COMMUNITY UPDATES - MARCH 13, 2014

Good evening, 
 
The following are updates on the several matters the Civics are currently addressing:

 

• HALMS INDUSTRIES – 180 GH Road – The real estate broker is working with several prospective buyers.  We will continue to stay in touch with the broker and will monitor the progress.
• LUNDY’S PROPERTY – GH Roberts Lane – This property of close to 8 acres continues to be in deplorable shape, one does not notice it much as it is hidden behind the RR tracks and a dead end street. The developers who have a contract with the owners have been chasing this property for a dozen years and little activity has come of their efforts.  The Civics continue to be in touch with the developers and they inform us that the matter is currently pending further input from the DEC in Albany; we do not expect any quick resolution but continue to monitor the progress.
• NY AMERICAN WATER CO. – As many of you know the Civics organized a public meeting over a month ago with senior from the company, and while neighbors showed their frustration at the company executives, little resolution to the outrageous bills cam of the meeting.  The Civics are currently organizing an early April meeting with the three local Councilmen representing us in Albany (Michael Montesano, Ed Ra and Delia DeRiggi - Whitting) to seek their help in resolving this ongoing issue.  The Civics are also in touch with the Public Service Commission, who manage the rates for the water companies, and while they have not been at all helpful, we also recognize that the current rates are NOT due to any rate increases but are primarily due to the outrageous cost of their services (approx. $4.30 per thousand gallons used versus some $1.25 – taxes included – for Jericho and Roslyn water districts.)  The Civics have explored the ultimate solution to this issue with subject matter experts and it is a difficult one, but one that with some effort could be addressed.  The process would require a referendum from the community, approaching the company to buy them out, issuing a bond for the purchase (the Town of Oyster Bay would handle the process and the ongoing billing for the bond to everyone in the community), assessments would be required from both parties (the community and the water company), and a negotiation for the final price would have to be worked out.  Once this process is implemented (not a quick or easy task), we would find a company, such as Jericho or Roslyn, to run the day-to-day service (we would not be required to set another bureaucracy to handle it.  In summary – we are moving in several directions to find a solution, including a political one.
• LOCAL CARPETING BUSINESS – GH –  The business has applied for a permit, as required by the town, for a sign and the town is waiting to review and approve the proposal – the Civics are not involved directly on any reviews of the sign but we are monitoring the approval process.
• BANK – SUNOCO PROPERTY – There is little news being provided by the Bank executive management in terms of any progress to conclude the purchase.  The Civics will now move to request a meeting with the Town Supervisor (John Venditto), who approached the Civics over a year ago to see if we could accommodate the bank with the purchase.  We did in good faith and the bank is now not providing any updates while Sunoco is waiting for the negotiations to conclude.  This lack of progress on this project is affecting the agreement made by the Supervisor with the Civics to provide the community with funding to enhance the business area – a project starting from the GH Road RR tracks, and one that has been scoped out and presented by the Civics to the Town officials for review, The Civics will request a meeting with the Town Supervisor and will report the results to the community.
• CELL FLAG POLE ANTENNA – Two local Civics have been addressing the local community concern over the possible installation of a cell antenna by the American Legion building in GH.  Representatives from the Civics have met with the AL Board and the process is under discussion.

 

Lots going on! The Civics will report on the progress of each of these matters.