By Bill Landon
The Mt. Sinai Fire Department held its 15th annual Breakfast with the Easter Bunny at Company 1 on Mt. Sinai Coram Road on April 13. It was a robust turnout with raffles silent auctions and plenty of food where the kids had their picture taken with the Easter Bunny. No one left hungry.
— Photos by Bill Landon
By Bill Landon
Mount Sinai, the No . 2 seed, earned a bye in their Suffolk County playoff run picking off Kings Park on March 3, to advance to the county final on March 9 where they squared off against Islip, the No. 4 seed, and would trail the Buccaneers the entire way until the 3-minute mark of the fourth quarter.
Deadlocked at 37-37 with 3:52 left in regulation, it was the Mustang defense that answered the call, holding Islip to just 5 points in the final 8 minutes of play, allowing the Mustangs slowly slip away to capture the Class A title 47-40, at Farmingdale State College.
Mount Sinai’s Mia Betancourt, a junior, led the way for the Mustangs with 10 field goals and 6 free throws for a team high 26 points. Senior forward Kyla Orlando finished with 8 points and Alex Cergol, the sophomore, netted 6.
The win lifts the Mustangs to the Long Island Championship round where they will face Wantagh the No. 2 seed (22-2) on March 15 again at Farmingdale State College. Game time is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased here: https://gofan.co/app/school/NYSPHSAAXI.
— Photos by Bill Landon
The Town of Brookhaven Department of General Services Senior Citizens Division presents a Brain Health Workshop at the Rose Caracappa Senior Center, 739 Route 25A, Mount Sinai on Tuesday, Jan. 7 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Join in on a discussion about brain health, maintaining a healthy body, Alzheimer’s, Dementia and how hearing loss can effect cognitive functions.
This is a free seminar open to Town of Brookhaven residents age 60 and older. For more information or to register, call 631-451-5312.
On December 19, student musicians from the Mount Sinai School District was invited to the Rose Caracappa Senior Center in Mt. Sinai to perform seasonal songs and bring joy to the residents in attendance.
Pictured at far right is Brookhaven Town Councilwoman Jane Bonner, who welcomed the students and helped to spread holiday cheer during the concert. Also pictured (second row) is Santa Claus, who delivered the joy of the holidays to all in attendance.
“Celebrating at Rose Caracappa Senior Center is a most enjoyable way to welcome the holiday season. I wish a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah and a Happy Year to all who attended the concert. It’s a wonderful time to spend with family and friends and I wish all town residents a safe and happy holiday season,” said Councilwoman Bonner.
See a video of the event here, courtesy of Town of Brookhaven.
On October 26, Councilwoman Jane Bonner and Coastal Steward Long Island volunteer Brian McCaffery attended the Shellfish Restoration Project event at Mt. Sinai Harbor. The organization and volunteers placed 50,000 oysters in both the Mt. Sinai and Port Jefferson Harbor sites. It was the final Shellfish Restoration Project oyster release of 2024. They were raised at the Town of Brookhaven Mariculture Facility at Mt Sinai Harbor until May and June 2024.
The 20 mm oysters were donated to the Coastal Steward, a not-for-profit group that volunteers for the Town of Brookhaven. The Coastal Steward then grows the oysters as part of their Mariculture Restoration Program until they plant them in October on a Town Management Area in Port Jefferson Harbor.
Coastal Steward Long Island received 75,000 small Eastern oysters, raised at the Town of Brookhaven Mariculture facility at Mt. Sinai Harbor and divided into 75 bags. With the help of volunteers, the bags were placed in large growing cages and submerged. Throughout the summer and fall, their health and growth were monitored. In addition, every two weeks the oysters are removed from their cages and cleaned to prevent overgrowth of algae and other organisms that may inhibit their growth. For more information about the Coastal Steward Shellfish Restoration Project, go to www.coastalsteward.org.
By Jennifer Donatelli
At the Oct. 16 Mount Sinai Board of Education meeting, Jill Sanders, of certified public accountants Cullen & Danowski, presented the results of the June 30 financial statement audit, reporting a smooth process and strong internal controls. She emphasized that the district remains in good financial health despite challenges related to health care and pension costs.
