Brookhaven Town Clerk Kevin LaValle in the Town Hall parking lot. Photo from TOB
In another sign that spring is right around the corner, Brookhaven Town Clerk Kevin LaValle has announced that the Town of Brookhaven will be distributing double-grind woodchips and mulch for Brookhaven residents at the following locations starting March 15:
Please note that the free compost and mulch is for residential use only.
On Long Island we have a sandy soil structure that allows water and fertilizers to drain down into the water table and run-off into our surrounding waterways. Using compost and mulch in your garden or landscape is a great way to improve soil structure and continuously provide nutrients to growing plants. Compost and mulch also retain moisture, allowing plants to better endure hot and dry weather.
Heather Zinkin, MD, next to the Varian Ethos HyperSight for radiation cancer therapy machine at the Northwell Health Cancer Institute at Greenlawn. Photo credit: Northwell Health
Northwell Cancer Institute’s radiation therapy centers in Greenlawn and Lake Success are the first on Long Island to offer state-of-the-art Varian Ethos™ radiation therapy with HyperSight™ imaging technology. This cutting-edge technology delivers advanced external beam radiation therapy treatments, which boosts precision and effectiveness for patients undergoing radiation therapy for numerous cancers.
HyperSight provides high-quality, daily pre-treatment imaging in a single six-second breath hold, improving the ability for radiation oncologists to see and target a tumor. Ethos offers a new treatment called adaptive radiation therapy, which allows for real-time adjustments based on tumor response and daily changes in normal anatomy, optimizing accuracy, reducing exposure to healthy tissue, and minimizing side effects. The technology minimizes side effects by leveraging artificial intelligence and the fastest on-table imaging in the field to enhance accuracy and patient comfort.
“With the introduction of the new technology, we’re offering patients access to the most modern and fastest imaging and treatment technology available anywhere in the world,” said Heather Zinkin, MD, chief of radiation oncology at Huntington Hospital. “Patients benefit from the convenience of consulting with their radiation oncologist, undergoing planning, and receiving treatment all in one location close to home, ensuring a seamless, personal and efficient care experience.”
As part of a $4 million investment, the Greenlawn center has also undergone significant renovations and expansion. Enhancements include a second treatment vault, modern waiting area, updated restrooms, expanded changing rooms, and additional exam rooms and office space. The improvements provide a more comfortable and accommodating environment for patients undergoing cancer treatment.
Additionally, the Greenlawn center has introduced a new CT simulator, offering patients the latest and fastest imaging technology available. This simulator enhances the treatment planning process by providing highly detailed images that guide radiation oncologists and medical physicists in developing customized treatment protocols. It also has 4- dimension (4D) capability to track tumor motion. At the R.J. Zuckerberg Cancer Center in Lake Success, the Ethos and HyperSight technology enhances one of the largest radiation therapy centers in the region offering an extensive array of internal and external radiation therapy treatments and technology. The total investment there cost $5.1 million.
“Northwell’s Radiation Medicine Department has a long history of investing in the latest radiation therapy technology. We were the first in New York State to offer HyperSight at Lenox Hill Hospital and are thrilled to now offer extraordinary imaging and treatment technology on Long Island,” said Louis Potters, MD, SVP and deputy physician-in-chief, Northwell Health Cancer Institute. “In addition to being extremely precise, this new technology enhances patient comfort by getting patients in and out quickly, with an average on-table time of just 10 minutes or less.”
We hear continuously about the importance of exercise. Why is it so important, though? Exercise has benefits for preventing and improving a wide range of medical conditions, from cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes to depression, insomnia, fatigue, balance, cognitive decline, and osteoporosis. Will it help you lose weight, though? While gym equipment ads emphasize this, exercise without dietary changes may not help many people lose weight, no matter what the intensity or the duration (1). It may only reduce fat mass and weight modestly for most people. It might, however, be helpful with weight maintenance.
Ultimately, it may be more important to examine what you are eating than to succumb to the rationalization that you can eat without care and work out to compensate for that extra cookie.
Does exercise help with weight loss?
The well-known weight-loss paradigm is that when you burn more calories than you consume, you will promote weight loss. However, study results say otherwise. They show that in premenopausal women there was neither weight nor fat loss from exercise (2). This involved 81 women over a short duration, 12 weeks. All of the women were overweight to obese.
