedication 09/02/23
Lanieri Park dedication 09/02/23
Lanieri Park dedication 09/02/23
Lanieri Park dedication 09/02/23
Lanieri Park dedication 09/02/23

Local officials, community leaders, and a packed park filled with Lanieri family members and neighbors came together over Labor Day weekend to dedicate the playground & park at the former site of St Anthony’s School (aka San Remo Park & Playground) in memory of “John John” Lanieri. On Saturday, September 2nd, 2023 Supervisor Ed Wehrheim led the dedication ceremony together with Anthony Lanieri, with support from fellow local officials, members of the Parks Department & Public Safety. Approximately fifty members of the Lanieri family, the Vita family, and neighbors of the Kings Park community cut a ribbon commemorating the dedication in front of the new park sign. 

“Kings Park is a special place to call home. We’re a very proud community, with a true appreciation for our history and giving back to our hometown. The Lanieri family embodies these roots. Throughout all five generations, many have worked in public service, at the former hospital, or right here in local government. They’ve served our Country, volunteered as first responders, and contributed to the enrichment of our future generations. That tradition of service is at the very core of what makes this community so special. It’s a privilege to commemorate this special occasion here today… which I hope and believe will inspire future generations to follow in your footsteps.,” said Supervisor Ed Wehrheim.

The Lanieri Family has a long history in the hamlet of Kings Park, with almost a century, and five generations of calling the Township of Smithtown home. In 1980, John Lanieri, fondly remembered as “John John,” was struck and tragically killed by a drunk driver at the tender age of fifteen, in front of the old St. Anthony’s School. Years later, an attempt to rename the street “John’s Way” was never brought to fruition, when the old St. Anthony School was torn down, and eventually constructed into a residential development. The request to rededicate the park where John and his siblings grew up playing was formalized by Anthony Lanieri earlier this year. In the request, Lanieri referenced his family members who had passed away before their time and how he dreamed of a place where the youngest generation; his first grandson, would come to play and learn all about his legacy. 

“It’s a great tribute to all of the Lanieri generations, past, present and future, for this to be happening today. Obviously we wouldn’t all be here today if not for my brother John. And I think he’s with us today, together with my son, and my father, smiling in celebration on this gorgeous sunny day,” added Anthony Lanieri.

Arrangements and logistics to facilitate the park rededication were orchestrated by Mitch Crowley, Director of Traffic Safety, Joe Arico, Director of Parks, Buildings & Grounds, Tom Heester, Assistant Town Park Maintenance Director, and Michael Grosskopf, Project Manager.

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Brookhaven Town Hall. File photo from the town’s website
By Samantha Rutt

National Grid’s supply rates have fallen below those offered by the Town of Brookhaven’s Community Choice Aggregation program for another month.

This week, National Grid released its September supply rates, which stand at $0.297 per therm — more than twice less than the current offering from the CCA at $0.695 per therm. Natural gas consumers were automatically opted into the CCA program earlier this year.

The Town of Brookhaven referred requests for comment to Manhattan-based Good Energy, administrator of its CCA program.

“While fixed energy rates may not offer immediate cost savings, they provide stability and protection in the long run,” Javier Barrios, managing partner at Good Energy, said in an exclusive interview. “Fluctuating utility rates can make it challenging to estimate your monthly energy costs, potentially leading to unexpected financial burdens.”

During last month’s Town Board meeting, however, Barrios and another representative from Good Energy met resistance over the CCA’s cost structure and the firm’s public outreach efforts. [See story, “Natural gas prices still higher under Brookhaven CCA,” Aug. 25, TBR News Media].

Given the elevated price for those remaining opted into the CCA, Town of Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook) has encouraged ratepayers to opt out.

Brookhaven introduced the CCA program to deliver cheaper gas and rate stability for residents and businesses. However, with National Grid rates continuing to plummet, the CCA has produced the opposite effect, according to Kornreich.

In an interview, he cast doubt upon Good Energy’s intentions, saying, “Obviously, this company is focused only on making a profit for themselves.”

Barrios countered these claims, indicating the decision to remain opted in is a matter of personal preference guided by convenience and energy usage, among other factors.

