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Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine

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Photo courtesy of LI Ducks
Suffolk County Ballpark receives new field, mound, bullpens and outfield wall

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and Long Island Ducks team officials have announced the completion of a new turf field installation at Fairfield Properties Ballpark, 3 Court House Drive, Central Islip, home of the Atlantic League ball club. The new FieldTurf playing surface, installed by local supplier LandTek, will begin to be utilized this April for the Ducks 25th Anniversary Season on Long Island.

“This Capital Improvement is part of the ongoing effort by the County of Suffolk to update County buildings while keeping Fairfield Properties Ballpark operating at the highest professional level in partnership with the Long Island Ducks,” said Romaine. “The new turf field will improve efficiency greatly, save millions of gallons of water per year, and be more environmentally friendly, eliminating the need for fertilizer and chemicals on the playing surface in future seasons.”

The field renovation included full replacement of the entire playing surface, pitching mound, bullpens and padded outfield wall. With the conversion to an artificial surface, the Ducks are now the eighth team in the 10-team Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, a Partner League of Major League Baseball, to convert to turf.

“Keeping our ballpark atop the list of favored destinations for Major League players looking to continue their careers is important,” said Ducks President/Chief Business Officer Michael Pfaff. “This project, along with our commitment to keeping ticket prices affordable and parking free, allow us to continue to deliver on our promise of providing the most fun, fan friendly and affordable entertainment experience on Long Island for many years to come.”

The Ducks open the 2025 regular season, presented by Catholic Health, on Friday, April 25, against the Lancaster Stormers. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m., with the Fairfield Properties Ballpark gates opening at 5:35 (5:20 for full season ticket holders). Tickets for all Ducks games are now available and can be purchased by visiting the ballpark box office, calling (631) 940-TIXX or going online to LIDucks.com.

The Long Island Ducks are entering their 25th Anniversary season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Fairfield Properties Ballpark in Central Islip, N.Y. They are the all-time leader in wins and attendance in Atlantic League history, have led all MLB Partner Leagues in total attendance for four consecutive seasons, and have sold out a record 713 games all-time. For further information, visit LIDucks.com or call 631-940-DUCK (3825).

About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)

Celebrating its third decade, the Atlantic League is Major League Baseball’s first Professional Partner League, a player gateway to the Major Leagues, and a leader in baseball innovation. Over its 26-year history, the ALPB has sent over 1,400 players to MLB organizations while drawing over 47 million fans to its 10 family-friendly ballparks that stretch from New York to North Carolina. Please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.

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Pictured from left,Twila Silverman, Chair of Suffolk County Women’s Advisory Commission; Stacey Ann Caggiano, Director of Suffolk County Department of Women’s Services; Fifth Legislative District Woman of Distinction Johanna Kosak; Suffolk County Legislator Steven Englebright; and Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine. Photo courtesy of Leg. Englebright's office

At a luncheon held at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge on March 4, all 18 Suffolk County Legislators honored the county’s Women of Distinction for 2025. The county’s Department of Women’s Services asked each legislator to choose an impressive female constituent from their district who volunteers their time to make their community a better place. Legislator Steven Englebright (D-Setauket) named nonprofit founder Johanna Kosak as the Fifth Legislative District’s Woman of Distinction.

Kosak founded the Comsewogue Music and Arts Corporation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, in September 2023 after her daughter noticed a lack of music and arts scholarships in the Comsewogue School District. The nonprofit organization assists students pursuing creative paths.

“It’s impressive that Ms. Kosak found a need in her children’s school district and took matters in her own hands to do something about it,” Englebright said. “Music and other creative pursuits are vital for the collective good of our society.”

Kosak works alongside school district mothers Secretary Michele Provenzale and Treasurer Yoon Choi-Perrone, as well as the nonprofit’s student volunteers, her daughter, Annmarie; Perrone’s son, James; and Provenzale’s son, Michael.

The volunteers organize and host 20 to 30 fundraisers annually and have raised $12,000 since September 2023. The nonprofit is present at every school concert and drama production to sell flowers and snacks, hold raffles and request donations.

The nonprofit raises funds for scholarships for Comsewogue High School seniors who plan to enroll in college music, arts, marketing, business and architecture programs. CMAC also provides opportunities for art students to promote their artwork at the nonprofit’s craft fair. Last year, the sale of artwork supplied funds for CMAC and the Arts Honor Society.