Superintendent Christine Criscione noted that School Board Recognition Week, held from Oct. 14 to 18, celebrated the theme Supporting Success for All Students. The board enjoyed a musical performance from students in the high school orchestra from the Music and Applied Arts Department, which was intended to express gratitude for the board’s support, highlighting the essential role of the arts in fostering creativity and critical thinking among students.
Christina Romeo, assistant high school principal, recognized the Talented Tech students for crafting a wooden sign for the board. In a celebration of academic achievement, five high school students were commended for their participation in the National Merit Scholarship Program, ranking among the top 50,000 from PSAT results.
The meeting also covered updates on fall sports and ongoing capital items. Recent projects included heating, ventilation and air conditioning improvements and library flooring upgrades, while state approval is pending for this year’s security enhancements and athletic field updates
Upcoming events including Financial Aid Night and Halloween festivities were announced, as well as new programs at the elementary and middle schools, emphasizing character education and community service initiatives.
In addressing community concerns, the district reassured parents about mold remediation efforts following a recent inquiry about air quality.
The next BOE meeting is scheduled for Nov. 20, with a livestream available on the district’s Facebook and YouTube channels.
By Gabby Daniels
Is there anything better than a day on the golf course?
Just ask Joey and Nina Meyer, whose day was not only filled with golf, family, friends and fun, but was one that supported the cause so near and dear to their hearts.
In May of 2022, Nina Meyer was diagnosed with epilepsy, and it quickly took a toll on her life. Having been there through Nina’s two brain surgeries and watching her face an everyday battle with seizures and constant medications, her husband Joey knew he had to do something that could help turn this difficult disorder into something more positive.
Partnering with the Epilepsy Foundation of Long Island, Meyer organized the “2024 Open to End Epilepsy” fundraiser in hopes of making a difference. The event took place on Sept. 20, at the Willow Creek Golf and Country Club in Mount Sinai.
A day filled with donations, camaraderie, awareness and hope, the day not only celebrated the spirit of community, but also fostered a deeper understanding of epilepsy, ensuring that no one has to face this challenge alone.
“When my wife was first diagnosed with epilepsy, it felt hopeless because we did not really know what to do,” Meyer said.
“Having this event, our goal was to get others talking about epilepsy so that those going through it could feel supported and seen. It was a great way to raise money and awareness for others going through a similar experience as Nina, and we can let people know about the epilepsy foundation and everything they provide in the process,” Meyer said.
The event proved to be more than impactful, raising over $15,000 from event tickets and sponsorships alone.
“Our goal was to raise at least $20,000 today, and we have made great progress already,” Meyer said. “We have raffle tickets for sale, games and dinner to follow the golf outing, so I think we are on track to hit our goal.”
Being quite the beautiful day on the golf course, event attendees were thrilled to take part in the event. “It has been so nice out today, getting to golf, hang out, and support a good cause,” stated Amber Ciccotto, a friend of the Meyers.
“Nina has told me so much about her experience with epilepsy, and I think it is so important to learn as much as you can about it so you can be there for your loved ones who deal with it.”
The course was also lined with other fundraisers, such as Charity Golf, and their long-drive competition.
Hosted by Michael Watson, who has appeared in 4 World Long Drive championships, golfers were offered the opportunity to participate in a ‘Hole in 2’ competition, with a minimum donation that could win them a 3-day trip to San Francisco’s Pebble Beach Lodge.
“There have been so many generous people out here today,” Watson said. “We have gotten a lot of donations, and it has been really fun doing this for the Meyers and the foundation.”
With directing members Irene Rodgers and Janet Romeo of the Epilepsy Foundation of Long Island in attendance, anyone at the event was able to learn more about the disorder. The foundation, founded in 1953, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is “to improve the lives of people affected by epilepsy through education, advocacy, research and connection.”
“We were so touched and honored that the Meyers reached out to us because it gives us the chance to share the resources and education opportunities we offer within the organization,” said Rodgers.