“The decision between fixed and fluctuating energy rates ultimately depends on your personal circumstances and preferences,” Barrios said, “Assessing your energy consumption patterns, financial goals and risk tolerance will help a consumer make a more informed decision.”

Under the contract, consumers can opt in or out at any time, free of charge. Kornreich kept open the possibility that there may soon be a time when opting in is advantageous for ratepayers.

“There may very well come a time when the National Grid price goes higher than CCA,” the town councilmember said. “At that point, it’ll make sense to opt into the CCA and pay that lower price.”

But, Kornreich added, “The CCA price is obviously much higher now, and I think it will remain higher for the foreseeable future. I think it’s important for people to opt out as we enter into the heating season.”

As of  Wednesday, Sept. 6, the town’s energy website — brookhavencommunityenergy.com — indicates the program is “designed to provide annual savings and rate stability for participating residential and commercial consumers by fixing the gas supply of the natural gas rate.”

Despite this messaging, Kornreich continued to urge community members to familiarize themselves with the program’s details and opt out.

“Our goal in creating CCA was to save money for residents, but the only way that works is if residents are aware of it,” Kornreich continued.

Barrios supported Kornreich’s statement: “The program is meant to provide a choice between a fluctuating utility rate and a fixed-price CCA option that is better than what ratepayers experienced with the utility in the previous 12 months. That is one of the reasons that it is called Community [Choice] Aggregation.”

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Photo Caption: Caption: Highway Superintendent Daniel Losquadro and Councilman Dan Panico in front of the pedestrian safety upgrades made on Adelaide Avenue in East Moriches. Photo from TOB

The Brookhaven Highway Department recently completed pedestrian safety upgrades at 16 unsignalized and four signalized crosswalk locations across Brookhaven Town.

The additional safety measures added to the already signalized intersections included: LED pedestrian signals with countdown timer assemblies; ADA compliant pedestrian push buttons with audible features; thermoplastic reflectorized crosswalk pavement markings; and high visibility signage. In addition, curb ramps were reconstructed to ensure they are ADA compliant as well.

Work completed at unsignalized crosswalk locations included: installation of rectangular rapid flashing beacons at the crosswalk locations; ADA compliant pedestrian push buttons; high visibility crosswalk signage; thermoplastic reflectorized crosswalk pavement markings; and ADA compliant sidewalk curb ramps.

The Brookhaven Highway Department was awarded grant funding for this project from the New York State Department of Transportation in response to the Local Call for Pedestrian Safety Action Plan (PSAP) projects. The overall construction cost was $1.3 million; nearly 80 percent was funded by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) with a local Town match.

“The additional safety measures and upgrades completed at these intersections – many of which are located at public schools and Town parks – are intended to increase visibility and alert motorists when there is a pedestrian in the crosswalk,” said Superintendent Losquadro.

Locations of the improvements made at signalized intersections include: Ruland Road and Hawkins Road in Selden; Pawnee Avenue and Mastic Road in Mastic; Division Road and Ronkonkoma Avenue in Lake Ronkonkoma; and, Station Road and Farber Drive in North Bellport.

Locations of improvements made at mid-block, unsignalized crosswalks include: 43rd Street and Sunset Drive in Centereach; Oxhead Road between Arthur Lane and Hollingsworth Place in Centereach; Blue Point Avenue between Oyster Cove Lane and Madison Street – North in Blue Point; Blue Point Avenue between Oyster Cove Lane and Madison Street – South in Blue Point; Christian Avenue between Knoll Top Road and Hollow Road in Stony Brook; North Coleman Road between Donwood Avenue and Lake Grove Street in Centereach; Norwood Avenue between Sage Road and Kennedy Road – West in Port Jefferson Station; Norwood Avenue between Kennedy Road and Sage Road – East in Port Jefferson Station; Hospital Road between Pondview Drive and Fairfax Road in East Patchogue; Jayne Boulevard and Newport Drive in Terryville; Adelaide Avenue between Montauk Highway and Montauk Avenue in East Moriches; Mount Sinai Coram Road between Route 25A and Jesse Way – North in Mount Sinai; and, Teller Avenue between Homestead Drive and Margaret Drive in Coram.