Additionally, the CMAC supports teachers by providing grants for educators to invite professional musicians and artists for workshops and career development sessions. CMAC also raises funds to reduce costs for families in financial need who wish to send younger children to music or drama programs during the summer vacation.

The nonprofit’s work includes supporting the Comsewogue High School Business Department by providing learning and collaboration opportunities for students interested in digital art marketing.

In addition to her volunteer work with CMAC, the mother of four works fulltime and volunteers with her husband at Infant Jesus Roman Catholic Church. Her husband serves as the organist, while she plays keyboard. A former instructor at Suffolk County Community College, Kosak also volunteered with the Suffolk Piano Teachers Foundation, serving in roles such as president, vice-president and competition coordinator.

Kosak said she was honored and humbled to be honored and credited her fellow volunteers and the community for making CMAC a success.

“This recognition was not only for me but for our entire community and a great encouragement to continue,” Kosak said.

 

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Photo from County Executive Romaine's Facebook

By Heidi Sutton

Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency Saturday, March 8 after multiple fire departments and emergency services battled three major brush fires in the Pine Barrens. The first fire started in Center Moriches around 1 p.m. and then spread very quickly to East Moriches, Eastport and Westhampton just north of Gabreski Airport. The National Guard was also involved in water drops. As of 8:30 p.m., portions of Sunrise Highway remained closed past exit 58 and the fire was 50% controlled. One firefighter was injured with burns and was flown to Stony Brook University for treatment.

Photo courtesy of Suffolk County Executive Facebook

“The fire is now two miles wide and two miles long. Part of the problem is the wind. …We stop this fire from spreading, and then we try to contain it,” Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said at a press conference Saturday evening. “It is not under control, as I speak, and probably will not be for several hours, if not probably tomorrow as well, because the winds will keep the embers alive, and we have to worry every day that this fire will start up again.”

“This is a coordinated effort to make sure that this does not turn into 1995 as well,” said Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico, referring to the August 1995 Sunrise Fire that burned 4,500 acres of pine barrens and took four days to contain. “I have authorized all of the heavy equipment from the landfill, from our highway department, our parks department — we are here to assist any fire department {in their efforts}. We are in this together …. and I pray for everyone’s safety.”

“Suffolk County continues to work with our partners in the Town of Southampton, New York State, Nassau County and the federal government to manage the active brushfires in Southampton. Thank you to Representative Nick LaLotta, Senator Chuck Schumer, Governor Kathy Hochul, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Southampton Supervisor Maria Z. Moore, Brookhaven Supervisor Dan Panico, Suffolk County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, the Southampton Police Department, the Suffolk County Police Department, state Representative Tommy John Schiavoni, state Senator Anthony Palumbo, NYC Mayor Eric Adams – who has offered us assistance – and volunteers from over 80 fire departments and emergency service agencies for their work in helping to combat the fires,” added Romaine in a statement.

“I spoke with County Executive Ed Romaine [this afternoon] about the brush fire in the Pine Barrens and informed him that the State of New York is here to provide any resources and support he needs. The New York National Guard has already begun providing air support by helicopter and is coordinating with local law enforcement,” said Gov. Hochul in a press release. “I have also deployed personnel from the Office of Emergency Management, Office of Fire Prevention and Control, Department of Transportation, Department of Environmental Conservation, State Parks and the New York State Police to assist Suffolk County’s response to this crisis. Public safety is my top priority, and I’m committed to doing everything possible to keep Long Islanders safe.”

 

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Photo courtesy of SCPD
Photo courtesy of SCPD
From left, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina with Suffolk County Clerk Vincent Puleo. Photo courtesy of Suffolk County Sheriff's Office
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine with Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina. Photo courtesy of Suffolk County Executive Romaine's office
Catalina to Serve as the 16th Police Commissioner of the Suffolk County Police Department

On Feb. 5, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine joined with the Suffolk County Legislature, Suffolk County Clerk Vincent Puleo, and members of the Suffolk County Police Department as Kevin Catalina was sworn in as the 16th commissioner of the Suffolk County Police Department.

Catalina’s nomination was approved by the Suffolk County Legislature at its Feb. 4, general meeting. Catalina, who previously served as deputy police commissioner with the Suffolk County Police Department, has more than 33 years of law enforcement experience with two of the largest police departments in the country.