“We are there for anyone and everyone that has a diagnosis, but we also support their loved ones, their caregivers, and anyone else interested. We provide support, information and referrals; we provide training in seizure recognition, and we advocate. Whatever they need, we want to be there.”
Gabby Daniels is a reporter with The SBU Media Group, part of Stony Brook University’s
School of Communication and Journalism’s Working Newsroom program for students and local media.
By Jennifer Donatelli
Mount Sinai Board of Education held its first meeting of the new school year Wednesday, Sept. 18. Superintendent Christine Criscione began the public session by announcing the arts scholars, updating and aligning the district’s activities for the Dignity for All Students Act and its obligations for the schools, as well as introducing the first student member on the board. The BOE approved the first draft of the Student Harassment and Bullying Prevention and Intervention Policy Handbook, which will be distributed this year.
This year, the Long Island Scholar-Artist Award presented by the Long Island Arts Alliance was given to Mackenzie Kling for her theater performance. Matthew Manzo, Carrie Wang and Erika Lo received all-state honors and are among an elite group of musicians who received a score of 100 on NYSSMA. In addition, Orlando DiDesidero, along with Kling and Manzo were also named to the All-County Vocal Jazz Ensemble All-State Honors and will participate in November alongside 15 other students who were also nominated. Newsday will feature each scholar in its “monthly profiles” section. The students will also be eligible for early scholarship consideration by Long Island Arts Alliance higher education partners.
Christina Romeo, high school assistant principal, updated everyone about the benefits of DASA in the district and explained how it creates a learning environment free of discrimination and harassment for all students. She went on to explain that it also mandates the reporting of all incidents of harassment, bullying, cyberbullying and discrimination based on a person’s race, color, weight, nationality, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex.
The district is currently developing guidelines for school training programs to discourage discrimination and harassment, raise awareness and sensitivity to potential issues related to those topics, and enable employees to prevent and respond to incidents of discrimination and harassment.
Romeo also mentioned that individual schools within each district are responsible for designating and training one staff member as the dignity act coordinator who is trained to address incidents of harassment, bullying and discrimination. The district must also provide training for all employees to increase awareness and sensitivity to the existence and effects of harassment, bullying and discrimination and develop a school strategy to prevent it. Romeo said, “We need a consistent practice across all three buildings and we need to come together as a district to make the policy work.”
The newest board member, Mount Sinai High School junior Audrey Han, represents all students within the district. She spoke about Spirit Week as well as the Homecoming Dance and football game against Miller Place. The school is rolling out a program called Mustang Manners, which is a character education system that encourages students, teachers and staff to live by certain values of respect, accountability and behavior in a fun way.
The next board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 16.
By Peter Sloniewsky
On Thursday, June 11, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R) was joined by Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico (R) and Councilwoman Jane Bonner (R-Rocky Point) to promote a new I/A water filtration system, soon to be installed at Cedar Beach.
Innovative and Alternative On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems use advanced treatment methods to remove nitrogen and other pollutants from wastewater before it is released into the environment.
As of July 2021, Suffolk County requires installment of I/A systems for most new residential construction projects. However, much of Long Island, especially Suffolk, uses septic systems instead of sewers due to the area’s historic low population density. While septic systems are cost-effective and efficient, increases in population have led to nitrogen pollution in both surface-level and underground bodies of water. This nitrogen pollution causes harmful algal blooms, which can destroy ecosystems by consuming excess oxygen in water and cause a variety of conditions in exposed humans.
The more-than 1.5 million people of Suffolk County rely on more than 380,000 cesspools and wastewater systems, including over 209,000 systems located in areas that already have environmental risks. Bonner, who represents the town’s District 2, told TBR News Media that “we have a water problem, with a direct correspondence to cesspools.”
Additionally, the sewer systems already in place on Long Island have a tendency to contribute to road runoff, with a similar effect of nitrogen pollution. When there is more water than sewer pipe systems can handle, partially treated wastewater can flow directly into nearby bodies of water, which can include waste, pesticides, oil and litter. Bonner clarified that “the topography [of the North Shore] lends itself to road runoff … I/A systems and sewers will certainly help that.”