However, more than two-thirds of the women gained a mean of 1 kilogram, or 2.2 pounds, of fat mass by the end of the study. There were a few who gained 10 pounds of predominantly fat. A fair amount of variability was seen among the participants, ranging from significant weight loss to substantial weight gain. These women were told to exercise at the American College of Sports Medicine’s optimal level of intensity (3). This is to walk 30 minutes on a treadmill three times a week at 70 percent VO2max — maximum oxygen consumption during exercise, which is characterized as a moderately intense pace.
On the positive side, the women were in better aerobic shape by the study’s end. Also, women who had lost weight at four-weeks were more likely to continue to do so by the end of the study.
Other studies have shown modest weight loss. For instance, in a meta-analysis involving 14 randomized controlled trials, results showed that exercise alone led to a disappointing amount of weight loss (4). In six months, patients lost a mean of 3.5 pounds, and at 12 months, they lost about 3.75 pounds.
A recent meta-analysis of aerobic exercise studies found that, in order to break through to meaningful reductions in waist circumference and body fat, participants had to exercise more than 150 minutes per week, up to 300 minutes weekly, at moderate to vigorous aerobic intensity (5).
However, exercise may help with weight maintenance, according to observational studies. Premenopausal women who exercised at least 30 minutes a day were significantly less likely to regain lost weight (6). In another study, when exercise was added to dietary changes, women were able to maintain 30 percent more weight loss than with diet alone after a year (7).
How does exercise help with disease?
Let’s look at chronic kidney disease (CKD), which affects about 14 percent of U.S. adults, as one example of exercise’s impact on disease (8).
Trial results showed that walking regularly could reduce the risk of kidney replacement therapy and death in patients who have moderate to severe CKD (9). When walkers were compared to non-walkers, walkers experienced a 21 percent reduction in the risk of kidney replacement therapy and a 33 percent reduction in the risk of death.
The more frequently patients walked during the week, the better the probability of preventing complications. Those who walked between one and two times per week had 17 and 19 percent reductions in death and kidney replacement therapy, respectively, while those who walked at least seven times a week saw a 44 percent reduction in death and a 59 percent reduction in kidney replacement. This is significant. The authors concluded that the effectiveness of walking on CKD was independent of kidney function, age or other diseases.
There are many benefits to exercise; however, food choices will have a greater impact on weight and body composition. The good news: exercise can help maintain weight loss and is extremely beneficial for preventing progression of chronic diseases, such as CKD.
Dr. David Dunaief is a speaker, author and local lifestyle medicine physician focusing on the integration of medicine, nutrition, fitness and stress management. For further information, visit www.medicalcompassmd.com or consult your personal physician.
Photo courtesy of Stony Brook University Athletics
The Stony Brook women’s track and field team opened its outdoor season with an impressive showing at the Stony Brook Snowflake Classic on March 15. The Seawolves totaled 11 top-three finishes, with seven coming via event wins.
HIGHLIGHTS
Enyero Omokeni took first place in the 400m (1:00.12).
Shaylen Goslar finished first in the 800m (2:13.39), setting a new PR in the event.
Grace Sisson won the mile run (5:00.42).
Jasmine Mason-Rudolph won the 100m hurdles (17.46) and 400m hurdles (1:07.66).
Omokeni, Samantha St. Juste, Nicola Pesnell, and Camille Grable finished first in the 4×200 relay (1:48.50).
Brienna Ahmetaj won the high jump in a jump-off (1.50m, 4’11”).
Paulina Gasparis, Olivia Simonetti, Julia Samuelson, and Isabel Leonardo teamed up in the 4×200 relay and finished second (1:53.36).
Danielle Cirrito placed second in the mile run (5:00.67).
Simonetti finished second in the 400m (1:00.14), setting a new PR in the event.
Amelie Guzman finished third in the mile run (5:16.66).
“It was nice to have a home meet to start the outdoor season. Both men’s and women’s teams enjoyed the opportunity to compete on home turf,” head coach Andy Ronan said. “For the start of the season, we produced some solid performances that we can build on as the season progresses.”
Ryan Scarry raced to victory in the 400m hurdles. Photo from Stony Brook University Athletics
The Stony Brook men’s track and field team opened its outdoor season with an impressive showing at the Stony Brook Snowflake Classic on March 15. The Seawolves totaled 13 top-three finishes, and four event wins coming from Ryan Scarry, Collin Gilstrap, Michael Hawkes, and Mario Xerri on the day.
HIGHLIGHTS
Scarry raced to victory in the 400m hurdles (1:01.60).
Gilstrap took first with a strong run in the 3000m event (8:15.13).
Hawkes won the mile run with an impressive clocking of 4:24.20.
Xerri crossed the finish line first in the 800m race (1:55.83).
