Town of Huntington

Pixabay photo

Town of Huntington Supervisor Ed Smyth is urging all who venture out on Huntington’s waterways to register for a free NYS BoatingSafety Certification Course offered under the Town’s Victoria Gaines Boating Safety Program this March and May. 

 “It is our individual responsibility to prevent avoidable tragedies on the water,” said Supervisor Ed Smyth. “Whether you’re captaining a boat, a passenger, or operate a non-motorized water craft, everyone should be prepared to enjoy Huntington waters safely.” 

 The Town of Huntington offers free Boating Safety Classes in March and May. Attendees who register, attend the full 8-hour course, and pass the test will receive a NYS Boating Safety credential issued by NYS Parks. Questions can be directed to the Harbormaster’s office at (631) 351-3255. Adults and children (ages 10 & up) are welcome to register for the course online: huntingtonny.gov/boater-safety  

 2022 COURSE DATES OFFERED: 

 Huntington Town Hall, 100 Main Street, Town Board Room, Huntington 

Monday & Tuesday, March 7 & 8, 2022 (Must attend both dates) 

5:00pm-9:00pm both nights. 8 hours of course instruction total. 

May 2022 Date to be Announced Soon 

Town Clerk Andrew Raia, Bride and Groom Christine and Gerard Tully. Photo from Town of Huntington

Wedding bells rang again this year in Town Hall on Valentine’s Day, as Town Clerk Andrew Raia, chief Marriage Officer for the Town, presided over eight marriage ceremonies. “It is a privilege to unite these couples and share in the excitement and happiness of their special day,” said Raia.

The intimate ceremonies included a Town Board room decorated as a Valentine’s Day-themed wedding chapel, mood lighting, and traditional processional music. Each wedding ceremony included a rose and a cake presented by Town Clerk Raia and La Piazza Cucina Italiana & Wine Bar in Melville donated gift certificates to all of the happy couples.

 

Gov. Kathy Hochul. File photo by Julianne Mosher

After bipartisan backlash from Long Island officials, Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) has dropped her budget proposal that would require local governments to expand legalizing accessory apartments.

“I have heard real concerns about the proposed approach on accessory dwelling units,” Hochul said in a statement. “I understand that my colleagues in the state senate believe a different set of tools is needed, even if they agree with the goal of supporting the growth of this kind of housing.”

The plan stated that, to increase affordable housing across the state, dwellings would be allowed to convert garages, basements and backyard units as apartments. Both Democrat and Republican lawmakers from the town, county, state and federal levels all said this could hurt Long Island, and essentially eliminate single-family zoning.

“I am submitting a 30-day amendment to my budget legislation that removes requirements on localities in order to facilitate a conversation about how we build consensus around solutions,” she added.

The plan was introduced in January during the State of the State. Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-NY3) was one of the first to call the governor out on it, which then resulted in Brookhaven, Smithtown and Huntington towns to voice their concerns.

“One small victory, but many battles ahead,” Suozzi told TBR News Media in a statement. “We successfully stopped Governor Hochul’s radical proposal from being passed in the budget, but we’re not done yet. Now we must stop her and the state legislature from passing this misguided legislation during the Albany legislative session.”

Throughout the last month, these lawmakers argued that the plan could have potential impacts on Long Island’s quality of life, the environment and local school districts.

““I’m pleased that Governor Hochul pulled the Accessory Dwelling Unit legislation from the budget, but that isn’t enough,” said Suffolk County Legislator Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst). “At this time, there are still discussions of tweaks to the law. Local officials on Long Island are adamantly opposed to any modifications that remove our ‘home rule.’ We know what is best for our community and we don’t need New York City and New York State dictating to us what our communities should look like. As we’ve seen with the pulling of the bill, combining our voices and speaking out ensure that we can be heard. I urge all residents to contact their State representatives and the governor’s office, to voice their opposition to any modification of ADUs here on Long Island.”

Several Suffolk County lawmakers spoke up against the ADU legislation Feb. 11 with the help of several state assembly members and senators.

“The removal of this proposal from the budget is great news for all of our communities and I am proud to have stood with my colleagues in town, county, state and federal officials from both sides of the aisle to fight to protect local control,” said state Senator Mario Mattera (R-St. James). “This shows that joining together and standing united can lead to positive change for our residents.”

Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine (R) held a press conference Feb. 3, as one of the first townships to take a stance on the issue.

“The call to remove this misguided proposal was finally heard by the governor and we will continue to maintain local zoning control,” he said in a recent statement. “Our right to home rule on issues like housing is what protects our communities from turning into the crowded neighborhoods that we see in cities, which is not what the residents of Brookhaven Town want.”

Hochul still has plans to combat the affordable housing crisis, and the emphasis on increasing accessory apartments and improving their safety will be targeted in New York City rather than the suburbs.

“Albany extremists will resurrect this terrible idea the moment bipartisan opposition gets distracted,” said Huntington Town Supervisor Ed Smyth (R). “Stay vigilant!”

Congressman Tom Suozzi joined other elected officials on all levels during a press conference, Feb. 11. Photo by Julianne Mosher

A week after the Town of Brookhaven and local state representatives bashed Gov. Kathy Hochul’s (D) plan to potentially eliminate certain single-family zoning laws across New York state, other Long Island townships and Suffolk County officially voiced their concerns.

During a press conference at the county Legislature in Hauppauge Thursday, Feb. 10, more than two dozen elected officials at town, county, state and federal levels collectively agreed that Hochul’s plan would be bad for the Island.

Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst) said that of all the officials gathered, it was a unanimous, bipartisan agreement that this should not happen.