In Suffolk County, there are two types of I/A systems which have been approved by the Department of Health Services — FujiClean and HydroAction. Both technologies have been proven to reduce total nitrogen levels far below the county standard, and to reduce those levels more than 80% from conventional septic systems (which do not typically meet the standard).
The Cedar Beach filtration system will be paid for by a $100,000 grant funded by the Water Quality Protection and Restoration Program. This program was revised and extended in late June, and was sponsored by Romaine.
Revisions to the program include the establishment of a referendum for this November’s general election ballot, which, if approved, would establish an additional sales tax of one-eighth of 1 percent to fund a new Water Quality Restoration Fund. Romaine claimed he “cannot emphasize enough the importance of this referendum” to address water contaminants, and the language of the referendum itself claims that its passage will ensure “county funding to 2060 for clean water projects, improvements in drinking water, bays and harbors” — such as the I/A system to be installed at Cedar Beach.
Bonner told TBR News Media that this new fund would be “split between I/A systems and sewers,” and Romaine described the fund as vital to fund sewer construction especially in less developed areas of the county.
By Aidan Johnson
Dozens of residents attended the Mount Sinai Civic Association meeting June 3 to voice their safety concerns over a potential new battery energy storage system facility locally.
The facility, proposed by New Leaf Energy, would have a 20-year lifespan, after which the site would need to be restored to its pre-project condition.
The proposed area is adjacent to Mount Sinai-Coram Road and Route 25A on property owned by real estate agent Ray Manzoni. However, because this property is zoned as transitional business, New Leaf Energy’s application proposes the zone be changed to light industrial.
Former county Legislator Sarah Anker (D-Mount Sinai), who has been a vocal critic of the proposal, and Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico (R) also attended. While speaking, Panico addressed misinformation on social media that incorrectly told Mount Sinai residents that “the people in either Holbrook or Holtsville fought the battery storage there, and what they’re not getting is coming to Mount Sinai.”
Anker voiced common worries that residents had about the storage system facility.
“We just want to understand that what is going to happen is safe,” Anker said. “I don’t have a problem with renewable energy. We need the battery storage, we’re going to need that, but it’s the location,” she added, calling the proposed site the “worst intersection probably in Suffolk County.”
“Multiple accidents have happened there, the school district is close by, the water authority has a well right there, there’s a recreational path. There’s so many reasons we don’t need to change commercial to industrial,” she said.
Civic President Brad Arrington also discussed how LIPA, which owns an empty parcel of land next to the substation, could theoretically put a battery facility there without any input from the town government due to being immune from the local zoning authority.
“They could put a battery facility there which would carry the same risk that people are concerned about today, the difference being that when LIPA puts that in, they do not have to provide any community benefit, which is what has been proposed with this property,” Arrington said.
New Leaf is proposing an initial upfront payment of $340,000 — $85,000 per battery installation — with the allocation of this money to the school district, fire department and more not yet determined. The company also originally reserved $500 per megawatt, for a total of $10,000 annually, but raised it to $12,000 with a 2% annual increase to cover the current property taxes going to the school district.
Residents expressed concerns about what would happen if there was a fire at the facility, inquiring about the chemicals that would be emitted into the air and ground and how it would affect the surrounding area, including the school district and homes.
However, Arrington said the proposed facility would have lithium iron phosphate batteries, which “have a lower energy density, but have a far reduced rate of thermal runaway,” as opposed to the lithium NMC batteries that, while much more energy dense, are more prone to spontaneously catch on fire.
He also explained that a chain reaction would not take place, meaning that if thermal runaway does happen, it would be isolated in its own compartmentalized container.
Additionally, since the battery would have to burn itself out instead of being put out with water by the fire department, Arrington said that according to New Leaf, there wouldn’t be runoff into the ground. Also contamination with the soil and the off-gassing would be extremely limited.
Panico did not answer whether or not he supported the project, instead saying that he would review the application and talk to his colleagues, including Councilwoman Jane Bonner (R-Rocky Point), who represents the area.
Arrington said the town board would not take a vote to approve the project without input from the civic, which will hold a meeting for the civic members to vote in October.