Ryan Hesler finished second in the 800m (1:55.88), setting a new PR in the event.
David Onovo placed second in the 400m (51.55).
Thomas Burfeind took home a second-place finish in the mile (4:24.34).
Steven Struk finished second in the 3000m (8:19.47), setting a new PR in the event.
Scarry placed second in the 110m hurdles (17.10).
The team of Michael Ye, Luke Clackett, Onovo, and Walesky Nowak finished second in the 4×200 relay (1:31.64).
Luca Maneri placed third in the mile run (4:28.34.).
Walesky Nowak finished third in the 800m (1:58.00), setting a new PR in the event.
Clackett took third in the 400m (51.93), setting a new PR in the event.
“It was nice to have a home meet to start the outdoor season. Both men’s and women’s teams enjoyed the opportunity to compete on home turf,” head coach Andy Ronan said. “For the start of the season, we produced some solid performances that we can build on as the season progresses.”
Paulsen extended his hitting streak to eight games and has reached base in every game this season. He tallied a career-high five hits, the most by any Seawolf this season, and now leads the CAA with a .460 average. Photo courtesy of Stony Brook Athletics
The Stony Brook baseball team recorded a season-high 18 hits and held a 9-7 lead into the eighth inning, but a late rally by Seton Hall on March 16 gave the Pirates a 13-10 victory, securing a series win at Joe Nathan Field.
After a strikeout by left-hander Nicholas Rizzo to start the game, Seton Hall launched a home run to left in the next at-bat to take an early 1-0 advantage.
Stony Brook answered with two runs in the bottom of the first on a two-run shot from Johnny Pilla, bringing in Erik Paulsen, who started the rally with a single.
Seton Hall tacked on another run in the second to tie the game at 2-2. However, Stony Brook responded with two runs of their own in the bottom half to retake a 4-2 lead. Paulsen brought in Goforth and Miceli with a two-out double down the right-field line.
Rizzo escaped a bases-loaded jam by inducing a groundout to second, keeping Stony Brook’s two-run lead intact.
Nico Azpilcueta led off the third with a double to right-center and later scored on an RBI single by Chris Carson to extend the lead to 5-2.
The Pirates erupted for five runs in the top of the fourth, taking a 7-5 lead.
Stony Brook responded with three runs in the bottom half, reclaiming an 8-7 lead. Miceli led off with a homer to left, Matt Jackson doubled down the right-field line to bring in Paulsen, and Doughty added an RBI single to score Azpilcueta.
Vincent Mariella stranded a runner on third to end the fifth inning.
Paulsen tallied his fourth hit of the day in the fifth, an RBI double to left-center that brought home Goforth, making it 9-7.
After the first two Pirates reached base in the sixth, Mariella recorded a strikeout and induced an inning-ending double play to maintain the two-run advantage.
Both teams went scoreless in the seventh before Seton Hall exploded for five runs in the eighth, taking a 12-9 lead.
Stony Brook responded with a run in the eighth on a sacrifice fly by Azpilcueta that plated Paulsen, cutting the deficit to 12-10.
The Pirates added another run in the ninth to seal the 13-10 victory and the series win.
The team returns to the diamond on Wednesday as they head to New Jersey to battle Rider for the fifth time in program history. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. in Lawrenceville.
Pictured from left, Commack Superintendent Jordan Cox, Research
Coordinator Jeanette Collette, Legislator Rob Trotta, Regeneron finalist Ishana Chandha,
Principal Carrie Lipenholz, Science Director Laura Longo and Ishana’s mother. Photo from Leg. Trotta's office
“As a graduate of Commack High School North, I am always proud to recognize the achievements of Commack’s students,” said Legislator Rob Trotta at the March 4 General Meeting of the Legislature as he introduced Ishana Chadha who was selected as one of the 40 finalists in the annual Regeneron science competition. The contest had 2,471 entrants from 795 high schools.
For her project, she researched a protein gene that affects cognitive disabilities. It is entitled, “Understanding Neuronal Migration in Brain Development: The Role of Oligophrenin1 in Modulating Radial Migration of Pyramidal Neurons by Interaction with Pacsin2.” Ishana is particularly interested in this field as her great grandfather had Alzheimer’s disease and she recalls the impact it had on her great grandmother, parents and herself. In addition, she aspires to be a neurosurgeon.
Legislator Trotta noted that Commack has a tradition of students excelling in this competition as they have had 13 other Regeneron scholars over the years. He congratulated Ishana and thanked the school officials for their support, as well as her parents.