Kevin Catalina

“Today serves as a monumental day in Suffolk County as we are proud to introduce Kevin Catalina as our Police Commissioner formally,” Romaine said. “Commissioner Catalina is a man of honor and integrity and will serve as a tremendous leader of the men and women of the Suffolk County Police Department while serving as a steward to our communities.”

“I am grateful for the opportunity to become commissioner of the Suffolk County Police Department, the best police department in the country,” Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina said. “This is a dream come true. I am excited to utilize my more than 30 years of law enforcement experience and work alongside a knowledgeable and professional executive team to implement strategies to continue to drive down crime while building relationships with our residents through community policing efforts.”

“Kevin Catalina has shown over the course of a distinguished career why he’s said to be “a cop’s cop,” said Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey.  “I fully expect that the leadership, innovation, and achievements that make up his remarkable experience over three decades will prove invaluable in making Suffolk County a safer place. I’m proud to support him as commissioner.”

Commissioner Catalina is nationally recognized as a subject matter expert and innovator of anti-gang violence strategies. He brings 20 years of experience on the executive level, which has led to a unique crime prevention and management skill set.

Before his time at the SCPD, Catalina served as the undersheriff for the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office for more than five years. Catalina oversaw approximately 250 deputy sheriffs as well as the Corrections Division Intelligence Bureau of 30 investigators and a unit of analysts. Catalina was successful in creating and implementing a corrections-based intelligence model utilizing jail-based intelligence that assisted in solving and preventing crimes within the community.

Catalina’s law enforcement career began in 1992 as a police officer in the New York Police Department’s 103rd Precinct. He quickly moved up the ranks, spending 20 years in supervisory roles including three stints as a commanding officer.

Catalina was then promoted to deputy Chief and served as the Commanding Officer of the Gang Division. Catalina developed and implemented all gang investigative and suppression strategies that continue to be utilized citywide.

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METRO photo

Program Assists First Time Homebuyers Achieve the ‘American Dream’

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine announced on Jan. 27 that the County is accepting applications for the Down Payment Assistance Program, which provides eligible first-time homebuyers up to $30,000 on a purchase of a single-family residence under the condition that they live in the home for at least 10 years. Applications are being accepted through April 1, 2025.

“We are committed to making Suffolk County more affordable by offering young professionals and first-time buyers the assistance to achieve their dreams of home ownership,” said Romaine. “By offering our residents further assistance and financial relief, we will be able to build a brighter future for our communities.”

The program, which was launched in 1993, provides eligible, first-time homebuyers with a conditional grant of up to $30,000 to use towards their down payment.  The buyer is responsible for the balance of the down payment and all the closing costs. Last year, the program assisted in six closings, totaling $162,000 in assistance.

All applicants are required to attend housing counseling prior to submitting an application. The property must be a single-family residence with no rental units and may be a pre-existing or newly constructed single-family residence, condominium, co-operative apartment (Co-op) or manufactured home. The maximum appraised value cannot exceed $551,000.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Must be a first-time homebuyer, defined by HUD as a person who has not owned a home during the three year period immediately prior to the purchase of a residence with HOME funding.
  • Have an adjusted gross household income must be within the HUD guidelines (listed in the application).
  • Occupy the property as their principal residence for 10 years.
  • Attend homebuyer counseling at a HUD certified not-for-profit housing agency in person.
  • Not have entered a Contract of Sale to purchase a home prior to being awarded a Purchaser Certificate from the Suffolk County Community Development Office.
  • Have minimum of $3,000 of their own funds at the time of application in their savings, checking or investment accounts.

Residents are advised to visit SCDownpayment.com to download the application and guidelines as well as the program’s Quick Reference Guide in English and Spanish.

For questions or additional information, please contact the Suffolk County Office of Community Development at 631-853-5705 or [email protected].

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Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine announced that the Suffolk County Veterans Emergency Assistance Commission is now accepting applications from veterans in need of home heating assistance. Consideration is given to all home heating options and to minor home heating system repairs.

“With all the pressures facing our heroic veterans, staying warm at night should not be one of their concerns,” said Romaine.

The Commission has $100,000 at its disposal for 2025. Members of prominent veterans’ organizations determine eligibility and sit on the commission.

“Suffolk County serves the largest population of veterans in New York State. Our office has identified there is a need for veterans, especially those on a fixed income, with assistance paying the high cost of heating their homes. These heroes that served our country in times of peace and during war deserve the help that the Suffolk County Legislature has provided through the Veterans Emergency Home Heating Assistance Program,” said Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency Director Marcelle Leis.