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Labor leader Joseph James Ettor (1885-1948) speaks in Union Square during the Brooklyn barbers’ strike of 1913. Public domain photo
By Aramis Khosronejad

Amid Labor Day celebrations, Long Island is working through a labor shortage crisis, according to New York State Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio (R-Riverhead), a member of the Assembly’s Standing Committee on Labor.

Like much of New York state, Suffolk County is navigating through various labor challenges such as its relatively high unemployment rate, lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, high cost of living and rising inflation. 

Labor shortages

According to the 2023 Long Island Economic Survey, “We are in the midst of one of the nation’s biggest labor crises on record, with significant labor shortages affecting all industries and geographies.” 

In an interview, Giglio expressed her concerns for Long Island’s labor, suggesting “a lot of businesses [are] putting up help wanted signs and looking for somebody to fill these positions.” 

This July, according to the New York State Department of Labor’s Jobs and Labor Force press release, the unemployment rate in New York state “held constant at 3.9%. The comparable rate for the U.S. was 3.5%.” 

When asked whether she would consider the current labor shortage a crisis, Giglio replied, “Absolutely, it is a crisis.”

Post-pandemic recovery

The Long Island workforce is still feeling the long-term impacts of the pandemic, according to Giglio. She said much of the financial hardships were brought on by malfeasance.

“I think there was a lot of money that was stolen from the state by unemployment, fraud, and people [who] were finding ways to live less expensively,” Giglio said. Additionally, “Businesses are really struggling to stay afloat.”

Cost of living

Attributing a cause to growing labor shortages, Giglio offered that fewer young people are staying put. 

“It seems as though the kids that are getting out of college are finding different states to live in and different states where they can get meaningful jobs,” she said. “The high cost of living in New York and the jobs that are available are not able to sustain life here in New York, especially on Long Island.”

Wages

While the high standard of living in New York may be one factor contributing to labor shortages on Long Island, stagnating wages present yet another barrier.

The founder of Long Island Temps, Robert Graber, explained the complications of wages and inflation. 

“Wages have gone up, but inflation is outpacing the wage increase,” he said. “That makes it harder to recruit and fill positions.”

Migrant labor

Since spring 2022, a wave of migrants have entered New York state, the majority arriving in New York City. When asked if this migrant surge could help resolve the labor shortages islandwide, Giglio expressed some doubts. 

“I’ve been talking to a lot of business owners and organizations that have been trying to help migrants that are coming into the city, and some even making their way out to Long Island,” the assemblywoman said. “Some of their biggest problems are that they don’t have any documents, identification from their countries, nor do they have a passport, and they don’t have a birth certificate.” 

Giglio added that this lack of information could undermine effective integration into the Long Island labor force. “It’s really putting a strain on the government and the workload,” she said.

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Legislator Bontempi (center) at the forum. Photo courtesy of Leg. Bontempi's office

On September 7th, Legislator Stephanie Bontempi (R – 18th L.D.) participated in the American Jewish Committee’s “Municipal Leaders Against Antisemitism” meeting at the Mid-Island Y JCC.  Included in the dynamic forum were other elected officials and specialized law enforcement officers from both Suffolk and Nassau counties.  Among the topics discussed were the U.S. National Strategy to Combat Antisemitism and the various methods employed by local governments to stamp out hate.

“This was a very timely discussion, as anyone keeping up with the news knows that we need to do more as a society to eliminate hate,” said Bontempi.  “Whether the issue is a hate crime or a hurtful incident rooted in ignorance, we can do so much more via proactive law enforcement and education.  If you see something, say something.”

Bontempi brought up Suffolk County’s 311 system, now that it is being promoted as a means of reporting antisemitism.  She explained that she is going to ensure that the system is both accessible and reliable, as time is of the essence with these matters.

“We have to take incidents involving hate much more seriously,” added Bontempi.  “Especially when youths are involved, we can use these occurrences as teachable moments, even for offenders.  At root, we all want to be treated as human beings, so understanding the issue through education can go a long way.”

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