Three Village Central School District Athletic Director Kevin Finnerty, left, and Legislator Steven Englebright, right, with the Ward Melville High School Cheerleading Team. Photo from Legislator Steven Englebright’s office
Legislator Steven Englebright (center) with Three Village Central School District Athletic Director Kevin Finnerty, left, Head Coach John Diel, second from left, members of the Ward Melville High School girls soccer team and Assistant Coach Louise Williams. Photo from Legislator Steven Englebright’s office
Three Village Central School District Athletic Director Kevin Finnerty with the Ward Melville High School Cheerleading Team. Photo from Legislator Steven Englebright’s office
Three Village Central School District Athletic Director Kevin Finnerty, Head Coach John Diel and Assistant Coach Louise Williams with members of the Ward Melville High School girls soccer team. Photo from Legislator Steven Englebright’s office
Suffolk County Legislator Steven Englebright (D-Setauket) honored two Ward Melville High School teams at the Legislature’s General Meeting on March 4.
On hand to receive proclamations from Englebright were the high school’s cheerleading and girls soccer team members. Both teams were recognized for their wins at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) championship games in November.
Cheerleading
The cheerleading team, coached by Head Coach Georgia Curtis and Assistant Coach Maggie Hurley, emerged as the 2024 Class A state Game Day Champions at a competition held at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy on November 10. The team earned the state title with a 90.6. In March 2024, they also were the state champions after winning the Competitive Class A title.
“To the Ward Melville cheerleaders thank you for cheering on the Ward Melville Patriots football and basketball teams and for providing moral support to your fellow athletes,” Englebright said. “Most important of all, congratulations to all of you on your hard work and athletic accomplishments that make your school district and our county and community proud of each and every one of you.”
A few days after their trip to the County Legislature, the team traveled to the state championship in Binghamton, where they walked away the Competitive Class A champions once again.
Girls soccer
The Ward Melville Patriots Girl’s Soccer Team won the 2024 state Class AAA final, 1-0, at SUNY Cortland on November 17. The win was their third consecutive victory at the state championships.
In addition to winning the three state finals in a row, the team – led by Captains Maddie Costello, Breena Harrigan, and Sarah Jablonsky and coached by Head Coach John Diehl and Assistant Coach Louise Williams – hasn’t lost a game in three seasons. They completed the 2024 season, 20-0-1. According to Newsday records, the Patriots’ 63 games without a loss is a Long Island girls soccer record.
“The skillful seniors on this team will have wonderful memories of being part of a stellar team and leave a legacy that, I am confident, their younger counterparts will take good care of in upcoming seasons,” Englebright said.
Jonathan Kornreich. Photo by Michael Rosengard/North Island Photography and Films
By Jonathan Kornreich, Brookhaven Town Councilmember
There is no question that the cost of housing in many areas of Brookhaven has surged in recent years. While some homeowners have benefited from dramatic increases in home equity, the pressure of high property taxes remains a heavy burden. For renters, the situation is even more daunting, with studio and one-bedroom apartments often starting at $2,500 per month or more. Clearly, both older residents on fixed incomes and younger people trying to establish themselves face significant challenges due to the high cost and scarcity of truly affordable housing options.
Developers often propose a simple solution: build more housing. However, this approach comes with complications. The rental prices for each new project seem to be higher than the last, making affordability elusive. Additionally, increasing population density puts strain on our infrastructure. Traffic congestion worsens as side streets become race tracks for drivers avoiding clogged main roads. Our underground aquifer is being drained at increasing rates, and every increase in population carries environmental costs—sewage, waste, and air pollution all take their toll. At what point do we conclude that this fragile sandbar we call home has reached its carrying capacity?
Developers, however, continue to insist that more housing is the answer. The logic goes: build more housing near workplaces and public transit to reduce commuting; build in areas with sewer access to limit cesspool contamination; build more to drive down rental prices. But one reason multifamily housing is so appealing to developers is its profitability—high demand guarantees high occupancy rates and allows landlords to charge premium prices. This has led to aggressive development proposals, even when projects may not align with sound planning principles or the public interest.
Recent cases highlight these challenges. Not long ago, our community faced a proposal from Northville to build a multifamily development wrapped around their gas tanks on Belle Meade Road. The community was given an ultimatum: support rezoning for multifamily housing, or face the construction of a shipping warehouse. The request was denied, and to date, no warehouse application has moved forward.
A similar situation is unfolding on Baylis Avenue in Port Jefferson Station, where residents have been presented with the same false choice—accept a zoning change for multifamily housing or contend with a shipping warehouse that could clog roadways with truck traffic.