If you are interested in learning more and/or applying for the Veterans Emergency Home Heating Assistance Program, please contact the Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency at (631) 853-8387 or email at veteransinfo@suffolkcountyny.gov.

Recipient Criteria:

•           Completed Application

•           DD Form 214 with Character of Discharge Honorable or General Under Honorable Conditions

•           Household Income (W-2, Disability Rating, Social Security, etc.)

•           Proof of Heating Expenses (oil, electricity, gas) or Boiler/Pluming Estimate

•           Narrative letter describing need for assistance

All above information must be submitted with application to:

Keith O’Reilly, VSO

Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency

100 Veterans Memorial Hwy.

P.O. Box 6100

Hauppauge, NY 11788-0099

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Photo courtesy of County Executive Romaine's office

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and Suffolk County officials recently congratulated 20 local students who completed the Suffolk County Fire Academy’s Junior Firefighter Program.

The graduates, who serve as junior members for their local volunteer fire departments, completed the New York State Basic Exterior Fire Operations program that will give them a head start to fulfill the requirements to become an active firefighter once they reach the required age.

“Suffolk County is proud to revitalize the Junior Firefighter Program as we focus on creating new recruitment and retention initiatives within the local fire service,” said County Executive Romaine. “By engaging our young people and junior firefighters, we will ensure that our first responder agencies will have the necessary resources to serve our communities for years to come.”

The Junior Firefighter Program started at the end of August 2024. Students met with instructors from the Suffolk County Fire Academy and Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services for 15 weeks to learn about various firefighting topics, including building construction, fire dynamics and fire suppression.

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Photo from County Executive Romaine's office
Photo from County Executive Romaine's office
Photo from County Executive Romaine's office

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and County Clerk Vincent Puleo joined the Mastic Fire Department and Mastic Volunteer Ambulance to recognize 28-year-old Kayla Masotto of Mastic Beach, who saved a man that fell through the ice on the Poospatuck Creek in Mastic.

On Thursday, December 26 at 12:30 p.m., Kayla heard the commotion behind her home. She retrieved a paddle board and immediately headed out onto the icy creek.  Kayla risked her own life and effectively paddled across where she was able to approach the victim and pull him up onto her paddle board.  They were then thrown a rope from three good samaritans, Joseph Wahl, Tony Orsi and Alyssa Treadwell, and pulled safely to the shore.

To see a video of the rescue:  https://we.tl/t-jif5XtFP20

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Pictured from left, Robert Waring, Ed Hugh, Thomas Joy, and Chief of Patrol Gerard Hardy. Photo courtesy of SCPD

Suffolk County Police Detective Edwin Hugh and Police Officer Thomas Joy were among the recipients announced during the Seventh Annual Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Community Policing ceremony in Washington D.C. on December 4.

This prestigious award recognizes law enforcement officers who demonstrate exceptional dedication to strengthening trust, promoting community engagement, and enhancing public safety.

The Attorney General’s Award recognizes individual state, local, and Tribal sworn officers, deputies, and troopers for exceptional efforts in community policing. The awarded individuals have demonstrated active engagement with the community in one of three areas: criminal investigations, field operations, or innovations in community policing. Twenty-one people were honored in those categories.

Detective Hugh and Police Officer Joy were honored in the Innovations in Community Policing category for strengthening the department’s relationship with the Asian American community.

Ten years ago, the pair created a police fraternal nonprofit charity organization, the Suffolk County Police Asian Jade Society. The goal was to create an organization for Asian American police officers to collaborate, serve as liaisons, encourage Asian Americans to serve their community, and celebrate Asian American culture.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, community police officers including Officer Joy and Detective Hugh transported people with no transportation and mobility problems to and from testing sites. They also provided meals and other personal comfort items to testing site staff, law enforcement and other essential workers to keep morale high.

Even though Suffolk County had very few incidents of hate crimes in the Asian American community, when they occurred, Detective Hugh and Officer Joy made themselves available to the Asian American community. Detective Hugh and Officer Joy became a liaison between the victims and the department and served as a support system to victims.

Officer Joy, being a Recruitment Officer for the department and having made close ties with the community through the Asian Jade Society, was successful in making recruitment information more available to Asian American communities. Those efforts doubled the number of Asian American and Muslim American officers.

“Suffolk County could not be more proud of our men and women who keep our communities safe, and the actions and dedication of Suffolk County Police Detective Edwin Hugh and Police Officer Thomas Joy perfectly exemplify the excellence of the Suffolk County law enforcement community,” Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said.