“We are all concerned about the future of Long Island and the quality of life here and the need for local government to have control over their zoning with local elected officials,” he said. 

“This is a radical plan by the governor to take away local zoning from where it belongs in the hands of the local officials who were elected to make sure that the zoning codes stay in place for the quality of life that each one of the municipalities that they choose to live in.”

He added that if Hochul’s plan in fact happens, it will eventually have an impact on parking, water quality, sewerage and more. 

The governor’s comprehensive five-year housing plan would potentially invest $25 billion to create and preserve 100,000 affordable homes and tackle inequities in the housing market. Last month, she announced the plan to make housing more affordable as part of the 2022 State of the State.

“In the wake of the pandemic, it’s crucial that we tackle the housing crisis and make New York a more affordable place for all,” Hochul previously said. “These bold steps are a major step forward in transforming our housing market, protecting affordability and increasing the housing supply.”

Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-NY3) noticed the plan in the State of the State book and began bringing it to the public’s attention. Suozzi is campaigning to take Hochul’s seat. He cited her State of the State book on pages 130 and 131 regarding accessory dwelling units. According to those documents, he said the governor would want to oppose legislation to require municipalities to allow a minimum of one accessory dwelling unit on owner occupied residentially zoned blocks.

“That’s the end of local control,” he said. “That’s the end of local governments authority.”

Suozzi believes this could be “a dangerous idea” that could “result in commercial landlords buying properties and trying to pack people into neighborhoods.”

“This is just a failure to understand what it’s like out here,” he added.

Currently, many building permit applications that increase the number of bedrooms in a dwelling require the approval of the Suffolk County Department of Health Services. 

According to county representatives, at no point in the proposed legislation does it address the fact that the health department determines the appropriate number of persons residing at a home that is utilizing cesspools. Over 75% of Suffolk County is unsewered — a mass expansion of accessory dwelling units will result in a deterioration in the water quality here on Long Island.

State Sen. Mario Mattera (R-St. James) said that state lawmakers are continuously “going against everything we live for and our investments.”

“I wake up in the morning and I feel like I’m in the twilight zone,” he said.

Mattera added that many municipalities have been focusing on downtown revitalization plans, which already create apartments.

“We’ve been doing these apartments for a reason to make sure our families have places to go so we keep our young or middle aged or seniors here,” he said. “We are doing that job governor, but governor, this is not the City of New York. We’re in the suburbs. This is so important for our future.”

Huntington

Huntington Town Supervisor Ed Smyth. Photo by Julianne Mosher

Representatives from the Town of Huntington were in attendance, with Supervisor Ed Smyth (R) voicing that the town already has permissive accessory apartments laws.

“We already allow for accessory apartments in homes in the town,” he said. “We don’t need Albany telling us how to do this.”

He added, “With home rule, we have ensured that our communities do not become overdeveloped, are kept environmentally sound, and are a place people want to live and raise a family. This proposal by the governor would end all of that overnight. Proof of how bad an idea this is … is the fact that both sides of the political aisle have come together to state their opposition.”

Smyth said they will not stop until the item is removed from the New York State budget and “laid to rest.”

Photo from Councilman Sal Ferro

Town of Huntington Councilman Sal Ferro recognized Elwood resident Charleen Francis before the February 1 Huntington Town Board meeting for her role in local Huntington history. Charleen and her siblings integrated the Elwood School District over 60 years ago. Charleen, a retired high school guidance counselor and principal, is currently a member of the Education Committee for the Huntington Chapter of the NAACP.

“Charleen is someone who spent most of her life helping others while being a role model to the kids in her school and community. I wanted to make sure she knew that we wanted to make a difference in her life, the way she made a difference in Long Island,” said Councilman Sal Ferro.

“I’m so very honored to have been recognized by Councilman Salvatore Ferro and the Town Council last night. It will be a fond memory and continued encouragement to keep moving forward in my efforts to shine a light on the contributions of my community in the past and in the future,” said Charleen on Wednesday.

Councilman Sal Ferro also announced that he would be reappointing Charleen to the Town’s African American Historic Designation Council.

Pictured in photo, from left, Charleen’s brother Lawrence King, Councilman Sal Ferro, Charleen Francis, Charleen’s sister in law Sandy Lane, Charleen’s brother retired Supreme Court Judge Howard Lane, and Charleen’s 97-year-old mother Hilda Lane.

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.

File photo

Suffolk County Police arrested two men for allegedly attempting to rob a bank in Deer Park on Jan. 13.

Dominic Scotto entered the Chase Bank, located at 615 Grand Blvd., and allegedly handed a teller a note demanding cash. The teller declined and Scotto left the bank without proceeds. Scotto was arrested in front of the bank at approximately 4:50 p.m. His driver, Adam Postiglione was also arrested.

An investigation by Major Case Unit detectives determined Scotto robbed the following banks:

  • Chase, located at 39 Vanderbilt Parkway, Commack, on December 21, 2021
  • Capital One, located at 2050 Jericho Turnpike, Commack, on December 29, 2021
  • HSBC, 5880 Jericho Turnpike, Commack, on December 29, 2021
  • Citibank, 710 Larkfield Road, East Northport, on January 3, 2022

Scotto, 31, of 124 Meadowmere Ave., Mastic, was charged with four counts of Robbery 3rd Degree, Attempted Robbery 3rd Degree, and a Parole Warrant. Postiglione, 32, of 386 Garden St., West Islip, was charged with Attempted Robbery 3rd Degree. Both will be held overnight at the Fourth Precinct. Their arraignment date is pending.

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.

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.

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.