The fact is that multifamily development can serve as a valuable tool for revitalization when applied strategically. The Route 112 corridor in Port Jefferson Station presents opportunities for transit-oriented development and the creation of a vibrant downtown. The Jefferson Station project by Staller Associates is one such example, demonstrating how mixed-use redevelopment can enhance an area. By incentivizing good development in targeted locations, we can revitalize blighted spaces while avoiding undue strain on infrastructure. Still, this tool must be used sparingly to keep from making our existing challenges worse.
Despite what developers claim, we cannot simply build our way out of the affordable housing crisis. Addressing affordability through unbridled construction would require such an influx of new units that it would fundamentally alter the character of our communities and cause irreparable environmental harm. But viable solutions exist.
Public funds can be provided by the state or federal government to offer low-interest loans to developers in exchange for the construction of affordable units. By reducing borrowing costs and providing tax incentives, we can encourage developers to prioritize affordability without sacrificing profitability.
Beyond assisting developers, we must also support our residents struggling to maintain their homes. The Town of Brookhaven already allows accessory apartments, but the process should be streamlined to encourage more homeowners to participate. Providing homeowners with access to low-cost loans, similar to those offered to developers, would enable them to create legal rental units while maintaining low-density development.
Too many residents, pressured by economic realities, have resorted to building illegal and potentially unsafe rental units in garages and basements, placing both homeowners and tenants at risk. Making it easier to construct legal accessory apartments would not only enhance safety but also provide homeowners with economic security and a way to offset their tax burdens.
The path forward requires a thoughtful approach. While housing development is necessary, it must be done prudently—addressing affordability without overburdening our infrastructure or harming our environment. By using policy tools wisely, investing in targeted development and empowering homeowners, we can create sustainable housing solutions that work for everyone in our community.
Photo courtesy of NYS Assemblywoman Kassay's office
Photo courtesy of NYS Assemblywoman Kassay's office
Photo courtesy of NYS Assemblywoman Kassay's office
Photo courtesy of NYS Assemblywoman Kassay's office
On February 28, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul signed A3923 into law, marking a legislative milestone for Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay, as this is her first sponsored bill to be officially enacted. This law reflects the needs and duties of local governments across New York State, ensuring transparent governance while providing flexibility for smaller municipalities, according to a press release.
What A3923 Does:
A3923 amends the 2024 legislation A2852A, which required all local governments to establish and maintain official .gov websites to enhance public access to government officials and information. While still promoting consistency and transparency, the new law adjusts the requirement to accommodate the unique needs of smaller municipalities by:
Exempting municipalities with fewer than 1,500 residents from the .gov website requirement, allowing them to comply with transparency rules to the extent practicable. This includes Assembly District 4’s Villages of Belle Terre, Old Field, and Poquott.
Providing alternative compliance options for municipalities with more than 1,500 residents, allowing them to meet the website requirement by hosting their information under an overlapping municipality’s official .gov domain.
Clarifying website content requirements for municipalities with more than 1,500 residents that maintain .gov websites, ensuring that these .gov municipal websites include the essential information that municipalities are already required to provide to residents, such as:
Hours of operation and contact details
Names of elected officials
Public notices, including election dates, public hearings, and board meetings
Agendas and meeting minutes as required by the Open Meetings Law
Local codes, laws, and resolutions
Fiscal transparency reports, including annual budgets, independent audits, and financial plans
Extending the deadline for compliance from 180 days to one year.
“This legislation takes into account the needs of smaller local governments, while providing greater government transparency and cybersecurity across New York State. It ensures that while transparency remains a cornerstone of good governance, smaller municipalities have the necessary flexibility to comply with the state regulation passed last year,” said Assemblywoman Kassay.
“With the prevalence of online scams, I am always looking for ways to increase cyber security. Only governmental entities can create a .gov website, so residents can more confidently navigate and interact with government websites, where they might be providing sensitive information,” she said.
“By ensuring that local governments have flexible options for securely sharing important public information rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, we are empowering municipalities to serve their residents in the way that suits their needs and abilities,” she added.
Assemblywoman Kassay’s office was advised that the Village of Port Jefferson is currently in process of migrating from a .com to a .gov website. The discussion about this migration began during Kassay’s tenure serving as a Port Jefferson Village Trustee.
“As Assemblywoman Kassay’s first bill to be signed into law, A3923 represents an important step forward in her legislative efforts to represent the needs of local governments, support fair and balanced policies, and uphold the values of transparency and security for our residents,” read the release.
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