“The partnership between Detective Hugh and Officer Joy has benefitted the department and the Asian American community we serve,” said Suffolk County Police Acting Commissioner Robert Waring, who attended the ceremony. “Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus now have a strong relationship with the department leading to a high level of access and confidence and I look forward to continuing to build on that foundation.”

For more information about the awards, visit www.justice.gov

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Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine

By Lisa Scott

Federal priorities and legislation will be markedly different in 2025. Donald Trump received 55% of Suffolk County votes for President, and both CD1 and CD2 Republican members of Congress were re-elected. (CD3 includes a very small part of northwestern Huntington, and re-elected their Democratic member of Congress). As we move through the coming year, it will be very important to stay in touch with your Congressional representative and express your opinions. If you are not sure of your CD or other elected officials, go to https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/ and all your representative districts will be listed.

However, much of what affects our day-to-day lives is determined by New York State, Suffolk County and the 10 Towns that comprise Suffolk so our focus for 2025 should be familiarizing ourselves with local issues  and finances, and making our voices heard on these local levels. 

Suffolk County (according to the 2020 census) has a population of 1.5 million (578,940 households), with a 2024 Operating Budget Revenue of $5.172 billion and 2024 Operating Budget Expenditures of $4.133 billion. The taxable full valuation of property in the county is $405.5 billion. 

Revenue comes from property taxes, sales tax, state aid, federal aid, and other sources. The revenue stream included in the budget is only an estimate of the amounts that can be anticipated. If retail sales fall, the 8.625% sales tax yield will not be as great as anticipated. Similarly, if homeowners and business owners do not promptly pay their property tax, there is a shortfall. The county may borrow money in anticipation of receiving this revenue; therefore, debt service may be required because of this borrowing. 

Expenditures are for personnel, debt service, and a wide variety of services, such as police, education and economic assistance. About 39% of the $4.1 billion budget is mandated by various state and federal government programs, such as Medicaid, which restricts the freedom of the county to apportion expenditures. The remainder is “discretionary.”

Suffolk County’s proposed 2025 budget includes a tax increase for most homeowners, expected to average about $49 per home in Huntington, Smithtown and Brookhaven. The increase resulted from a shortfall in expected sales tax receipts, about $50 million less this year than what was projected, pension costs went up by about $43 million and health care costs went up by $66 million. Also Suffolk voters approved a clean water proposition in 2024; sales taxes will increase in March from 8.625% to 8.75%  (about 12 cents on a $100 purchase or $1.25 on a $1,000 purchase). 

Ed Romaine is our Suffolk County Executive ([email protected]) elected for a 4 year term. Other elected county-wide offices include Comptroller John M. Kennedy Jr.  ([email protected]), Clerk Vincent Puleo ([email protected]), District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney ([email protected]) and Sheriff Errol Toulon, Jr. (suffolk.sheriff@suffolkcounty ny.gov). 

There also is an 18 member Suffolk County Legislature, serving 2 year elected terms (term is limited to 12 years in office for all legislators). To find your SC Legislative District, go to https://www.scnylegislature.us/ and click on Find Your Representative. Then read up on your county legislator, find out what their priorities are and whether those are your priorities too. The General and committee meeting schedules are on the website, along with meeting minutes.

There are 13 committees which meet the week before each general (monthly) meeting of the Suffolk County Legislature to discuss proposed bills and issues and decide what moves forward to the full legislature. For example, the Veterans committee and Environment, Parks & Agriculture meet on Monday mornings, Economic Development, Planning and Housing on Wednesday afternoons and Public Safety on Thursday mornings. 

Since there are 10 Towns in Suffolk, and many incorporated Villages, there are other levels of representation, ordinances and codes. Concerned citizens need to navigate these levels and establish relationships with all your elected officials, so that when a question or issue arises, you are aware of which level of government has responsibility. Remember that elected officials work for YOU, and if you do not communicate clearly and responsibly your message will not receive the attention and response it deserves. 

To learn more about those who represent Suffolk County residents on every level of government and how to reach them, the League of Women Voters of Suffolk County issues an annual Directory of Public Officials in March, available online and as a pdf in English and in Spanish at https://my.lwv.org/new-york/suffolk-county.

Lisa Scott is president of the League of Women Voters of Suffolk County, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy. For more information, visit https//my.lwv.org/new-york/suffolk-county.

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